Entry Requirements
Entry requirements vary depending upon the age of your child:
Ages 3 -11
We will invite all children seeking admission to the School to attend appropriate entry assessments. In the early years (ages 3 to 5) these take the form of educational play and enjoyable activities observed by experienced Early Years teachers, enabling us to assess the readiness of children for entry to our Stepping Stones department.
Children seeking entrance at age 5+ will also undertake short tests. At this interview we will be looking for evidence that your child is working towards acquiring certain skills and abilities. Our expectations vary depending upon age, but we will send you a simple skills checklist as a guide in advance of the interview.
The entrance assessment at 7+ to 10+ for entry to Berkhamsted Prep is made up as follows:
- A morning of tests in English and Mathematics which takes place in late January.
- A group interview with the Head and/or Deputy Head.
The tests have been designed to be appropriate for children working through the National Curriculum programmes of study in Key Stage 2.
A progress report from your child's current school will be requested before places are formally allocated.
Ages 11-16
We set entry examinations for children wishing to enter the School at 11+ (Year 7) and 13+ (Year 9) to ascertain whether they can reach the academic standards we set. An interview with the Head of Girls or the Head of Boys is scheduled ahead of the entry examination. The examination will include a Verbal Reasoning, English and Mathematics test and dictation at 11+ entry and, in addition to this, tests in the relevant Modern Foreign Languages (French, German or Spanish) and Non-Verbal Reasoning at 13+ entry. Tests are also set for entry into Year 8 and 10.
Overseas students, once registered, are required to sit entrance test in English and Maths (each of one hour duration) under exam conditions at the nearest British Council office or their current school.
A reference from the student's current school is also required.
Sixth Form
Entry at this level is largely based upon GCSE results. Minimum entry requirement is at least 5B and 2C grades at GCSE, with an A or B in the four subjects chosen for AS level. Please note that Mathematics, Foreign Languages, English Literature and Sciences all require a grade A pass at GCSE. Where a specific GCSE is not required, results in comparable subjects may be taken into account for a particular course. We also ask you and your son or daughter to attend an interview with the Head of Sixth Form at which their future study programme is discussed. A reference from the prospective student's current school is also required.
Progression into Year 13 depends on satisfactory attainment, usually at least a C grade in each AS to be continued to A2.
Overseas students, once registered, are required to sit entrance test in English and Maths (each of one hour duration) under exam conditions at the nearest British Council office or at their current school. A reference from the student's current school is also required.
Bursaries and scholarships
We offer a limited number of bursaries and scholarships, all of which are awarded on merit. Details of these and comprehensive fees per term are detailed in the Awards and Scholarships section.