Joining Year 7 (11+) | Epsom College

Our admissions process is designed to be as stress-free as possible (for the child and family alike) and to help us to identify the potential in every applicant.

We are looking for children whose talents stretch beyond the confines of the curriculum and who will contribute to the rich life of the College and our community. This is why we don’t make offers on the strength of the entrance exam alone. We interview every child before the exams are sat, and take into consideration their personalities, talents and school reference.

Years 4 & 5 Open Mornings

Open Mornings are the best way to see Epsom. You get access to all parts of the College, via a personal guided tour, and the chance to hear from our Head, Sir Anthony Seldon. 

You’ll see departmental showcases, visit the Lower School and take a look inside a Day or Boarding House.

Our March event has sold out, but you can register your interest for the June event below

Register Your Interest

Years 4 & 5 College Tours

Tours for this academic year are now fully booked.

Pupils are unable to provide tours to families during the Summer Term, due to public exams.

However, if you would like to visit the school during the Summer Term, you are welcome to register your interest for the June Open Morning (Saturday 15 June).

Dates for our autumn tours will be made available toward the end of July.

31 October, Year 6 Registration

Following a visit to Epsom, we invite parents to submit a registration form, which begins our admissions process. Your child will be interviewed, take part in entrance exams and, if relevant, be assessed for a scholarship in Drama, Music or Sport.

All you need to do before the 31 October deadline is to complete the online registration form and pay the non-refundable fee (£200 per child for UK residents, £300 per child for overseas residents).

If you are applying for a scholarship for entry in September 2024, you will need to download and complete the relevant forms (see scholarship section below). Please return these to Epsom College by 31 October 2023.

If you are applying for entry in 2025 or beyond, there is no need to complete scholarship forms until your child is in Year 6.

Register Today

Autumn, Year 6 Interviews

All registered children will have a short interview, usually no longer than 15 minutes. 

The ‘interview’ is actually more of a chat; a chance for us to get to know your child a little. We meet every child who registers and we do so before the exams in January.

We do it this way because we feel it’s important to help your child become familiar with the school, and our staff, ahead of the entrance exams. It calms the nerves a little.

It’s also helpful for us to meet each child and find out more about them, their interests and their personality. Assessments and school reports only tell us so much.

While we understand the competitive nature of applying for schools, we would advise against coaching for interviews – we far prefer to see the child’s true interests and personality.

January, Year 6 Assessments

The assessments takes place in January of Year 6. Children who are applying to join Year 7 in 2024 will be invited to attend either a morning or afternoon session between 3-5 January 2024. 

Each child sits four papers:

  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Non-Verbal Reasoning
  • Maths
  • Creative Writing

Your child will be well looked after by our team. We are used to dealing with last-minute nerves, from both the child and their parents. There are plenty of breaks between papers and everyone is reunited with their parents at the end of the session for drinks and snacks.

Sample Papers

Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths papers are set by GL Assessments.

  • Click here to access their free practice papers 

The English paper is set by our own Head of Department.

January, Year 6 Scholarships

Academic scholarships are awarded on the strength of your child’s entrance exams, interview and school references. No additional exams are required.

A separate assessment is required if you wish your child to be considered for a scholarship in Drama, Music or Sport. These take place in January, with exact dates and timings to be confirmed nearer the date. The closing date for scholarship applications is 31 October 2023.

Download Drama Scholarship Application Form

Download Music Scholarship Application Form

Download Sports Scholarship Application Form

Learn More

February, Year 6 Places Offered

Once all entrance and scholarship assessments have concluded, we evaluate every candidate’s performance. To do this we look at:

  • performance in the entrance exams/scholarship assessments
  • how they came across in the Autumn interview
  • school references

We also consider the make-up of the year group as a whole, ensuring a good balance of personalities, interests and talents. This is a vital part of the process, as it is important for children to thrive as part of a happy, well-balanced community.

Places are offered in mid-February and parents have one month to make their decision.

February, Year 6 Offer-Holder Event

Hopefully, you will be delighted with your offer and accept it immediately. However, we know in reality that there are a number of things to consider. We give families a month to think things through, and weigh up all of the options.

We host an event for all our Offer Holders after the February half-term. Parents get the chance to hear from members of our Senior Leadership Team and to take part in a Q&A session.

Your child has the chance to meet other offer-holders and take part in some fun team-building activities.

Everyone is then reunited for food and refreshments.

For 2024 entry, the date for this event is Thursday 22 February.

March, Year 6 Acceptance Deadline

To accept your child’s place at Epsom, we require a confirmation deposit of £4,000. £2,000 of the deposit will be offset against the first term’s fees. The balance of £2,000 will be held in the general funds of the College in accordance with our Terms & Conditions, and will be offset against a pupil’s final account when they leave the College.

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Years 4 & 5 Open Mornings

Open Mornings are the best way to see Epsom. You get access to all parts of the College, via a personal guided tour, and the chance to hear from our Head, Sir Anthony Seldon. 

You’ll see departmental showcases, visit the Lower School and take a look inside a Day or Boarding House.

Our March event has sold out, but you can register your interest for the June event below

0 2 2

Years 4 & 5 College Tours

Tours for this academic year are now fully booked.

Pupils are unable to provide tours to families during the Summer Term, due to public exams.

However, if you would like to visit the school during the Summer Term, you are welcome to register your interest for the June Open Morning (Saturday 15 June).

Dates for our autumn tours will be made available toward the end of July.

0 3 3

31 October, Year 6 Registration

Following a visit to Epsom, we invite parents to submit a registration form, which begins our admissions process. Your child will be interviewed, take part in entrance exams and, if relevant, be assessed for a scholarship in Drama, Music or Sport.

All you need to do before the 31 October deadline is to complete the online registration form and pay the non-refundable fee (£200 per child for UK residents, £300 per child for overseas residents).

If you are applying for a scholarship for entry in September 2024, you will need to download and complete the relevant forms (see scholarship section below). Please return these to Epsom College by 31 October 2023.

If you are applying for entry in 2025 or beyond, there is no need to complete scholarship forms until your child is in Year 6.

0 4 4

Autumn, Year 6 Interviews

All registered children will have a short interview, usually no longer than 15 minutes. 

The ‘interview’ is actually more of a chat; a chance for us to get to know your child a little. We meet every child who registers and we do so before the exams in January.

We do it this way because we feel it’s important to help your child become familiar with the school, and our staff, ahead of the entrance exams. It calms the nerves a little.

It’s also helpful for us to meet each child and find out more about them, their interests and their personality. Assessments and school reports only tell us so much.

While we understand the competitive nature of applying for schools, we would advise against coaching for interviews – we far prefer to see the child’s true interests and personality.

0 5 5

January, Year 6 Assessments

The assessments takes place in January of Year 6. Children who are applying to join Year 7 in 2024 will be invited to attend either a morning or afternoon session between 3-5 January 2024. 

Each child sits four papers:

  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Non-Verbal Reasoning
  • Maths
  • Creative Writing

Your child will be well looked after by our team. We are used to dealing with last-minute nerves, from both the child and their parents. There are plenty of breaks between papers and everyone is reunited with their parents at the end of the session for drinks and snacks.

Sample Papers

Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths papers are set by GL Assessments.

  • Click here to access their free practice papers 

The English paper is set by our own Head of Department.

0 6 6

January, Year 6 Scholarships

Academic scholarships are awarded on the strength of your child’s entrance exams, interview and school references. No additional exams are required.

A separate assessment is required if you wish your child to be considered for a scholarship in Drama, Music or Sport. These take place in January, with exact dates and timings to be confirmed nearer the date. The closing date for scholarship applications is 31 October 2023.

Download Drama Scholarship Application Form

Download Music Scholarship Application Form

Download Sports Scholarship Application Form

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February, Year 6 Places Offered

Once all entrance and scholarship assessments have concluded, we evaluate every candidate’s performance. To do this we look at:

  • performance in the entrance exams/scholarship assessments
  • how they came across in the Autumn interview
  • school references

We also consider the make-up of the year group as a whole, ensuring a good balance of personalities, interests and talents. This is a vital part of the process, as it is important for children to thrive as part of a happy, well-balanced community.

Places are offered in mid-February and parents have one month to make their decision.

0 8 8

February, Year 6 Offer-Holder Event

Hopefully, you will be delighted with your offer and accept it immediately. However, we know in reality that there are a number of things to consider. We give families a month to think things through, and weigh up all of the options.

We host an event for all our Offer Holders after the February half-term. Parents get the chance to hear from members of our Senior Leadership Team and to take part in a Q&A session.

Your child has the chance to meet other offer-holders and take part in some fun team-building activities.

Everyone is then reunited for food and refreshments.

For 2024 entry, the date for this event is Thursday 22 February.

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March, Year 6 Acceptance Deadline

To accept your child’s place at Epsom, we require a confirmation deposit of £4,000. £2,000 of the deposit will be offset against the first term’s fees. The balance of £2,000 will be held in the general funds of the College in accordance with our Terms & Conditions, and will be offset against a pupil’s final account when they leave the College.

Life in the Lower School

Discover more about life in our Lower School. Find out what your child will study, the sport they’ll play and our award-winning co-curricular programme.

Learn more