Admissions FAQs

The next Whitgift Live online  Open Event is Wednesday 14 October at 7pm.  

You are welcome to apply without an actual visit, however, we would recommend that you register for a Whitgift Live online Event and refer to the extensive information and resources on our website.

Full and weekly boarding commences from Year 9 (13+).

Flexi-boarding is available to students  from 11+ (Year 7). Current parents can make bookings via WisePay. Please contact the Admissions Department for further information.

Please note: Flexi-boarding is not currently available due to the current pandemic.

Whitgift prepare our own entrance examination papers based on the National Curriculum. The papers are written to identify potential in addition to testing current knowledge.  Past papers are not released, However, sample papers available here.  A wide range of reading is always encouraged, and we recommend that boys practice problem solving mathematics questions.

We do not have a ‘pass mark’, we set the examinations to identify academic potential.  As an indication, at 11+ successful candidates would usually be achieving level 5 in their Year 6 SATs.

10+ on average we receive approx. 200 applications for 60 places
11+ on average we receive approx. 600 applications for 120 places
13+ on average we receive approx. 200 applications for 40 places

Yes, we welcome further applications as we appreciate students mature academically and can apply again at the next entry point.

We do not rely on SATs levels, however, as a broad guide, we would expect level 5 at KS2, although we do accept boys with level 4 in some areas.

To ensure that your son has access to the full curriculum at Whitgift and be able to settle quickly into school life, it is essential that you are open and transparent about your son’s needs. Applicants with special needs may be supported with exam concessions and access arrangements, and all will be assessed by our Head of Learning Support in line with JCQ guidelines. If information regarding SEND requirements or other special needs is not disclosed during the admissions process, this may lead to a review of any place offered and may result in the withdrawal of an offer.
Find out more about our Learning Support Department.

Based on CEFR levels, please refer to the appropriate entry point below:

INTAKE INTO YEAR 9 (13+)

The minimum entry level required is B1/B2 to B2. Year 9 students  have three years to work towards an upper-intermediate level, and the transition to a C1/2 is achievable with support from our English as an Additional Language (EAL) department.

INTAKE INTO SIXTH FORM (16+)

The minimum entry level required is the middle of B2, ideally upper-intermediate B2/ low C1 level.

Please note: Applicants requiring a Student Visa (18+) need to prove their level of English by having achieved either an IELTS level of 6.0 or higher, or Level B1 CEFR equivalent.

Our English as an Additional Language entrance exams are written internally using a mixture of the Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) and Advanced Certificate (CAE) level style questions.

To familiarise yourself with the format and types of questions in the exam, you may like to practise using the following websites:

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/first/preparation/

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/advanced/preparation/

Whitgift are currently preparing for the upcoming entrance examinations, taking into account all possible scenarios. The assessments will take place, following the Government’s Guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety. We are aware that learning has been disrupted for many students, and are reviewing our procedures and processes, taking into account the Government’s Guidance in these unprecedented times.

A bursary is an income-related fee reduction awarded to a limited number of parents whose total income and assets fall below a given level. Parents should register their interest at the John Whitgift Foundation in the first instance. Selected families will be asked to complete a full bursary application following the entrance examinations. Applications are processed centrally by the John Whitgift Foundation. 

A scholarship is a financial award allocated to the highest performing applicants irrespective of parental income. All candidates sitting our Entrance Examination are considered for an Academic Scholarship. The Levels of attainment required for each Scholarship must be met for applicants to be considered. Scholarships are awarded by the Headmaster, following a thorough review of each applicant.  

Students in Years 6 and 7 are based in their classroom in the Lower School building (with their Year Group Team) so it is very similar to being in a small school for these initial years. However, they do have full use of the excellent facilities of the whole school through use of the Science labs, the DT and Art rooms and the Sports Hall. Essentially, they get the best of both worlds and the boys do settle very quickly.

This of course depends on the year group and option choices, but we aim to have classes of a maximum of 22/23 boys. On occasion, depending on option choices and setting, some classes may be larger, but this is rare – for example a top Maths set in the Fifth Form, and some may be smaller – for example a lower ability group where pupils require more individual attention. Class sizes in the Public Examination years can be significantly smaller, particularly at Sixth Form level. For languages, class sizes of 3 are not unusual.

The IB consists of six subjects studied over two years.  Students opt to study three of these subjects at Higher Level (HL) for specialist depth and three subjects at Standard Level (SL) to retain breadth.  The IB also has three additional elements that must be completed by all students: The Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) and an Extended Essay.  The IB is a widely respected and an internationally recognised qualification.  University Admissions Tutors are aware of the challenge and breadth that the IB provides and Diploma Programme students can be confident of being looked upon favourably.
A Level courses follow a fully linear programme with all exam-based elements being sat in June.  At Whitgift, students are expected to study four subjects in the first year.  It may be decided that a student may discontinue one subject at the end of the Lower Sixth year.  For a full list of subjects please refer to the Sixth Form Curriculum Guide. In addition, students at Whitgift study Critical Reflection in the Lower Sixth and have General Studies and Games lessons in both years of the Sixth Form.
A student’s path through Sixth Form should be based upon his individual ability, his interests and his ideas for university application and career.  It should be noted that IB and A Level students have approximately the same number of taught periods per fortnight and all students should be spending equal numbers of hours on their homework per week.

We offer a very efficient school bus service from Reigate, Keston, Worcester Park, Epsom, Wimbledon, Dulwich, Sundridge, Wandsworth, East Grinstead and Clapham Common.

Please visit our School Buses and Transport page for more information.

The entire co-curricular programme is designed to foster creativity, innovation, curiosity and excellence, allowing students to make the most of every day at Whitgift.

Co-Curricular Guide