Rose Hill
School
School
Admissions
Entry Points
You may be wondering when is the best time for your child to join Rose Hill School. We welcome pupils across all ages from 3 to 13, with a warm, structured admissions journey to help them settle quickly and confidently.
Ages 3-4
Nursery
A gentle start to school life
Nursery is the most popular way to begin the Rose Hill School journey. Children join us in the September after their third birthday and become part of our PrePrep community.
A true “home-from-home” atmosphere, with awe, wonder and plenty of indoor and outdoor exploration
Weekly woodland sessions, music lessons, and specialist teaching in areas such as PE, swimming and languages, all woven through the Early Years curriculum
Children join Nursery on the understanding they will move through to Prep School at 7+, giving them continuity right up to age 13
Ages 4+
Reception & PrePrep
A confident step into full-time school
Reception is a natural entry point if your child is currently in another nursery or pre-school.
Children in Reception follow the EYFS framework, enriched by specialist lessons in music, PE, swimming, computing and modern languages
Weekly woodland, forest school learning builds resilience, independence and a love of the outdoors from the very beginning
Small classes and strong pastoral care help children make the move into “big school” with confidence
Ages 7+
Year 3
Joining the Prep School
Year 3 is the main entry into our Prep School, when many families choose Rose Hill School as their dedicated 7–13 prep.
Specialist subject teaching across core and creative disciplines, with pupils challenged, stretched and encouraged to discover their passions
Introduction of project-based learning each year, developing research, presentation and teamwork skills
Extensive facilities across 16 acres, including sports pitches, a new swimming pool, DT and ICT suites, art studio and 220-seat theatre
For 7+ entrants, we invite children for taster days with informal age-appropriate assessments, so we can see how they learn and they can experience life in the Prep School.
Ages 11+
Year 7
The top-of-prep experience
Year 7 is an excellent entry point if you are looking for a focused, two-year experience before your child moves on at 13.
Senior Prep programme that combines strong academics with leadership, life skills and nationally-recognised project work (including the ISEB-accredited Independent Project Qualification)
The Rose Hill School Diploma, covering practical skills such as budgeting, first aid and independent living
Dedicated future schools guidance, with one-to-one support, a future schools fair and a proven record of entry – often with awards – to top independent and grammar schools
Entry at 11+ typically involves a visit, taster day and light-touch assessment, alongside a conversation about your child’s interests and goals.
Joining at other ages
While most families join at 3+, 4+, 7+ or 11+, we also offer in-year places in other year groups.
If you are relocating to the Tunbridge Wells area or looking to move schools mid-journey, our admissions team can:
Advise on current availability
Arrange a tour and taster day
Work with teachers to ensure a smooth, supportive transition for your child
Rosebuds pre-school playgroup
If your child is not yet ready to join Nursery, Rosebuds offers a warm, free-of-charge introduction to Rose Hill for little ones and their grown-ups.
Across the week, you can choose from:
Rosebuds Music – rhythm, song and creative expression with our Director of Music
Rosebuds Pre-School Playgroup – fun, discovery and play in our early years spaces
Rosebuds Woodland Club – nature-based free play in our woodland, led by the Head of Early Years
Find out more
Ready to talk about the right entry point?
Every family’s situation is different – and we are here to help you work out what will suit your child best.