Frequently Asked Questions

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The Heritage Private School is a co-educational, academically selective day school, for children aged from 2 years 8 months, when they may enter the Kindergarten (Foundation Stage of Learning) to age 18, when they graduate from Year 13.

Students whose first language is not English, and whose language skills are not yet at the necessary standard may still be accepted into the School if they show ability and attend intensive English lessons at The Heritage Private Institute. This will enable them to be immersed in the English language so they can be quickly integrated into effective classroom learning. The Heritage Summer School also offers one-to-one and small group intensive English lessons for students who wish to improve their skills over the holidays. For more information on the Heritage Summer School, please see [insert hyperlink to ‘The School/Summer School’ page.]

The Heritage Private School is an International Fellowship Centre of the University of Cambridge, and an examination centre for the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) (http://www.cie.org.uk/) and Edexcel International Examinations (http://www.edexcel.com/). The School enters all Year 9 students for the Cambridge Checkpoint tests (http://www.cie.org.uk). These are an important means of standardised external assessment at the end of Year 9 and are considered to be accurate predictors of future Cambridge International Examinations IGCSE grades. Students in Years 10 and 11 are prepared for the GCSE/IGCSE examinations and in Years 12 and 13 they are prepared for the GCE AS Level and A Level examinations. The School also issues a formal Leaving Certificate (Apolytirion) to all who complete Year 13. In addition, examinations may be taken in the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) modules, in French language DELF, and for Music Theory (ABRSM). The Heritage Private School’s own ‘PATH’ (Performing Arts at The Heritage) (see [insert hyperlink to The School-Departments-PATH page])and our close collaborator Freeflight Dance Studio (see [insert hyperlink to The School-Departments-Free Flight Dance Studio page]) which uses the Heritage facilities, also offer a variety of classes and qualifications in Music, Dance and Musical Theatre.

The youngest pupils are accepted in the September following their second birthday. Depending on an informal interview with the Kindergarten & Primary School Headteacher, and availability of places, children may join the Kindergarten at any time in the school year.

For Primary School admissions, prospective students are required to attend an interview with the Primary School Headteacher,and sit Entrance Tests in English and Mathematics. A satisfactory report from the previous school is also required. If successful, and there are school places available in the appropriate year group, students may commence their education at The Heritage Private School at any time.

Most Secondary School students enter Year 7 from The Heritage Primary School. External students applying for admission to the Secondary School must provide a previous school report. They must also take entrance exams in English and Mathematics, and have an interview with the Secondary School Headteacher. Again, if successful, and there are school places available in the appropriate year group, students may join the Secondary School at any time in the academic year.

The Kindergarten & Primary School Headteacher and the Secondary School Headteacher make the final decisions on admissions. Parents and guardians should be aware that there is vigorous competition for places at the School and applications for admission exceed places available. Offers are made according to stringent entry criteria and a rigorous selection process, and so places offered but not taken up need to be quickly reallocated to other children on the School’s waiting list.

The School is truly international in its intake and philosophy, and is proud to hold the prestigious British Council International School Award for “outstanding development of the international dimension in the curriculum”. There are approximately 50 different nationalities or dual nationalities currently represented in the School. In the true ethos of the School, all students and staff are valued, encouraged and given the same opportunities to progress and succeed without discrimination.

In addition to its academic courses, the School also actively involves students in EU educational and community projects to extend experience and learning. We also strongly encourage students to join one or more of the many after-school clubs and other extracurricular activities on offer. Primary School Clubs run from 1:20 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. and Secondary School Clubs run from 2:20 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. For more information on extracurricular activities and after-school clubs, please see [hyperlink to School Life/ Extra Curricula page]

The School currently has over 800 students on roll, aged 2½ to 18.

The School follows the UK National Curriculum (www.qca.org.uk), and as such, grades and marks for assessment purposes reflect standard UK practice. In terms of external examinations, students take IGCSEs, GCE AS Levels and GCE A Levels. The formal curriculum is further enhanced by many other learning and qualification opportunities, including the International Award for Young People (the name for the Duke of Edinburgh Award outside the UK), the performing arts, and languages. Extracurricular activities such as school clubs, competitions, sports, and European projects additionally provide enjoyable and valuable experiences that also contribute to our students’ development.

As the School follows the UK National Curriculum and all external examinations are taken via UK Examination Boards, all lessons are taught in English.

Class sizes are a maximum of 20 in the Kindergarten, 24 in the Primary and Secondary Schools, and less than 15 in AS and A Level groups, resulting in a high level of attention and support for each student.

The school day begins for all students with registration at 7:50 a.m. The Kindergarten and Primary School classes end at 1:20 p.m., and the Secondary School classes end at 2:00 p.m. There are two 20-minute breaks structured into the school day. Some classes for the older students extend into the afternoons.