Junior School Admissions
Our admissions process
The main entry point into our Junior School is Grade 0. Spaces in other grades do occasionally open up – see detail below about how to apply.
Junior Admissions Overview
Overview
Roedean School ensures that each child receives the personal attention they require to develop as individuals. We maintain a class size average of 25 pupils which often means that girls are first placed on a waiting list before we proceed with an application process.
Special consideration is given to siblings and daughters of Roedean past pupils (SAORA).
Please note that the main points of entry to Roedean are:
Grade 0 for St Margaret’s (Foundation Phase) for the Junior School
Lower V (Grade 8) for the Senior School
Junior School
Entry into Roedean School (SA)
The majority of girls enter the Junior School in the Grade 0 class in the calendar year in which they turn 6. Candidates must have reached their 5th birthday when entering the school in Grade 0.
Occasional vacancies do occur for all other classes at various stages during the year.
Priority is given to siblings of current and past pupils of Roedean School (SA), and daughters of past pupils. These candidates will undergo the same assessment procedure and will need to meet the standards set by Roedean School (SA) – Junior School.
Daughters of members of staff at Roedean (SA) will undergo the same selection process as other applicants and the same assessment criteria are used as for other candidates.
Grade 0 Admissions
Assessment
Children are assessed in November prior to the preceding year of entry. The process by which new pupils are selected is unique to Roedean School (SA) – Junior School and it is difficult to prepare a child for it by tutoring or coaching them.
We aim to assess children over as wide a range of strengths, skills and aptitudes as possible. We want to build a holistic view of their development and potential. The assessment incorporates language development, practical reasoning, group participation and play, which combines both fine and gross motor skills.
The assessment may include some standardised testing in language and reasoning and all scores are weighted according to age. This ensures younger children are not disadvantaged. Formal pencil and paper tasks are kept to a minimum, and reading and writing are not assessed.
We acknowledge that all children have an innate curiosity; therefore, the range of activities during the assessment will provide many opportunities for the children to participate in different areas of personal interest. We appreciate that children develop at different rates, which is also taken into consideration.
Experience Roedean School
What happens
on the day?
Candidates will be invited to come in on a single day, for a session lasting between 1 and 1½ hours.
When the candidates arrive with their parents, they gather in the St Margaret’s Block where activities are set out for the children.
Thereafter the children are divided into four small groups where they will be required to go through a range of tasks that are all age appropriate and fun. This will give the assessors the opportunity to observe the children both individually and within a group.
We are aware that even a few months make a tremendous difference in a child’s development at this age, and we do take into account and make allowances for excitement or anxiety on the day. Every attempt is made to make a child’s assessment experience as much fun as possible.
Interview
Final Selection Procedure
Following the assessment, all information is collected and a short list of possible candidates is compiled. The parents of these children will be invited to attend an interview.
Final decisions will be made on all the information collected. The selection committee is made up of the Roedean School (SA) – Executive Team.
With so few places available, sadly it is inevitable that we have to turn down many extremely able children. Some candidates who have done well enough in the assessment to cope with the rigours of Roedean School (SA) – Junior School will, owing to the numbers of applicants, be placed on a priority waiting list. Should a vacancy arise, candidates on the waiting list will be considered and an offer of a place might be made. This waiting list will remain active until December of the year prior to entry into Grade 1. After that point, any candidates remaining on the waiting list will move to the ‘occasional’ list. In the event of a vacancy arising during any school year, we will invite candidates on the occasional list to reassess for the year into which they are seeking entry.
Occasional Vacancies
Occasional Vacancies
Occasional vacancies do occur for all other classes at various stages during the year. If you are interested in your daughter attending Roedean (SA) – Junior School, please download a registration form and submit it with payment. Should the possibility of a place in the appropriate class become available, we will invite your daughter for an assessment.
Entry into Grades 4-7
Should there be a possibility of a placement becoming available, your daughter will then undergo a brief diagnostic assessment. An interview is arranged with the Headmistress or Deputy Headmistress where you have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
Based on availability, the diagnostic assessment and the interview, your daughter is either offered a position at Roedean School or is placed on the waiting list.
We will write to your daughter’s current Head Teacher for a report.
This policy may be amended at any meeting of the Board of Governors, and changes would not normally apply until the start of the following academic year.
Please make sure that you are applying for the correct grade. Please note that Roedean’s grades are as follows:
- Grade 0 – Grade 0
- Grade 1 – Grade 1
- Grade 2 – Grade 2
- Grade 3 – Form I
- Grade 4 – Form II
- Grade 5 – Form III
- Grade 6 – Lower IV
- Grade 7 – Upper IV
- Grade 8 – Lower V
- Grade 9 – Middle V
- Grade 10 – Upper V
- Grade 11 – Ante Matric
- Grade 12 – Matric
We acknowledge that all children have an innate curiosity; therefore, the range of activities during the assessment will provide many opportunities for the children to participate in different areas of personal interest. We appreciate that children develop at different rates, which is also taken into consideration.
Registration Process
Registration Steps
School Tours
Get a Private Tour of Roedean School!
We invite you to come and experience our amazing campus first-hand and explore all that Roedean School has to offer. Fill in the form below and we will schedule a private tour of the Roedean campus for you and your family.
Online Application
Apply Today
- The following documents will need to be uploaded when completing the online application:
- A copy of the applicant’s unabridged birth certificate.
- A copy of the applicant’s passport (non-South African citizens).
- Copies of both parents’ identity documents (South African citizens) or passports (non-South African citizens).
- A copy of the applicant’s latest school report, if applicable.
- Please note you will need to pay a R500 non-refundable registration fee and then upload proof of payment.
Contact
Please contact us if you have any further queries.
Junior School Admissions
Phumza Gesha
+27 11 647 3270
Email Ms. Gesha
Senior School Admissions
Lizette Van Biljon
+27 11 647 3202
Email Mrs. Van Biljon
General Enquiries