Frequently Asked Questions
How will this affect Eltham College Junior School pupils?
Eltham Junior School pupils wishing to join Eltham College at 11 (Year 7) will continue to be offered the existing entry arrangements and will be able to progress to the senior school without needing to sit an entrance exam.
While reviewing our admissions arrangements, we have taken the opportunity to adjust our process, to give parents the opportunity to explore other options, if that is what is right their child, and to ensure fairness for all pupils wishing to join Eltham College.
We offer two options to Eltham College Junior School pupils:
Option A: At the start of Year 5, parents will be asked to confirm if their child intends to join the Senior School. If so, they will be offered a guaranteed place at 11 (Year 7) and, as now, will be eligible for non-academic scholarship assessments in September of Year 6. During the Summer Term of Year 6, as is currently the case, pupils will be invited to join subject specific lessons with the team at Eltham College, to help them feel excited and confident about their move to the Senior School.
Option B: We understand that things change and that some parents whose children attend Eltham College Junior School may wish to consider, or apply to, other senior schools – for entry at either 11 or 13. They may of course do so, but in these circumstances, will forfeit their child’s guaranteed place at Eltham College. These pupils will still be able to sit the entrance, and scholarship, exam alongside external candidates in the January of Year 6, should they wish.
(Please note: Eltham College Junior School students who are currently in Year 5 will, for this year only, receive a letter in May asking them to apply for any non-academic scholarships by mid-June. Assessments will take place in September 2024 with offers for 2025 being made in October 2024.)
Will Eltham College Junior School pupils still have a guaranteed place at Eltham College?
Yes. We will continue to hold a presumption that all students at Eltham College Junior School should progress through to the Senior School and a guaranteed place is available to any pupil who intends to move to Eltham College for their senior education.
However, we know that won’t be the case for every pupil and we are now offering parents the choice of a guaranteed place, or the opportunity to explore other options, if that is what is right their child.
How will this affect Blackheath pupils applying to Eltham College?
Reflecting that we are now one family of schools, we are pleased to confirm a new ‘priority places’ process for Blackheath Prep families selecting Eltham College, which we hope will ease some of the anxieties families tell us are associated with the 11+ and transition to senior school.
From September, Blackheath Prep pupils will be able to sit the academic entrance examination at the start of Year 6 for a priority place at Eltham College. Non-academic scholarship assessments will also take place early in the Michaelmas term of Year 6. Successful pupils will then be offered an early place at Eltham College, not available to any other feeder school, enabling them to withdraw from the 11+ cycle with their next school confirmed. In the Summer Term of Year 6, they will join their peers from Eltham College Junior School in attending special lessons at Eltham College.
Students who do not qualify for a priority place at Eltham College will be given excellent guidance and support to prepare for 11+ exams for other senior schools. They may still sit the external 11+ exam for Eltham College in January of Year 6, should they wish.
Being part of our new family of schools has many benefits for pupils seeking to join Eltham College – guaranteeing them a place, subject to them meeting the admissions criteria. However, we recognise that parents may wish to consider a range of options and there is no pressure on families to send their children to Eltham College.
For full information on Admissions in Year 3 and Sixth Form as well as Year 7, including details of our 2024 Open Days, click here
