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Entry Process
Prospective pupils are considered for entry for day and boarding places at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form.
There are three main points of entry for boys: First Form (Year 7), Third Form (Year 9) and the Lower Sixth (Year 12). Girls are admitted into the Lower Sixth (Year 12).
The main objective we have for all our pupils at Reed’s is for them to be happy. We have outstanding teaching staff, excellent facilities and a compassionate ethos, so there is every reason that our pupils will flourish. The key to happy pupils, indeed happy people, is based on having strong self-confidence and also the more subtle attribute, strong self-esteem; being valued for your own unique blend of interests and potential. For all schools, if we can imbue our pupils with these two elements, they will be happy, and happy pupils thrive.
This is reflected in our Admissions process which has been designed to encourage pupils to perform at their best and be as comfortable as possible throughout the process.
Admissions Policy
To read our full Admissions Policy please click on the relevant link within our Policies Page
The steps involved in our entry process are shown below for the relevant entry points.
ENTRY AT 11+
Applications for 2025 have now closed.
For entry in future years a Registration Form can be submitted at any time.
APPLICATION
For 11+ entry to Reed’s in September 2025, please submit an online Registration Form together with the £150 non-refundable Registration Fee by Thursday 17th October 2024.
ENTRANCE EXAMINATION
Candidates will sit the ISEB Common Pre-Tests. The ISEB Common Pre-Tests comprise multiple choice questions which are taken online and are age standardised. They take about two-and-a-quarter hours to complete (English 40 minutes, Mathematics 40 minutes, Non-Verbal Reasoning 30 minutes, Verbal Reasoning 25 minutes).
All candidates for 11+ entry in 2025 will need to complete the tests by Saturday 30th November 2024. Candidates must only sit the ISEB Common Pre-Tests once each academic year. If a candidate is sitting the tests for more than one school the results are provided to all schools to which the candidate has applied. The tests may be taken at a candidate’s school if the school are happy to invigilate the tests.
Further information about the ISEB Pre-Tests can be found on the following link: https://www.iseb.co.uk/assessments/common-pre-tests/cpt-for-families.
Following the closing date on Thursday 17th October 2024, we will be writing to the applicant’s current school to ask for a report.
INTERVIEW
All candidates will be invited into Reed’s School for an informal interview with a member of staff. The interview provides an opportunity for us to learn more about candidates and their interests and for them to ask any questions they may have about Reed’s. Prior to their interview, candidates will take part in a group activity which will include team building tasks and is designed to put them at ease before their interview.
The interview days for 11+ 2025 Entry will take place on Monday 6th January and Tuesday 7th January 2025.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Sports Scholarship assessments will be held in November 2024.
Art, Drama and Music Scholarship Assessments will take place on Tuesday 19th November 2024.
There is no need to apply for an Academic Scholarship. Candidates who perform outstandingly well in the academic entry tests will be invited back for a Scholarship Interview.
RESULTS
Places are offered based on performance in the entrance exam, interview and a reference from a candidate’s current school. Parents/Guardians will be notified of the outcome of the assessments by email in early February 2025.
We require confirmation of acceptance of a place at Reed’s along with payment of the Acceptance Deposit of £1500 to be made in early March 2025.
ENTRY AT 13+
Applications for 2027 have now closed.
For entry in future years a Registration Form can be submitted at any time.
APPLICATION
For 13+ entry to Reed’s in September 2027, please submit an online Registration Form together with the £150 non-refundable Registration Fee by Thursday 17th October 2024.
ENTRANCE EXAMINATION
Candidates will sit the ISEB Common Pre-Tests. The ISEB Common Pre-Tests comprise multiple choice questions which are taken online and are age standardised. They take about two-and-a-quarter hours to complete (English 40 minutes, Mathematics 40 minutes, Non-Verbal Reasoning 30 minutes, Verbal Reasoning 25 minutes).
All candidates for 13+ entry in 2027 will need to complete the tests by Saturday 30th November 2024. Candidates must only sit the ISEB Common Pre-Tests once each academic year. If a candidate is sitting the tests for more than one school the results are provided to all schools to which the candidate has applied. The tests may be taken at a candidate’s school if the school are happy to invigilate the tests.
Further information about the ISEB Pre-Tests can be found on the following link: https://www.iseb.co.uk/assessments/common-pre-tests/cpt-for-families.
Following the closing date on Thursday 17th October 2024, we will be writing to the applicant’s current school to ask for a report.
INTERVIEW
All candidates will be invited into Reed’s School for an informal interview with a member of staff. The interview provides an opportunity for us to learn more about candidates and their interests and for them to ask any questions they may have about Reed’s. Prior to their interview, candidates will take part in a group activity which will include team building tasks and is designed to put them at ease before their interview.
The interview days for 13+ 2027 Entry will take place on Monday 6th January and Tuesday 7th January 2025.
RESULTS
Places are offered based on performance in the entrance exam, interview and a reference from a candidate’s current school. Parents/Guardians will be notified of the outcome of the assessments by email in early February 2025.
We require confirmation of acceptance of a place at Reed’s along with payment of the Acceptance Deposit of £3000 to be made in early March 2025.
If a candidate is offered and accepts a 13+ place following the pre-tests in Year 6, it is expected that they will continue to make excellent progress in the final two years at their current school. We will contact the candidate’s current school when they are in Year 8 to request an updated reference before joining Reed’s in September of Year 9.
ENTRY AT SIXTH FORM
Applications for 2025 have now closed.
For entry in future years a Registration Form can be submitted at any time.
What are we looking for?
A Sixth Form candidate who wants to come to Reed’s must have academic curiosity. Although we are also looking for other talents, interests and qualities; for example, in Music, Art, Drama, Technology or Sport. Candidates will need to show they can thrive in an environment where they are encouraged to take responsibility and become more independent in their approach to learning. As a rough guide to our standards, most of the candidates that we accept will achieve a wide range of good GCSE/IGCSE grades, mainly at grades 6, 7, 8 and 9. Just as importantly, we are looking for young people with integrity who wish to be part of and contribute towards our compassionate community.
A Level Courses
For details on the A levels courses we offer please view the Sixth Form section on our Academic Curriculum page.
APPLICATION
For entry to Reed’s in September 2025 at Sixth Form please submit an online Registration Form together with the £150 non-refundable Registration Fee by Friday 4th October 2024.
Reports:
The Independent Schools’ Code of Practice requires that a parent intending to change independent schools notifies the current Head as soon as possible. From September onwards, once we have received a completed Application Form, we will be writing to ask for a report from the applicant’s current school as we will assume that they have been informed.
EXAM INFORMATION
The Examination Day will be held on Friday, 8th November 2024.
All candidates will be examined in two academic subjects and will have an informal interview with a member of staff.
Academic Papers
Candidates must choose two subjects from those that they are currently studying for GCSE/IGCSE. These, where possible, should also be subjects that they will wish to study at A Level.
The examinations will be based on the GCSE syllabus and no further study is required beyond what is currently being undertaken for GCSE/IGCSE.
Subjects in which candidates can choose to be examined are:
Art (drawing class and assessment of GCSE/IGCSE portfolio); Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Design and Technology (written paper and assessment of GCSE/IGCSE portfolio); Drama (written paper and practical assessment); English; French; Geography; History; Latin; Mathematics; Music (written paper and practical assessment); Physical Education (written paper); Physics; Religious Studies (Philosophy and Ethics of Religion); Spanish.
Academic Scholarship Interviews
Candidates who perform outstandingly well in the examinations will be invited back for an Academic Scholarship interview.
RESULTS
Places are offered based on performance in the entrance exam, interview and a reference from a candidate’s current school. Parents/Guardians will be notified of the outcome of the assessments by email on Monday 2nd December 2024.
We require confirmation of acceptance of a place at Reed’s along with payment of the Acceptance Deposit to be made by Wednesday 11th December 2024. Parents wishing to accept the offer of an unconditional place will be asked pay a deposit of £1500 which will be credited to their son/daughter’s final account on leaving Reed’s.
ENTRY FROM OVERSEAS
Applications are welcome from candidates who live overseas; they will be expected to take the appropriate Entry Tests for their age group.
Further information about entry into a specific year group is available by