Prep School Admissions FAQs

For Reception and Year 1, we invite your daughter to spend the day with us. She will have an assessment in English and Mathematics with the teacher who also makes sure your daughter will be happy, engaged and able to access the curriculum at Howell’s.

In Year 2, girls sit NFER tests in English and Maths and spend the day with us.

From Year 3 to Year 6 we invite prospective students in for two days. This allows time for your daughter to sit her assessments, join in lessons with her cohort (often the girls relish the chance to join a swimming lesson) and get to know Howell’s.

All students sit the NFER tests in English and Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning. A Teaching Assistant will sit with your daughter whilst she does the tests.

You will receive detailed feedback on the results from the assessments and on how your daughter settled into the class.

We will consult with you over a suitable start date, make an offer and if appropriate, your daughter will come in for some taster days before joining.

We use Non-verbal reasoning tests to make sure we test for ability as well as knowledge. If your daughter hasn’t covered topics in Maths or needs extra work on her spelling, we hope to work with you to help her catch up.

You will be sent an online information pack with the information your daughter will need to start (including uniform).

Please ensure you complete all the pre-admissions information, so we are ready for your daughter to start with us.

We provide all our students with tailored learning opportunities. This could be differentiated lessons, extension tasks, and problem-solving challenges to deepen their understanding. We provide advanced learning opportunities in all our subjects to challenge students to reach their full potential.

We have guest speakers, workshops, clubs, drama productions and musical opportunities which all enhance learning beyond the classroom.

Finally, the older students in the Prep School mentor and lead the younger students, developing their confidence and leadership skills.

We have a qualified teacher who will support girls with additional learning needs both in lessons and on a one-to-one basis.

Students usually transfer to the Senior School but if we have any concerns, we start the conversation with parents as early as possible and work with families to make the best choice for their daughter.