Communications And Admissions
School Management > Strategic Plan 2008-2018 > Communications And Admissions
The Director of Communications coordinates the school's external communications.
Appropriate use needs to be made of ICT in our marketing and communications.
- The school's Communication Strategy sets this out in detail.
- Tonbridge School is to be promoted in all appropriate media - locally, nationally and internationally, as a centre of excellence.
- A Communications Group meets regularly at the school.
Pupil Recruitment
Tonbridge can admit 144 boys each September into the Novi as well as a small number into the Lower Sixth (up to 20). Whilst 10% come from overseas the remainder are drawn from 70 or 80 schools, mostly in London and the South East. A small number come from the maintained sector. Boarding numbers remain healthy in an increasingly competitive market. Up to 50 scholarships are offered each year and some 30% of the boys in the school receive some level of financial assistance via scholarships or bursaries, or both. 10% of the total income is used to offer financial assistance. Most scholarships have been capped at 10% and additional bursaries are available up to 100% where there is proven financial need.
- Modifications to the admissions process will be introduced in 2008 for 2011 entry, and will include a pre-test and interview. A stable and appropriate standard of entry must be achieved, minimising failure at Common Entrance while also giving candidates from all educational backgrounds an equal opportunity.
- Recruitment of talented boys from a wide range of socio-economic and more diverse international backgrounds is to be encouraged.
- The Assistant Registrar has specific responsibility to widen access.
- The Tonbridge School Foundation is generating funds (either centrally or via House awards) to support the means tested Foundation Awards programme.
- The school aims to be able to offer 100% means tested support to 10% of its pupils by 2026.
International Perspective
Tonbridge is a school with a national and an international reputation which recruits boys from overseas as well as from within the UK. Many boys will go on to be leaders in their chosen field. It is right to promote international awareness amongst staff and boys as globalisation becomes a major theme in the 21st century.
- The International Coordinator oversees this perspective.
- Exchanges, partnerships and projects with schools and organisations in different parts of the world are to be encouraged as are expeditions for staff and boys.
- Pupil recruitment from diverse of cultures and nationalities to be welcomed.
- Global awareness is to be promoted in the school programme.
- The feasibility and desirability of establishing a Tonbridge International School has been considered by a Governor/School group and rejected. The risks in terms of management and reputation are considerable, and the benefits to Tonbridge uncertain. Furthermore we are committed to our sponsorship of the Marsh Academy.
Development And Relations With The Wider Tonbridge Community
There are various groups including parents, Old Tonbridgians (OTs) and other friends who have an interest and a stake in the school. All must be kept informed and respected for the contribution they make. The Skinners' Company play a pivotal and much valued role on the Governing Body and as trustees of the Judd Foundation. The establishment of the Tonbridge School Foundation represents a serious commitment to long-term development.
- The Tonbridge Society has been created to include the Tonbridge School Foundation, The OT Society, and the Parents' Arts Society. It is a federation of independent organisations representing the wider Tonbridge community.
- The Tonbridge Society promotes collaboration amongst the three constituent bodies to build goodwill and support amongst parents, OTs and other friends. The Society reinforces the sense that joining Tonbridge can be for life, not just five years, and for parents as well as boys.
- The Tonbridge School Foundation is committed to widening access by funding Foundation Awards (school or house). We aim to be able to offer 100% bursaries to 10% of Tonbridgeans by 2026.
- The Tonbridge School Foundation aims to strengthen the culture of support by increasing participation in development amongst the wider Tonbridge community from 16% to 25% by 2015..
- The Tonbridge School Foundation will support capital projects that may flow from the space audit and that enhance the educational provision.