Frequently Asked Questions - Crescent School
We understand that prospective parents may have many questions that they would like to ask ahead of applying for a place for their child at Crescent School. We have included those most frequently asked, but should you have a query that isn’t covered here, please call Becky Witcomb, our Registrar, pictured here, on 01788 523851 or contact her by email at admissions@crescentschool.co.uk and she will be happy to help.
Q: What are your plans regarding the VAT on private school fees that is set to be introduced in January 2025?
We have just announced our response to the Government’s plan to introduce VAT to private school fees from January 2025. If implemented, the College will be reducing its fees so that the increase passed on to parents will be 5%, substantially less than the 20% VAT rate, which we hope will come as good news. For more on the fees and our strategy, please visit the VAT on School Fees page on our website, which can be found here.
Q: Will my child need to take an entrance exam for Crescent School?
A: Whilst we do not have a formal entrance examination for Crescent School, we wish to ensure that every child will fit into school life and engage with our stimulating and varied range of activities and our ethos. We ask prospective parents to meet with Mr Thackway, the Headmaster, and we normally invite the children* to join us on a taster day which can be arranged on a mutually convenient date. Children in Year 3-6 may be asked to take a short online assessment to help us gauge their current levels of understanding. Younger children may have a reading age assessment and be asked to produce written language and number work.
*Pre-school children do not have a taster day but are normally visited in their nursery setting by one of our Early Years Team, prior to an offer of a place being made.
Q: Are there set joining points within the school year?
A: No. Where places exist, we take children throughout the school year according to the preference of parents.
Q: What is the average class size at Crescent School?
A: The maximum class size in Pre-Prep is 20 children, whilst in Year 3 and above the class size continues to be smaller than the national average, at no more than 24 children. Every form throughout the school also benefits from their own teaching assistant.
Q: What makes Crescent School special?
A: We talk a lot about the ethos of the Princethorpe Foundation and it is not just talk; it really is the basis of all that we do at Crescent School and parents often comment on the friendly atmosphere when they visit. Our shared School Promise expresses the shared values of the school and inspires us all to be good friends, good learners and good citizens. We encourage the children to be kind to each other and to show respect for their peers and teachers, which in turn creates an environment where they are free to try their best and to develop their talents.
The school has grown in recent years, but the family feel where each child is known as an individual remains. This combines with the highest standards of teaching and tuition from specialist teachers in music, drama, languages, sports and art.
Q: My child is a high achiever; how will Crescent School benefit him/her?
A: Children who demonstrate a high standard academically will be supported to further develop their abilities. We go to great lengths to ensure that we meet the needs of children not just academically but also in other areas such as sports and performing arts. Sometimes parents worry that because their child is quiet or falls in the middle ground, they will be overlooked. At Crescent School this is not the case as we strive to develop the potential of all children and to develop their many talents.
Q: My child may need additional support – what can Crescent School offer?
A: We care very much that all our pupils should be happy and achieving with us, and that means that we make it our business to understand how each one of them learns.
Our learning support hub, led by our teacher SENDCo with support from teaching assistants across the school can provide 1:1 teaching for those children who require additional support.
Our pupils benefit from staff who are quick to recognise and refer pupils who need specialist assessment and/or help. Each year we screen for dyslexia at the start of Year 3.
Our goal is to ensure that all children at Crescent School are happy and fulfilled; and providing the right support at the right time is all part of that mission.
There is a charge for the 1:1 sessions.
Q: What extra-curricular clubs do you offer?
A: We offer around 50 different lunch-time and after school clubs that cater for all interests. See the section on extra-curricular clubs, sport and music within this update.
Q: I am a working parent – do you offer wrap around care and holiday provision?
A: During term time we offer 'early bird' supervision from 7.45am and after-care until 5.45pm for which we make an additional charge per session.
Q: If I have two or more children joining, will I get a discount?
A: Yes, families with more than one child at Foundation Schools receive a discount of 5% for a second or third child or 10% for a fourth or subsequent child.
Q: Do you accept childcare vouchers?
A: Yes, we take vouchers from most of the major schemes, which may be used against before and after-school care.
Q: Do you operate a bus service to Crescent School?
We do not currently operate a bus service, however should you accept a place we are happy, with your permission, to pass your details on to current parents in your postcode so that you can explore lift-share opportunities.
Q: When do I need to apply for a place in September?
A: The sooner, the better. For siblings of Crescent pupils, and any external candidates with a strong interest in a place in Reception, parents are able to apply early and take advantage of a priority early bird application process.
For all other year groups the application process is handled individually but they need to be registered by Monday 3 February 2025 in order for their application to be progressed in time for our Induction Morning in June. Our prospectus pack includes a registration form and once you return it to us with the registration fee, we can start the admissions process.
Q: If I apply, when will I hear about a place?
A: Once you have completed and returned a registration form, we aim to provide feedback promptly and, once we have had time to source a reference from your child’s current school, and organise a Taster Day we will advise whether we will offer a place.
Q: Will joining Crescent School give my child priority for joining the Foundation's senior school Princethorpe College?
A: Being one of the Foundation's preparatory schools gives children a real head start in the admissions process. Crescent's pupils are familiar with the College as we use the grounds and facilities for Sports Days and performances. They are also thoroughly prepared for the entrance examination and have enjoyed a near 100% success rate for entry in recent years, but there is no guaranteed entry.
Q: How successful is Crescent at getting its pupils into the local grammar schools?
A: Crescent pupils who take the 11+ examinations for entry into the local grammar schools have historically always done very well. Over the last three years at least 60% of those taking the 11+ have been offered grammar school places.
