ADMISSIONS POLICY

Entry to Craigclowan is dependent on the capability of the pupil to benefit from the broad educational aims of the school and its objective to promote education generally.

Prospective pupils are invited to visit the School with their parents, so that they can view the facilities and meet the Headmaster and other relevant staff. While entry is competitive, the individual qualities of the prospective pupil and suitability for life at Craigclowan will be the prime considerations in offering a place.

A report from the child’s current school is requested for those entering the Main School. Entry may be made at any point providing space is available and if the Headmaster decides it necessary an assessment of academic ability may be required. In the case of a year group being full or over-subscribed, a place on the waiting list may be offered.

There is no discrimination at entry on grounds of race, religion, disability, socio-economic background or gender and no preference is given to a particular parental occupation.

Children moving from the Pre-school to the Main School will have priority in the allocation of places in Form One.

The School endeavours to make places available to siblings, subject to space being available in the relevant year group. Pupils should normally be the correct age for the year group, based on 1st September cut off with a pupil expecting to attain the age of thirteen in his/her last prep. school year, equivalent to S1 although there is flexibility depending on the child’s ability.

An Entrance Form should be completed and returned to the School and the Headmaster will offer a place if the pupil is deemed suitable. Prior to an offer being made parents or guardians must declare any specific learning support need, medical condition or disability. Applications and offers of places may be made at any time of year.

The School’s policy is to apply the same criteria to all current and potential pupils regardless of any disability of which it is aware. We make reasonable adjustments so as not to put any disabled pupil or potential pupil at a substantial disadvantage compared to any pupil who is not disadvantaged.

In the case of a child not being offered a place at the School, parents will be advised as to the reasons and are welcome to contact the Headmaster to discuss the situation.

Children follow the Scottish 5-14 curriculum until entering the equivalent of P6 when the syllabus required for Common Entrance Examinations set by the ISEB becomes the guide. Pupils follow courses in English, Mathematics, Science, French, History, Geography, Religious Studies, PSE, Latin or General Studies, Art, CDT, ICT, PE, Drama, Music and Games.

Information regarding bursaries and financial assistance is available on request.

It is the philosophy of Craigclowan that education is a broad field and we wish children to participate in all that is offered. Therefore, we charge an inclusive fee in order to reduce the number of additional charges. The exceptions, which are by arrangement, are for trips and outings, skiing and individual music tuition. From time to time there may be other charges made but these are always communicated to parents before end of term billing. Fees are payable in advance, on or before the first day of each term, whilst any extras are paid retrospectively.

Current fees for the Academic Year 2007 - 08 are as follows:

Main School: £2750 per child per term. A £50 discount is made for prompt payment.

Pre-School: £165 per child per morning or afternoon session per term.
Perth and Kinross Council funding is available and this amount is deducted before billing.

Parents with more than one child in the Main School at any given time receive the benefit of reductions for additional children as follows:

2nd child 12.5%

3rd child 25%

4th child 50%.

Fees may be settled in a lump sum if preferred and parents interested in this method of payment should contact the Headmaster for details. There is a monthly payment scheme available and the Bursar will be happy to provide details of this.

A registration fee of £100 is due for each child on entry to the school.

One term’s written notice of withdrawal is required, otherwise one term’s fees will be charged in lieu.

No refund of fees can be granted for absences from school.

In the best interests of the school, the Headmaster reserves the right to require a child to be withdrawn if he considers his or her behaviour could have a detrimental effect on other pupils. In this event, no allowance can be made for return of fees.

Having no financial endowments, the School has limited resources from which it can offer bursaries. A range of factors is considered in making the awards and there are no statutory rules. As a result, the number and size of bursaries can vary considerably. In exceptional circumstances awards of 100% have been made but the normal range is between 20% and 80% of fees.

In all cases, the level of a School Bursary is determined by the extent of financial need and, to allow this to be assessed, applicants are required to complete a Bursary Application Form, available from the Bursar, which provides information on the family and documents total income and capital assets. In exceptional cases full bursaries may be available. Where no financial need can be established, no bursary will be granted.
Bursary awards are available to children at any stage, and are intended to facilitate access for new pupils or to assist existing pupils where there has been a significant change in financial circumstance, such as loss of income, which threatens the pupil’s continued attendance at Craigclowan. Bursary applications for existing pupils may be made at any time during the school year.
In the case of applications for pupils new to the Main School, parents should request a Bursary Application Form from the Headmaster at the time of submitting the Application for Admission Form and this should be received by the School on or before the first day of the term preceding proposed entry.
The Bursary Application Form requires details of the family income both earned and unearned and regular commitments such as mortgage payments, insurances and loans. Information on other dependant children in the family is required with details of associated expenses if in full time education or their income if employed. This is intended to provide a clear picture of the family's position in order to allow the Bursary Applications Committee, consisting of the Headmaster, Bursar and the Governor with responsibility for finance, to make a fair assessment of financial need. In advance, parents may wish to have a short meeting with the Bursar so that the process may be fully explained and understood. If required, help is available to complete the form.
Following assessment of the information provided in the application, the Bursary Applications Committee decide whether support is appropriate and upon the level of such support. Unsuccessful cases may be the result of either lack of evidence of financial need, or insufficient availability of bursary funds. Where the number of applications received creates the possibility of bursary funds being oversubscribed, account will be taken of the degree to which the pupils will benefit from the academic nature of the curriculum and the extra-curricular facilities and opportunities available at Craigclowan.
There is no course of appeal following the award decision but unsuccessful applicants may re-apply in subsequent years.
Bursary awards are deducted from the tuition fees. No direct payment of funds is made to the parent.
Bursaries are normally awarded on the basis that assistance will be maintained for as long as the pupil remains at Craigclowan. However, this ongoing funding is subject to annual review of the need for financial assistance. Where such review reveals that the family's financial circumstances have improved sufficiently, the bursary may be reduced or withdrawn.
In some cases, awards may be granted for a limited period, subject to review. This often applies where a family has experienced a temporary change in their financial circumstances. In all cases awards are conditional upon the pupil making reasonable academic progress and maintaining good standards of behaviour and may be withdrawn in the event of consistent breach of School rules or serious misconduct.
Where the financial position of the family changes, the School expects the Bursar to be notified and this may lead to a review of the amount of the bursary award being granted. From time to time parents of children receiving bursaries may be requested to confirm that there has been no significant change in their financial position.
Further financial assistance may be available from the The Mark Taylor Educational Trust and details can be obtained from the School.
The Joint Educational Trust offers support for children aged 7 – 13 and further information can be accessed at www.jetcharity.org
Information regarding other educational trusts can be obtained from the Educational Trust’s Forum, www.educational-grants.org

Craigclowan is an Educational Charity. Scottish Charity No. SCO10817

PURPOSE

To provide financial assistance to parents of children entering Craigclowan at Form Four (age 9 and over) or above with exceptional talent in one or more areas of school life and who would not otherwise benefit from a Craigclowan education. The size of each award will vary depending on financial need and the availability of funds.

PROCESS

On completing and submitting a School Entrance Form, parents would request a Bursary Application Form and Mark Taylor Educational Trust Bursary Form.

The standard Bursary Application Form would give details of the family’s financial position. The Mark Taylor Educational Trust Bursary Form would give details of the child and his/her specific areas of excellence and achievement with supporting documentation.

All documentation should be with the Headmaster by half-term of the Spring Term prior to Autumn entry.

Practical assessments may be required before the Bursary Applications Committee sits to assess the level of financial assistance required. The Headmaster may consult with other members of staff, the Governing body of the school or other parties as to the suitability of the child for an education at Craigclowan.

The Headmaster will take his recommendations to the trustees of The Mark Taylor Educational Trust, with whom the final decision will rest. A decision will be made before the end of the Spring Term and the parents or guardians notified of the extent of the award. This should be accepted (or rejected) by the beginning of the Summer Term.

Each year the trustees will advise the Headmaster of the level of financial resources available for new children in the following academic year.
Bursaries will normally be awarded on the basis that assistance will be maintained for as long as the pupil remains at Craigclowan. However, this ongoing funding is subject to annual review of the need for financial assistance. Where such review reveals that the family's financial circumstances have improved sufficiently, the bursary may be reduced or withdrawn. Once the pupil has been at the school for one academic year the parents may submit an application for a School Bursary to supplement the amount granted by the Mark Taylor Educational Trust.
In some cases, awards may be granted for a limited period, subject to review. This often applies where a family has experienced a temporary change in their financial circumstances. In all cases awards are conditional upon the pupil making reasonable academic progress as well as in his/her fields of excellence and maintaining good standards of behaviour and may be withdrawn in the event of consistent breach of School rules or serious misconduct.
Where the financial position of the family changes, the School expects the Bursar to be notified and this may lead to a review of the amount of the Bursary being granted. From time to time parents of children receiving bursaries may be requested to confirm that there has been no significant change in their financial position.
It is not the intention of the school or the trustees of The Mark Taylor Educational Trust to divulge those children who have benefited from its support without the express permission of parents or guardians.