Dulwich College (Singapore) Admissions Policy

Dulwich College (Singapore) Admissions Policy ADMISSION TO DULWICH COLLEGE (Singapore) Admission to Dulwich College in Singapore is determined by a number of factors. Applicants are admitted based on the student s ability to succeed socially and academically in our dynamic learning environment as well as demonstrating a good work ethic, a history of school appropriate behaviour, and a desire to attend the College. To be successful at Dulwich, students must be willing to work hard and be committed to our programme. Teachers provide the support necessary for students to become confident, independent learners. Additionally, we expect parents to be supportive of and involved in their child s education. It is the student, however, who is responsible for putting forth the effort to meet the school s academic expectations. Dulwich College in Singapore expects students and parents to understand and support the school s aim to serve a diverse population. Our students come from a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. The administration, teachers, students and parents are always working to maintain an environment that is welcoming for all students. The decision to offer a place to a prospective student will taken before the College opens in August 2014 by the Headmaster and thereafter by the individual Heads of School to whom the student has applied. The Head of school will be supported by the Headmaster and the Admissions Officer. Admission is based on academic evaluations and assessments, English proficiency, past school records, student interviews, teacher recommendations, and any diagnostic testing that will help the Admissions committee to understand any special learning needs an applicant may have. Year level placement will be determined by the birth date of the applicant. Admissions Criteria Students wishing to enrol into the College must hold a foreign passport or if they are Singaporeans they must provide a waiver letter from the Ministry of Education allowing them to attend Dulwich College (Singapore). Admissions Policy Dulwich College (Singapore) Page 1 of 9

All students wishing to enrol into Dulwich College (Singapore) have to fill in our application form and are subject to the admissions criteria set out below. Students will enter the College at their appropriate year level. It is the policy of the College to place students in age appropriate year groups as per schedule ( GUIDE TO YEAR LEVELS ). Students entering Reception in the September of any specific year must have turned 4 by 1 September. Students entering Year 1 must have turned 5 by the 1 September cut off date and so on as we progress up the College. Students will be placed in Year Groups according to their date of birth. Exceptions are made only in extraordinary circumstances and the decision is made by the Headmaster. (i) Students applying for Toddler/Nursery/Reception Students entering Nursery and Reception must be toilet trained. Parents will need to provide a completed Developmental Checklist. Where possible the family will meet in person with a member of the Admissions Committee. All applications to Toddler, Nursery and Reception are reviewed by the Admissions Committee prior to being offered a place. (ii) Students applying for Years 1 2 Students applying for entry into Year 1 and Year 2 must submit current/prior school records and a Confidential Report from their class teacher or Principal. The student will also meet with a member of the Admissions Committee before the Admissions Committee reviews the application or a place is offered. (iii) Students applying for Junior School (Years 3 6) Students applying for admission to the Junior School undertake assessments to ensure they can access the curriculum. The Cognitive Ability Test (CAT) consists of verbal, quantitative and non verbal assessments. Students will also complete a 30 minute writing assignment. Candidates whose first language is something other than English will also take an English as an Additional Language assessment. (iv) Students applying for Senior School (Years 7 13) Students applying for admission to the Senior School undertake assessments to ensure they can access the curriculum. The Cognitive Ability Test (CAT) consists of verbal, quantitative and non verbal assessments. Students will also complete a 60 minute writing assignment. Candidates whose first language is a language other than English will also take an English as an Additional Language assessment. Candidates for the IGCSE and the IB Diploma will also be interviewed by the Head or Deputy Head of Senior School. Additional Educational Needs (AEN) Candidates with Additional Educational Needs (AEN) are accepted to the College on a case by case basis. The needs of the child are considered alongside current levels of staffing, expertise and resources within the school. Admissions Policy Dulwich College (Singapore) Page 2 of 9

The type of support we offer is tailored to fit the individual student, but in general ranges from individual education plans to supporting the curriculum in the classroom. We teach by withdrawing students individually, in groups or by supporting in class depending on what is the most appropriate method for each student. Sometimes a studentʹs progress is just monitored and reviewed at a later date. The AEN Department works with class teachers in adapting aspects of the curriculum for individual studentʹs needs. We are also able to provide detailed information/teaching strategies about specific conditions. Additional adult support or specialist resources may be considered necessary in order for the school to make adequate educational provision for a student. The additional cost for such will be met by the parents. The College will only admit those students for whom it can make adequate provision of support. Overseas Candidates Special arrangements can be made for the entrance assessments to be administered at the candidate s current school. Dulwich will cover the costs of delivery to the current school, but not the return costs. The current school may choose to pass such costs on to the parent. If a candidate cannot be interviewed, a provisional place may be offered which can be withdrawn if the College later determines it cannot support the child s needs or there is a concern raised that was not previously known. Singapore Nationality/Singapore Passport Holders Approval for Singaporean students is required from the Ministry of Education (MOE) before students are allowed to attend classes. This requirement only applies to children 6 years of age and older. The school can accept Nursery, Pre K, KG1 and KG2 students without MOE approval. Candidate Lists/Waiting Lists An applicant will be placed on the Candidate List after the initial application (a signed and completed application form and non refundable application fee) has been received. Supporting documents may follow. Once all items are in and the Admissions Committee has determined the applicant admissible (meets the entry requirements of DCSG), the candidate will be offered a place or when there are no available places (or when the application is for a future academic year) placed on a Waiting List in the order of the date the applicant is deemed admissible by the Admissions Committee. The Waiting List rolls over each year so that the prioritization of the applicants on the list is maintained. Parents of candidates remaining on the Waiting List will be contacted and asked to submit new supporting documents, when Admissions Policy Dulwich College (Singapore) Page 3 of 9

applicable, in order to confirm they would like to remain on the waiting list for the following academic year. Applications will only be reconsidered when all new documentation is provided. Waiting List positions are not disclosed to parents. Priority on the waitlist will be given to: a child of a full time faculty member a qualified sibling of a current student who has completed the application process a child transferring from another Dulwich College The child of an Old Alleynian (OA) or International Old Alleynian (IOA) Waiting List positions are not disclosed to parents. Acceptance Applicants accepted for admission will receive an invoice following the acceptance letter. Admission Appeals If we do not offer a student a place at the College, this will be because the student has shown through the College assessment procedure that the student is unable to meet the standards required to access the curriculum. Students are permitted to re sit the assessment tests after 12 months have passed. The College is not under any obligation to release the results of the assessment tests. Admissions Policy Dulwich College (Singapore) Page 4 of 9

YEAR PLACEMENT GUIDELINES Age as of 1st September Dulwich Year Level Grade Equivalent Dulwich/UK Key Stage Curriculum 2 Toddler 3 Nursery 4 Reception Pre Kindergarten 5 Year 1 Kindergarten DUCKS (Early Years) 6 Year 2 Grade 1 7 Year 3 Grade 2 8 Year 4 Grade 3 9 Year 5 Grade 4 Junior School Dulwich College Curriculum based on English National Curriculum 10 Year 6 Grade 5 11 Year 7 Grade 6 12 Year 8 Grade 7 13 Year 9 Grade 8 14 Year 10 Grade 9 Senior School International General Certificate of Secondary 15 Year 11 Grade 10 Education (IGCSE) 16 Year 12 Grade 11 International Baccalaureate Diploma 17 Year 13 Grade 12 Programme Admissions Policy Dulwich College (Singapore) Page 5 of 9

Year Level Courses In our first year of opening, Dulwich College (Singapore) will offer the following Year level courses: DUCKS (Early Years): English National Curriculum (ENC) Foundation Stage Toddler English National Curriculum (ENC) Foundation Stage Nursery English National Curriculum (ENC) Foundation Stage Reception English National Curriculum (ENC) Key Stage 1 Year 1 English National Curriculum (ENC) Key Stage 1 Year 2 Junior School: English National Curriculum (ENC) ) Key Stage 2 Year 3 English National Curriculum (ENC) ) Key Stage 2 Year 4 English National Curriculum (ENC) ) Key Stage 2 Year 5 English National Curriculum (ENC) Key Stage 2 Year 6 Senior School : English National Curriculum (ENC) ) Key Stage 3 Year 7 English National Curriculum (ENC) ) Key Stage 3 Year 8 English National Curriculum (ENC) ) Key Stage 3 Year 9 Future Growth Over time, Dulwich College (Singapore) will expand on a rolling year on year to offer the following courses: English National Curriculum (ENC) ) Key Stage 4/ IGCSE /GCSE Year10 English National Curriculum (ENC) ) Key Stage 4/ IGCSE /GCSE Year 11 English National Curriculum (ENC) ) Key Stage 5/IBDP Year 12 English National Curriculum (ENC) ) Key Stage 5/IBDP Year 13 School Year & Duration The course follows the school academic year commencing around 25th August 2014 and concludes on or around 23 June 2015. All course offered are full time over 10 months of the year with the exception of Toddler which include half day programmes. The school typically runs from 8.10am to 3.30 pm Monday to Friday. Please refer to the School s website for final dates and timetable. Admissions Policy Dulwich College (Singapore) Page 6 of 9

Year Level Course Entry requirements For entry into DCSG year level courses, students are required to have completed the prior year level course, meet age requirements, English and mathematics and CAT tests where applicable, English proficiency at the prior year level and an interview. Please refer to the specific course information and Admissions policy for more information. For courses in the Senior School, certificates will not be provided for Years 7 9. Certificates are provided on completion of Key Stage 4 Years 10 and 11, during which time students follow the International General Certificate in Secondary Education (IGCSE) and some GCSE courses. IGCSEs are a worldwide version of the compulsory school examination in the UK. These courses last two years, and include internal and externally assessed assignments. IGCSE results are used to support university and college applications. This provides a useful focus as students make the transition to Key Stage 5 where they will study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), which is also a two year course, involving internal and externally assessed assignments. An examination board is responsible for setting the curriculum and skills that are examined in a particular subject area for the IGSCE and GCSE courses. They write the syllabus, and submit it to QCA, the UK government Qualifications and Curriculum Authority for accreditation to be delivered as an IGCSE. They mark the examinations, and provide certification to students. Two exam boards are able to award IGCSEs, Edexcel and the University of Cambridge International Exams (CIE). Further information on the exam boards is available online at the Edexel and the International Education Programmes from Cambridge websites. Student Teacher Ratio In line with the student teacher ratios in Dulwich Schools, the ratio for Dulwich College (Singapore) will be as follows: Toddlers Nursery: Reception: Year 1 2: Year 3 4: Year 5 6: Year 7 13: 16 students/class; 1 classroom teacher, 2 teaching assistant 20 students/class; 1 classroom teacher, 1 teaching assistant 22 students/class; 1 classroom teacher, 1 teaching assistant 22 students/class; 1 classroom teacher, 1 teaching assistant 22 students/class; 1 classroom teacher 20 students/class; 1 subject teacher Admissions Policy Dulwich College (Singapore) Page 7 of 9

Class Size In line with our Dulwich standards classrooms are large, light and airy and fully equipped with the resources required to meet the learning requirements for each year level. Class sizes will vary depending on year level and enrolments but the following are an indication of classroom size at the school: Room Type Room Size Class size* Toddler 64 67 M2 16 Nursery 64 67 M2 16 Reception 64 67 M2 20 Years 1 and 2 64 67 M2 22 Year 3 6 64 67 M2 22 Year 7 9 64 67 M2 22 The College reserves the right to increase the maximum number of students in each class under special circumstances with approval from the Headmaster. Admissions Policy Dulwich College (Singapore) Page 8 of 9

ADMISSIONS PROCESS Complete and submit Application Form along with the application fee of S$3,500 (nonrefundable except under the circumstance described below). An interview or assessment is scheduled. Overseas candidates can be tested at their current school. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the test/interview. Accepted: Parents will be notified that their child has been accepted and asked to acknowledge receipt. Fee information and an invoice will be issued before May 2014. Further information may be required before entry. Wait list: If vacancies do not exist for successful candidates, the applicant will be placed on a wait list. Declined: The College will refund S$3,000. A candidate may submit a new application after a further period of 12 months. Admissions Policy Dulwich College (Singapore) Page 9 of 9