With Rydal Penrhos’ Assessment Day scheduled for Saturday 25 January 2025, we answer popular questions about this important Admissions event.
𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘺 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺.
What is Assessment Day?
Assessment Day is an annual event at Rydal Penrhos during which the school evaluates prospective pupils for scholarship awards. To determine their academic eligibility for an award, pupils take a Cognitive Ability Test (CAT) and participate in an interview. They also have the chance to meet senior teaching staff, including the Principal and Vice Principals.
What is a Cognitive Ability Test?
The CAT4 is a 90-minute online assessment developed by GL Assessment. It evaluates pupils across various areas of intelligence, including verbal and spatial reasoning.
This test cannot be revised or prepared for, as it is designed to minimise the influence of prior learning or education. Instead, it provides a clear insight into a pupil’s inherent strengths and weaknesses, enabling us as a school to better understand and support their needs as we encourage them to fulfil their potential and achieve exam success.
What types of scholarships and bursaries are available at Rydal Penrhos?
We offer three main types of financial assistance to prospective pupils:
- Fully Funded Places: These cover all school fees for eligible pupils and are awarded based on both academic merit and financial need.
- Scholarship Premiums: Recognising exceptional talent in various fields, these awards provide a small financial grant to support pupils’ personal endeavours.
- Bursaries: Additional fee support for pupils awarded a Scholarship Premium, determined based on household income.
How do Pre-School and Prep-aged children fit into this?
Scholarship awards at Rydal Penrhos are available exclusively for Senior pupils. Therefore, Pre-School and Prep-aged children do not participate in Assessment Day, except for those in Year 6 applying for a Year 7 place beginning in September 2025.
How do Fully Funded Places work at Rydal Penrhos?
Fully Funded Places are awarded annually to high-achieving pupils who meet the school’s academic and financial criteria. These awards cover all school fees, as well as meals, uniforms, and may include free school transport.
My child has attended Assessment Day and has been selected based on the academic criteria. What are the financial criteria for Fully Funded Places?
Families of pupils selected for a Fully Funded Place at Assessment Day will undergo a means-tested financial assessment conducted by an external assessor. This includes a home visit and a detailed review of income and assets to confirm eligibility. To qualify for a Fully Funded Place, families must have a household income of £40,000 or less.
What is the difference between a Fully Funded Place and a Bursary?
Both Fully Funded Places and Bursaries are awarded based on the same academic criteria. However, they differ in the extent of support provided:
- Fully Funded Places: These cover all school fees, meals, uniforms, and potentially transport costs for households with an income of £40,000 or less.
- Bursaries: These provide financial assistance on a sliding scale. For every £2,000 increase in household income above £40,000, the support decreases by 10%. Assistance is no longer available for households earning £60,000 or more.
How do I apply to attend Assessment Day?
To register for Assessment Day, please complete the form below. For more information about Assessment Day or Rydal Penrhos, contact the Admissions Department at admissions@rydalpenrhos.com. Our friendly and experienced team will be happy to assist you.
𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘺 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺.
