Secondary school transition

Applications for secondary schools are made in the first half of the autumn term of the year in which a child is in Year 6. The majority of secondary schools hold their open days in late September and early October.  We hold an annual meeting for parents of our older pupils to talk through the process of establishing preferences for schools and applying for secondary admission.  Mrs Lacey is also happy to provide further advice to individuals where this may be helpful. 

The local authorities in the neighbourhood are part of the pan-London co-ordinated admissions system, which enables parents to apply to state-funded schools in several boroughs should they wish to do so.  Applications for up to six schools are made via the local authority in which a child is normally resident. Local authorities and schools publish clear admission criteria and also offer advice sessions for parents.

Should parents choose to apply to independent fee-paying schools, these applications are made directly to the schools themselves.   Independent schools usually request references for pupils applying to them from their existing schools. We are happy to supply these references at a charge of £50 per child to cover the time taken to put them together. (Please note that this charge also applies if parents choose to apply for 7+).

We have close links with our local secondary school, Chiswick School, to which the largest proportion of our pupils transfer.  Belmont pupils have the opportunity to visit the school for curricular and extra-curricular activities such as food technology, information technology or science clubs, and the Head Teacher and former pupils visit Belmont to speak to children and parents about the school.  

Children from Belmont transfer to a number of schools in the local area, both state and independent.   Year 6 teachers and other members of staff liaise with staff from the receiving schools and spend time preparing the children themselves to ensure that transition is as smooth as possible.

Guidance from London Borough of Hounslow for secondary admissions 2