application steps
We welcome admissions enquiries throughout the year. You are encouraged to make your application between October and March, ready for September entry. Mid-year entry is sometimes possible. The Admissions team will be delighted to support you and your child on every step of the journey.
1. REGISTRATION
Once you are ready to formally apply for a place, applications can be made online. We will then request a reference from your child’s current school, so that we can get a full picture of how they are getting on, where they especially excel, and what support they may receive.
2. taster day
Children applying to join Year 7 will be invited to a group “Discovery Day”, usually held in late November. For older children, we will arrange a bespoke taster day, to include some lessons, lunch and typically incorporating the entrance assessment and interview. An overnight stay can be arranged if your child is planning to board at Trent.
3. ENTRANCE INTERVIEW
One of our experienced and friendly staff will have a 1:1 chat with your child, asking about their family, interests, school life and hopes for the future. For Sixth Form interviews there will be more emphasis on future plans and career aspirations, as well as an opportunity to discuss Sixth Form subject options. For Year 7 entry the interviews are held in January each year. For other year groups it will be arranged individually.
4. SCHOLARSHIP ASSESSMENT
We recognise excellence and nurture exceptional talent through our scholarship programme, with bespoke development plans to enable scholars to reach and exceed their potential. Scholarships also offer 10% discount from day fees. Assessments for children applying to Year 7 take place in January each year, and for other year groups are arranged individually.
5. ENTRANCE exam
Children applying to Trent will take a Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT) and an English Assessment. For Year 7 entry this is held in January each year. For other year groups this will be arranged individually. For Sixth Form applicants who are currently undertaking GCSEs there is no academic assessment; for those not taking GCSEs, there are subject-specific exams.
6. OFFER
The Head of Trent College takes a holistic view of each child’s application, using all the information gathered from the interview, reference and assessment to make a final decision on the offer of a place. Offers are typically made within one week of your child undertaking the academic assessment.
Sixth Form applicants will be given conditional offers, based on achieving at least five GCSEs at grade 6/B.
7. ACCEPTANCE
The acceptance deadline will be 4 to 5 weeks after the offer has been made. The school place will be reserved once you return the signed contract and pay the deposit. The Admissions team will continue to provide support throughout the time until your child joins school, giving guidance and reassurance along the way.
