The Admissions Process
While we aim to make the application process at King Edward’s as smooth as possible, we understand that the process of applying and selecting a school for your child can be a daunting one.
Below we’ve listed some helpful tips and information to help families applying to or considering King Edward VI School.
Entry Points
The key entry points to independent education are:
- Prep School, ages 3-11
- Senior School 11+, children aged 11 entering Year 7
- Senior School 13+, children aged 13 entering Year 9
- Sixth Form, aged 16
On this page we are focusing on the two entry points to senior school, 11+ and 13+. Click here to explore our prep school, and click here for Sixth Form admissions information.
Our application cycle for 11+ and 13+ typically starts around May time. We recommend thinking about the process in 6 key stages.
The Six Stages
Stage 1 - Information Gathering
You can find out so much about our School from our website, social media channels and our prospectus documents. These are filled with an excellent overview of what the school offers its students and families and provide a great starting place. There’s information on pastoral care, academics, scholarships/ bursaries, the creative arts, sports and co-curricular activities. Additionally, if you are in contact with current families here, talk to them about their experience with King Edward’s, or browse our recent inspection reports.
Stage 2 - Submit your Details to our Admissions Team
Through filling in the enquiry form, you will be notifying us of your interest in our school and provide us with details on what point of entry and year you are looking at, so that we can provide you with the most relevant and useful information and reminders. From here on, we will be able to keep you notified on key dates and events you might be interested in.
Stage 3 - Visit Us
We cannot recommend visiting us enough. A visit will allow you and your family to experience the true atmosphere of our school, often helping families to determine if our school is right for their child.
There are a number of ways in which families can visit us. It’s completely up to you how you visit us, and how many times, our doors are always open.
Individual Tours
Senior members of staff are always delighted to show families around the school at a date and time that suits you. We run these throughout the year during term time, so that families can see the school in action. If your child is particularly keen on a subject, or area of the school e.g. Sports, let us know and we’ll make sure to spend a bit more time there.
We are always delighted to welcome families to the school with a bespoke school tour, guided by a senior member of staff at a date and time that suits you. We recommend booking these in term-time so that you can see the school in action. These are bookable at anytime throughout the year, and can be booked by emailing our registrar, Mrs Sheppard.
Taster Mornings
In March we usually announce a number of Taster Morning events. These have become extremely popular among families, and provide a real taste of school life to both parents and children. The morning will be filled with mini-taster lessons, a tour of the school, a talk by the Head, a chance to chat with current students, ending with a typical school day lunch. There are dates available in May and September. If you are registered, we will notify you as soon as these are open for booking.
Open Evening
In October we open our doors to families from across the region to our annual Open Evening! This evening is a celebration of all things King Edwards. Families will be able to chat to members of staff, current students, tour the school, attend talks from the Head, engage in activities etc.
Booking for this event opens around July, and typically runs from 6pm-8.30pm. The 2024 Open Evening will be held on Friday 4 October.
Stage 4 - Submit Your Application
Application forms are available from September, and need to be completed and returned in November. The exact dates for this year can be found here. A £100.00 non-returnable fee is charged for an application except when the application to be considered is for a Bursary only place when the fee is £30.00.
This application includes:
- Application form
- Bursary Application Form
- Creative Arts Scholarship Form
- Sports Award Application Form
- Child’s reference
Please note, everyone that applies is automatically considered for the academic scholarship. There is no need to apply.
Stage 5 - Entrance Procedure
All Applicants will be interviewed and sit our entrance exams. Full information of these can be found here. As the date for the entrance examination draws closer, the admissions team will keep you informed of all requirements and process. Please note, there is no special preparation required and we do not provide past exam papers.
Assessments are mostly held in the school on a Saturday. If children are unable to attend, we encourage you to speak with the admissions team who can look at alternative arrangements.
Stage 6 - The Offer
If your child has been successful, you’ll received a formal offer for completion, which must be returned by the given date, alongside a deposit. We hope by this stage you have decided that King Edward’s is the right school for your child, but we encourage families to be absolutely sure before accepting. Families are welcome to chat to members of staff, attend another tour, meet with the head and use our website for further information.
