Entry at age 13 into Year 9 is a normal point of entry, both for girls joining us from Prep Schools and for those joining from other schools.
Assessment for entry
Candidates sit entrance assessments in Maths, English and Reasoning in the Spring Term before entry.
Deferred entry
For girls at Prep Schools where they have the opportunity to stay for Years 7 and 8, they may sit the entrance exams for Year 6 pupils at the same time as all those applying for Year 7 entry, in January of Year 6 (2.5 years prior to entry). Offers of places made at that time for entry to Year 9, are subject to the formality of a girl’s school confirming her continued positive progress. Girls should still take Common Entrance for setting and streaming purposes on entry to The Abbey in Year 9. In the extended period prior to entry girls will be invited to The Abbey on a number of occasions, to get to know the school, the teachers and the girls they will be joining in Year 9.
Scholarships
Arrangements and assessments for academic scholarships for those applying to Year 9 will vary. An academic scholarship may be awarded on the basis of the entrance exams in the Spring Term. For those who have accepted a deferred place the academic scholarship assessment will take place in the Spring Term before entry in September.
Scholarships for specialist skills, Music, Drama, Art, ICT and Sport, are also offered for entry to Year 9. The assessments for these are held shortly after the entrance exams in the Spring Term. All those awarded a specialist scholarship must be well above the average academic standard for entry to the Abbey.
Entry at other ages, including Years 8 and 10
Whilst entry to Year 7, Year 9 and the Sixth Form are the principal points of entry to the Senior School, applications are also welcome into Year 8 and occasionally Year 10. Those considering Year 10 entry should be aware that a considerable amount of GCSE coursework is begun in Year 9, and entry at that stage may not therefore straightforward or in a girl’s best interests.