Registration
To apply for a place you will need to complete and return our Registration Form along with the registration fee of £100 and any relevant supporting documents (recent school report etc).
The admissions staff will then apply for a reference from the applicant's current school (which will include GCSE predictions for sixth form applicants) and make arrangements for entrance exams.
The precise nature of the exams varies depending upon the applicant's age and other factors:
Entry to the Fourth Form (Year 9)
Prep School candidates take the ISEB Common Entrance Exams in June prior to entry. The scripts are sent to Dean Close and marked by our Heads of Department. Successful candidates are expected to achieve an average mark of at least 50%. Results and the offer of a place are sent with the full pack of joining literature a few days after candidates sit the exams.
Non-Prep School candidates sit a verbal reasoning test, English and Maths paper. The exams can be arranged for a mutually convenient date in the year prior to entry. The candidates often sit exams in the morning followed by lunch and a chat with Dean Close pupils from the house which they are hoping to join.
Pre-Common Entrance (Pre-CE) candidates attend in January for an all-round assessment which includes exams (verbal reasoning test, Maths, English), interviews, a meeting with our Head of Learning Support, and an opportunity to demonstrate talent in two other activities (usually music, sport, art or drama). This is intended for weaker CE candidates, for whom there is some doubt as to whether they will meet the pass mark, and all those receiving some degree of learning support.
Entry to the Remove (Year 10)
All candidates sit a verbal reasoning test, Maths and English paper on a mutually convenient date in the year prior to entry. The candidates often sit exams in the morning followed by lunch and a chat with Dean Close pupils from the house which they are hoping to join.
Entry to the Lower Sixth Form (Year 12)
The Sixth Form application form should be submitted as well as the main registration form. The minimum requirement for pupils wishing to join the Lower Sixth form is six passes at GCSE with at least four grades A or B.
Candidates attend a day of assessments in November prior to entry which includes a verbal reasoning test, three subject papers (related to the candidate's likely choice of AS subjects) and interviews. Sixth form applicants will need to consult the AS option block system to select possible AS subjects prior to submitting their application.
Overseas candidates
It is usually possible for exams to be taken overseas, either at the candidate's current school (provided the headteacher/principal agrees to take responsibility for their invigilation), or at the offices of an Education Agent. The exam papers will be sent by e-mail to the person taking responsibility for their invigilation. Scripts are then returned to the admissions office for marking.
Financial Assistance and Bursaries
For further information click here
For Admissions Policy click here