ENTRANCE EXAMS - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will the entrance arrangements for this year 2010 change?

No. The new arrangements will come into force in September 2011.

Why has the school decided to make these changes?

The Board of Management and the academic management of the school feel that the changes decided will make the entry process into the school fairer and will help to improve the levels of English of our students so that they can be successful with our English speaking curriculum and teaching. It will also help students to make friends and settle into the school pastorally by having one entry point.

Will the new arrangements mean that there are fewer places for Greek Cypriots?

No. There will be the same number of places for all the different communities. The only difference is that all children will now start the school in either the Transition Year or Year 1.

Will the school still take students in Year 2?

The Year 2 Entrance Examination will not be available after 2011. If there are places available we will recruit to Year 2, as we do now in Years 3 and 4.

What happens if my child does not pass the barrier English test?

He/she will be required to take an intensive English course in July. Attendance at the course will be mandatory. If your child does not attend this course his/her offer of a place will be withdrawn. If he/she fails the English test again at the end of this course he/she will be required to join a booster English course in the autumn term at the English institute.

If I am Turkish Cypriot and my child has spent a year elsewhere improving his/her English and mathematics, can he/she still be admitted into Year 1?

Yes, but only in 2011. From 2012 all Turkish Cypriot children will be admitted to the school at the end of their 5th year of primary school, into our Transition Year.

If I am Armenian and my child’s first language is not English or Greek, what exam will he/she take to enter Year 1?

He/she will take the non-native English paper as is currently the case for Year 2 entry.

What material will the barrier test in English be based on?

It will be based on what the children formally cover in Year 5 and 6 of the Cyprus public primary schools (demotikon). No additional knowledge of English will be necessary

 

 

Current Arrangements

In which forms can a pupil enter the School?

The main points of entry are Years 1 and 2; Years 3, 4, 6 and 7 are also points of entry, subject to availability of places.

What are the entry requirements?

  • 1st Form Greek Cypriot candidates will be examined in Greek and Mathematics.
  • 1st Form Turkish Cypriot candidates will be examined in Turkish and Mathematics.

    Both Greek and Turkish Cypriot candidates will need to take an English diagnostic paper to determine whether the accepted candidates will be required to attend extra English lessons during their first year. The score of the English test will not be considered in the final result but all candidates must sit this paper and take it seriously so that the School can assess their level of English properly.  It should also be noted that a poor mark in English may cause problems in subsequent years, bearing in mind that after the First Form the curriculum is delivered in English.

  • Candidates for Forms 2, 3 and 4 will be examined in English and Mathematics. All candidates will have to take a Greek or Turkish language diagnostic paper. This diagnostic test is designed to place accepted candidates at their proper level for Greek/Turkish language lessons. The score of this diagnostic test will not be considered in the final score but all candidates must sit this paper and take it seriously.
  • Candidates for Forms 6 and 7 are accepted subject to satisfactory IGCSE or O Level results in the required subjects (a minimum of 6 passes, grade C and above),  a successful interview in September, and available places in the required 'A' level subjects.

Is there material available to help pupils to prepare for entry?

Relevant material is available here.

What are the dates for this year's entrance examinations?

  • The examinations for entry to the First and Second Forms for September 2010 will be held on Saturday 15th May, 2010, 7:30am-11:45pm.

    • The examinations can only be taken on the dates specified, at the School.  Alternative arrangements for sitting the examination on other days or at other premises are not offered.

How can I apply?

You can apply online by clicking here (recommended). Alternatively, you can obtain an Application Form from the English Institute office or download the form here . The completed application forms must be accompanied by a copy of the candidate's birth certificate and two recent passport-size photographs of the candidate. You will be given payment slips and you can pay the entrance examinations fee at any Bank of Cyprus branch. Submit the completed application form along with the school's copy of the payment slip, stamped by the bank, to the English Institute to obtain a registration card. For the 2010 examinations, applications will be accepted from 8:00am to 01:00pm. at the English Institute office on the following days:

Online (1st and 2nd Form Entry): From 3rd March to 5th May 2010

At the school (1st and 2nd Form Entry):  From 3rd May to 5th May 2010

Is there a minimum score in the Entrance Examinations that a candidate needs to attain for acceptance?

No, acceptance is in rank order.  It should be noted however that these are very competititve examinations and candidates needs to attain high scores if they are to have a realistic chance of gaining entry.

Are there age restrictions?

Successful completion of the relevant primary school education is a requirement.

What are the annual fees?

Academic years Tuition Fees Previous Year Tuition Fees
Form 1 €5.875 €5.638
Form 2 €5.875 €5.638
Form 3 €5.875 €5.638
Form 4 €6.700 €5.724
Form 5 €5.964 €5.724
Form 6 €6.053 €5.809
Form 7 €6.053 €5.809

Fees usually increase by approximately 6% each year.

Is financial assistance with the fees available?

  • Application for a bursary must be made at the time of registering for the Entrance Examinations for entry to the School.
  • The criteria, in order of priority, are:-
    1. A maximum joint family income of €31.575 per annum verified by the Income Tax Return form of the Republic of Cyprus
    2. Consideration of other family property and assets
  • The bursaries will continue throughout the seven years of the student's attendance at the School subject to:
    1. The joint annual family income remaining below the threshold
    2. Satisfactory academic performance, i.e. that the student's academic performance satisfies the School's expectations
    3. Excellent conduct and behaviour
  • The third child of a family will pay 50% of the fees while all three children are simultaneously attending the School
  • A second child is also eligible to apply for a bursary (subject to availability) if the first child of that family is a bursary-holder at the School.

Does the School offer preparation classes for the Entrance Examinations?

Preparation classes are not recommended by the School and are therefore not offered.  Examinations are based on the syllabus of the last two years of primary school.

Is the School affiliated to any other school, and does it offer primary education?

The English School is a state school of secondary education only, and has no connection with any other educational institution of any level.

 

This information was correct at the time of posting onto the School web-site.  The information will be up-dated as required and the School reserves the right to do this without notification.

Last update: 01/03/2010.