The different points of entry
At Lancing Prep Hove, we welcome a new generation of pupils to our school every year. Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions you, as a parent, will make for your child and our experience tells us that the individual decision-making process may be different for every family.
Our website will give you some real insights into life at Lancing Prep Hove but to find out first-hand what it is that we believe is distinctive about our school, we invite you warmly to make a personal visit. It is an opportunity for you to find out about life in our friendly, happy school community and to hear and see for yourself how we would bring out the best in your child as an all-round talented individual.
Every personal visit includes a meeting with Mrs Keep, our Head Mistress, followed by taking a tour of the school to see our pupils at work and play during a normal school day. You will have the opportunity to speak to our Mrs Olsen, our Registrar, some of our teachers and, of course, our amazing pupils to experience what Lancing Prep Hove has to offer your child.
This is the start of our admissions process; if you wish to proceed further you will be invited to complete a registration form and to pay the non-refundable registration fee. The next step is then to arrange a taster day for your child to join a class in their current year group. This will help both us as a school and you as parents to decide whether Lancing Prep Hove is the right school for your child. For children joining in Year 1 and above, we will also ask your child's current setting for a reference. A place will be offered formally after a successful taster day and reference received. Mrs Olsen will then confirm your child's place once the acceptance form and the entry deposit have been received. Please contact her for more information.
Pre-School
Entry to our Pre-School is available to girls and boys from the age of 3. We work with parents to settle children into our beautiful Pre-school setting. A range of attendance options is available and we offer 15 hours per week of funded childcare sessions. Please note that we do not have facilities for afternoon naps and we generally ask that our youngest children are dry before starting with us. Once a child has joined the Pre-School, there is progression to Reception class at the appropriate time without needing to apply again. Please contact the Registrar for more information.
Reception
Our main Pre-Prep entry point is into our Reception year, for those joining us directly or moving up from our Pre-School. We ensure that this first step into our Pre-Prep is taken with the utmost care, to smooth the process for children and parents alike.
Year 3
We welcome children into Year 3, which is the first of our Prep School year groups. For some families, it is an ideal time to move to Lancing Prep Hove, as their children will have completed the Key Stage 1 years of their education in their current schools. Early application for Year 3 is recommended as there are limited places available.
Year 7
We welcome a number of new pupils into Year 7 each year, joining us from state primary and other schools. It is an excellent pathway to independent education for those considering Lancing College, or other senior schools, at 13+. Applications for 2025 entry should be made by 4 November 2024 for 2025 entry. Late applications may be considered, subject to places being available.
Other
There may be opportunities for pupils to join Lancing Prep Hove in other year groups, subject to space being available. Children may start at any point in the school year. Whenever this takes place, we take great care to integrate and settle pupils as soon as possible.