FAQs Scarborough College
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FAQs

Current parents can find more information in the Parent Hub.

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  • How do we apply to Scarborough College?
  • It’s very simple. All you need to do is click the ‘Start Your Journey’ button or go to our dedicated online registration page.

    You will then be directed through the straightforward application process.

  • Is there an assessment process?
  • Scarborough College is a non-selective school.

    The admissions process includes an interview with the Headmaster or another member of the Senior Leadership Team, and may include an assessment test. We may also ask students whose first language is not English to take an English assessment and/or be interviewed by our Head of EAL.

  • What is included in the fees?
  • Both our Day and Boarding fees are largely all-inclusive – please see our Scarborough College Fees page for more information. 

  • What documents do I need to provide?
  • To support your application, our Admissions team will require two years’ school reports, a form of ID and a full online application

  • How can I find out more information about Scholarships and Bursaries?
  • For more information about Scholarships and Bursaries, please visit our Admissions page.

  • How much does it cost to apply?
  • The Registration Fee is £75. This fee is non-refundable.

    The Acceptance Fee, which is paid upon acceptance of the offer of a place, is £300. This fee is non-refundable.

  • How can I pay for the Registration fee, Acceptance fee and other fees?
  • Fees can be paid via Credit Card, bank transfer or via the Flywire payment service.  School fees can be paid in three or ten instalments, via Direct Debit.

  • How far in advance can I apply?
  • Theoretically, you can apply as far ahead of time as you wish.

    It is advisable that you visit the College nearer your child’s point of entry – please see our Admissions page to arrange a visit.

  • How can I apply for a bursary?
  • Families can apply for financial support called a bursary. These are means-tested and subject to availability.  We also reserve the right to means-test bursaries annually. Any changes to your financial circumstances must be reported to the College.

  • Does Scarborough College have a scholarship programme?
  • Principally, four scholarships are available: Academic, All-Rounder, Performing Arts and Sports.  Our annual Scarborough Scholar assessment is held after the October Open Day and open to deserving students in Scarborough and the neighbouring communities. The Scarborough Scholarship is also means-tested.

    There is also a Sixth Form Scholarship day, which is held in November following our IB Open Event.

    All scholarship applications are subject to a variety of criteria. Our admissions team will be happy to explain more about what types of scholarships are available and how you can apply.

  • Does Scarborough College accept the CEA?
  • Scarborough College is proud to support Forces Families and offers a 10% discount. We also accept CEA.

    Please visit our fees page for more information.

  • What is the registration fee?
  • The Registration fee is £75.

  • Do you offer sibling discounts?
  • We offer a 10% sibling discount for each younger sibling (e.g. in the case of two children, the 10% sibling discount is applied to the youngest child. In the case of three children, 10% is applied to the two youngest children.

  • How can I pay the fees?
  • Fees can be paid via Credit Card, bank transfer or via the Flywire payment service .  School fees can be paid in three or ten instalments, via Direct Debit.

  • Does the College help with CAS applications?
  • The full international boarding fees include the cost of CAS (Confirmation of Studies) issuance and basic visa support.

  • What are the transport options for arrival and departure?
  • International boarding fees include transfers to and from Manchester International Airport on the days stated on the Term Dates. We can arrange transfers that fall outside these dates or the timings (also provided on the Term Dates).

  • Can I visit Scarborough College?
  • We fully encourage families to visit Scarborough College. It is our pleasure to organise a fully bespoke tour of the boarding houses, school and facilities. For students wishing to secure a sports or performing arts scholarship, we can also arrange trials with the relevant member of staff.

  • Can I have a Boarder Taster stay?
  • Taster stays can be arranged subject to availability. Our boarding school is extremely popular and boarding houses have been full for many years now, meaning taster stays are not always possible.

  • What are the fees?
  • Our Day and Boarding fees are largely inclusive and can be found here.

  • What uniform is required?
  • The required uniform depends on the year group. Children in Little Owls, Prep School and Senior School wear school uniform while Sixth Form students wear business dress. For Games and sports matches, students wear their games kit. Information about uniform items can be found in our Parent Hub.

  • Is food included in the fees?
  • Lunch is provided for children in the senior and prep school. In Little Owls, lunch is not included  for children who only attend the afternoon session.

  • Where can I find the College’s latest inspection report?
  • Where can I find the College’s policies and procedures?
  • A large number of our policies can be viewed and downloaded from the website. If you are unable to find the relevant policy here, please contact the PA to the Headmaster. 

  • Can my child take the school bus to College?
  • We operate services to and from Bridlington, Driffield, Kirkbymoorside, Malton and Whitby. Direct services are also available and more information, including information about prices, can be found here on the Transport page. 

  • Will my child receive a Chromebook?
  • Scarborough College is a Google School and all students in Year 5 and above are supplied with a Chromebook. Sixth Form students may choose to work on their own device or obtain a Google Chromebook. All children must sign the College’s IT policy before they are provided with a Chromebook and all Chromebooks remain the College’s property.

  • Does my child need to provide their own pens and paper?
  • Required stationary items can be found in the Welcome Booklet, the Head of Tier’s welcome or by the specific subject (e.g. a protractor for maths lessons. Most items are supplied by the College. From Year 5 onwards, Scarborough College is a Google School and students will be issued with a Chromebook.

  • When is the next Open Day at Scarborough College?
  • For information about our next Open Day, visits and tasters, visit our Admissions page. 

  • What does a typical school day look like?
  • Lesson timings for both the senior and prep school are available as downloads.

    Downloads

    Lesson Timings – Senior School


    Lesson Timings – Prep School


  • Do you offer A Levels as well as the IBDP?
  • We only offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Sixth Form. For some students, we can offer the BTEC Sport alongside two Higher Level IB subjects.

  • What are the IBDP subjects?
  • As an IB-only Sixth Form, we are able to offer a wide range of subjects across the six different categories. Find out more about the subjects we offer, visit our Sixth Form page

  • Is there a dress code?
  • Students in the Sixth Form wear business dress during lessons and school events. During games and other sports events, they wear the games kit.

  • Do you accept entry into any year group?
  • We can accept entry into the Senior School during the school year and into any year group, provided there is space available. For students currently studying GCSEs and wanting to apply, enrolment will depend on the subjects as well as availability.

  • Is there an entrance examination?
  • Scarborough College is a non-selective school. We do reserve the right to assess a student’s suitability for GCSEs as well as their level of English, if English is not their first language.

  • Does my child have to learn a language?
  • As an IB World School, we strongly encourage our students to learn at least one foreign language. A minimum of one foreign language is required.

  • What time does school open and close each day?
  • The Prep school opens at 8am and closes at 6pm with Enrichment activities starting at 4.15 and wraparound care from 5.15.  

  • Will my child take SATs in Year 6?
  • Our pupils do not take the national SATS in Year 6. They do take end of year exams but we spend the Summer Term of Year 6 focusing on having fun! The annual Yorkshire Three Peaks trip is a particular highlight.

  • Does the Prep School follow the national curriculum?
  • We are guided by the National Curriculum but not constrained by it. This allows our teachers to follow the interests of their class and create truly inspiring lessons.

  • What is the average class size?
  • The average number of pupils in our classes is 15.

  • How often do you play sports?
  • Our Infants have sport lessons twice per week.

    From Year 3-6, the pupils have daily sports coaching.

  • Do pupils have swimming lessons?
  • Yes, classes are taken once per week in the Spring and Summer terms at an offsite facility.

    We also have very strong links with Kingfisher Swimming Club where many of our children swim competitively.

  • Do you play competitive sports matches?
  • From Year 3, pupils have the opportunity to be picked to play competitive matches against other schools in hockey, rugby, netball and cricket.

  • Do you have boarding in the Prep School?
  • No. Boarding at Scarborough College starts in Year 7.

  • Is there are minimum number of sessions each week?
  • Six sessions – either full days (8am -6pm) or morning (8am – 1pm)  / afternoon (1-6pm) sessions in any combination, dependent on availability

  • Do nursery fees include food and drinks?
  • Yes, food (lunch and two snacks) and drinks.

  • Is Little Owls open during school holidays?
  • No, the Little Owls nursery follows the Scarborough College term dates.

    Downloads

    Term Dates 2025-26


  • What is the Little Owl’s Voluntary contribution for?
  • The voluntary contribution covers

    • Consumables (e.g. sun cream, baby wipes, art supplies etc) £2
    • Lunch & snacks (morning and afternoon) £4
    • Special classes (e.g. music,. dance, French etc) £3

    Voluntary contribution = £9

     

  • Do you accept the government free funding hours?
  • Yes we do, subject to a minimum booking of six sessions and government criteria.

  • What are the opening hours each day?
  • Children can be dropped off at 8am and we close at 6pm.

  • Will my child have a key person?
  • Yes. One of our five staff will be allocated as you child’s key person as soon as they arrive in the nursery.

  • From what age can my child start Little Owls?
  • We take children from the term after their third birthday (i.e. if your child’s birthday is in November, they may start in January when their funding becomes available).

  • Do I have to be registered to join Scarborough College to attend Little Owls?
  • Although we would love your child to attend Scarborough College after nursery, there is no obligation for you to do so.

  • How do I apply to Little Owls?
  • Applications are made through the Scarborough College online OpenApply system.

  • How much do unfunded sessions cost?
  • What are the main boarding houses?
  • Our boarding community has four houses:

    • Crews – junior boys
    • Lodge – senior boys
    • Weaponess – co-educational sixth form
    • Willersley – junior girls
  • When do I find out what house my child is in?
  • We tend to let students know which house they are in by June. This information will arrive via email, alongside other boarding joining information. 

  • How do I contact the boarding parents if I have an issue?
  • Students are allowed use of their mobile phones during free time. If you need to contact your child in case of emergency outside these hours, we advise you to contact their houseparent.

  • How do I find a guardian for my child?
  • Scarborough College can provide a list of Aegis accredited Guardians. Please ask our Admissions team for more information. 

  • When does my child need to return to school?
  • Travel days are listed on the term dates information.

    Downloads

    Term Dates 2025-26


  • Will my child be picked up from the airport?
  • We offer airport pick ups, from Manchester Airport only, between 11am and 7pm on travel days.

    Students are strongly encouraged to land and depart between these hours.

  • What happens if my child is ill during the school day?
  • We have an on-site health centre where boarding students can be supervised by members of medical staff if they are ill.

  • Are meals included?
  • Boarding students have three meals per day provided – Monday to Friday these will all be in the school dining hall.

    On the weekends, breakfast is eaten in the houses – each boarding house has a fully stocked kitchen.

    Please see the Boarding Handbook for more information.

  • Is there a programme of weekend trips?
  • All full-time fee paying boarders have a trip programme inclusive of fees. These trips are generally run on a Sunday and could be anything from go-karting to city visits, mountain biking to clay pigeon shooting.

    Students are notified of the trip programme at the start of each half term.

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