Admission Policy

We have a maximum capacity of 40 students.

This is divided into groups as follows:

   Upper GCSE (Y11): 3-4 students

   Lower GCSE (Y10): 3-4 students

   Pre-GCSE 2/3 (Y8-9): 5-8 students

   Pre-GCSE 1 (Y7-8): 5-8 students

   Upper Primary (Y6-7): 8-10 students

   Mid Primary (Y5-6): 8-10 students

   Lower Primary (Y4-5): 8-10 students

While there may be individual exceptions (places permitting), our general policy is to have new students join the school between Years 4-7.

There are reviews ahead of Years 7 and 9, when we will meet with parents and decide if our environment is still the best fit for their child's needs or not. Those we select to continue through to GCSE classes will be on a minimum national-level trajectory in tennis, and exhibit daily the required high standards of effort and behaviour.

Science Says...

The part of the brain that learns technique, co-ordination and movement  (Sensorimotor Cortex) peaks between ages 6-8 and then "prunes" redundant information - thereby hard-wiring "muscle memory" - by around age 12. This means that our window of opportunity for moulding players technically and carving out deep technical foundations starts 2-3 years prior to this. This corresponds with an ideal admission age of 8-10.

The part of the brain that learns behaviour and decision-making skills (Prefrontal Cortex) peaks between ages 9-12 and then "prunes" redundant information - behaviour and decisions that did not yield desired outcomes - up to the age of around 16 and beyond. This means that we have a little longer to develop each player's mindset, tactics and general mental skills. We will occasionally accept players aged up to 14 but we would then expect them to be already performing at national level and possess sound technique.