What are the entry requirements for independent schools?

Not all independent senior schools are highly selective but the majority are likely to use some form of entrance exam. Schools want to know a child's abilities so that they can assess whether he or she will be able to cope with the academic pace. It is just as important that the school feels the child will fit in and be happy there as it is for the parents to be confident that they have chosen a good school. Day schools often set their own entrance tests, mainly in Maths, English (and possibly Verbal Reasoning); others use the Common Entrance exam, which can be taken for entry at 11+, 12+ or 13+.

The papers for 11+ entry are designed to be suitable for all pupils, whatever type of school they have attended, but most pupils who take the exam for 12+ or 13+ entry are already attending independent schools. This is because independent prep schools take children from 8-13 years of age, whereas  mainstream junior schools stop at age 11.

A child who has not been attending an independent preparatory school may benefit from coaching from a private tutor who specialises in preparing students for entrance exams and who can help them practice for being interviewed. If you decide that you want to get help for your child, it is best to appoint a tutor well in advance of the exam rather than in the last few weeks as this will help to build your child's confidence steadily and avoid any sense of panic. In addition, there are companies who publish copies of past papers and these can be very useful aids for all candidates, regardless of their background.

Senior schools will also want to see a report from the child's junior school, which will help them make their decision and the child will also be interviewed as part of the admissions process.

Preparatory schools may set a simple test, either verbal or written, for prospective pupils and the child will normally have a short interview with the Head. The school will also require a satisfactory report from the child's previous school before offering a place, unless this is his or her first school. Children who have attended a nursery or pre-prep attached to the preparatory school will not usually need to do either a test or an interview, as their abilities and personality are already known.

Very young children will rarely be expected to satisfy more than basic requirements for admission to a pre-preparatory school, but the Head will want to meet the child and his or her parents in advance.