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Admissions

Entrance Assessment

As we are a selective school, all applicants must pass our entrance assessment to be offered a place. As part of the assessment, the School also requires recent school reports and a confidential reference from the applicant’s current school.

Early Years (ages 2-5)

We invite our youngest applicants to meet with the Head of Early Years, Mrs Anna Dixon, and to visit the Acorns or Reception classroom with their parents during the school day.

Prep School (Year 1 to Year 6)

Applicants take short assessments in Maths and English in class as part of a taster day.

Year 7

This is our most popular entry point, and all Year 7 applicants are invited to our assessment day in January, prior to the year of entry. Applicants join us for an extended morning and sit exams in Maths and English writing, plus a, plus a computer-based Cognitive Ability Test. For sample papers please see below, and to see what the CAT involves please click here. Further examples of CATs can be found here. Applicants are then invited back for individual interviews with a member of the Senior Academic team.

Applicants are then invited back for individual interviews with a member of the Senior Academic team.

The Year 7 Entrance Exam will be held on Tuesday 20 January for September 2026 entry. If you would like your child to be considered for this entry point, please contact admissions@ashville.co.uk or apply online here.

For sample Maths and English Writing papers, please see below.

Attachments

Year 8 to Year 10

Applicants sit assessments in Maths and English, attend a taster day and have an interview with the relevant Head of School.

Sixth Form

Entry to Sixth Form is by interview, predicted grades and school reference. All offers are conditional on GCSE results.

International

Applicants will sit assessments in Maths and English as an additional language. For those applying to enter Sixth Form without GCSEs, applicants will also be required to sit exams in their chosen subjects.

Within the Top 10 Independent Schools in the North.

Testimonials

“Charlie has enjoyed representing the School sports-wise because it punches above its weight in terms of size, which is due to the teachers and the kids being really motivated.”

Parent of an Upper Sixth leaver  (2021)
Parent of an Upper Sixth leaver

“My favourite thing about Ashville is in the opportunities that the School provides. They focus on you as a person and you get to try things. You have options and there’s something for everyone.”

Ben (Lower Sixth pupil)
Ben

“I don’t think it’s possible to pinpoint a single memory of my time at Ashville as you do and are involved in so much. It’s incredible to have these sorts of opportunities.”

Jess (Former Joint Head of School)
Jess

“In Lower School you get a little booklet that helps you keep track of the different activities you’re doing, the values you’re working on, and you can get stamps for the different values. It really helps keep you focused and pushes you to do more.”

Lydia (Year 8 pupil)
Lydia

“Ashville has a vast variety of international pupils which was amazing, and the people at Ashville were very friendly and welcoming towards me. As a result, it was an easy decision to make about where I would continue my education.”

Anwuli  (Former boarding pupil)
Anwuli