Frequently Asked Questions

Questions answered are:
  1. How can I apply for Year 1?
  2. What is examined?
  3. When and where is the Year One entry exam?
  4. Into which year groups can a pupil enter the School?
  5. What are the entry procedures for students into Years 2, 3, 4, or 6?
  6. What happens if my child does not pass the diagnostic English test?
  7. What happens if my child does not pass the diagnostic Greek/Turkish test?
  8. 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?
  9. What material will the diagnostic test in English be based on?
  10. What are the English/Greek/Turkish Diagnostic tests?
  11. Is there material available to help pupils to prepare for entry?
  12. What is the Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) test?
  13. Is there a minimum score in the Entrance Examinations that a candidate needs to attain for acceptance?
  14. Are there age restrictions?
  15. What are the annual fees?
  16. Is financial assistance with the fees available?
  17. Is the School affiliated to any other school, and does it offer primary education?
1. How can I apply for Year 1?
You can apply online by completing the relevant online form (this will be active from 29th January – 26th February 2024 inclusive). Payment of €120 can be done online through JCC Smart.

2. What is examined?
1st Form Greek-Cypriot candidates will be examined in Greek and Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning.  Each subject will be weighted equally and students selected accordingly. 1st Form Native English candidates will be examined in English and Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Each subject will be weighted equally and students selected accordingly.  1st Form Turkish-Cypriot candidates will be examined in Turkish and Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Each subject will be weighted equally and students selected accordingly.

3. When and where is the Year One entry exam? 
Saturday, 2nd March 2024 08.00-12.00 at the school
On registration for the new academic year, all new first form students will also sit a diagnostic test in English/Greek/Turkish (Refer to: "What Are the English/Greek/Turkish diagnostic tests?")

4. Into which year groups can a pupil enter the School? 
The main point of entry in Year 1. Years 2, 3, 4, and 6 are also points of entry, subject to the availability of places. These are known as Mid-Programme Entries.

5. What are the entry procedures for students into Years 2, 3, 4, or 6?
There will be very limited places available in these year groups. Parents will be required to bring the printed copy of the completed application form to the school with two recent passport-size photos of the candidate, the candidate’s birth certificate, and copies of the candidate’s school reports for the current and previous academic year and €120 application fee or proof of online payment.

You will be able to complete the application form online later in the academic year. Registrations will be open online from 13th - 27th May inclusive. The Mid-Programme Entry examinations for Years 2-4 will take place on Saturday 2nd June 2024. The Mid-Programme Entry interviews and tests for Year 6 applicants will take place on Friday 31st May.
 
Candidates for Forms 2, 3 and 4 will be examined in English, Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Each subject will be weighted equally. Additionally, there will be consideration of a student's previous school reports and performance in an interview, in order to further assess suitability for a place at The English School.  

Candidates for Forms 6 will be examined and interviewed by the relevant Heads of Department at the school. Candidates are accepted subject to their performance in the interview and satisfactory IGCSE/GCSE results in the required subjects (a minimum of 6 passes, grade 6 and above.) Students will need to achieve a minimum grade 8 for each International A level option. 

6. What happens if my child does not pass the diagnostic English test?
He/she will be required to attend a course of supplementary classes for English after school, during Term 1. The cost of these lessons must be paid prior to the commencement of the classes, to The English School Institute. Further information will be forwarded to you. 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 does not achieve a pass standard at the end of this course he/she will be required to continue with the classes into the Spring Term. It should be noted that English is the language of instruction in the school and thus students need to develop strength in the subject to succeed, across the curriculum.
  
7. What happens if my child does not pass the diagnostic Greek/Turkish test?
He/she may be placed in a Greek/Turkish non-native speaker language class and may be required to undertake supplementary classes.

8. 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 a Non-Native English paper.
  
9. What material will the diagnostic 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). 

 10. What are the English/Greek/Turkish Diagnostic tests?
After the results of the entrance examinations are released, successful candidates who have sat the entrance exams in Greek/Turkish will be required to sit a diagnostic test in English. This diagnostic test is designed to determine whether they will need to attend extra English lessons during their first year. Although this is a diagnostic test, it is essential that candidates put their best effort into the paper so an accurate assessment can be made.

On the same day, students who sat the English Examination will sit a diagnostic test in Greek/Turkish.  This diagnostic test is designed to place new students at the appropriate level for Greek/Turkish language lessons and determine whether they will need to attend extra Greek/Turkish lessons during their first year. Although this is a diagnostic test, it is essential that candidates put their best effort into the paper so accurate placement can be made.

11. Is there material available to help pupils to prepare for entry?
Relevant material is available on this website.
 
12. What is the Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) test?
This is a test used to assess a child’s ability to work out problems regardless of their linguistic skills in English or prior educational background. Students use abstract figures to work out similarities in sequences of shapes or codes. It is used frequently in schools internationally as a tool to assess students’ intellectual potential.

13. 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 competitive examinations and candidates need to attain high scores if they are to have a realistic chance of gaining entry.

14. Are there age restrictions?
It is compulsory for students applying for Year 1 entry to have completed all the applicable years of primary school education. For example, in the Republic of Cyprus, students must have completed six years of primary school education.

15. What are the annual fees?
Tuition fees for the current academic year 2023-2024 are as follows:
 
Form Tuition Fees
1 € 8,500
2 € 8,500
3 € 8,500
4 € 8,500
5 € 8,500
6 € 8,500
7 € 8,500 
 

16. Is financial assistance with the fees available?
Application for a bursary must be made by successful applicants when registering to the School. Bursary information is available from the school accounts office The second child in the family will receive a 10% discount in fees while both children are simultaneously attending the School The third child of a family will pay 50% of the fees while all three children are simultaneously attending the School

17. Is the School affiliated to any other school, and does it offer primary education?
The English School is a school of secondary education only and has no connection with any other educational institution of any level. Additionally, there will be consideration of a student's previous school reports and performance in an interview, in order to further access suitability for a place at The English School. Parents will be informed in writing if their child is offered a conditional place. This acceptance can only be confirmed after the external examination results are published in August. Acceptance is also subject to available places in the requested 'A' Level, subject groups. 


This information was correct at the time of posting onto the School website. The information will be updated as required and the School reserves the right to do this without notification.
 
 
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