The senior school has entry points at Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+) and Year 12 (16+).
Registration for year 7 is by the summer of the child’s year 5. Candidates take the ISEB Common Pre-test at their own school or at St Swithun’s in mid-November of their year 6. UK-based candidates take our own entry papers in English and mathematics during an assessment day at St Swithun’s in that November. Overseas-based candidates should take the ISEB Common Pre-test by 31 October of that year and sit our entry papers at their local British Council on the last Saturday in October of that year.
Late candidates for year 7 2023: please make an enquiry and we will advise further.
Registration for year 9 (13+) should be completed by the end of the child’s year 6 . Candidates seeking early offers are pre-tested in the November of their year 7. Overseas-based candidates should take the ISEB Common Pre-test by 31 October of UK year 7.
The year 9 (13+) 2023 lists are now closed and we are not taking any more registrations. The next standard entry point for new candidates for this cohort will be year 12 2026.
Registration for Year 12 (16+) should be completed by the end of September in year 11.
Registration for entry
Registration is made by completing an online application link which is sent from the registrar once a candidate has enquired via our website. The registration fee is £250 and is non-refundable.
Sixth-Form Entry
Sixth-form places at St Swithun’s attract a worldwide interest and our entry requirements are rigorous. The first step is to read all aspects of the sixth-form section of our website to become familiar with the academic opportunities and subject options available.
Please note that all overseas candidates should register directly with UKiset – the UK Independent Schools’ Entry Test (www.ukiset.com). Please list St Swithun’s so that your daughter’s UKiset results are automatically sent to us to arrive by 30 September the year before the proposed entry.
The boarding lists for 2023 entry are now closed; Day candidates are welcome to make an enquiry now.
Please enquire via the enquiry webpage and email our registrar with your daughter’s most recent school report.
Online application links are available directly from the registrar once the candidate has enquired via our website. Please note we do not accept applications without having first seen your daughter’s school report.
Entry at year 12 is by assessment at St Swithun’s during the first weekend in November of the year before her intended entry. The assessment includes a series of interviews and written papers in your daughter’s chosen A level subjects. The assessments are broadly based on the GCSE specifications except in the case of subjects which have not been studied before: these look for a general interest in the subjects and the ability to write logically.
English-Language Requirements
Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+) and Year 12 (16+) candidates for whom English is not their first language - please see our English language requirements.