About Abingdon Prep
Abingdon Prep (Josca's) is the preparatory school for Abingdon School, an independent boys' school in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. As an independent school, fees apply. Children at Abingdon Prep follow a natural progression to Abingdon School at age 13.
Abingdon Prep provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum.
About Admission to Abingdon Prep
Abingdon Prep is a selective independent (fee‑paying) preparatory school for boys and girls aged 4 to 13, set in 50 acres at Frilford Heath, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. It is part of the Abingdon Foundation and is now fully co‑educational. Entry is by the school’s own age‑appropriate assessment — there is no GL Assessment, no local‑authority Common Application Form and no National Offers Day.
The main entry points are at 4+ (Reception) and 7+, with occasional places in other year groups when available. You apply directly to the school: register online, and the admissions team arranges the appropriate visit or assessment for your child’s age.
Most pupils stay within the Abingdon Foundation, with around 98% (2025) moving on to Abingdon School at 13+; senior places are typically offered at the end of Year 5. Abingdon Prep also sits on the Joint Bus Service shared with Abingdon School and other local schools, so daily travel from across the area is manageable.
This guide explains how entry works at each age, the key steps and dates, where pupils go next, and life at the school. Always confirm the latest details on the school’s official admissions pages before registering.
Abingdon Prep Admissions Guide (4+ & 7+ Entry)
How Abingdon Prep Admits Pupils
Entry is selective by the school’s own assessment, matched to the child’s age, with places in most year groups where space allows. There is no exam‑board qualifying mark and no statutory oversubscription criteria.
- ✓Reception (4+): places offered in registration order — register early, as demand is high.
- ✓Years 1–2: an informal taster day with the class, with gentle assessment of English and Maths.
- ✓Year 3 and above (incl. 7+): a friendly assessment morning (English, Maths and reasoning) plus a reference from the current school.
- ✓Decisions usually follow within about two weeks of assessment.
- ✓Scholarships and means‑tested support are handled through the school — ask the admissions team.
Key Dates & How It Works
| 📌 Registration | Open year‑round (register early, especially for Reception) |
| 📌 Visits / taster days | Arranged by age throughout the year |
| 📌 Assessment (Year 3+) | Assessment morning + school reference |
| 📌 Decision | Usually within about 2 weeks |
| 📌 Senior school (to Abingdon) | Offers at the end of Year 5, for 13+ entry |
How to Apply to Abingdon Prep
Step 1 — Register with the school
Complete the online registration form and pay the registration fee. For Reception, register as early as possible, since places are offered in registration order.
Step 2 — Visit or taster day
The school arranges an age‑appropriate visit — a tour for the youngest, or a taster day in class for older children.
Step 3 — Assessment (Year 3 and above)
Older applicants attend a friendly assessment morning in English, Maths and reasoning, and the school requests a reference from their current school.
Step 4 — Offer & acceptance
A decision usually follows within about two weeks; on accepting, you receive joining, uniform and transport details.
What the Assessment Covers
Assessment is age‑appropriate and low‑pressure: the youngest children are observed informally during a taster session, while from Year 3 there is a short, friendly morning of English, Maths and reasoning tasks. The aim is to understand each child, not to coach for a test.
11+ Practice Papers (for Senior‑School Entry)
Abingdon Prep’s own entry is by informal, age‑appropriate assessment. These 11+ practice papers are useful preparation for senior‑school entrance at 11+ and 13+, building core English, Maths and reasoning skills — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for Entry
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Where Abingdon Prep Pupils Go Next
As a prep school, Abingdon Prep does not sit GCSEs or A‑Levels; its “results” are measured by where pupils move on to — and the great majority continue within the Abingdon Foundation.
- ✓Around 98% of leavers (2025) progressed to Abingdon School at 13+.
- ✓Senior places are typically offered at the end of Year 5, based on internal assessment and the pupil’s trajectory.
- ✓Pupils are also prepared, where relevant, for Common Entrance and scholarship exams to other senior schools.
- ✓“Outstanding” pastoral care and small classes support strong individual progress.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Co‑curricular Life
Set in 50 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, Abingdon Prep pairs “outstanding” pastoral care with a wide co‑curricular programme — its own version of Abingdon’s renowned “The Other Half”.
Sport & the outdoors
Facilities include rugby, football and cricket pitches, an indoor swimming pool, a multi‑activity sports hall and a pavilion, plus a Forest School, woodland and adventure playgrounds for free play.
Music, drama & clubs
Specialist teachers lead sport, music and computing, with French and science from Year 1. Pupils learn an instrument in class, and there are choirs, an orchestra, ensembles, drama and a broad menu of extra‑curricular clubs.
Getting to school
Abingdon Prep is on the Joint Bus Service run with Abingdon School and other local schools, with routes across Oxfordshire and neighbouring areas, plus wraparound care for working families.
Abingdon Prep Admissions — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Abingdon Prep?
You apply directly to the school — there is no Local Authority Common Application Form. Register online with the registration fee and your child’s details; the main entry points are 4+ (Reception) and 7+, with occasional places in other years.
Does Abingdon Prep use the GL Assessment or an 11+ test?
No. Entry is by the school’s own age‑appropriate assessment — informal for the youngest children, and a friendly assessment morning from Year 3. There is no GL Assessment, CAF or National Offers Day.
What ages does Abingdon Prep take?
It is co‑educational for boys and girls aged 4 to 13. The main entry points are 4+ (Reception) and 7+.
How are children assessed for entry?
Reception places are offered in registration order; Years 1–2 involve an informal taster day; from Year 3 there is a friendly assessment morning in English, Maths and reasoning plus a reference from the current school. A decision usually follows within about two weeks.
Where do pupils go after Abingdon Prep?
Most pupils — around 98% in 2025 — move on to Abingdon School at 13+, with senior places offered at the end of Year 5. Others progress to a range of senior schools.
Is there a school bus?
Yes. Abingdon Prep is on the Joint Bus Service shared with Abingdon School and other local schools, with routes across Oxfordshire and neighbouring areas, plus wraparound care.
What are the fees, and is help available?
Abingdon Prep is fee‑paying, as part of the Abingdon Foundation. Contact the admissions team about current fees and any means‑tested support or scholarships.
How can my child prepare?
For the youngest there is no formal preparation; for older entry, build confidence in English, Maths and reasoning and familiarity with timed questions, and visit the school so your child feels at ease on the day.