Although the Entrance Examination plays a vital role in the selection process, other factors are taken into consideration, including the pupil’s school report, the Headteacher’s reference and the information provided in the application form.
At the application stage, please make us aware if your child has a diagnosed disability or any special education needs that may require special arrangements for the Examination.
Please click on the Division of interest below, to find out more about its Entrance Examination process.
Primary Division Boys' Division Girls' Division
Primary Division
Infant School
Children aged 3–7 can join our co-educational Infant School, which includes Pre-School (for 3–4 year olds), Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Most pupils enter Reception in the academic year after their fourth birthday, with occasional places also available in Year 1 and Year 2.
Assessments typically take place between September and April for Reception entry, and from the Spring Term onwards for Pre-School. Infant School assessments are held throughout the year and are relaxed, informal and designed to help your child feel at ease.
For more information please contact our Admissions Registrar, Mrs Katharine Gore, who will be happy to help. Call 01204 434754 or email [email protected]
Junior Schools
Entrance Assessments for the Junior Schools take place on Tuesday 13 January 2026 for pupils currently in Years 2 and 3, and on Thursday 15 January 2026 for those currently in Years 4 and 5.
Arrival is usually at 8.45am for the Junior Girls’ School and at 9.20am for the Junior Boys’ School. The morning finishes at approximately 12noon for children currently in Year 2 whilst children in Years 3, 4 and 5 are invited to stay with us until 2.30pm. These timings are provided as a guide; you will receive further information closer to the date.
At the beginning of the day, prospective pupils are greeted by our staff who will ease any nerves and take them to the classroom where the assessments will take place. Once these begin, there will be short breaks when appropriate. At break time, children will be provided with a snack and a drink.
After the assessments, children in current Year 2 will be collected from school; children in current Years 3, 4 and 5 will have lunch and then spend time in class until approximately 2.30pm.
As the assessments take place during the school day, we advise you to find on-street parking on one of the roads surrounding the School before entering on foot.
The Assessments will be in two parts:
- Online cognitive ability tests (CATs)
- A reading test
The CATs are a series of puzzles including verbal and non-verbal reasoning questions. We understand that many children will not have completed such tests before, so each section is explained first with examples to ensure they understand what is being asked. Further information about these tests can be found here.
The reading test is a paper-based booklet assessing vocabulary and comprehension.
The Assessments are designed to identify potential and allow children to demonstrate their abilities, not to catch them out. While some may choose to practise at home for familiarity, formal revision is not required.
- Two pencils
- A ruler
- An eraser
Please note: Calculators and devices with a calculator function e.g watches and mobile phones will not be allowed in the assessment room.
Children do not need to wear their school uniform; they should just wear something that they will feel comfortable in.
Yes, snacks and drinks will be offered at break time. Children currently in Years 3, 4 and 5 will be provided with a school lunch. If there are any special dietary requirements or allergies that we need to be mindful of, please notify us in advance.
Your child may bring a water bottle if they wish.
Pupils will be in small groups supervised by a teacher.
Following the assessment, we will telephone to let you know if we can offer your child a place.
If your child is unable to attend the entrance assessment, please contact our Admissions Registrar, Mrs Gore ([email protected]) as soon as possible.
There is no need to worry if they are unwell on the day, as there will be an opportunity to come into school on an alternative date instead.
For any further questions, please contact our Admissions Registrar, Mrs Katharine Gore. Call 01204 434754 or email [email protected]
Boys' Division
The Boys’ Division Entrance Exam takes place on Thursday 15 January 2026.
To ensure that your arrival at the School is as smooth as possible, a specific arrival time (based on the exam session that you have been allocated) will be sent to you in December, along with details of all other arrangements for the day.
There will be parking on-site for you, however the location of this will be dependent on your arrival time. Specific arrangements will be sent to you in the post in December.
Our Entrance Examination incorporates three multi-choice assessment papers:
- Non-verbal Reasoning (20 minutes)
- Mathematics (50 minutes)
- English (45 minutes)
Each of these papers is designed to test your child’s aptitude and ability.
At the beginning of the day, prospective pupils are greeted by our staff, who help to ease any nerves while directing attendees to registration. Pupils then sit each exam, with a short break between each one during which they are provided with a snack and a drink.
These assessments are designed to identify potential and allow children to demonstrate their abilities, not to catch them out. While some may choose to practise at home for familiarity, formal revision is not required.
Practice papers are available from the GL Assessment website. Free ‘familiarisation materials’ can be downloaded, or you may purchase practice packs. However, there is no need to practice these papers and please bear in mind that the actual assessments may not be exactly like the practice papers; the Entrance Examination may have more questions, for example.
- Two pencils
- A ruler
- An eraser
Please note: Calculators and devices with a calculator function e.g. watches and mobile phones will not be allowed in the examination room.
Children do not need to wear their school uniform; they should just wear something that they will feel comfortable in.
Yes, refreshments and snacks will be provided, but children should feel free to bring their own water bottle if they would like to.
If there are any special dietary requirements or allergies that we need to be mindful of, please notify the school in advance.
Pupils will be in small groups (no more than 11) supervised by a teacher, with Sixth Form Monitors on hand to assist and escort children to breaks or the toilet.
Following the Entrance Examination, your child will be invited into school again for an interview, which allows us to meet them in person and get to know them a little better.
Interviews will take place between Thursday 22nd January and Wednesday 28th January, and your allocated date and time will be communicated to you.
If your child is unable to attend the entrance assessment day, please contact our Admissions Registrar, Miss Fenton, ([email protected]) as soon as possible.
There is no need to worry if they are unwell on the day, as there will be an opportunity to come into school on an alternative date instead.
If you have any other questions prior to the Entrance Examination, please contact Miss Angela Fenton, the Boys’ Division Admissions Registrar, who will be happy to help. You can reach her by calling 01204 840201 or emailing [email protected]
Girls' Division
The Girls’ Division Entrance Exam takes place on Thursday 15 January 2026.
To ensure that your arrival at the School is as smooth as possible, a specific arrival time (based on the exam session that you have been allocated) will be sent to you in December, along with details of all other arrangements for the day.
There will be parking on-site for you, however the location of this will be dependent on your arrival time. Specific arrangements will be sent to you in the post in December.
Our Entrance Examination incorporates three multi-choice assessment papers:
- Non-verbal Reasoning (20 minutes)
- Mathematics (50 minutes)
- English (45 minutes)
Each of these papers is designed to test your child’s aptitude and ability.
At the beginning of the day, prospective pupils are greeted by our staff, who help to ease any nerves while directing attendees to registration. Pupils then sit each exam, which usually lasts for around an hour, with a short break between each one during which they are provided with a snack and a drink.
These assessments are designed to identify potential and allow children to demonstrate their abilities, not to catch them out. While some may choose to practise at home for familiarity, formal revision is not required.
Practice papers are available from the GL Assessment website. Free ‘familiarisation materials’ can be downloaded, or you may purchase practice packs. However, there is no need to practice these papers and please bear in mind that the actual assessments may not be exactly like the practice papers; the Entrance Examination may have more questions, for example.
- Two pencils
- A ruler
- An eraser
Please note: Calculators and devices with a calculator function e.g. watches and mobile phones will not be allowed in the examination room
Children do not need to wear their school uniform; they should just wear something that they will feel comfortable in.
Yes, refreshments and snacks will be provided, but children should feel free to bring their own water bottle if they would like to. If there are any special dietary requirements or allergies that we need to be mindful of, please notify the school in advance.
Pupils will be in small groups (no more than 11) supervised by a teacher, with Sixth Form Prefects on hand to assist and escort children to breaks or the toilet.
Following the Entrance Examination, your child will be invited into school again for an interview, which allows us to meet them in person and get to know them a little better.
Interviews will take place between Monday 19 January and Wednesday 21 January, and your allocated date and time will be communicated to you.
If your child is unable to attend the entrance assessment day, please contact our Admissions Registrar, Mrs Atkinson, ([email protected]) as soon as possible.
There is no need to worry if they are unwell on the day, as there will be an opportunity to come into school on an alternative date instead.
If you have any other questions prior to the Entrance Examination, please contact Mrs Helen Atkinson, the Girls’ Division Admissions Registrar, who will be happy to help. You can reach her by calling 01204 840201 or emailing [email protected]