Parents may inquire about entry to Headstart School Islamabad at any time by requesting an appointment at the appropriate Branch Campus.
At particular times of the year (summer vacations, middle or end of term, etc.) when registration at a particular Branch Campus is not immediately possible parents may file for admission by completing an Admission Eligibilty Form, which can be downloaded from the Forms & Documents page of this website. The form should either be printed and submitted to the relevant Head Office, or emailed directly to the Director of Admissions at admissions@headstart.edu.pk.
Although the completion of an Admission Eligibility Form does not guarantee admission or in any way bind parents, it may be used to determine an applicant’s position on our waiting list. Parents are advised to complete the Admission Eligibility Form only after they have reviewed our fee structure and made a clear decision about attending Headstart School Islamabad.
Dates
Details are published annually of Open Days, application deadlines for scholarships (where applicable), assessment and examination dates, as well as an acceptance deadline for parents.
Admission Criteria
Junior School Entrance – Age 2 to 13
Pupils may join the Junior School in any year group from the age of 2 onwards. Entrance is usually in September, but entry at any point during the year is possible subject to space availability. Entry into Montessori and Elementary classes, up to and including Grade 4, is essentially non selective. Entry into Middle school, i.e. Grades 5 to 7 is selective and based upon our assessment of a child’s ability to thrive within a GCSE curriculum.
Entry Prior to Grade 5
Entrance procedure for a Montessori student may consist of a trial day where the prospective pupil spends a normal school day within his or her year group, while the teachers unobtrusively assess her. Although a trial day is not compulsory, it is sometimes the preferred method of determining a young pupil’s readiness for our program. Pupils from Prep to Grade 4 are asked to complete written tests in Mathematics and English, which will be used as the basis for setting on entry. The fee for an admissions test is Rs. 300.
Grade 5 to 7 Entry
An admissions test is a routine part of the interview process for entry at 10+. However, it is also subject to past academic performance as demonstrated by school transcripts and assessments from previous institutions. Entry into Middle school, other than in exceptional cases, also guarantees entry into the Senior School.
Senior School Entrance – Age 13 to 18
Pupils enter the Senior School at 13+ (Grade 8), 14+ (O-Level ) and 16+ (AS). Whilst the school is proud to operate a very broad and inclusive entry policy, it is nevertheless selective. Entry criteria are set to ensure that all pupils joining us are able to access and thrive whilst studying a syllabus that will usually include 10 GCSE subjects or at 16+, a minimum of 3 AS Levels and subsequently 3 A Levels.
Applications for entry into O II and A Level will be considered but granted only if the curriculum fit is strong enough to be in the best interest of the pupil.
Offer & Acceptance of a Place
The decision to admit a pupil is taken by the Vice Principal following the relevant entrance assessment. Offers are usually sent within 1 week of the assessment (often sooner) and typically include an acceptance deadline for parents.
In the event of a pupil being offered a conditional place, the reasons will always be given and any conditions clearly articulated.
The School does not publish details of results.
Upon accepting the offer of a place at Headstart School Islamabad parents are required to complete a Registration Form agreeing to the terms and conditions as laid down by the School. The Registration Form and Parental Declaration are to be signed by both parents/ guardians and returned to the relevant Branch Campus. A Student Registration Number and Fee Challan will then be issued by the Finance Department via the Branch Campus.
The Registration Fee must be deposited through the bank within 5 working days; neglecting to meet this deadline will result in punitive action and possible revocation of admission.
References
At all entry points the School liaises closely with a pupil’s current school. It may request a confidential written reference from the Head Teacher in support of any pupil’s application. It also asks parents, and if necessary, the pupil’s current school, for any details to help it to cater properly for the needs of all prospective entrants: this includes, where relevant, any existing assessment of the need for learning support.
Parents considering transferring their children to the School are advised to inform their current school of their plans, and to ensure that they fulfill all financial obligations to that school prior to joining.