Private SchoolsAdmission and Selection

Many junior schools and even some senior schools admit pupils on a first-come-first-served basis, so early application is advised.

Entrance tests: Many independent senior schools set some form of entrance test. The difficulty of these tests and the standard required for admission vary and will be related to the type of school. Most urban day schools, for example, set their own entrance examinations (usually in January) and require a high standard of performance. This reflects the education they offer: making high demands of very able children.

Some of the so-called "public schools", which admit on the basis of performance in the Common Entrance examination, taken in June, are also very selective, admitting only boys and girls with the highest marks. Others, however, take a much wider range of ability. Yet other schools may admit, in some cases, after an interview and a simple test.

The right school: Are you considering the right sort of school for your child? There is no benefit in over-coaching a child for an entrance examination, only to find him or her floundering at the bottom of the class thereafter. The school details on this site will give you some idea of schools' entry requirements but you should be clear whether you are selecting the school or the school is selecting the child.

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