Admissions Policy and FAQs

A1: Applicants from the College’s partner schools should apply following the process outlined in the partner schools admissions timetable. As long as they meet the admissions requirements (usually five GCSE passes (grades 4-9) and acceptable school report and attendance figures), they will be guaranteed a place.

Our partner schools currently include: Carrington, de Stafford, Merstham Park, Oakwood, Reigate, The Beacon School and The Priory School (Dorking).

A2: Nearly 60% of the College’s intake is from non-partner schools. The chance of a student being offered a conditional place (aside from them reaching the entry requirements) is dependent on where their current school appears on the College’s Admissions Policy (A to J), how soon they apply before the closing date of 1 November and how good their Year 10 and 11 attendance and school reports are.

A3: Yes. Applications should be received before 1 November and will then be considered against the College’s Admissions Policy. Any application received after 1 November will automatically be placed on the College’s waiting list. Some people on the waiting list will be invited for interview, depending on the number of applications received.

A4: Choices Day is an extremely important day and it is a requirement that all prospective Lower Sixth students attend.

The day is designed to give new students the chance to try out their chosen subjects and meet their peer group, so that they can leave, looking forward to the prospect of spending the next 2 years at the College!

Some students’ GCSE results don’t go quite as planned (for better or worse!) and other students simply change their minds about what they want to study, so for these students Choices Day provides the opportunity to weigh up any possible changes to their study programme.

Students who are are unable to attend Choices Day should contact the College in advance. Failure to do so will result in places being withdrawn and offered to other students.

A5: Choices Day is a mandatory part of the application process, and all students are expected to attend. There is no guarantee of a place being held if a student does not attend Choices Day. The College should be notified in advance via admissions@reigate.ac.uk and you will need to receive written, formal approval.

A6: Reigate College will do all that it can to accommodate any student who applies before 1 November. (Please see Student Support and Welfare and College Policies.) Students will be considered on a case-specific basis. Parents should send an accompanying letter with their son/daughter’s application explaining the nature of the support their son/daughter would require, if studying at Reigate.

A7: In order to achieve a place at the College students need to achieve five Grade 4s or above at GCSE.

In addition, students need to meet the individual entry requirements for specific courses. The College has a black and white policy about this.

If students don’t achieve the entry requirements for a chosen course they will be required to change their course choice and will be given guidance with this. Some courses have excellent alternatives, with lower entry requirements, e.g. BTEC Law rather than A Level Law, BTEC Business rather than A Level Business, BTEC Human Biology rather than A Level Biology.

Some students may be advised to consider more vocational courses at other Colleges, rather than studying at Reigate.

A8: Yes. Course changes can be made right up to starting at College and up to two weeks of starting at College.

Advice and guidance about course choices will be given with an experienced member of staff both at interview and during an enrolment (once GCSE results have been received).

The College recognises the importance of students being on the right courses and expects all students to complete a series of ‘New Starters’ course tasks and activities in the run up to starting at College, to give students a flavour of the type of content they will be studying for particular courses.

Once timetables have been issued students need to give their courses a chance before asking to change them, as it’s perfectly normal to go through an adjustment phase.

The College tries to be as flexible as possible in accommodating subject changes but it is unusual to change courses after the first couple of weeks of term.

A9: Yes. All students who have not achieved a pass (grade 4-9) in GCSE Maths or English will be expected to re-sit these courses while at College.

A10: The College offers the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award which we very much hope students who’ve done their Silver and or Bronze Award will sign up to.  Students who’ve not done or completed either the Bronze or Silver Award will still be eligible for the Gold Award, but will need to demonstrate their commitment to achieving the Award to be accepted.

Students are given information about the Award during the College enrolment process and can formally sign up to after Choices Day.

A11: The College offers an extremely comprehensive Enrichment Programme that includes a range of sporting, creative and skills-based activities.

A12: The College competes in a number of cups and competitions against other schools and colleges – across a range of sports. Please see College Sport.

In normal circumstances, all students are given the opportunity to trial for a College team.  Students can find out more about what’s available by talking to College staff at both Choices Day and during their individual interview.