Frequently Asked Questions

Children can start Red House as soon as they turn three years old and stay with us until they have completed their GCSEs.

Red House is a small, selective school and demand is high.

We welcome children to join us at any time, subject to places being available.

We recommend parents apply early to avoid disappointment.

It’s never too early to contact us if you are considering independent education.

Children can join Red House from the day of their third birthday, however, you can register your child from birth!

Children can join us at any year group subject to places being available.

For further information on the admissions process please contact:

Claire Bellerby, Head of Admissions
T: 01642 558119
E: admissions@redhouseschool.co.uk

To apply for a place at Red House School, parents must complete a Registration Form along with a £60 registration fee.

Parents should contact Mrs Claire Bellerby, Head of Admissions, before completing the Registration Form.

Claire Bellerby, Head of Admissions
T: 01642 558119
E: admissions@redhouseschool.co.uk

Red House is a small, selective school and demand is high.

We may have waiting lists for specific year groups.

We recommend parents contact Claire Bellerby, Head of Admissions, as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Claire Bellerby, Head of Admissions
T: 01642 558119
E: admissions@redhouseschool.co.uk

Red House is a selective school.  Further information on our assessments can be found below.

Assessment

Early Years Foundation Stage
There are no entrance assessments for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Prior to confirmation of your child starting with Red House School, in our Nursery or Reception class, we will discuss your child’s current developmental attainments and identify any individual requirements. Children can join Red House from the day of their third birthday.

Years 1-3
Children wishing to join Red House School in Years 1-3 will be assessed on academic potential along with age appropriate activities to assess fine motor skills and their ability and eagerness to learn. This is carried out during a relaxed and friendly Taster Day within the school.

Years 4-11
Children wishing to join Red House School in Years 4-11 will undertake an age appropriate entrance assessment in verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning. This includes online assessments, along with Maths and English papers.

The assessment is designed to assess your child’s potential to engage with a curriculum targeted towards at least 9 or 10 GCSEs at grades 4-9 (previously grades C-A*) in Year 11. For pupils in Year 4 these assessments form part of your child’s Taster Day within the school. For pupils in older year groups, entry assessments will be arranged for a half day, along with a full Taster Day in school.

We will request a Headteacher reference from your child’s current school, and we will ask you to provide a copy of their last school report. This also forms an important part of the admissions process.

Results from the entry assessment are considered by our Head, Dr Rebecca Ashcroft, or the Head of the Junior School, Mr Simon Haywood. The results are considered along with a Headteacher reference from your child’s current school, and their last school report.

If your child has been successful, an offer of a place in school will be made depending upon availability.

If places are not available in the appropriate year group, your child may be placed on a waiting list.

If your child has been successful, an offer of a place in school will be made depending upon availability.

If places are not available in the appropriate year group, your child may be placed on a waiting list.

Parents will be notified as soon as possible if their child has been offered a place at Red House School.

We provide excellent Wrap Around Care during term time from 7.30am-6pm.

This is very beneficial for children whose parents require an extended day.

Our Wrap Around Care is very flexible and can be booked on an ad hoc basis to suit parents’ needs.

Our action-packed Holiday Club enables Red House to be open 50 weeks of the year.

This facility is only available to children who attend Red House (Nursery – Year 11) and is organised by our experienced staff.

The club offers a diverse range of activities from art and crafts, baking, outdoor games, gardening and role play as well as organised trips.

Many families benefit from the convenience of our daily bus service, which covers an extensive area of the Tees Valley.

The bus service is an important part of our School’s environmental responsibilities and is very well supported. We work with a professional, local bus operator to provide a safe and reliable service.

We operates three bus routes which are reviewed on a termly basis.

• Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, Ingleby Barwick and Preston Farm
• Castle Eden, Hart, Hartlepool and Elwick
• Sedgefield, Wynyard and Wolviston

The full routes and fees can be found in the bus timetables.

Red House School is a SATs free zone.

As an independent school we approach education differently. At Red House we focus on learning, not testing. Our measure of success is far more than test results. Our pupils do not sit the government’s Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs), which we believe place unnecessary pressures on young children and restricts their learning experience.

Assessment for learning is important. Our teachers regularly assess both potential and progress, allowing us to tailor our teaching to address the individual needs of the children. However, testing is not our focus; meeting the needs of the children is.

The best way to experience life at Red House is to come and visit the school. We would be delighted to welcome you and your family.

To arrange an individual tour during a normal school day or to book a place at one of our open events please contact:

Claire Bellerby, Head of Admissions
T: 01642 558119
E: admissions@redhouseschool.co.uk