Admissions
Welcome to The Avon Valley School & Performing Arts College!
Choosing the right secondary school is a significant and exciting step for both parents and children, marking the beginning of a new adventure. Whether your child is in Year 6 or if you have recently moved to the area, we are delighted that you are considering us for this important journey!
We are a vibrant and supportive community. Everything we do is guided by our core values of ambition, respect, and care, which truly form the DNA of our school. From our classrooms to our extracurricular activities, our values foster a positive and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, supported, both personally and academically, and inspired to chase their dreams and make a difference in the world around them.
Why Choose Avon Valley School?
We pride ourselves on offering more than just an education:
- A Nurturing Community: Our dedicated staff and supportive culture ensure that every student feels a strong sense of belonging, making the transition to secondary school a truly warm and welcoming one.
- Academic Excellence: We are committed to providing a first-class education, unlocking the potential of every student through engaging and challenging learning experiences. Our aim is for students to enjoy their school days while being equipped with the essential skills and knowledge for life.
- Pastoral Care & Wellbeing: We pride ourselves on our supportive and nurturing environment. Our robust pastoral care system ensures every student feels valued, heard and supported in their personal and social development, creating a truly positive school experience.
- Performing Arts: As a Performing Arts College, creativity and expression are at the heart of our school. While we offer specialist places for aptitude in performing arts, all our students benefit from an enriched curriculum that fosters confidence, collaboration, and self-expression through music, drama, dance, and more. This vibrant environment allows talents to flourish across all areas of school life.
- Values in Action: Our core values of ambition, respect, and care are lived daily by our students and staff. This strong foundation builds character, resilience, and a deep understanding of what it means to be a responsible and compassionate member of the community.
- Beyond the Classroom: We also place great value in encouraging all students to participate in the many social, cultural and sporting clubs, performances and activities that we offer. We believe that this encourages good social skills and the development of lifelong learners.
Experience Avon Valley School First-hand!
We believe the best way to truly feel the spirit of our school is to experience it for yourself.
Open Evening
Join us for our annual Open Evening to meet our passionate teachers, explore our fantastic facilities, and hear directly from our Headteacher and students about life at Avon Valley.
Upcoming Open Evening for September 2026 Entry: Thursday 18th September 2025, 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM (Mr Francis, Headteacher, will be speaking at 5.30pm and 6.30pm)
Details of how to book for the event can be found by clicking here.
Individual Tours
Can't make the Open Evening? No problem at all! We'd like to offer you an individual tour of the school. Tours will be available for those parents who are unable to visit on 18th September.
These will be running between Monday 22nd September and Wednesday 22nd October 2025.
Bookings for individual tours will go live on Friday 19th September 2025 at 9am. Details of how to book a tour can be found by clicking here.
Meet the Senco Sessions
We are delighted to offer 2 "Meet the SENCO" sessions for up to 5 parents/carers of current Year 5 students on Thursday 10th July 2025, providing parents and carers with a valuable opportunity to connect directly with our Special Educational Needs Coordinator, Mrs Bearpark.
These sessions are designed for parents and carers of students with identified SEN, or those who have concerns about their child's learning or development.
Details of how to book on one of these sessions can be found by clicking here.
We hope to offer some more sessions early in September - details to be confirmed.
Aptitude for Performing Arts Admissions
As an oversubscribed school with specialist status in Performing Arts, we are able to admit 10% (approximately 22 places) of our new Year 7 cohort based on aptitude, or potential, in Dance, Drama or Music.
The deadline for applications is Monday 29th September 2025.
To qualify for one of the 22 places, children must achieve a minimum standard in the selection process.
- Should fewer than 22 children apply for these places, or achieve the minimum standard, the unfilled places will be allocated in accordance with the standard admissions criteria.
- In the event of equal ranking, places will be allocated in accordance with the distance criterion.
- If a child is not allocated one of the 22 specialist places, the application will still be considered in accordance with the school’s admission criteria.
- An applicant for a place under The Avon Valley School’s Performing Arts Aptitude Selection Process will be required to attend the selection process at the school. Auditions will take place on Friday 10th October 2025. The results of this selection process will determine the offer of places under criterion 3 of the over subscription criteria.
Further details relating to our Performing Arts admissions, including FAQs and an application form can be found by clicking here.
NB: Parents who apply for their child to sit the aptitude test are still required to make an application for the school using the Warwickshire preference form.
Your Smooth Journey from Year 6 to Year 7
We know that the transition from primary to secondary school can bring questions, and our dedicated team is here to make it as smooth and stress-free as possible.
- Our Transition and Primary Liaison Leader works closely with local primary schools, visiting students in their familiar environments to build relationships and ensure we understand each child's needs before they arrive.
- We offer Induction Days during the Summer Term, giving new students an exciting taste of secondary school life – a chance to explore the school, meet future teachers and classmates, and get comfortable in their new surroundings.
- Our Year 7 Mentors (older students) provide a friendly face and support throughout the first year, helping new students settle in and thrive.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
We are incredibly excited about the possibility of welcoming your child to The Avon Valley School & Performing Arts College.
- Applications: All applications for a place at The Avon Valley School & Performing Arts College must be made directly through Warwickshire County Council.
Click here to apply via Warwickshire County Council - Aptitude in Performing Arts: Up to 10% (approximately 22 places) of our new cohort are available for children who demonstrate aptitude or potential in the performing arts. Children must achieve a minimum standard in our selection process to qualify for these places. Further details on the application process are available here.
- Please find our Admissions Policy on our school policies page, please click here to be taken there.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child's journey to Avon Valley School, please don't hesitate to contact Kathy Watts: kwatts@avonvalleyschool.uk
We look forward to hearing from you and partnering with you to inspire your child's limitless potential!
Details of all open evenings happening across Rugby can be found by clicking on the flyer below.
