TENNIS ACADEMY:

Candidates applying for acceptance into the Tennis Academy must obtain satisfactory results in the Talbot Heath entrance examination, as well as fulfilling the criteria for tennis as laid down by West Hants Club.

Players must meet the entry criteria for rating which is reviewed each year. Currently players must have a WTN of 31.0 or better and be ranked in the top 50 U11 in the Country by April 1 prior to the September start date. Players still competing at the U10 level, must be in the top 30 LTA recent form list. The final selection of players is at the discretion of the Academy staff.

Those Tennis Academy applicants who are successful in the school entrance exam/trial and who meet the above criteria, will be invited to attend a tennis assessment day at The West Hants Club.

All candidates will be expected in the long term to follow an academic route of at least 7 GCSEs and at least 2 A Levels. The curriculum for each pupil is dependent upon each individual’s own circumstances. Each candidate will make their own choice with regard to academic options, in line with the school recommendations and approval.

In Year 9 and thereafter, the player will be expected to increase the number of training hours per week, in line with long term player development guidelines.

Any player who withdraws from the programme without a full term’s notice in writing will be liable to pay for one term’s fees of the programme, in line with the school’s terms and conditions.

All Tennis Academy Scholarships will be reviewed by all parties annually with regard to expectations as specified by West Hants and Talbot Heath School.

West Hants Tennis Academy Fees

Tennis Academy fees are at a set cost of £2800 per term. 

Additional hours can be added where timetables allow and will be charged at the following rates :

£36/hr Individual Tennis/S&C    £13/hr Group Tennis/S&C     £20/hr Pro-Hit    Tournament Support £50/day (separately invoiced after each event)

All payable to West Hants. These costs are in addition to Talbot Heath tuition fees.

Talbot Heath offer up to 25% discount on tuition fees, each pupil is assessed individually.

Aims of the Tennis Academy

The Tennis academy aims to support the development of junior tennis players with the potential for national and international success and to achieve the following outcomes:

• Meet and continue to meet selection standards for RPDC level

• Meet selection standards for consideration of a National Academy place at 14yo

• Meet Academy selection standards at end of yr 9 / 11

• Meet standards required for US scholarship at end of yr 13

• Ensure quality / quantity of players so that WH / TH can compete for national age group titles in team competitions

Eligibility: Players must fulfil schools academic/other entry requirements in order to be considered for a Tennis Academy place.

The Academy programme is aimed at regional level players and above.  In order to be considered for selection players should have

 Acceptance into the programme normally commences in September for a year 7.  Other entry points possible for year 10 & 12 and other years in exceptional circumstances.

Criteria: For a player to be considered for selection into the academy programme at year 7 they should be aiming to meet the following performance level criteria by the application deadline:

• At the time of application: 10U/11U national ranking inside top 100 for their age group

• Played in a grade 1 / 2 singles event within last 6 months

• Played a minimum of 80 tournament matches within the last 12 months

• West Hants coach nomination based on their professional opinion, from observations and the Academy assessment day, on which they believe players have the potential to reach national standard when considering the West Hants Cultural pillars or Commit, Develop, Compete, Repeat.

 ** Considerations will also be made for limiting factors relating to: physical maturation, historic training programme and long term injury/illness that have had a significant impact on tennis .

 Number of spaces: The number of spaces available each academic year will be based on the following considerations:

• Financial resource available

• Capacity / number of open spaces relating to resources (court time, staffing) and ensuring all current and prospective players experience an appropriate training environment of the right level/volume on a daily basis

 Application process:

• School / Academy application forms completed and returned by closing date. 

• Entrance exam taken

• If academic criteria and minimum tennis level for consideration then players will be invited for a tennis assessment day (Mid Jan)

 Selection: All academy applicants who are successful in meeting the schools academic requirements will then be evaluated on their tennis level.  This will include Director of tennis, Academy Head coach, Lead S&C coach who will consider the following areas: Game style, Strengths/weapons, Focus and attitude, Athletic ability, Competitive profile, Readiness.

SWIMMING ACADEMY:

Candidates applying for acceptance into the Swimming Academy must obtain satisfactory results in the Talbot Heath entrance examination, as well as fulfilling the criteria for swimming, as laid down by Poole Swimming Club.

Swimmers must meet the entry criteria for rating which is reviewed each year. Currently, the criteria for the Talbot Heath Performance Academy Regional or National squads, as laid out in the Talbot Heath Swimming Academy Guide, are as follows:

REGIONAL:

Applicants have gained a qualifying (not consideration) time and competed at the Regional Championships in a Long Course Olympic Event. (The Olympic programme does not include 50m Breast, 50m Back or 50m Fly).

NATIONAL:

Applicants must be ranked in the top 44 of their age group in the British Swimming Rankings in a Long Course Olympic Event up to 400m. (The Olympic programme does not include 50m Breast, 50m Back or 50m Fly). For distance events of 800m and 1500m, the applicant must be ranked in the top 33 of British Swimming Rankings in their age group.

Those Swimming Academy applicants who are successful in the school entrance exam/trial and who meet the above criteria, will be invited to attend a swimming assessment day at Talbot Heath pool.

Any swimmer who withdraws from the programme without a full term’s notice in writing will be liable to pay for one term’s fees of the programme in line with the school’s terms and conditions.

All Swimming Academy Scholarships will be reviewed by all parties annually.

PROCEDURE FOR AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS

Results from all assessments are collated and rank orders established. Reports from the candidate’s present schools are considered.

Scholarships are awarded according to the relative performance of candidates, and are at the discretion of the Awards Committee. These are subject to annual review. The school reserves the right to review a scholarship, if the pupil’s conduct or achievement falls short of the expected standard.

AWARDS COMMITTEE

The Committee consists of the Head, the Director of Finance, the Head of Admissions for Senior School and a nominated Governor, and, if appropriate, the Chair of Governors, Relevant Heads of Faculty and/or Department are consulted, as appropriate, prior to the meeting. The Awards Committee meets in November to discuss Sixth Form Scholarships and in January to discuss Senior School candidates. At other times of year, decisions regarding prospective scholarship candidates will be taken by the Head, in conjunction with the Director of Finance and a nominated Governor, and, if appropriate, the Chair of Governors.