Shiplake College is very proud to be an all ability school and, as such, we operate as holistic an assessment process as possible. The purpose of the assessment day is to allow our experienced staff to determine whether each pupil would thrive in Shiplake College’s active educational environment and not to simply see which pupils score the highest in exam conditions.
In the morning candidates sit a series of short literacy and numeracy skills assessments, some online and some handwritten; these tests are designed to provide a clear and broad picture of a pupil's baseline skills and highlight if support needs exist. The tests are timed generously and negate the need to provide exam concessions. However, if a child usually receives exam concessions, parents should let us know and this will be taken into consideration when evaluating the marks. Our assessments are intended to show us what pupils can achieve and not what they cannot.
After lunch with current pupils, there will be an indoor and an outdoor activity (weather permitting) in small groups allowing us to observe each pupil’s interactions with peers and staff in a more relaxed situation. There will also be an informal interview with a senior member of staff.
After the registration deadline has passed in mid-July, applicants will receive an invitation to an assessment day and a confidential report will also be sought from present and previous schools.
If you have any concerns, queries or requests regarding your child’s assessment day, please call the Admissions Office on 0118 940 5221 or 0118 970 4764.
In September 2024, we moved to using a combination of short online (typed) and handwritten assessments designed to look at applicants' literacy and numeracy skills.
These tests are designed to provide a clear and broad picture of a pupil's baseline skills and highlight if support needs exist.
The tests are dynamic according to ability in a given skill and timed generously, therefore they negate the need to provide exam concessions.
If, however, a child usually receives exam concessions, parents should let us know and this will be taken into consideration when evaluating the marks. For example, if a pupil usually types all their school work, we will still ask them to handwrite two sections of the assessment so that we have a clear and up-to-date snapshot of that support need. They will type the remaining sections.
Our assessments are intended to show us what pupils can achieve and not what they cannot.
We assess the majority of pupils for Year 9 entry in the autumn term of their Year 7. This is in line with many other senior schools, so as to reassure parents that their children have a place around the same time that their peers are accepting offers.
We will run a further assessment day when pupils are halfway through Year 8.
Download a printable timeline with dates for 2025, 2026 and 2027 entry here
| Event |
Timing |
| Whole College Open Morning |
Spring Term of Year 6 |
| Taster Days and Workshops |
June of Year 6 |
| Registration Deadline |
July of Year 6 |
| References Requested from Current School |
September of Year 7 |
| Assessment Days |
September of Year 7 |
| Bursary Application Window |
May to August of Year 7 |
| Decision Letters Sent |
October of Year 7 |
| Acceptance Deadline |
January of Year 7 |
| Scholarship Application Deadline |
December of Year 8 |
| Scholarship Assesssments |
February/March of Year 8 |
| Welcome Events |
Spring of Year 7, Spring and Summer of Year 8 |
For entry into Year 9, these take place in June of an applicant's Year 6.
Click here for more information about tasters.
If you have any queries, please contact the Assistant Registrar, Mrs Hayley Young, at [email protected].
Please click here to complete an online registration.
Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sport Scholarships are available to Year 9 applicants. Further details are available on the Scholarships page.
The deadline for applying for a Year 9 scholarship will be detailed in the admissions timeline for your appropriate entry year) and assessments for these will take place after offers of places have been made.
Mrs Esther Pasmore, Admissions Registrar