Admissions

We welcome applications throughout the year and are happy to consider children joining us at any stage, subject to availability. While our main entry points are Nursery, Reception and Year 3, we regularly admit pupils into other year groups, ensuring a smooth and supportive transition into school life whenever they join us.

Nursery Entry

At St Ives Nursery, we believe in nurturing the early years with care, creativity and endlessless curiosity. Designed for Children aged 2-4, our warm & inclusive environment is where imaginations bloom and little learners thrive.

We prioritise emotional and social development, helping children develop the skills they need to connect with others, express themselves and navigate the world with confidence. Our caring and qualified team of staff is dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging and providing support every step of the way, ensuring each child feels happy and secure.

Our facilities are bright, cheerful and thoughtfully equipped to provide endless opportunities for exploration. We have a wonderful, dedicated garden with endless views over the South Downs, which lends itself to hours of hours of fun and outdoor learning. The Nursery has all the advantages of feeling like its own entity, whilst having the advantages of being part of a larger school. The Nursery children have specialist teaching in Music, French and PE which are all taught by specialist teachers from the main school as part of the Nursery curriculum, as well as enjoying Forest School in our 8 acres of beautiful woods, lunch in the school dining hall and all the resources you would naturally expect in a thriving prep school.

Reception Entry

Reception is the first year of school, with children joining in the September after their fourth birthday. At St Ives, our Reception class offers a warm, nurturing start, bringing together children from our Nursery and new joiners, all made to feel equally welcome from day one. Set within our light and airy Pre-Prep building, children benefit from a dedicated classroom and a beautifully designed outdoor learning space used daily. With a specialist Reception teacher and teaching assistant, we quickly build strong relationships with each child, supporting their confidence, independence and individual progress.

Our approach combines purposeful play with a rich and inspiring curriculum. Alongside daily Maths and Literacy, children enjoy specialist teaching in French, Music and PE, weekly Forest School sessions in our eight-acre woodland, and year-round swimming at no extra cost. We work in close partnership with parents, ensuring every child feels happy, supported and ready to thrive. Our Reception Readiness sessions, beginning in May, provide a gentle and exciting introduction to school life.

Year 3 Entry

Applying for a place in Year 3

Every child interested in joining St Ives in Year 3 will be invited to a taster day and participate in lessons with our current Year 2 cohort so we can assess whether St Ives can provide a suitable environment for your child. We will also request a report from the Head of your child’s current school. Subject to satisfactory completion of the taster day and availability of a place, places will be offered on an ongoing basis as the taster days take place.

Scholarships and bursaries

We are always looking for children who display real aptitude or potential, whether that be in academic, sporting, drama, art or music ability (or a combination of these) and therefore there are some fee-assisted places available on entry to Year 3. For more information, please see our Scholarships and Bursaries page.