Here’s a helpful guide on how to apply to Orchard House School for Nursery (3+) entry or for an Occasional Place.
Nursery Place
Our main point of entry at Orchard House is the Nursery. Children join us in the September following their third birthday with offers sent out approximately eighteen months before the child is due to start at Orchard House, typically in the Spring of the year prior to entry. Pupils in Nursery automatically move into Reception the following year.
Occasional Place (Reception or above)
If you wish for your child to join us in Reception or above, please enquire and we will be in touch to confirm whether a place is available. After registering, your child will be invited to attend a taster morning where they will meet their peers, teachers and may undergo a short assessment in Maths and English to help us understand their learning journey. We will also request the child’s latest school report from their current school. All offers for occasional places are dependent on availability and at the discretion of the Head.
If you have any questions about the admissions process or would like to discuss anything further, please contact our admissions team on 020 8742 8544 or email admissions@orchardhs.org.uk. They will be happy to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Meet Anne, your contact at Orchard House School
Position: Head of Admissions
“With years of experience in a variety of educational settings, I provide personalised guidance to help meet each child’s unique needs and aspirations. I am committed to supporting families throughout every step of the admissions process, ensuring they have the information and support they need to make the best decisions for their child’s education. My aim is to make the admissions journey as straightforward as possible, so that families feel confident in their choice, knowing they have selected the right school for their child.”
Admissions Process
Step 1Contact & Visit Us
Once you’ve enquired, we’d be delighted to welcome you to the school and introduce you to our Head of Admissions, so you can learn more about life at Orchard House.
All visits must be booked in advance. You can arrange a visit with the Admissions team at a time that suits you, or join one of our weekly group tours on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, or attend an Open Morning.
Step 2Register your Child
To apply for a place in any year group, you’ll first need to register your child with us via one of our registration forms. We will then add your child to the waiting list for the relevant year group and email you to confirm. We encourage parents to register their child as soon as possible after birth, to give them the best chance of receiving an offer.
Step 3Attend a Taster Morning
For applications to Year 1 and above, your child will be invited to attend a taster morning where they can meet their peers and experience life at Orchard House. The admissions team will arrange this with you directly.
Step 4Receiving your Offer
All offers are sent out 18 months before your child is due to start at Orchard House, typically during the Spring Term of the year before they join us. Priority is given to siblings of current students and students who join us from Dukes Education nurseries or schools, and are then made in order of registration.
We will email you directly to confirm if your child has been offered a place, with a parent contract and acceptance form for you to sign and return. If an offer isn’t received in the first instance, we will always keep your child’s name on the waiting list to be offered a place if one becomes available in future.
Offers may also be made on an ad hoc basis throughout the year, subject to availability.
Step 5Accepting your Offer
To accept your child’s place, you will need to sign and return the acceptance form, provide a copy of your child’s passport, and pay a deposit of £3,000 via our secure Stripe payment link or directly into the school’s account by bank transfer. This deposit will be refunded when your child leaves the school.
Parents who receive Nursery offers are given the opportunity to defer their place to Reception entry. We have an extremely limited number of places available to join in Reception each year. Deferral requests are granted in the order in which they are received. Once the places are filled, parents have the option to accept their Nursery offer to guarantee direct entry into Reception, or to join the waiting list for Reception entry only. Offers made after all Reception places have been filled will not include the option to defer.
The Dukes Village
Orchard 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.
