A very warm welcome to our Admissions Update e-newsletter, designed to give you an insight into Crescent School and a feel for the richness of school life here. You will also find lots of practical information that will help you through the admissions process.

The first thing that strikes visitors to our school is the special sense of purpose that there is here, combined with a genuinely caring and nurturing atmosphere. Every child here is unique and everyone has their place in our shared community. The word that visitors use most frequently to describe the atmosphere is a simple one; happy. 

Once again this year we have celebrated outstanding success both in the classroom and out. Our sport and healthy living provision received a rare 'special feature' commendation in our recent fully compliant ISI report, and the music and drama in the school go from strength to strength. Our wonderful teaching staff are determined to go the extra mile to help our children achieve everything they are capable of. 

We live by the School Promise, which asks us all to be Good Friends, Good Learners and Good Citizens in all we do. Our philosophy applies equally inside the classroom, on the sports field and in all of our extra-curricular pursuits as well.

We look forward to welcoming you to our wonderful school in the near future.

Joe Thackway

Headmaster

Congratulations to our class of 2025 who have moved on to a range of outstanding local independent and state schools.

Ten of the 23-strong class have joined the Foundation’s senior school, Princethorpe College. We also had pupils going to a number of other independent schools as well as the local grammar schools. We were especially delighted that this year that 18 of our Year 6 pupils were awarded scholarships, including academic, sports, drama, music and choral awards.

Sarah Webb, Assistant Head and Year 6 Teacher, said, “It’s lovely to see the children enjoying such success. Our aim is always to do our best to help our pupils reach the destination secondary school of their choice. We were particularly pleased with the wide range of scholarship offers this group received. It was an excellent outcome and everyone here wishes them the very best.”

Congratulations to all the children on their achievements – Crescent School is really proud of them all.

Crescent School has once again been recognised for its work to create a sustainable environment.

Last academic year, pupils at Crescent School lead the way in promoting sustainability and raising environmental awareness amongst their community, including their peers, staff members, and the wider local community. Their exceptional efforts have been recognised with a prestigious, internationally acclaimed Eco-Schools Green Flag accreditation.

The Eco-Schools programme, established in 1994, has been inspiring young environmentalists for over 30 years. It has grown into a global movement, with Eco-Schools Green Flag accreditation awarded to schools in more than 100 countries.

Last school year, 14 pupils from Year 2 to Year 6 worked together as a Green Team. They identified three key focus areas for sustainability improvements: Energy, Litter and Marine. Across the year, the children launched numerous activities and campaigns, including the 'Cut Your Carbon Campaign', a ‘Switch Off Fortnight’, and the 'Keep Britain Tidy Great Big School Clean'. During the school year, pupils also set targets for energy usage, completed an audit of single use plastics, introduced crisp packet and glue stick recycling, undertook regular litter picks, agreed a school ban on laminating and even worked with the school caterers to replace single use dessert bowls with reusable ones.

Jacqui Johnson,  Green Team lead, said: "We are thrilled that our environmental efforts have been recognised. We are proud of the enthusiasm of our pupils to make real change for the benefit of our planet. Their mature and inspirational attitude aligns with our school and wider Foundation’s sustainability ethos, and our shared goal to make the world a better and brighter place.”

Headmaster, Joe Thackway, added: “It has been wonderful to see our school community working together to improve our sustainability. The dedication and passion of the children has been inspiring, and they deserve their recognition at the highest level by the Eco School Awards."

Eco-Schools England Manager, Adam Flint, expressed: "Every year, we are amazed by the incredible efforts of young people working together to create a better future for all. Their collective impact is truly remarkable. If everyone approached the climate crisis with the same level of passion and determination, we could resolve it much faster and make it a problem of the past. At Keep Britain Tidy, we are delighted to recognise Crescent School's achievements with the Eco-Schools Green Flag."

Crescent School had a phenomenal day at the ISA Midlands Athletics Championships in Wolverhampton, with students delivering outstanding performances across track and field events. Competing against 34 schools, Crescent athletes rose to the occasion, securing a huge medal haul and seeing the Boys crowned overall champions of the day.

Notable highlights from the event included a stand out performance from Joshua in the Year 4 Boys 600m, winning in a superb time of 2:00:98 minutes earning himself a place at the ISA National Finals. A further nine athletes also finished first in their events, booking their ticket to the Nationals, the most Crescent students ever to qualify for this prestigious event.

The ISA National Field and Track Championships took place at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, an inspirational venue that has hosted many elite international athletes over the years.  There, Year 4 pupil, Feranmi, impressed all by winning a Gold medal in the Long Jump, an incredible result, with Year 6, Maxi E just missing a medal after finishing 4th in the Year 6 Boys Long Jump.

Head of PE and Games, Rachel McCollin, said, “Qualifying to represent the Midlands team at the National Championships was a fantastic achievement in itself. We always tell the children to believe in themselves and push beyond their own boundaries and they certainly did that. Our athletes had an amazing day competing against the best athletes in the country for their age group. They represented their school and region fantastically and I was incredibly impressed by their performance on the day.”

Crescent School's KS2 Summer Concert took place at the end of the Trinity Term. Despite the heat, it was a well-attended event with the school hall packed with parents and family members eager to enjoy the celebration of music and song.

Brass Group opened the concert confidently playing a rousing rendition of 500 Miles. That was followed by plenty of toe-tapping performances from the school’s music groups interspersed with lots of individual solos from the school's many talented musicians.

The concert concluded with an amazing performance from the Choir.  Pupils sang five pieces including the stirring Viva La Vida and finishing with the very appropriate Thank You For The Music.

It was an outstanding afternoon of music and song. Congratulations to all Crescent School's accomplished performers who took to the stage in front of their proud parents and, of course, to all their teachers and especially to Director of Music, Julie Barnes, who was given a standing ovation by the audience to thank her for her many years of dedication to music here at Crescent School

Crescent’s Year 6 were simply magnificent when they performed Shakespeare’s classic, Romeo and Juliet. In their final end-of-school production, they superbly portrayed the tragic tale of romance between two young Italians from feuding families. Their rendition just wowed their parents and teachers.

The children had worked incredibly hard with Drama teacher, Lizzie Woolfenden, and Director of Music, Julie Barnes, to prepare the special performance and the talented cast rose admirably to the challenge.

It was clear the audience really enjoyed the show, their thunderous applause a testament to yet another super example of the school’s broad provision for the arts.

Headmaster, Joe Thackway said, "Huge congratulations to all the cast for learning their lines so well and delivering them with meaning, expression and great timing, what a multi-talented group of young people they all are."

Crescent School Year 4 pupil, Alice, read an impressive six million words across the academic year. She topped the leader board in the school’s annual reading challenge but she was not the only bookworm in the school, with a further 13 pupils all having passed the million word mark. In fact, pupils at the Crescent enjoyed reading so much that together Years 3 to 6 read over 56 million words last school year.

Alice is an amazing reader and enjoys reading lots of books, she told us she particularly enjoys fantasy novels and two of her recent favourites included His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman and The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. 

Crescent School’s approach to reading and literacy is supported by Renaissance’s Accelerated Reader system. Children in Year 3 to Year 6 take a quiz after reading each book that tests their understanding. The approach promotes reading for pleasure whilst ensuring the children read appropriately challenging books. It totals up the books and words read, and we find the competitive element has a positive impact on children’s motivation to read.

There are so many good books out there for children to read and Crescent has a very positive reading culture in school. We find our pupils engage really well in our reading challenge, they enjoy tracking their word count and its awe-inspiring to see that we already have so many reading millionaires.

Crescent School’s annual House Geography competition was a hotly contested affair. Pupils in Year 6 had been working hard in their lessons, learning the mountains, seas, rivers, countries and capitals of the world. They had participated in regular quizzes to test their knowledge with the highest scorers earning themselves the right to represent their House.

Teams of four pupils took on eight rounds of challenging questions. It proved a closely fought competition with the three Houses neck and neck throughout and hardly a mark dropped between them all. Their geography knowledge was just incredible. It was so close that the quiz had to go to sudden death!

This year, it was St Andrew’s House that just pipped St George’s and St David’s. The blues were delighted to be back on winning form, reclaiming the trophy once again.

Many congratulations to all and especially to the Blue team,  it was a super event, and the best of luck to Year 5 when their turn comes around next year!

A valued and important tradition here at Crescent School is for the Year 6 children to buddy with a Reception child to help them through their first year at school. It’s part of what makes Crescent such a nurturing environment where every child can flourish. 

The Year 6s enjoy supporting their Reception buddies across the year, helping them settle into school life and developing their sense of belonging. In the final weeks of the school year, Year 6 hosted a farewell picnic for the Reception out on the school field to celebrate their time together. 

Our buddy system is a positive experience for all involved, encouraging kindness and cooperation and providing strong foundations for a supportive and connected school community.

The latest issue of The Minnacle has just been published, showcasing our pupils' work. The Minnacle celebrates our pupils at their best and this latest edition includes plenty of amazing examples, from creative writing, to amazing artwork and some sensational Spanish too. Why not have a read yourself here.

Take a look at The Pinnacle too, it celebrates the work of pupils at our Foundation's senior school, Princethorpe College, you can read it here.

Tuesday 30 September - 6.00pm to 7.00pm

The Crescent School is holding a dedicated evening for prospective families wishing to join Reception and Year 3 in September 2026 or beyond on Tuesday 30 September.

The evening will have a specific presentation regarding Reception, Year 3 and the admissions process. There will also be opportunities to look around the school, visit the Reception and Year 3 classrooms as well as speak to key members of staff. Joe Thackway, Headmaster, will also be available to answer any of your questions you may have about the school.   

The early bird deadline for registering for Reception and Year 3 2026 entry is Friday 17 October 2025.

To book your place please click here.

If you can't make the Open Evening but would like to visit the school, you can now book a personal tour here, or please call our Registrar, Mrs Becky Witcomb on 01788 523851 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk and come on a day to suit you. The school is operating waiting groups in most year groups, speak to Mrs Witcomb for the latest availability.

For more information visit www.crescentschool.co.uk

Have you got a child looking for a Year 7 place in September 2026? Have you considered Princethorpe College, our Foundation senior school? 

Examinations for Year 7 to 10 entry to Princethorpe College in September 2026 will take place on Saturday 8 November 2025 from 9.30am to 4.00pm.

For more information on Entrance Examinations and to download the 2026 Admissions and Entrance Examinations Booklet click here.

Those wishing to register for Entrance Examinations and apply for Scholarships or Bursaries should do so by the deadline of Friday 26 September 2025 to facilitate the gathering of confidential references from primary schools.

The registration forms are now available to complete online, and at the same time pay the registration fee. You can also upload completed scholarship applications should you so wish. To register online please click here.

If you have any questions please contact the Princethorpe College Admissions Team on 01926 634201/297 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk

Open Morning
Saturday 14 March 2026, 10.00am to 12.00pm

The Open Morning is a perfect opportunity to come and see the whole school, visit classrooms and see if you can spot our School Promise characters. The school is alive with activity as our pupils take part in musical and sporting activities. 

Open Evening
Tuesday 12 May 2026, 5.00pm to 7.00pm

Our Open Evening is another great opportunity to see the school and talk to key members of staff. You will be taken on a tour by one of our Year 5 pupils who will give you a full insight into what Crescent School is like. 

To find out more or to book a Personal Tour please visit our website here or contact our Registrar Mrs Becky Witcomb on 01788 523851 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk

Most of our pupils enter at Reception and at Year 3, though pupils are welcome at any age, dependent on a place being available.

A meeting with Joe Thackway, the Headmaster, is a key part of the admissions process. We encourage prospective parents and pupils to visit us both formally and informally to get a true flavour of the school. We hold various Open Events throughout the year, including a specific Reception and Year 3 Open Evening, which prospective parents and pupils are most welcome to attend. Please note that Open Events are by appointment only.

Our Registrar, Mrs Becky Witcomb, will be pleased to talk you through the admissions process and current availability. Please contact her on 01788 523851 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk.

To download your latest prospectus please click here.

Current Reception to Year 6

Applications for places in the current Reception to Year 6 will be treated on an individual basis as places are limited. In years where there is no place available we operate waiting groups. Please contact Becky Witcomb, our Registrar, to discuss current availability.

Should the possibility of a potential place become available you will be invited in to meet with Mr Thackway, the Headmaster, then if appropriate you should complete a Registration Form and return it with the accompanying fee of £90 including VAT (non-returnable), after which time your child will be invited in for a taster day.  

During the taster day children will be assessed both formally and informally. Children in Year 3 to 6 take a short online assessment to help us gauge their current levels of understanding. Younger children may have a reading age assessment and of course will produce written language and number work as part of their day in school.

Before the offer of a place is made, we will seek a reference from your child’s current school.  Confirmation of a place being offered would be made in writing subject to a satisfactory reference being received.

To secure your place, please return your completed Confirmation of Acceptance Form with a deposit of £400 within 14 days of the date of the offer being made.

The final deadline for applications and completed registration forms for entry in September 2026 is Friday 22 May 2026. All incoming pupils need to have completed the admissions process by Friday 12 June 2026 to enable your child to attend our Induction Morning. (Although a place at Crescent School may become available after this date, and applications will be processed, we cannot guarantee availability of places.)

Note: Deposits are refunded after the end of the final term which the pupil spends at the school provided that the correct amount of notice has been given and the final account is settled in full.

Induction

New pupils are given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the school, staff and fellow pupils when they are invited to our Induction Morning in the Trinity Term.

Early Bird Applicants

Siblings of Crescent pupils and any external candidates with a strong interest in a place in Reception or Year 3 are able to apply early and take advantage of a priority application process. The deadline for taking advantage of this priority arrangement is Friday 17 October 2025. Please return your completed Registration with the accompanying fee of £90 (non-returnable) by this date. Your child will be visited in their nursery setting by one of the Early Years Team or in the case of Year 3 be invited in for a Taster Day. Subject to availability and a satisfactory visit offer letters will be sent out first class on Friday 14 November 2025 with a Confirmation of Acceptance Form, which we ask you to complete and return to us together with a deposit of £400 by the acceptance deadline of Monday 1 December 2025.

On-time applicants

Applicants interested in a place in Reception or Year 3 following similar timescales to the state application process, need to register by the deadline of Monday 2 February 2026. Please return your completed Registration with the accompanying fee of £90 (non-returnable) by this date. Your child will be visited in their nursery setting by one of the Early Years Team. Subject to availability and a satisfactory visit offer letters will be sent out first class on Friday 6 March 2026 with a Confirmation of Acceptance Form, which we ask you to complete and return to us together with a deposit of £400 by the acceptance deadline of Tuesday 5 May 2026. 

Please note we have been considerably oversubscribed for Reception and Year 3 places over recent years and it is possible that all places will be filled at the Early Bird deadline stage, though on occasion places become available later and are offered to the waiting group.

To complete your registration online please click here.

To download the latest Crescent School Prospectus Information Booklet please click here.

At Crescent School, we take pride in preparing our pupils for the next stage of their educational journey with confidence and success. From Year 3 onwards, children begin to experience a more senior school-style environment, with specialist teaching and increased independence. By Year 4 and 5, parents are invited to Destinations Meetings to explore the wide range of secondary school options available.

Joining Crescent in Year 4 or Year 5 is a particularly good time, as pupils benefit from focused preparation for secondary school entry, including verbal and non-verbal reasoning lessons, mock exams, and personalised support. Our pupils regularly receive multiple offers and scholarships, with most securing places at their first choice schools.

A new development is the Princethorpe College Early Offer Scheme, which is now available to Foundation prep school pupils in Year 5. This initiative allows Crescent School's Year 5 pupils to be considered for early entry based on ongoing assessments along with an online test and piece of free-writing, giving families greater clarity and the possibility of an early offer ahead of the usual admissions timeline.

To find out more about our Secondary School Admissions and how we support your child’s next steps, click here. 

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: How did the Foundation respond to the introduction of VAT to private school fees in January 2025?

A: In January 2025 the Foundation reduced its fees so that the increase passed on to parents was 5%, substantially less than the 20% VAT rate. We continue to stand by our commitment to minimise the impact on families, keeping fees as affordable as possible, whilst continuing to provide the highest standard of education and pastoral care for our pupils.

Current fees are available 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: For 2026 entry siblings of Crescent pupils, and any external candidates with a strong interest in a place in Reception or year 3, parents are able to apply early and take advantage of a priority early bird application process.  The deadline for early bird applications is Friday 17 October 2025. 

For all other year groups the application process is handled individually but they need to be registered by Friday 22 May 2026 in order for their application to be progressed in time for our Induction Morning in June. 

Our prospectus pack can be requested online and the registration process is completed using our online form. Once submitted, 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:  The Foundation has recently introduced an Early Offer Scheme for Year 5 Foundation pupils, which prioritises applications from Crackley Hall School and Crescent School pupils. 

The optional Scheme does not guarantee entry, however it allows for the sharing of academic assessment data between the Foundations schools in the summer term, this plus an online assessment, will provide the College with sufficient information for an offer to be made at the end of Year 5. 

Pupils with an early offer do not need to sit the Entrance Exams in November, unless they wish to apply for an Academic Scholarship.  They can also additionally apply for other Scholarships in the normal assessment timetable.

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. 

Uniform is compulsory for Crescent School pupils and helps to create a sense of shared identity, community spirit and pride in oneself and in the school.

Uniform can be purchased from the School Shop located at Princethorpe College.

Normally the Uniform Shop is open from 3.30pm to 4.30pm Mondays and Wednesdays during term time. Additionally, during the summer holidays, the shop is open on selected dates on an appointment only basis.

A uniform list is available in the Crescent School's Information Booklet that can be found on the School Life page of the school's website here.

Bursaries are available for pupils wishing to join Crescent School, these are normally awarded to children from Year 3 and above. 

Whilst the main financial criteria are household income and net assets, each application is considered on its own merits. Costs associated with dependant sick or disabled children will be taken into account and an allowance is made where there are other children already in the Foundation.

Applications are means-tested and are made through an online system and are normally reviewed by external consultants. Click here for more information on our website.

Our extra-curricular programme is extremely popular.  We encourage all our children to find something that they will enjoy. From sports to singing to creative arts, and with more than 50 different clubs, there is always something for everyone. 

Examples of the clubs Crescent offers include: Football, Netball, Hockey, Rugby, Gymnastics, Fencing, Cricket, Taekwondo, Outdoor Learning, Ball Skills, Yoga, Games, Drama, Choir, Flute, Brass, Orchestra, Science, Cookery, Programming, Lego, First Aid, Movie, Construction, Board Games, Times Tables, Craft, Sewing, Art, DT, FROG Club (Fully Rely On God), Online Magazine Club, Library, Jewellery Club, Story Club and Philosophy.

Some of these clubs are run by teachers and are free of charge whilst some are delivered by external providers and incur a cost.

For those who like to plan ahead the Foundation Term Dates are:

2025-26

Michaelmas Term 2025 
Tuesday 2 September to Wednesday 17 December 

Half Term
Saturday 18 October to Sunday 2 November

Lent Term 2026  
Tuesday 6 January to Thursday 26 March

Half Term
Saturday 14 February to Sunday 22 February 

Trinity Term 2026 
Monday 20 April to Thursday 2 July

Half Term
Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May

2026-27

Michaelmas Term 2026
Wednesday 2 September to Wednesday 16 December 

Half Term
Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November

Lent Term 2027
Tuesday 5 January to Thursday 25 March

Half Term
Saturday 13 February to Sunday 21 February 

Trinity Term 2027
Monday 19 April to Wednesday 7 July

Half Term
Saturday 29 May to Sunday 6 June