Welcome to St Aubyn's, an independent preparatory school for
children aged from 3 to 13 years old. The school motto from 1884 still sums up what we are about today:

Fortiter, Fideliter, Feliciter - Bravely, Faithfully, Happily

I hope you enjoy this site. Do contact the school if you feel we can be helpful in any way.

The different elements of the school are as follows:

Foundation  Stage: Nursery  3+ & Reception  4+
Pre Prep: 5+ & 6+
Middle:  7+ to 9+
Senior: 10+ to 12+

Within the Foundation Stage, both the Nursery and Reception have their own staffing and facilities, including Nursery Nurses and assistants.  The Pre-prep Dept is housed and equipped in its own building.  There is separate outdoor play space (playground and playing field) for all younger pupils.

Floating staff offer additional support to individual children and groups where necessary.  Specialist staff take lessons in Music, PE and French (from 4+).

The Middle and Senior pupils have separate buildings and recreational space. During the Middle years children progress from class-based towards subject-based teaching, with specialist teachers for different subjects, whilst retaining a firm base with their class teacher.  In the Seniors most subjects have their own teaching base. In the Middle and Senior sections there is increasing opportunity for more individual, small group, and split class teaching in subjects such as Maths and English.

Each child is assigned to a House: Grove (Blue); School (Red); York (Green); Hayton (Yellow). In the Pre Prep this is simply for sporting activities. In the Middle School the House is also important for rewarding good work and behaviour, as well as success in sport.

In the Senior School the pastoral care system is based upon the House System with two tutors for each House.

Entry at 3+ and 4+

*40 children join the Nursery at 3+ and a further 20 join the Reception classes at 4+.
*It is possible to register for both 3+ and 4+ places.
*It is not our policy to accept pre birth registrations.
*It is advisable to register as early as possible.
*Prospective parents are always welcome to visit the school and be shown around by the Headmaster, *whether registered or not, but bear in mind that the likelihood of a place depends on the length of the Registrations Lists.
*It is important for all families joining the school to visit and see the school ‘in action’.  It is possible to book a meeting and visit either before or after registration.  A place will not be offered to any family which has not made such a visit.
*The main criterion for entry is one’s place on the Registration List, though the school reserves the right to deviate from the List, e.g. to ensure a reasonable balance between the sexes and to observe the school’s policy with regard to offering appropriate places to siblings.
*We begin to offer places in October for the following September.  By the end of January all places are taken.  If you have not heard from us by this time, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful at this stage. The only exception will be places arising because a family drops out having originally accepted a place. The school will not contact you further, but should you wish to inquire about your situation, please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions Secretary.
*The induction process includes meetings with parents and visits by children in the Summer Term before joining the school in September.

Entry at 7+

*Children are assessed in Maths and English in small groups.  The aim is to be friendly and informal. *Registered families are contacted and invited to attend.
*This process mainly takes place during the Easter Term prior to entry in September.  There are meetings for parents and children in the Summer Term prior to entry in September.  

Entry at 11+

*Children are interviewed individually or in very small groups.  There are formal assessment tests in Maths and English.  
*Children who join the School at this stage embark on a two-year course leading to exams for entry to selective HMC independent schools.
*We make every effort to ensure that children joining the school at this stage have the capacity to move on to such schools at 13+ either by Common Entrance, Scholarship, or individual entrance examinations. *This process takes place mainly in the Easter Term prior to entry in September.  *Future pupils visit the school during the Summer Term prior to entry in September and there are also meetings with parents.

Scholarships

*Academic or specialist scholarships to a maximum of 50% of school fees are available and open to both internal and external candidates for Years 7 and 8.

Entry at other ages

*A place may become available if a child leaves the school at any stage (e.g. because of a family move). *Individual arrangements are made with regard to visiting the school and with regard to assessment.