Entrance Assessments
How will my child be assessed?
Pre-school
Pre-school is all about happy beginnings. We want children to feel safe, settled and excited to learn – and we know that starts with a gentle introduction. Before joining us, we invite each child to a relaxed ‘Stay and Play’ session. This is a lovely opportunity for them to meet the teachers, make new friends and explore the classroom through play. It’s informal chance for us to see how they settle in, and for you to see how comfortable they feel in our caring environment.
We warmly welcome children into our Pre-school from the age of 3 where they can attend on a full-time or on a part-time basis (3 or 4 days a week), during term time, depending on availability.
Children move into Reception in the September following their 4th birthday.
Moving into Reception
aGED 4+
Reception marks an exciting new chapter in your child’s school journey, and we aim to make the transition as smooth and supportive as possible.
In the September following a child’s 4th birthday, those who have been with us in Pre-school since the first half of the prior Autumn term will move seamlessly into Reception, providing they have made the progress expected of them.
As they already know the environment, our routines, and the friendly faces of staff and classmates, there’s no need for a formal assessment and it’s a natural next step.
Assessing for Reception (Age 4+)
Children who have joined us in Pre-school a little later, such as in the second half of the Autumn term or beyond, as well as those who are new to Fairfield, will take part in a short informal assessment.
This takes place here at school in a relaxed, welcoming setting. It’s designed to be enjoyable and informal, with a mix of individual and group activities. We’re simply looking to understand how your child engages with others, how they approach tasks, and whether they’re ready to make the most of what our Reception year has to offer.
Children looking to join us in Years 1 or 2 are invited to spend a short day with us. It’s a chance for them to get a feel for the environment, join us for lunch, meet their potential classmates and enjoy some time in the classroom.
During the morning of their visit, we carry out some gentle assessments in literacy and numeracy, appropriate for their age and stage. We’re also looking for signs of curiosity and a readiness to learn – not just what they know, but how they think. Our aim is to ensure they’ll thrive and be happy here.
For entry into Years 3 to 6, children are invited to take part in an Entrance Assessment and Taster Experience. This typically includes short papers in Maths, English (including reading comprehension and creative writing), and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Everything is set at a level that’s suitable for their age group, and we aim to make the assessment process feel calm and encouraging. We understand that each child is unique, and we’re not looking just at academic ability, but also at potential and how they approach tasks.
Children are also invited to stay with us for the afternoon, where they will visit our Dining Hall for lunch and then join a class within their current year group to take part in activities and lessons. This is an opportunity for children to get a feel for Fairfield and equally, for us to get to know those looking to join us a little better.
At Fairfield, we offer a supportive and well-prepared route into senior school life. All pupils who joined us before the start of Year 4 are guaranteed a place at either Loughborough Grammar School or Loughborough High School, by the end of Year 5.
Throughout your child’s time with us, their class teacher will regularly discuss progress with you. In the summer term of Year 5, using a combination of teacher assessment and continuous tracking, we confirm senior school offers in line with each child’s strengths and development.
We’re happy to consider children for places throughout the year, subject to availability. If you’re thinking about a mid-year move, do get in touch, we’re here to help guide you through the process and make your child’s transition as smooth as possible.
