Tennis and Swimming Academies

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.

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.