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Our standard entry points are at Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+) and Year 12 (16+) and our admissions process, which takes place each autumn, is designed to be straightforward, fair and friendly. The aim is to establish whether we are the right academic fit for your daughter so that she, and you, can look forward to a happy and confident start with us. |
For each entry point the admissions pathway will include:
- Written assessments to demonstrate a candidate’s knowledge base in core subjects
- Online cognitive adaptive tests which we have found to be a reliable indicator of a candidate’s potential as well as attainment
- The latest academic progress reports from a candidate’s teachers
- A confidential reference form which a candidate’s current school completes to advise us about her abilities, her learning skills, her contribution to her school community and her wider interests and strengths.
- Opportunities to meet with the headmistress and (for year 12 candidates) interviews with academic heads in the candidate’s chosen A level subjects.
A candidate whose first language is not English, or who has had considerable exposure to another language, must demonstrate that she has the appropriate knowledge and skills to thrive both in and out of the classroom. She will take our own EAL assessment paper and she must secure an international English certificate: please see our English language requirements.
| Year 7 Entry |
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Registration deadline: 30 June in year 5. The ISEB Common Pre-test is taken at a candidate’s own school or at St Swithun’s by mid-November in year 6. UK-based candidates take our own entry papers in English and mathematics during an assessment day at St Swithun’s in that November. Overseas-based candidates should take the ISEB Common Pre-test by 31 October of their year 6 and sit our entry papers at their local British Council on the last Saturday in October of that year. |
| Year 9 Entry |
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Registration deadline: 30 September in year 7. Candidates seeking early offers take the ISEB Common Pre-test at their own school or at St Swithun’s by the third Friday in November in year 7. Overseas-based candidates should take the ISEB Common Pre-test by 31 October of their year 7 equivalent. Overseas-based candidates who are not aiming for an early offer should be registered by 30 September of their year 8 equivalent. All candidates take written entry papers in their year 8 equivalent and we will advise each family about the individual pathway for their child. Further information at this stage may be found in our admissions policy here. |
| year 12 Entry |
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Registration deadline: 30 September in year 11. Sixth-form (year 12) places at St Swithun’s attract a worldwide interest and our entry requirements are rigorous. The first step is to read all aspects of the sixth-form section of our website to become familiar with the academic opportunities and subject options available. Online application links are available directly from the registrar once the candidate is on our enquiry lists. Please note we do not accept applications without having first seen a candidate’s school report. All overseas-based candidates should register directly with the UK Independent Schools’ Entry Test (www.ukiset.com) from May in year 11 equivalent. Please list St Swithun’s so that a candidate’s UKiset results are automatically sent to us to arrive by 30 September the year before the proposed entry. Entry at year 12 is by assessment at St Swithun’s during the first weekend in November of the year before intended entry. Attending candidates sit CAT4 tests and written papers in the chosen A level subjects. All candidates have a series of online interviews with sixth-form teaching staff. The assessments are broadly based on the GCSE specifications except in the case of subjects which have not been studied before: these look for a general interest in the subjects and the ability to write logically. View Sample Papers |
| Late-entry Candidates |
| There are sometimes places available in year 8 and year 10 and, occasionally, places at years 7, 9 or 12 after the main entry deadlines have passed. Candidates are welcome to contact us via email for guidance. |
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Admissions
Our dedicated admissions team is here to guide you through every step, from your initial enquiry to the final enrollment. For more information on the process go to our Admissions page.