How to apply to UK independent school: Step-by-step admissions guide

School Scout
8 min read

Applying to an independent school is a big moment for your family as you start to explore your child's schooling options, but it can also be daunting, and there will be multiple questions that you want answers to. Whether your child is just starting at pre-prep, or they are moving to a prep or senior school, or considering sixth form entry, this guide will walk you through every stage of the journey to be aware of.

We will also explore how the admissions process differs for non-British families, together with the different requirements for selective vs non-selective schools, and finally the assessments that matter, including ISEB, UKiset and CAT4.


Where to start: Open days & school visits


Before application forms, registrations, and assessments comes research, and lots of it.

First steps:

  • Shortlist schools based on your location, budget, school type, academic profile, and values.
  • Attend open days at several different schools, ideally during the autumn or spring term before your child's intended year of entry.
  • Meet school leaders, ask questions, take notes, and trust your instincts.
  • Request a prospectus and remain in contact with the admissions teams.

Tip: Try to visit a mix of schools: large and small, urban and rural, selective and non-selective, to compare each school’s ethos and environment.


When and how to register


Once you've narrowed your schools' shortlist, the next step is to register, which formally signals your interest in a school.


Registration essentials:

  • Most schools require registration 12–24 months in advance of the entry date.
  • You will be required to complete a registration form and pay a non-refundable registration fee (typically £100–£250).
  • Registration does not guarantee a place, but it's usually required before your child can sit assessments.

Some schools operate rolling admissions, especially at sixth form, but popular entry points (such as Reception, Year 3, Year 7, Year 9, and Year 12) often involve strict deadlines.


How to find entry points: 11+, 13+, and more

Not all schools admit pupils at every stage. The most common entry points for UK independent schools are 4+ (Reception), 7+ (Year 3), 11+ (Year 7), 13+ (Year 9), and 16+ (Year 12/Sixth Form), but entry points vary from school to school.


How to find out about school entry points:

  • Check the admissions section of a school's website, where they will list key entry years and assessment formats.
  • Use School Scout to filter schools by entry point.
  • Look for "key dates" or "entry timeline" PDFs, which are often published by schools on their websites.
  • Contact the school’s admissions office directly if you are unsure or if you are applying outside of standard entry years.


Offers, waiting lists & accepting a place


How and when schools make offers:

  • Offers are usually made following assessments and interviews, often within weeks of the results.
  • Your child will receive a written offer, which may be conditional on their exam results.
  • Schools often require a deposit (e.g., up to one term's fees) to secure a place.


What does a waiting list mean?

  • If a school is oversubscribed, your child may be placed on a waiting list.
  • Places can still become available, especially if other families decline offers, but there is no guarantee of this.


Selective vs non-selective admissions: What to expect


Selective schools

  • Assess pupils based on their academic ability, which often requires exams, interviews, and school references.
  • Regular entry points: 7+, 11+, 13+, and 16+.
  • Competition for places can be strong and so preparing your child well for these assessments is recommended.


Non-selective schools

  • A taster day or informal assessment is often still a requirement.
  • A greater focus may be placed on pastoral fit and your child’s attitude to learning, rather than test scores.


Entry stages: what they mean

  • Pre-Prep: Ages 3-7 (Nursery to Year 2)
  • Prep School: Ages 7-11/13 (Year 3 to Year 6, or Year 8)
  • Senior School: Ages 11/13-16 (Year 7, or Year 9 entry)
  • Sixth Form: Ages 16-18 (Year 12 entry)


The admissions process by entry point


Pre-Prep and Prep

  • Generally non-selective
  • Often involves an informal play session and a chat with the head


11+ (Year 7 entry)

  • Often requires ISEB Common Pre-Test (see below for more info)
  • Interviews and school reports form part of the evaluation


13+ (Year 9 entry)

  • Many pupils sit the ISEB Pre-Test in Year 6 or 7
  • Some schools require Common Entrance (CE) or bespoke exams
  • Interviews, references, and academic reports are important


16+ (Year 12 / Sixth form entry)

  • Require predicted or achieved GCSE/iGCSE grades
  • Subject-specific exams (especially for Maths, Sciences, Languages)
  • Interviews with academic staff
  • Some schools accept International Baccalaureate (IB) students


Admissions for international pupils

UK independent school applications for international pupils follow a similar structure, but often need to meet extra requirements:


Additional steps for international pupils include:

  • UKiset (UK independent school entry test for international pupils)
  • English language proficiency tests: IELTS, TOEFL
  • EAL (English as an Additional Language) provision may be offered
  • School reports and references must often be translated and authenticated

Tip: Many schools offer remote interviews for international applicants, and some have representatives or agents based overseas.


Exams & Assessments: What You Need to Know


ISEB Common Pre-Test

  • Taken in Year 6 or 7 (adaptive online format)
  • Covers English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
  • Used for entry into selective prep and senior schools


Common Entrance

  • Usually taken at 11+ or 13+
  • Set by the ISEB, sat in Year 6 or 8
  • Subjects: English, Maths, Science, and others, depending on the school


Prep School Baccalaureate (PSB)

The Prep School Baccalaureate is an alternative to Common Entrance, and is increasingly used by over 40 prep schools. It focuses on a broad curriculum, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity rather than just rote academic exams.

  • Includes core academic subjects plus life skills, digital literacy, and communication.
  • Assessment is via a combination of teacher evaluation, project work, and pupil reflection.
  • Accepted by many senior schools as a valid and progressive indicator of readiness.


CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test)

  • Used by many schools at multiple entry points
  • Assesses reasoning and problem-solving abilities
  • Typically administered in Years 5 to 9
  • Results help schools assess potential, not just academic attainment


School-Set Exams

  • Some schools use their own assessments, especially for 13+ or sixth form.


Scholarship Exams

  • For pupils who excel in academic, music, sport, art or multiple disciplines
  • Vary by school, but are often more challenging than standard entry tests


UKiset (for international students)

  • Adaptive test assessing English, Maths, and reasoning skills
  • Acts as a standard entry route for multiple UK independent schools


English Language Proficiency Tests

  • Most schools accept IELTS/TOEFL
  • Required for pupils without English as a first language


GCSE/iGCSE & IB

  • Pupils entering the sixth form are expected to have strong GCSE/iGCSE results
  • International students with IB or other curricula should provide equivalency information.


Exam scores needed for selective school entry


Selective schools don't always publish precise pass marks, but generally:

  • Top-tier academic schools may expect ISEB scores of 120 or higher (Standard Age Score).
  • Common Entrance pass grades are typically 60–70% overall for academic entry.
  • Sixth form:
  • Expect a minimum of *6–8 GCSEs at grades 7–9 (A/A)**, especially for competitive subjects.
  • Schools may conduct internal exams and interviews even after students have achieved strong predicted grades.


Admissions to faith-based independent schools


Faith schools in the independent sector may be Christian (such as the Church of England or Catholic), Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or multi-faith. They offer the same high standards of education while incorporating religious ethos, values, and sometimes instruction.


Admissions criteria may include:

  • Faith declaration forms or letters from a religious leader (e.g., a parish priest or an imam)
  • Attendance at a place of worship
  • Agreement to support the school's religious values and curriculum
  • Interviews with the Head or Chaplain
  • Academic assessments, which may be identical to regular assessments or slightly adapted to match the faith-based context


Faith-based schools often welcome pupils from different faiths or no faith, particularly if the family aligns with the school's ethos. However, priority may be given to children of the school's faith, especially if the school is oversubscribed.


Where pupils come from: ISC snapshot 2025


The ISC Census Report and Annual Report 2025 shows that pupils entering ISC member schools in 2024/25 came from a diverse range of educational backgrounds:

Independent Schools: 33,737 pupils (32.9%)
State Schools: 28,507 pupils (27.8%)
Nurseries: 21,739 pupils (21.2%)
Overseas: 15,484 pupils (15.1%)
Total new pupils in 2024/25: 102,544

This demonstrates a healthy balance between independent, state, and international feeders - a reminder that many pathways can lead to private school entrance.


FAQs: Private School Admissions Simplified

When should I start the admissions process?
For popular entry points, ideally 12–24 months in advance.

Can I apply to multiple private schools at once?
Yes, and many families do.

Do all schools use ISEB or Common Entrance?
No, some set their own exams or focus on interviews and reports.

Is the process different for international pupils?
There are additional steps (such as UKiset and English tests), but the core process remains similar.

How do schools use CAT4 scores?
They help assess a pupil's academic potential and learning profile.

What if we miss a registration deadline?
Contact the school — places occasionally open due to late withdrawals.

Use School Scout to start your school search