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We offer admission for three different types of places: Tailored Boarding, Flexi-Boarding and Day:

Tailored Boarders

Tailored Boarders reside at the School whenever suits them and their families during term time.  This could be full-time, Monday to Friday, or the occasional night.  Your son or daughter will have a bed-space to call their own in the boarding house, however frequently they use it.

Many of our Tailored Boarders are here Monday to Friday and go home at weekends, and lots do remain in the boarding houses either every weekend or on selected weekends.  Other Tailored Boarders will vary the nights they stay over week by week depending on their family’s changing needs.  With Tailored Boarding, you have the freedom to decide when your child stays over, or comes and goes before and after the school day, to fit with their busy club and social schedules both in and out of school, integrated alongside your home life.  At OSH, your child will get the best of both worlds: an education and a home away from home with their friends, and time with family.

OSH is also home to boarders from further afield and overseas who permanently reside here during the academic term.  As a result, you’ll find there is an eclectic mix of students and cultures within our community, with some living very close to school and others from the opposite side of the world. 

We recommend prospective applicants have an overnight boarding taster so that they can experience life in the boarding houses for themselves.

Flexi-Boarders (entrance to Year 7 by assessment, or Year 12)

Flexi-Boarders do everything that Tailored Boarders do except they do not routinely stay overnight.  On most other occasions, they arrive for breakfast each day from 7am and may depart after the end of supper at 7pm, and these times can vary each day depending on their activities and your family life.  

Flexi-Boarders can have three meals a day in school (breakfast, lunch and supper), tea and cake, snacks in the boarding house, and are actively encouraged to participate in a suite of co-curricular activities and clubs.  They are also able to stay over in their boarding house up to four times per term.  Flexi-Boarders are full members of a boarding house with access to all of its facilities. 

Day Pupils

Day Pupils come into school each morning for lessons at 8:30am.  They usually leave school at 3:45pm unless they are involved in a representative activity such as team sport, choir or orchestra.  Day Pupils do not have access to boarding houses or those after school activities which are funded by our boarding fees.  There are no fees associated with Day Pupils, and only the standard school costs such as academic trips or school lunches apply should you wish for them to participate.

             Applications are now OPEN for Year 12 2025 entry               
Make an in-year application to years 8-10 
LATE REGISTRATION FOR 2025 YEAR 7 CAN BE CONSIDERED 
 
 

Please contact the Admissions Team on admissions@oshsch.com to discuss availability.

Admission to OSH as Day Pupils or Flexi-Boarders usually only happens in Years 7 or 12, unless we are filling a vacancy.  We can consider In-Year Tailored Boarding applications to Years 8, 9 and 10 depending on capacity.

Admissions are regulated by the Governors’ Admissions Policy and the statutory School Admissions Code, which support our commitment to provide a supportive, stimulating and caring environment in which all of our students are able to grow, both individually and as part of a community.

To be eligible for admission to OSH, all applicants must have full UK nationality or other approved residential status within the UK.*

*Subject to any regulation made or arising following the departure by the United Kingdom from the European Union. 

Registration Deadlines

Please keep in mind the following deadlines for 2025 Year 7 and Year 12 entry:

  • Year 7
    • Flexi-Boarding Places - 12noon, 27 September 2024
    • Tailored Boarding and Day Places - 31 October 2024
  • Year 12
    • All place types - 31 December 2024

Applications can be submitted after these dates and will be considered as late.  Such applications will only be considered after those received within the deadline have been dealt with.

Admissions processes

Each of our entry points has its own admissions process. Please click the year group you are interested in to view the relevant process and registration forms.

1

Come to an Open Morning

The best way to get a sense of our school is to see the OSH community for yourselves. Our Autumn 2024 Open Morning was held on Saturday 14 September. Our next Open Morning will be in June 2025 and the date will be released shortly.

We also offer individual tours for those interested in Tailored or Flexi-Boarding where you will spend time in the boarding houses and meet the Matrons and Housemasters. For families living overseas, visiting in-person may not be possible and will gladly offer virtual alternatives. Please contact Admissions to arrange your boarding tour.

2

Consider Boarding or Day places

Tailored Boarding places are allocated on the basis of a boarding interview and school references.

Flexi-Boarding places are selective and awarded on the basis of academic ability, or musical/sporting aptitude assessments which are taken in the autumn of the applicant's Year 6 education.

As a boarding school, OSH does not have a local catchment area for boarding places.

There are no interviews or assessments for Day Places. Instead, these are allocated via the Local Authority.

Review the Admissions Policy

3

Submit a registration form

For all categories of admission you must complete the registration form on our website.

Closing dates for entry into Year 7 September 2025 are as follows:
- Year 7 Flexi-Boarding places: 12noon, 27 September 2024
- Year 7 Day places: 31 October 2024
- Year 7 Tailored Boarding places: 31 October 2024

Applications can be submitted after these dates and will be considered as late.  Such applications will only be considered after those received within the deadline have been dealt with.

If you are not applying for entry to Year 7 in September 2025, please contact Admissions.

Year 7 2025 registration form

4

Aptitude assessments and interviews

For Flexi-Boarding places ONLY, your child will be invited to sit either an academic ability or music/sport aptitude assessment. You can opt for your child to sit one, two or all three assessments which take place in early October.

For Flexi-Boarding AND Tailored Boarding applications, your child will also be invited to a boarding discussion. This will be conducted over the telephone and is an informal chat where we get to know your child and their thoughts on joining the OSH boarding community. There is no need to prepare and nothing for them to be nervous about. These will take place from September.

In both instances, you will receive your invitation via email and should confirm your attendance on the application portal.

Day Student applicants do not need an interview or aptitude assessment.

Click here for more details

5

Local Authority CAF

For all categories of admission you must complete the OSH registration form on our website.

If you live in England or Wales, you must include OSH on your home Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) for secondary school transfer as well as applying to us directly. The deadline for CAF submission is always 31 October. Any queries should be raised directly with your home Local Authority.

If you live outside of England or Wales this is not necessary. You simply need to complete the registration form on our website and communicate directly with us.

6

Places awarded

Offers for all types of place are made on 1st March each year, in line with state secondary school application processes.

The Local Authority will email you with a response to your application, and our Admissions Team will contact you later that same day.

7

Fees

As a state boarding school, we are able to provide an environment which offers similar advantages to a private boarding education, at a fraction of the cost.

This is because the UK government pays tuition fees for pupils, therefore there is no cost for education at OSH. The fees we set cover boarding activities only.

2024/25 Boarding Fees are as follows:
- Tailored Boarding Years 7-13 £4,440 per term (£13,320 for the academic year)
- Flexi-Boarding Years 7-13 £2,220 per term (£6,660 for the academic year)

There are some additional optional costs, including individual music lessons, school lunches etc, all of which are detailed on the link below.

Fees and School Costs

8

Boarding Introduction

All candidates who are offered a Tailored Boarding place will be invited to a 'Boarding Introduction'.

Held in Spring, this is your son or daughter's opportunity to spend some time in the boarding houses and experience what life at OSH is really like. They will be buddied with a current Year 7 boarder, join evening boarding clubs and activities, attend prep, sample our meals and sleepover.

This isn't compulsory and doesn't form part of the admissions decision-making process, but is recommended as a brilliant way for your child to get a real taste of the OSH boarding community.

9

We welcome late entries

We do welcome late entries and please contact the Admissions Team on +44(0)1384 817325 or admissions@oshsch.com to discuss.

10

Joining OSH

Once you have accepted your offer you will be sent the school Joining Instructions which detail everything you need to prepare for your son or daughter to start Year 7, including the uniform and PE kit lists.

Tailored and Flexi-Boarding offer-holders will receive a copy of our Boarding Agreement which will need signing and a physical copy returning to school.

Your son or daughter will then be invited to the Year 7 Induction in July where they will explore school, attend sample lessons, play games, and try our lunches. With a fun-filled schedule for the entire year group they will be guaranteed to see a few familiar faces when they join in September. Tailored and Flexi-Boarders are also invited to spend the evening in their boarding houses.

On Induction Day there will also be a Parents' Exhibition where you will meet the Headmaster and colleagues involved in Year 7 teaching and boarding, as well as one another.

11

FAQs

We understand there's an awful lot to process when considering secondary schools, and lots to learn. Therefore, we've created a set of frequently asked questions for you to refer back to.

We're here to help in any way we can, so please feel free to call or email us.

Review the FAQs

1

Applying to join Years 8-10

We welcome applications for students to join OSH in Years 8, 9 and 10. Pupils wishing to enter Years 8-10 must enrol as Tailored Boarders.

Unfortunately, there is no availability in Flexi-Boarder outside the traditional admissions year groups of Year 7 and Year 12.

We can also consider applications for current Year 7s to join during the academic year, outside of traditional September entry.

In-Year Tailored Boarding places are offered to candidates who successfully prove their suitability to board following an interview, which is supported by a school reference.

Please do contact the Admissions Team to discuss your application and availability.

Review the Admissions Policy

2

Visit us

The best way to get a sense of our school is to see the OSH community for yourselves.

Please contact the Admissions Team to arrange your individual tour with our Director of Boarding Recruitment. Here you will spend time in the boarding houses, view our co-curricular facilities, and meet the Matrons and Housemasters.

You are of course welcome at the school Open Events in June and September as well.

For families living overseas, visiting in-person may not be possible and will gladly offer virtual alternatives.

3

Submit an application form

For all categories of admission you must complete the registration form on our website.

There is no deadline for In-Year applications and places are awarded according to availability and meeting the admissions criteria.

Apply here

4

Interview

All applicants will be invited to a boarding interview with a senior member of our boarding team. Applicants will be asked about their hobbies and interests, and thoughts on possibly joining the OSH boarding community. These are informal conversations and there's no need to prepare anything.

Invitations to interview will be communicated to parents from the Director of Boarding Recruitment via email and telephone. Preferably interviews are to be conducted in person, although virtual alternatives will be offered for families living further afield.

5

Boarding Taster

All Tailored Boarding applicants are invited to attend a Boarding Taster where your son or daughter will be able to spend time in our boarding houses and experience for themselves what life at OSH is really like.

They will be buddied with a boarder from their year group, sample lessons, attend boarding co-curricular activities, try our meals and stay overnight in the boarding house.

Boarding Tasters can take many forms and our Director of Boarding Recruitment will gladly discuss the most suitable timetable for your son or daughter. These don't form part of the admissions decision process but we do recommend coming for a taster to ensure our community is right for your child and for you as a family.

6

Places awarded

All In-Year applications are at the discretion of the Headmaster and Governors. Once school references have been received and boarding interview conducted, the application is referred to the Headmaster and Governors for their decision.

The outcome of that decision is then communicated to parents by the Director of Boarding Recruitment via telephone and email.

7

Fees

As a state boarding school, we are able to provide an environment which offers similar advantages to a private boarding education, at a fraction of the cost.

This is because the UK government pays tuition fees for pupils, therefore there is no cost for education at OSH. The fees we set cover boarding activities only.

2024/25 Boarding Fees are as follows:
- Tailored Boarding Years 7-13 £4,440 per term (£13,320 for the academic year)
- Flexi-Boarding Years 7-13 £2,220 per term (£6,660 for the academic year)

There are some additional optional costs, including individual music lessons, school lunches etc, all of which are detailed on the link below.

Fees and School Costs

8

Joining OSH

Once you've accepted your offer for your child to join OSH, you will be sent the school Boarding Agreement which is our legal documentation and boarding policy. This document will need printing, wet signing and a physical copy posting to school to secure your child's place.

Upon returning the signed boarding agreement, you will then be sent fees information and a copy of the school Joining Instructions which details everything you need to know to prepare for your son or daughter to transfer to OSH.

All of which is communicated via email from the Director of Boarding Recruitment who is there to help you every step of the way.

1

Come to an Open Event

The best way to get a sense of our school is to see the OSH community for yourselves.

'Meet the Teachers' events invite you to meet the Sixth Form leadership team, discuss options with A level subject experts, and learn about enrichment activities. These take place each October.

For those interested in Tailored or Flexi-Boarding, this event also offers a tour of our boarding houses and the chance to meet Sixth Form boarders.

Open Mornings are usually aimed at Year 7 entry but are a great way to view the whole School campus and everyone is welcome.

For families living overseas, visiting in-person may not be possible so we will gladly offer virtual alternatives. Please contact Admissions to start the conversation.

2

Consider Boarding or Day places

All Sixth Form places are allocated in accordance with the Admissions Policy and meeting the entry criteria.

We ask all applicants to achieve the minimum grade requirement of GCSE Grade 5 or above in at least six subjects, including English and Maths (or an agreed equivalent for applicants who did not sit GCSEs). Specific subjects may also have minimum grade requirements which must be achieved, as outlined in the Sixth Form Prospectus.

Tailored and Flexi-Boarding applicants ONLY will also be invited to a suitability to board interview.

Review the Admissions Policy

3

Submit an application form

For all categories of admission you must complete the registration form on our website.

All applicants who are offered a place must achieve the minimum grade requirement of GCSE Grade 5 or above in at least six subjects. including English and Maths, (or an agreed equivalent for applicants who did not sit GCSEs). Specific subjects will also have minimum grade requirements which must be achieved.

The deadline for Sixth Form applications is 31st December.

We do welcome late entries and please contact the Admissions Team on +44(0)1384 817325 or admissions@oshsch.com to discuss.

Submit a registration form.

4

Boarding interview

Tailored and Flexi-Boarding applicants ONLY will be invited to attend a suitability to board interview. This is an informal conversation with a senior member of our boarding team where applicants are asked about their hobbies and interests, co-curricular activities, aspirations and thoughts on joining the OSH boarding community.

Ideally, interviews are held in-person and are accompanied by a tour of our boarding houses. For those candidates who live further afield or overseas, a virtual alternative will be arranged. Interview invitations are communicated via email from the Director of Boarding Recruitment.

Tailored and Flexi-Boarding applicants also require references from their current school. These are requested on the application form and reviewed as part of the application process.

5

Conditional offers awarded

Conditional offers are awarded to candidates by the end of January, on the basis that candidates meet the application criteria and achieve the required GCSE or equivalent results.

These offers refer only to the candidate's academic place in the Sixth Form. Tailored and Flexi-Boarding offers are made only once school references have been reviewed and the candidate is deemed suitable to board following their boarding interview. Tailored and Flexi-Boarding offers are accompanied by the Boarding Agreement which needs printing, wet signing and a physical copy posting to school please.

All offers are communicated via the application platform, Applicaa.

6

Fees

As a state boarding school, we are able to provide an environment which offers similar advantages to a private boarding education, at a fraction of the cost.

This is because the UK government pays tuition fees for pupils, therefore there is no cost for education at OSH. The fees we set cover boarding activities only.

2024/25 Boarding Fees are as follows:
- Tailored Boarding Years 7-13 £4,440 per term (£13,320 for the academic year)
- Flexi-Boarding Years 7-13 £2,220 per term (£6,660 for the academic year)

There are some additional optional costs, including individual music lessons, school lunches etc, all of which are detailed on the link below.

Fees and School Costs

7

Offer-holders events

We understand the transition to Sixth Form can be overwhelming and there's a lot to consider. As such, we invite all conditional offer holders to join us at events in the Spring and Summer Terms.

The Conditional Offer Holder's Open Evening will be on Thursday 11th April, 4:30-6pm. This is your opportunity to find out more about what the OSH Sixth Form can specifically support you with and explore more of our campus. Please contact Admissions with any queries and to confirm your attendance.

Offer-holders will also be invited to attend our Sixth Form Information Evening and Careers Fair in June. Further details will be released closer to the time.

Invitations to both of these events will be communication via the application portal, Applicaa.

8

Upload your results

On GCSE Results Day in August, simply upload your results to the application portal Applicaa. It's as easy as that!

We'll contact you regarding your offer, so look out for our email.

If your results haven't gone quite to plan, our teams will be in school so please telephone Admissions on +44(0)1384 817325.

For students who have sat alternative qualitifications to GCSE, please liaise with our Admissions Team directly on admissions@oshsch.com.

9

Accept and join

Once you've accepted your Year 12 place via Applicaa you will be sent a copy of the Sixth Form Welcome Pack. This details everything you need to know to prepare for OSH, including dress code and games kit lists.

For Tailored and Flexi-Boarders, this will also include fees information and invoicing.

All of which will be communicated via the application portal, Applicaa.

10

FAQs

We understand there's a lot to process when considering Sixth Form and the next stages of education. Therefore, we've created a set of frequently asked questions for you to refer back to.

We're here to help in any way we can, so please feel free to call or email us.

Review the FAQs

Get in touch

We strongly recommend that you come and see us by attending one or more of our open events, making an individual appointment for a boarding tour, or by contacting our Admissions Office so we can talk you through our admissions process.

Admissions Team

+44(0)1384 817325

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