Procedure for Senior School (11+)
Most girls join the Senior School at aged 11 into Upper III (Year 7) and there is a 13+ entry into Year 9 from both Prep and state schools. We can also accept girls into Lower IV (Year 8) and Lower V (Year 10) if there are places are available. Girls usually join in the September but there is flexibility to accept applications during the school year if individual circumstances require.
Visiting the School
Each Autumn, we hold an Open Evening which provides a wonderful opportunity for you and your daughter to visit The Abbey and get a feel for what is on offer. Current pupils will act as your guides around the School and you will be able to ask questions of the subject specialists and form tutors. The Headmistress gives two scheduled talks and there are music, sport and drama displays by girls and interactive activities in most departments for your daughter to enjoy, ensuring that it is both an informative and fun evening.
There are also open mornings at the Senior School in both the Autumn and Summer terms when you and your daughter may visit during a 'typical' working day. This provides a valuable insight into the School and will give you a very good appreciation of the lively atmosphere.
Additionally, visitors are invited to schedule private appointments with the Admissions Secretary to view the School individually on a guided tour. These take place throughout the academic year.
Registration
To have your daughter considered for entry to the School, please complete our registration process and pay the £80 registration fee. This can now be done on-line. It is advisable, though not essential, to have registered by the end of October to be eligible for a place the following September.
Assessment and Examination
In November, every Year 6 girl who has registered to sit the entrance tests to The Abbey School, will be invited, in groups of about 20, to attend an Abbey Experience morning.
The Experience Mornings give the girls a real opportunity to sample life at the school and to see the school buzzing with activity. The Experience Mornings normally start at about 10am and last about two hours and include the following:
- Taster lesson. This could be any subject, but is usually either food technology, science or a language
- A Fun Quiz in the library
- Short tour of the school with current Year 7 pupils
- Interview with Senior Member of Teaching Staff
- Refreshments
- Short talk by the Headmistress
Parents will receive letters inviting their daughters to attend the Experience Mornings when they receive a pack of information with the exam and scholarship information in the Autumn term.
Examination
The main annual entrance examination will be in January and the girls sit a paper in Maths, English and Reasoning respectively. Further examination opportunities take place during the year as required. All candidates writing the entrance examinations are automatically considered for Academic scholarships.
Acceptance
Once you receive the offer of a place you will need to send back the Form of Acceptance and a £500 deposit which is held for the duration of your daughter's school career. We will then be in touch with information about familiarisation events for both you and your daughter and information to help you prepare for her first day at The Abbey.
