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Joining Us at 4+ (Reception)

Children joining us in the Nursery, (click here for more information) are guaranteed entry to Reception.  

Read on for details of how to register your child, offers of places and our unique programme of events to ensure a smooth transition to 'big school'.  Lucy Walton, Registrar, and Eleanor Henery, Deputy Head Pre-Prep are always available to help and guide you through this exciting time.

Registration
 

Early registration is advised and many parents like to register with us even before their child has celebrated their first birthday. Children should be registered at least 18 months in advance of their expected start date in order to be invited to the Stay and Play Sessions (see next section). We are mindful that many new families move in to the Wimbledon area and, if you have not yet registered within this timing, please contact Lucy Walton on 020 8971 0452 to discuss availability.

Click here for our online Registration Form.  Those families who have not yet visited the School are invited to join one of our Open Mornings or Headmaster's Coffee Mornings.

Stay and Play Sessions  

All children will be invited to attend a Stay and Play session 18 months in advance of joining Reception, and a confidential nursery reference will be sought.  Additional sessions may be run during the course of the year if places become available. The Stay and Play sessions are run by the Early Years' team who will spend individual time with all the children.  During this session the team will informally observe language, social skills, enthusiasm and interest levels, ensuring that we can meet a child's individual needs. The session allows us to gauge a child's readiness for a more rigorous academic setting. Offers of places will only be sent to children who have attended a Stay and Play session. 

Offer, Acceptance of Places & First Term's Fees  

Offers will be sent 18 months in advance of children joining Reception, following the Stay and Play session and in line with our admissions policy. Priority will be given to those families who already have a child at the School. Due to limited places, pupils may be given  a waiting list place and will be offered a place in line with our admissions policy, when a space becomes available.

Acceptance of Places

Parents will receive a formal offer letter and will be asked to return the signed Parent Contract and deposit payment of £2,000 (non-refundable if the child is withdrawn from the School before joining) with a two-week acceptance deadline.

First Term's Fees

The first term's fees will be payable by the first day of the preceding Summer term.  Once your child has started at the school, invoices will be sent out at the end of each preceding term and fees will be payable by or on the first day of the term.

Willington Induction Programme 

We hold a number of formal events to familiarise your son/daughter (and you) with ‘big school’. Our tried and tested formula sees children starting with us confidently in the September and it gives our teachers the opportunity to get to know the everyone. 


Induction Morning – held on a Saturday morning around June, children visit us for one hour and enjoy a host of activities and our teachers spend time individually with each child.

Meet the Teacher morning – a midweek visit for the children to familiarise themselves with their new environment.

New Parents’ Evening – a midweek event for our new parents, where the Reception team take parents through day-to-day logistics and helpful tips for getting the children ready for school.

New Joiners’ Afternoon Tea – this annual event sees parents and their children, often accompanied by brothers and sisters, joining staff to usher in the new academic year and the start of a wonderful journey together.