Admissions Procedure

Thornton College admits girls throughout the year so there is no need to wait until the beginning of a new term or academic year. Our big intake years are into our Pre-Reception, Reception, Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12 however every year we have new girls joining all of our year groups and last year we did have a waiting list for certain year groups. It is always best to enquire early so that we know you are interested.

We are a successful boarding and day school with different admission procedures for UK, EU and International students due to Child Student Visa requirements (formally known as Tier 4). However, the below will give you an indication of our admissions procedure.

STEP 1. Make contact with our Admissions Team.

You may enquire either by our online enquiry form, email, or phone to set up a personal tour to help you and your daughter get a feel and insight into school life at Thornton.

STEP 2. Register

After you visit, the next step is to register your interest for your daughter with us. We will ask you to provide your daughters latest school reports in preparation for step 3 below. As a non-selective school there is no entrance exams, however your daughter will sit an assessment during her taster visit.

STEP 3. Taster Visit.

Where possible, your daughter will have a taster visit with us where she will join her current year group for one or two days. This is a lovely chance for your daughter to get a feel for what life is like at Thornton. She will also sit an assessment during this visit, which is purely so that we can see her current level of learning.

STEP 4. Interview.

Following a successful taster visit, we will invite your daughter along with parents to a interview with our Headteacher, Dr Louise Shaw. This is an opportunity to learn more about Thornton College, our history, ethos, academic and pastoral offer and a great chance for you and your daughter to ask any questions and learn all about school life.

STEP 5. Offer and admission.

Following an offer letter, we will request a school reference from your daughter’s current school, provide you with a parent contract for completion and confirm your daughters place on receipt.