About Aldenham School
Aldenham School is a co-educational independent day school in Hertfordshire. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Aldenham School is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need. GCSE 9-7: 30%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Aldenham School
Aldenham School Admissions Criteria
Aldenham School is a co-educational independent day school in Hertfordshire. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at Aldenham School to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at Aldenham School. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — ISEB Common Pre-Test: Your child will sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test online — the standardised, adaptive assessment used by Aldenham School and over 90 other UK independent senior schools. The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes in total. It is age-standardised to allow fair comparison across applicants.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about their interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether them child has been offered a place at Aldenham School.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at Aldenham School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Aldenham School Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending Aldenham School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Aldenham School 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to Aldenham School
Step 1 — Attend an Open Morning (held in June and October
Attend an Open Morning (held in June and October) or book a private tour (Tue/Fri mornings during term time)
Step 2 — Visit the 110-acre Hertfordshire campus
Visit the 110-acre Hertfordshire campus and consider whether boarding/flexi-boarding would be a valuable option
Step 3 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's admissions portal
Step 4 — Pay the £180 non-refundable registration fee (some sources state £100
Pay the £180 non-refundable registration fee (some sources state £100 — verify on school website)
Step 5 — Register your child between summer term of Year 5
Register your child between summer term of Year 5 and the registrations deadline of Thursday 13 November of Year 6
Step 6 — Submit any SEN reports required to award access
Submit any SEN reports required to award access arrangements alongside registration
Step 7 — Your child sits the 11+ entrance assessment at the end of
Your child sits the 11+ entrance assessment at the end of November or start of December of Year 6 — online Quest Assessment (Maths, English, Reasoning)
Step 8 — Attend an interview with the Headmaster
Attend an interview with the Headmaster — offers typically sent within two weeks of assessment
Independent Subjects Tested at Aldenham School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Aldenham School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Art, Dance, Design Technology, Drama, Music, Textiles and Sport Scholarships (assessed in Year 8 for 13+). Music Scholarships with specialist tuition. All-Rounder Awards recognising diverse talents. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Academic Scholarships up to 50% fee reduction. All applicants automatically considered for an academic scholarship.
Additional notes: Aldenham School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Hertfordshire (founded 1597, fully co-educational since 2007). Approximately 838 pupils on 110-acre campus, 30 minutes from central London. Church of England foundation. 4-5 form entry of 80-100 pupils in Year 7. Day fees ~£8,758/term, boarding ~£13,547/term.
Independent Practice Papers for Aldenham School
Aldenham School uses ISEB Common Pre-Test format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — 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 the Aldenham School 11+ Exam
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.
Academic Performance at Aldenham School (GCSE & A‑Level Results)
Aldenham is a co‑educational independent school rated “Excellent” by the ISI, with strong results across a broad curriculum supported by small classes and individual attention.
| 📈 GCSE 2025 — grades 9–7 | 45% |
| 📈 GCSE 2025 — grades 8–9 | over a quarter |
| 🎓 A‑Level 2025 — A*–B | over half |
| 🎓 First/second‑choice university | 88% |
2025 leavers progressed to universities in the UK and the USA, including Oxford, UCL, King’s College London, Bath, Manchester, Leeds, York and Loughborough. (Figures are the school’s own published results and vary year to year.)
Catchment Area for Aldenham School
Aldenham School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. Places are open to day and boarding families from across Hertfordshire, north London and beyond (boarding from age 11), and are allocated on the basis of the entrance assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school sits on a 110-acre campus between Elstree and the village of Aldenham, about 30 minutes from central London and Heathrow; entry is at 11+, 13+ and 16+ by assessment rather than catchment.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1597 by the brewer Richard Platt, Aldenham School is a co-educational independent boarding and day school (ages 3–18, with a prep school from age 3 and boarding from 11) on a 110-acre Hertfordshire campus. A Church of England foundation with the motto ‘In God Is All Our Trust’, it is a smaller, caring school known for strong pastoral care and individual attention, and is a member of HMC.
There is a broad co-curricular programme spanning sport, music and drama, supported by extensive grounds and facilities. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aldenham School
How do I get into Aldenham School?
To gain entry to Aldenham School Year 7, parents register their child with the Admissions Team, submit a registration fee and arrange for the child to sit the 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. A reference from the current school is required. Following the assessment and any interview, parents are notified in writing of the outcome.
Does Aldenham School use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
Yes. Aldenham School uses the ISEB Common Pre-Test as part of its 11+ admissions process. The ISEB Common Pre-Test is an online, adaptive assessment commissioned by ISEB and developed by GL Assessment, used by over 90 leading UK independent senior schools. It covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes to complete. Results are age-standardised and shared with all senior schools the candidate has registered with.
What is the 11+ exam at Aldenham School?
Aldenham School uses its own 11+ entrance assessment for Year 7 entry. The assessment covers English and Mathematics, designed to identify both current ability and future academic potential. An interview with the Head or Deputy Head may also form part of the selection process.
Are there scholarships at Aldenham School?
Yes. Aldenham School offers Academic, Music, Art, Drama and Sport scholarships. Means-tested Bursary Awards are also available to support families requiring financial assistance with school fees. Contact the Admissions Office for current scholarship and bursary information.
When should I apply to Aldenham School?
Most independent schools including Aldenham School accept applications throughout the year, but Year 7 places are often offered 12-18 months in advance. Register early — ideally by Year 5 (age 9-10) — to secure assessment slots and avoid disappointment.
Are there free Independent 11+ practice papers for Aldenham School?
Yes. ExamTutor offers a free Independent 11+ Practice Test Paper and free Tutor Video Explanations. The practice paper matches the format of independent school 11+ entrance exams covering English and Mathematics — the subjects typically tested at Aldenham School. No registration required.
When is the Aldenham School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Aldenham School is Thursday 13 November (deadline for registration, scholarship, bursary applications and SEN reports). The registration fee is £180 non-refundable (some older sources say £100). Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Aldenham School 11+ results announced?
At Aldenham School, 11+ assessment results are Typically within 2 weeks of assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.