Admissions advice
One step at a time.
From choosing a first school to planning sixth form, find the advice that fits your family’s next decision.
Where you live
Build a local shortlist
Compare school choices with the journey, entry route and family budget in view.
Heriot’s or Watson’s: which fits your family?
Compare Heriot’s and Watson’s for Edinburgh day-school entry: Scottish stages, assessments, journeys, fees, funding and the questions to ask on visits.
LondonWhich London schools belong on your list?
Compare London private schools by entry route, journey, subjects, fees, bursaries and support, with 2027 test clashes and practical family examples.
KentDay, boarding or a grammar option in Kent?
Compare six Kent private-school options by entry age, school week, subjects and 2026–27 fees, with practical questions and the separate 2027 grammar route.
Greater ManchesterWhich Manchester-area schools would work for your family?
Compare six Greater Manchester private schools by entry age, 2027 admissions, Year 7 fees, travel and family fit, plus a Trafford grammar checklist.
Birmingham & SolihullWhich Birmingham-area schools fit your family’s week?
Compare KES, KEHS, Edgbaston High, Solihull and Bromsgrove by 2027 entry, fees, tests, travel, boarding and family fit, plus the grammar-school route.
Bristol & BathWhich Bristol and Bath schools fit your family’s week?
Compare ten Bristol and Bath private schools by 2027 entry route, day or boarding model, fees, travel, Saturdays, support and family fit.
Oxford & CambridgeWhich Oxford or Cambridge school fits your family?
Compare seven Oxford and Cambridge private schools by 2027 entry dates, day or boarding, girls-only or coeducational routes, fees and family fit.
SurreyWhich Surrey school week fits your child?
Compare six Surrey private schools: who can attend, entry routes, day or boarding life, journeys, fees, learning support and family fit.
HertfordshireSt Albans or Habs: which school fits your family?
Compare St Albans School, STAHS, Habs Boys and Habs Girls: 2027 entry, coeducation, 11+ tests, fees, bursaries, late coaches and learning support.
The bigger picture
Start with your family’s choices
Understand the process and the budget before you start filling in forms.
Where to start with private schools
Start a private-school search in England: choose the right entry point at 4+, 7+, 11+, 13+ or 16+, build a shortlist and plan applications and tests.
Learning supportWill this school provide the help your child needs?
Compare learning support at independent schools in England: assessment adjustments, everyday provision, costs, family examples and questions to ask.
CostsFees, bursaries and the full family bill
Work through private-school costs, VAT-inclusive fees, bursary applications, scholarships and renewal questions before committing to a school place.
Private school entry
Choose your entry point
Private-school applications differ by entry age. Start with the stage you’re considering.
Reception: choosing a first school
Plan private Reception applications in England: school dates, ballots and assessments, nursery references, settling in and realistic alternatives.
7+A move into junior school
Understand 7+ Year 3 entry in England: school dates, official sample papers, gentle reading and maths practice, support questions and offer decisions.
11+Private senior-school applications
Plan independent Year 7 applications in England: ISEB and Consortium guidance, school dates, writing and interview examples, references and bursaries.
13+Early registration and pre-tests
Understand 13+ admissions in England: early registration, ISEB Pre-Tests, interviews, Common Entrance and offers, with Eton, Wellington and Tonbridge.
16+A new school for sixth form
Plan independent sixth-form applications in England: A levels or IB, entry dates, subject tests, personal statements, GCSE conditions and settling in.
Go a little deeper
Help with the next practical step
Worked examples and manageable practice, shaped around the tasks schools actually set.
One sitting, several school decisions
A parent’s guide to the ISEB Common Pre-Tests: 2026–27 dates, registration, timings, adaptive questions, preparation, scores, SEND and test day.
11+ writingWriting that still sounds like your child
A practical independent-school 11+ writing guide: current school formats, original examples, planning, feedback, handwriting and a six-week routine.
11+ interviewsTalking, thinking and staying themselves
Prepare for independent-school 11+ interviews with current school formats, practice conversations, group activities, parent questions and calm next steps.
References & reportsWhat should you tell the current school?
A parent guide to 11+ school references: when to tell the current school, uneven reports, recent progress, support evidence and practical email examples.
Offers & waiting listsOffers are in. How do you choose?
Compare independent-school 11+ offers, waiting lists, reply deadlines, deposits, funding and support, with practical family examples and questions to ask.
Different routes
Boarding and grammar schools
These choices bring their own questions about family life, applications and where you live.
Would living at school suit your child?
Choose between full, weekly and flexi boarding, investigate house life and weekends, and plan admissions, fees and guardianship with your child.
The first termStaying in touch and getting help when needed
Practical help for new boarding parents: staying in touch, rooms and friendships, raising concerns, urgent help and reviewing whether boarding works.
GrammarTests, catchments and school preferences
Understand grammar-school tests, qualifying scores, catchments and council applications in England, with current Kent examples and practical next steps.