Whilst St Peter’s is not a selective school, all children go through an assessment upon entering. English and Maths assessments take place when the pupil visits the school on a Taster Day. The VR and Non VR tests are not generally completed on this day, so that the child is not put under too much pressure and has a chance to experience some ‘routine’ lessons. This also gives class and subject teachers a chance to observe the behaviour and performance of the child under these conditions. The assessments can be completed once a pupil has joined the school.

The Learning Support Co-ordinator may also spend some time with all children wishing to enter Year 2 and above (and in exceptional cases below Year 2). During this time the LSC will assess the pupil’s reading age, spelling age and the pupil’s ability in a short piece of unguided writing. Other diagnostic testing may occur depending upon the information gained from a previous school, parent or from the form tutor.