School choices, with your family in mind
Find the right school for your child.
Practical guides for parents choosing UK independent and grammar schools—from first applications and the 11+ to sixth form and boarding. Explore school life, admissions, costs and what might suit your child.
One decision at a time
What are you working out?
Start with the question that brought you here. There’s no need to figure everything out at once.
Where do we start?
Entry ages, a sensible shortlist and the questions to ask before paying a registration fee.
Make a planGrammar schoolsIs the 11+ right for us?
Tests, catchments and school preferences—and why a qualifying score is not an offer.
Understand the processFees & bursariesCould we afford it?
The full family bill, means-tested help and what a scholarship may actually cover.
Work through the costsFrom the first school day to sixth form
A different age. A different set of questions.
A Reception visit is a world away from a sixth-form interview. Find the guidance that matches your child’s next move.
All admissions adviceA first school, a gentle start
Reception applications, assessments and settling in.
Thinking about a junior-school move
What the assessments involve and how to prepare gently.
Making sense of senior-school entry
Private-school tests, writing, interviews and your calendar.
It may be earlier than you think
Registration, pre-tests and conditional offers explained.
A fresh start for sixth form
Subjects, personal statements and joining a new school.
A school—and a place to live
Could boarding work for your family?
The house, the weekends, the friendships and the adults who are there when you aren’t. Those details matter as much as the lessons.
Take a closer look at boardingCloser to home
Which schools belong on your local list?
Compare the journey, entry routes and full family bill—and check which application dates overlap.
Build a London shortlistFind your Greater Manchester shortlist
Compare Birmingham and Solihull schools
Build a Bristol and Bath shortlist
A closer look · Individual schools
Beyond the prospectus
George Heriot’s School
Understand assessments, Scottish qualifications, fees, Foundation support, bursaries and the everyday family decision.
Read the guideEdinburgh, Scotland · CoeducationalGeorge Watson’s College
Compare entry routes, Scottish qualifications, fees, funding conditions, school transport and the everyday family routine.
Read the guideSteep, near Petersfield, Hampshire · Coeducational · Day & boardingBedales
Compare BACs and GCSEs, assessments, funding, boarding patterns and the long day with morning-only school transport.
Read the guideHorsham, West Sussex · Coeducational · Day & boardingChrist’s Hospital
Understand bursaries, assessments, fees, leave weekends, support and whether the boarding-led week suits your child.
Read the guideBrentwood, Essex · Mixed Prep and Sixth Form; separate classes Years 7–11 · Day & boardingBrentwood School
Explore the Diamond Model, 2027 Year 7 applications, fees, funding, boarding and the practical school day.
Read the guideChigwell, Essex · Coeducational · Day & boardingChigwell School
Compare entry routes, curriculum, support, fees and the full school week, including late transport and assessment caveats.
Read the guideElstree, Hertfordshire · Girls; selected mixed Sixth Form classesHaberdashers’ Girls’ School
Explore 2027 calendars, conflicting place counts, QUEST, current fees and bursaries, the long day, coaches, phones and support.
Read the guideElstree, Hertfordshire · Boys; selected mixed Sixth Form classesHaberdashers’ Boys’ School
Compare 2027 entry dates, QUEST and written papers, fees and devices, funding, the late coach, learning support and everyday fit.
Read the guideSt Albans and Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire · GirlsSt Albans High School for Girls
Explore exact 2027 calendars, ISEB plus wider 11+ activity, younger and later entry, current fees and bursaries, the long day, coaches, phones, support, results and inspection evidence.
Read the guideSt Albans, Hertfordshire · Mixed by cohort; Sixth Form mixedSt Albans School
Explore exact 11+ dates, deferred and direct 13+, bespoke online testing, sixth-form thresholds, fees and lunch, bursaries, late coaches, bounded support, 2026 results and current inspection evidence.
Read the guideGuildford, Surrey · GirlsGuildford High School
Explore exact 2027 assessment dates and open offer-date gaps, fees and compulsory lunch, Assisted Places, internal progression, public-transport travel, support, results and inspection evidence.
Read the guideGuildford, Surrey · GirlsTormead School
Explore exact 2027 calendars, age-specific assessments, ISEB and interviews, current fees and lunch, bursaries, coaches, wraparound care, phones, support and inspection findings.
Read the guideBramley, near Guildford, Surrey · Girls · Day & boardingSt Catherine's School, Bramley
Explore exact 2027 dates, ISEB and written-test conflicts, current day and boarding costs, bursaries, transport, phones, support, results and independent inspection evidence.
Read the guideCranleigh, Surrey · Boys and girls · Day & boardingCranleigh School
Explore 2027 admissions gaps, ISEB and CAT4 routes, day and boarding patterns, current fees, Saturdays and exeats, buses, phones, support, results and current inspection evidence.
Read the guideCambridge, Madingley and Saffron Walden · Boys and girls · Day & boardingStephen Perse Cambridge
Explore exact 2027 dates, Senior and Sixth assessment, conditional progression, current fees and scholarships, multi-campus travel, support, A-level-only Sixth and small boarding cohort.
Read the guideTrumpington Road and three Cambridge sites · Boys and girlsThe Perse School, Cambridge
Explore exact 2027 dates, age-specific assessments, Year 6 expansion, conditional progression, Upper Quest testing, sixth-form grades, current fees, bursaries, travel and support.
Read the guideTrumpington Road, Cambridge · Boys and girls · Day & boardingThe Leys School, Cambridge
Explore Quest assessment, direct and early 13+ routes, the 2028 transition, day, Home Boarding and boarding costs, six-day rhythm, transport, support and current inspection evidence.
Read the guideBateman Street and Mary Ward House, Cambridge · Girls · Day & boardingSt Mary's School, Cambridge
Explore current assessment formats, the missing ordinary 2027 calendar, Year 9 pre-testing, day and three boarding patterns, fees, scholarships, bursaries, support and the latest inspection.
Read the guideHeadington and Pullens Lane, Oxford · Coeducational Prep; girls’ Senior School · Day & boardingHeadington School Oxford
Explore exact 2027 routes, current entrance formats, internal progression, day and four boarding patterns, fee differences, transport, support and the latest inspection.
Read the guideSummertown, Oxford · GirlsOxford High School GDST
Explore exact 2027 deadlines, the Experience Day and published assessment detail, current fees and bursary bands, languages, transport, support and inspection findings.
Read the guideCowley Place, Oxford · Boys to Year 11; phased coeducation; mixed sixth formMagdalen College School, Oxford
Explore exact 2027 calendars, online and written assessments, two different 13+ routes, phased coeducation, fees, bursaries, travel, support and current inspection context.
Read the guideMonkton Combe and Combe Down, Bath · Boys and girls · Day & boardingMonkton Combe School
Explore CAT4 and assessment routes, the missing ordinary 2027 calendar, Prep-to-Senior progression, weekly/full/taster boarding, current fees, Saturdays, transport, support and inspection findings.
Read the guideRalph Allen Drive, Bath · Boys and girls · Day & boardingPrior Park College, Bath
Explore the 2027 Year 7 screen, writing, interview and teamwork process, current fees, different boarding patterns, curriculum, transport, support and inspection findings.
Read the guideLansdown Road, Bath · Boys and girls · Day & boardingKingswood School, Bath
Explore the exact 2027 Year 7 calendar, different later routes, the long activity day, no formal Saturday lessons, boarding patterns, current fees, transport and support.
Read the guideBerkeley Place, Clifton, Bristol · Boys to Year 11; coeducational sixth formQueen Elizabeth’s Hospital, Bristol
Explore Quest Days, the online Senior assessment, 2027 date conflicts, coeducational sixth form, current fees, financial help, transport and support.
Read the guideNorth Road, Bath · Boys and girlsKing Edward’s School, Bath
Explore the planned campus move, age-specific assessments, exact 2027 Senior and sixth-form dates, fees, bursaries, travel, activities and support.
Read the guideWestbury-on-Trym, Bristol · GirlsRedmaids’ High School
Explore the detailed 2027 Year 7 papers and interview, later entry, progression, fees, GDST bursaries, the extended day, transport and support.
Read the guideWestbury-on-Trym, Bristol · Girls · Day & boardingBadminton School
Explore exact 2027 dates, assessment differences by age, weekly and full boarding, current fees, bursaries, transport and the questions public pages leave open.
Read the guideLansdown Road, Bath · Girls · Day & boardingRoyal High School Bath
Explore the 2026 reorganisation, exact 2027 Senior dates, the unpublished 9+ detail, day and boarding costs, A-level/IB uncertainty and current support limits.
Read the guideCollege Road, Clifton, Bristol · Boys and girls · Day & boardingClifton College
Explore CAT4 and sixth-form assessment limits, day/flexi/full boarding, the six-day rhythm, current fees, awards, support and the Year 9 cost step.
Read the guideUniversity Road, Bristol · Boys and girlsBristol Grammar School
Explore the four-part Year 7 assessment, younger entry, sixth form, the central Bristol day, support, current fees and means-tested bursaries.
Read the guideEdgbaston Park Road, Birmingham · Boys; some shared sixth-form teaching with KEHSKing Edward’s School Birmingham
Explore school-written English and maths, interviews, A-level choices, language breadth, games, support, travel and Assisted Places.
Read the guideEdgbaston Park Road, Birmingham · Girls; some shared sixth-form teaching with KESKing Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)
Explore the English and maths assessment, sixth-form conditions, clubs, music, support, the journey and means-tested fee assistance.
Read the guideWarwick Road and Saint Martin’s campuses, Solihull · Boys and girlsSolihull School
Explore early entry, the four-part 11+ assessment, sixth form, outdoor life, wraparound care, learning support and the full family budget.
Read the guideChorley New Road, Bolton · Boys and girls; separate Junior and Senior divisionsBolton School
Compare the two divisions, 11+ papers, early entry, sixth-form conditions, the coach journey, activities, support and the full family budget.
Read the guideBuxton Road, Stockport, Cheshire · Boys and girlsStockport Grammar School
Explore the three Year 7 papers, interviews, Junior progression, sixth-form conditions, the late bus, support, fees and bursaries.
Read the guideClaremont Road, Cheadle Hulme, near Stockport · Boys and girlsCheadle Hulme School
Explore CEM and writing, Junior progression, sixth-form choices, activities, support, the long day, travel and the full family budget.
Read the guideWellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester · GirlsWithington Girls’ School
Explore Junior assessment, Year 7 papers and interviews, sixth-form choices, everyday support, the journey and means-tested help with fees.
Read the guideGrangethorpe Road, Manchester · GirlsManchester High School for Girls
Explore early entry, Year 7 papers and interviews, sixth-form choices, travel, activities, support and the full family budget.
Read the guideOld Hall Lane, Manchester · BoysManchester Grammar School
Explore the assessment day, entrance papers, sixth-form subject choices, support, school life and means-tested fee assistance.
Read the guideWhitstable Road, Canterbury, Kent · Boys and girls · Day & boardingKent College Canterbury
Explore entrance assessments, sixth-form qualifications, support, the ordinary school day and the full cost of different boarding patterns.
Read the guideThe Precincts, Canterbury, Kent · Boys and girls · Day & boardingKing’s School Canterbury
Explore the different entry tests, A-level choices, House life, support and the practicalities of a Canterbury day or boarding place.
Read the guideBenenden, near Cranbrook, Kent · Girls · Day & boardingBenenden School
Explore early selection, writing, subjects beyond exams, age-group Houses, support and the real cost of a day or boarding place.
Read the guideHigh Street, Tonbridge, Kent · Boys now; girls’ sixth-form day entry 2028, boarding 2030 · Day & boardingTonbridge School
Explore the different assessments, A-level pathways, House life, support and costs behind this Kent day-and-boarding choice.
Read the guideHigh Street, Guildford, Surrey · Boys now; phased girls’ entry from 2027Royal Grammar School Guildford
Explore selective admissions, the town-centre day, broad subjects and the practical questions behind the move to coeducation.
Read the guideGodalming, Surrey · Boys and girls · Day & boardingCharterhouse
Explore staged admissions, A levels or IB, house life, support and costs—and whether the full week fits your family.
Read the guideWinchester, Hampshire · Boys at 13+; coeducational sixth form · Day & boardingWinchester College
Current admissions, Div, house life and a long school week: explore the academic appeal, support and cost behind the name.
Read the guideQueen Victoria Street, central London · BoysCity of London School
Explore the detailed entrance tests, city-centre day, activities, support and budget—and what the planned 2028 sixth-form centre may change.
Read the guideHammersmith, west London · GirlsSt Paul’s Girls’ School
Explore the academic challenge, independent spirit, staged admissions and daily journey—and the support your daughter would need.
Read the guideHigh Wycombe, Buckinghamshire · Girls · Day & boardingWycombe Abbey
Explore the academic challenge, shared house life and different entry routes—and decide whether the full week would suit your daughter.
Read the guideCheltenham, Gloucestershire · Girls · Day & boardingCheltenham Ladies’ College
A levels or IB, day or boarding: explore the subjects, admissions, long school week, support and family budget behind the choice.
Read the guideHarrow-on-the-Hill, north-west London · Boys · Full boardingHarrow School
House life, early selection and a busy week: explore whether the boarding commitment, subject choices and family budget fit your son.
Read the guideEton, Berkshire · Boys · Full boardingEton College
Full boarding, early 13+ selection and distinct scholarship routes: decide whether the life, process and cost fit your son and family.
Read the guideDulwich, south London · GirlsJames Allen's Girls' School (JAGS)
ISEB plus writing and group work, six-language sampling and busy activities: decide whether the pace and journey suit your daughter.
Read the guideWimbledon, south-west London · Boys to 16; coeducational sixth formKing's College School, Wimbledon
A levels or IB, active school days and route-specific tests: decide whether the opportunity and the journey suit your child.
Read the guideDulwich, south London · Boys · Day & boardingDulwich College
Choose the right entry route, then explore the work, music, sport, support and journey—or boarding week—that would suit your son.
Read the guideEdgware, north-west London · GirlsNorth London Collegiate School
Written entrance papers, A levels or IB, activities and the trip home: work out whether the everyday life suits your daughter.
Read the guideBarbican, London · GirlsCity of London School for Girls
Two-stage 11+ entry, distinctive courses and a city commute: explore the work, support and everyday life behind the results.
Read the guideCentral London · Coeducational sixth form · Day & boardingWestminster School
Subject-led admissions, a six-day London week and boarding weekends: work out whether the everyday life fits your child.
Read the guideBarnes, London · Boys · Day & boardingSt Paul’s School
Academic stretch, but would the everyday life suit your son? Entry tests, subjects, travel, small-scale boarding and support.
Read the guideNorth London · CoeducationalHighgate
A broad education—but is it the right everyday fit? Admissions, support, friendships and the journey home.
Read the guideNorth London · GirlsChanning
Would a girls-only setting suit your daughter? A closer look at entry, everyday support and the costs to check.
Read the guideWest London · CoeducationalLatymer Upper
A big school life—but would your child enjoy it? Curriculum changes, learning support and the daily routine.
Read the guideSevenoaks, Kent · Coeducational · Day & boardingSevenoaks
Would a broad IB education and a six-day school week suit your child? Entry routes, boarding life, support and the real family bill.
Read the guideCrowthorne, Berkshire · Coeducational · Day & boardingWellington College
A levels or IB, day or boarding: what those choices mean for admissions, the weekly routine, support and your family’s budget.
Read the guide