The steps to join us are below and the next thing that happens depends on your particular circumstances.
1 - Attend an Open Event
We believe that making the choice for your child’s education is one of the most important you will undertake. To make things easier for you, we host regular Open Events to allow us to provide you with a taste of our school and what we offer.
2 - Register your Child
Once you wish to be placed on our waiting list for a place, we require you register your child with us. We encourage parents to register their child as soon as possible after birth. We will only accept registrations of children once born.
3 - Visit us in person or virtually
Once we have received your registration, we will be in touch to schedule either a personal visit of the school or a virtual meeting with our Headmistress if you are overseas. This will be the best opportunity for you to ask the questions you have, and for us to get to know you and your family better.
4 - Offers
Offers for children starting in Preschool (aged 3+) or Reception (aged 4+)
Offers are made on a first come first served basis for all year groups, depending on availability. Once you have visited us and decided Bassett is the school for you, we will make a formal offer for a place.
For each year of entry, once all spaces in the Preschool and Reception classes are have been filled, subsequent applicants are placed on the waiting list. Further offers may be made to applicants on the waiting list if a place becomes available.
Places are offered in registration order with priority given to:
- brothers and sisters of children already at the school;
- Alumni children; and then
- in order of registration date.
Offers for children starting in Year 1 (aged 5+) to Year 6 (aged 10+)
If you wish for your child to join further up the school, please contact us, to find out whether a place might be available in the relevant year group. If it is, the school will then invite your child to undertake a taster day and an assessment to establish your child’s level of attainment, to determine whether your child will be a good fit for the class and will be able to fully access the curriculum. We will also request a reference from your child’s current school. For younger children, the assessment is more about whether your child will fit with the existing class than academic attainment.
5 - How to Accept an Offer of Place for Education
When you receive your offer, you will also be given instructions on how to accept the offer via our online form. Acceptance of a place must be accompanied by a deposit payment of £3,000.
6 - Before the first Day
We want to make sure your child is comfortable with the move to their new school. For pupils being admitted to Bassett Bear House, we will host a number of events leading up to their first day which will include a time to meet their new teacher and their fellow classmates.
For children joining us in Year 1 to Year 6, we will invite them to attend a Taster Day to get a good feel for life at Bassett.
The Dukes Village
Bassett House School is part of the Dukes Education family of schools and educators, united by a common purpose: to give children the foundations for an extraordinary life. We create clusters of nurseries and schools in village locations to offer families an all-through education journey within their local area.
Dukes Education is committed to a smooth transition from nursery to prep school. With a focus on nurturing each child’s potential, we ensure that early years learning seamlessly flows into their prep school journey. Families from Little Dukes nurseries benefit from a guaranteed entry policy, meaning that when children are ready for Reception, their place in a Dukes prep school is assured—subject to availability and the child’s ability to thrive within the school’s ethos and curriculum.
Starting with a Little Dukes nursery provides a strong foundation and continuity as children grow. This guaranteed progression allows families to plan confidently, knowing their child can flourish in a familiar, supportive environment that celebrates their individuality.
