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With a curriculum specially crafted for elite tennis players aged 8-16 and their specialist needs, we are the first and only registered school of its kind in the UK. The school timetable is divided between:
There are a maximum of 40 places available across all year groups, with no more than 8 students in most classes.
Our fully blended learning environment enables our students to travel to Tennis Europe and Junior ITF tournaments as required, and still attend lessons "live" online and participate in the classroom.
The curriculum is designed to accelerate each student through the subjects they excel in while slowing down and reinforcing skills and knowledge in their weaker subjects. Class composition is therefore entirely ability-based in each subject.
Where possible, we aim to spread exam load across 2-3 years to avoid having the pressure of taking them all together in Year 11, which is also a crucial year in tennis development. Many children have to choose between elite tennis or a good education at this stage and our aim is to avoid having to make such a life-defining choice and keep both options open longer.
Selection is entirely based on tennis ability and potential; both athletically and mentally.
Competitive tennis is a high pressure environment involving extreme stress on both the body and mind. This is not something we can (nor should) insulate our students from.
As the mental health of our students is extremely important to us, we try to select players who we feel are best equipped to develop the resilience and coping skills necessary to thrive under such conditions.
| Entry | Acceptance Criteria | Review of Place |
|---|---|---|
| Year 4/5 | Potential to compete at international level within three years if not sooner (as assessed by us) | After two full years |
| Year 6/7 | Minimum top county level standard / potential to compete at international level | After two full years |
| Year 8/9 | Minimum national standard / close to competing at international level | After one full year |
We accept suitable students at the beginning of each term (September, January and April). To get the admission process underway, please complete the Enquiry Form below or contact office@tennisavenue.school at least two months before prospective admission.
Admission is always based on extensive prior assessment. Ideally we would suggest that any prospective student join the Tennis Avenue Academy High Performance squad first. Alternatively they could attend the school on a trial basis.
This way, over an extended period we can be sure they have the required attributes to thrive in our unique environment. Equally the child and parents can also decide if we are the right learning environment for them or not.
It is very important to us that the children we enrol are able to get the most out of what we have to offer. Conversely we look for children who, in their own unique way, will add to the collective culture of our school.
Once the decision has been made from both sides, then the process of enrolment is a matter of completing formalities, we try to keep the process as simple as possible.
The one area where we strive not to be "elite" is in our fees. Indeed our fees are considerably lower than almost every other independent school in the country including those that don't offer any tennis training; our Standard fee is probably the lowest in the country, even compared to schools without tennis, yet it is inclusive of training in school holiday periods as well as when our coaches attend tournaments to watch students in competition.
| Standard | Enhanced | Pro | Home-School | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benefits |
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| Annual | £9,600 | £12,600 | £18,000 | £6,000 |
| Termly | £3,200 | £4,200 | £6,000 | £2,000 |
| Monthly (x10) | £960 | £1,260 | £1,800 | £600 |
By comparison Reeds, Queenswood, Repton and Millfield Schools charge between £24K and £28K per annum on average.
We keep our own costs down as much as possible (hence why we are not based in sprawling luxury grounds nor maintain indoor facilities), and we always try to help players who want to help themselves. For example older juniors can reduce their fees by assisting with coaching sessions and hitting with younger players.
*Individual lessons are with a designated TA coach UNLESS you specifically request to have individual lessons with an agreed external coach (who will be permitted to deliver lessons on-site) at your own cost.
One of the founding principles of Tennis Avenue is to always find a way to provide deserving children with what they actually need to succeed rather than simply what they can afford.
We have worked very hard to create an elite opportunity that is within reach of the many (and not just an elite few). However if you you are still genuinely unable to afford our fees, do speak with us as we would not want finances to be a barrier for any child who truly dreams of tennis and has a genuine chance to make them come true given the opportunity.
Partial scholarships, and in very rare instances full scholarships, may be offered if we feel that such an opportunity is well deserved and make a difference.
For parents and coaches who wish to build their own training programmes, we manage and deliver a complete online education provision through to GCSE exams - wherever you are in the world.
The curriculum is identical to that taught in our school, and the provision is overseen and taught by the same teachers all the way through to revision and exam preparation. We will provide you with all the evidence you require to satisfy local authorities that your child is receiving an excellent home education.
Ideal for children who are competing in Tennis Europe and ITF tournaments who need to be travelling on a regular basis. They can still attend classes live from wherever they are! If for any reason they have to miss a lesson they can catch up by re-winding a recording of the lesson.
Taught lessons take up approximately 3.5 hours per day (5 days a week) on average, so there is plenty of time available for a full-time training programme to be structured around the lessons.
| Core Subjects (Y4-Y9) | Core Subjects (Y10, Y11) | Optional Subjects (all years) |
|---|---|---|
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£1000 per term |
£1200 per term |
£300 per term per subject |
Six times each year, children on the programme are invited to attend high performance training weekends with other players of a similar level - with individual coaches and parents welcome on court to work with their own players.