• How do children qualify for a Foundation place?
  The Lord Wandsworth Foundation supports children who have been bereaved of one or both parents, or who have lost their support through other circumstances. Other circumstances may include:

  • Children who are living in turbulent circumstances with a grieving parent
  • Children living with a mentally ill parent struggling with daily routines
  • Children living in kinship care or in overcrowded conditions
  • Children caring for an ill or disabled parent or sibling
  • Children who are victims or have witnessed domestic violence
  • Children with an unhappy or unsatisfactory home life where the child is in need of pastoral care and, in most cases, boarding provision.

  This list is not exhaustive, please do contact foundation@lordwandsworthcollege.org to discuss whether or not you, your family or the family you are applying on behalf of, meet this criteria.
• Who can apply for a Foundation place?
  Parents or guardians can approach the Foundation directly or via a third party, such as a primary school or children’s charity. We are a Royal National Springboard Foundation school and work closely with Buttle UK, the NFL Trust, and many other charities. If you are a charity or a professional working with families and know of a child who would benefit from a place at the College, please do get in touch.
• When can Foundation pupils join the College?
  Foundation places are primarily available for entry into 1st Form (Year 7) and Sixth Form. However, we do sometimes have availability at other entry points and would welcome a conversation if your child, or a child you know, would benefit from a place.  
• How do I apply for a place?
  • Connect: The first step is to complete our initial enquiry form. It’s a simple way to let us know you’re interested in learning more about the Foundation programme. Once we receive the form, we’ll be in touch to arrange a time to talk. This is an opportunity for you to let us know a little more about you and your family, to ask any questions you may have, and discover how the Lord Wandsworth Foundation can support you and your child. If you have not already visited us, we’ll be happy to arrange a visit. At this stage, we’ll be able to confirm that your circumstances meet the criteria of the Foundation. More details of this can be found in the questions above.

   

  • Submit an application: To help us get to know your child, we’ll ask you to submit a full application, including any relevant reports or information you feel is important for us to know.

   

  • Arrange a home visit and academic assessments: We’d like to meet you and will arrange a home visit, offering a further opportunity for a conversation. We’ll also arrange for your child to take our online academic assessments, either at their current school or, online, from home.

   

  • Join our assessment morning: Subject to the academic assessments and the home visit, we’ll invite you and your child to our assessment morning. This is a chance for you to see the campus and meet our Headmaster, Adam Williams, and Foundation Tutor. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our pastoral support team, including Matrons and Houseparents, as well as some of our current Foundation pupils, who understand the challenges and triumphs of navigating life after loss.

   

  • Financial support: We believe that finances should never be a barrier to a Foundation place at LWC. We’ll ask you to complete a financial support application. This will be reviewed by our independent advisor, ensuring a fair and confidential process.

   

  We’re here to help. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the application process in more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always ready to listen and offer support.
• What pastoral support do you offer to Foundation pupils?

  Our pastoral support is excellent for all our pupils, but the Foundation offers an extra layer to those who may need it. Our Foundation Tutor checks in with them all individually on a termly basis and we organise several social events for the group over the year. The most popular is our pizza evening, when any Foundation pupil who wishes to can join us for a pizza – and generally a chat about the rugby, football or the Strictly result! It is all very low key, but feedback tells us that our young people who have been bereaved or have had a challenging home life, find it comforting to spend some time with others who have an idea of what they are going through.

   

  The Foundation also allows access to our counselling service, if and when needed. We find that Foundation pupils access this at various times, and sometimes not at all, but it something that is there for them if they need it, with no questions asked, no fee, and no waiting list.

   

  Each Foundationer is partnered with an older student who has experienced a similar journey, offering guidance and friendship. As they prepare to leave LWC, we connect them with alumni who can offer support and insight into life beyond school.

   

  We are committed to creating a safe, supportive environment for all our pupils. We are a trauma informed school and our specially trained staff are able to support children and teenagers who have suffered trauma.

   

  We have a dedicated Health Centre staffed by four fully trained nurses, counsellors and youth workers.
• Do you need to be very academic, very sporty or very good at something to get a Foundation place?
  No. While Foundation pupils are expected to meet the normal academic entrance requirements of the College we do take into account that they may have missed some school time due to the circumstances that have led to the application. Our assessments have been specifically designed to improve accessibility and level the playing field for children from all backgrounds and every applicant has the opportunity to show us their unique talents and the wonderful things that make them unique. We hope that our Foundation pupils will make the most of our extensive co-curricular programme but recognise that they may well often be trying activities for the first time.
• How do you decide who gets a place?
  Each case is considered by our team on an individual basis with the child’s best interests at the heart of every discussion. When assessing applications, we take into account the need for pastoral care and a supportive, structured environment, and the likely impact of a Foundation place, both on the child and their wider family. All Foundation pupils are expected to meet the normal academic entrance requirements of the College. We are generally oversubscribed and so sadly, are not often able to offer all applicants a place.
• How much financial help is available?
  All our Foundation financial awards are means tested and reviewed by an independent external company. Over half of our current Foundation pupils are on awards that cover school and boarding fees, plus extras such as uniform, music lessons and a laptop. Some Foundation families are able to, and do, pay full fees. Others pay a percentage of fees and any extras. Once an offer has been made and accepted our Partnerships team will be in touch to discuss a funding package. The team will work with you to access support from a variety of sources including educational and charitable trusts and individual donors.
• Do I have to pay a registration fee when I apply?
  No, there is no registration fee for Foundation applicants.
• When should I apply for a Foundation place?
  Generally, you should apply for a Foundation place at the beginning of the academic year prior to year of entry. However, the very nature of a Foundation application means that this is not always possible and, when we can, we will accommodate applications at any time.
• Can I visit the College before I make an application?

  Yes, we would encourage a visit. We’re not just a school, but a vibrant community nestled amidst a beautiful farm in North Hampshire. While only an hour away from central London, we are a million miles from life in the city!

   

  If you can, please do come to see if Lord Wandsworth College is the right setting for you and your family before you make a full application.
• Any further questions?
  If you have any questions at all or would just like to chat to one of the team about your application please: Email: foundation@lordwandsworth.org Call: 01256 862201