Standard overhead join: join overhead the runway threshold at 1000' above circuit height, flying towards the dead side. Descend on the dead side (calling 'deadside descending'), turning in the circuit direction, to cross the upwind threshold at circuit height and then fit in with circuit traffic downwind, generally behind them. That said, I haven't seen it written down anywhere outside the military but it's what we teach future RAF pilots so it's good enough for me. Anything other than 1000' above circuit height would therefore be non-standard, as would descending anywhere other than on the dead side, and should presumably be highlighted as such.
[ 15 September 2001: Message edited by: DB6 ]