About Babington House School
Babington House School is an independent co-educational day school in Chislehurst, Kent, catering for children from 3 to 18. As an independent school, fees apply. Entry at 11+ is via the school's own entrance examination covering English and Mathematics, plus an interview.
Babington House School provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 70%. A-Level A*–B: 70%.
About Admission to Babington House School
Babington House School is a selective independent (fee‑paying) co‑educational day school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18 on Grange Drive in Chislehurst, near Bromley. Founded in 1887 and rated “Excellent” by the ISI, it is an all‑through school with small classes and a Christian ethos. Entry is by the school’s own assessment and you apply directly to the school — there is no GL Assessment, no local‑authority Common Application Form and no National Offers Day.
The main senior entry points are at 11+ (Year 7) and 16+ (Sixth Form), with age‑appropriate assessment at other ages where places are available. For 11+, candidates sit the school’s own entrance examination — Mathematics, English and an online test — together with an interview and a reference from their current school.
Babington House does not operate a catchment area; it draws families from Chislehurst, Bromley and the surrounding parts of south‑east London and Kent (close to Elmstead Woods and Chislehurst stations). This guide explains how entry works, the key steps and dates, results and school life. Always confirm the latest details on the school’s official admissions pages before applying.
Babington House Admissions Guide (11+ & 16+ Entry)
How Babington House Selects Pupils
Entry is selective by the school’s own assessment, which looks at academic ability and potential as well as a pupil’s personal qualities and talents. There is no exam‑board qualifying mark and no statutory oversubscription criteria.
- ✓11+ (Year 7): the school’s own entrance examination — Mathematics, English and an online test — plus an interview and a reference from the current school.
- ✓16+ (Sixth Form): interview with the Head and Head of Seniors, school references and a strong GCSE profile.
- ✓Other ages (3+ to 13+): age‑appropriate assessment and a report from the current school, where places are available.
- ✓Scholarships and means‑tested bursaries are handled through the school — ask the admissions team.
Key Dates & How It Works
| 📌 Registration | Open year‑round (register ahead of the entrance exam) |
| 📌 Open mornings | Typically October and March |
| 📌 11+ entrance exam | Usually a Saturday in the autumn term (e.g. early December) |
| 📌 Outcome | Offer following assessment & interview |
How to Apply to Babington House
Step 1 — Register & visit
Contact the admissions registrar and register your child; visit at an open morning or by appointment.
Step 2 — Assessment
For 11+, your child sits the entrance examination (Maths, English and an online test) and attends an interview; the school also requests a reference.
Step 3 — Offer & acceptance
Offers follow the assessment; on accepting, you receive joining information.
What the 11+ Assessment Covers
The written Maths and English papers and the online test assess academic ability and potential; the interview helps the school get to know each child as an individual.
11+ Practice Papers (English, Maths & Reasoning)
Babington House sets its own 11+ entrance papers in English and Mathematics plus an online test. These practice papers build the core English, Maths and reasoning skills the assessment draws on — 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 Babington House 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 Babington House School (GCSE & A‑Level Results)
Babington House is an academic all‑through school rated “Excellent” by the ISI in every category, with small classes and individual attention driving strong outcomes.
- ✓A‑Level: a strong record — ranked the top small independent school in England for A‑Level in 2018 (68% A*/A), with recent results around 77% A*–B.
- ✓GCSE: consistently strong, having ranked among England’s leading small independent schools.
- ✓Most Year 11 pupils continue into the school’s own Sixth Form.
- ✓Specialist careers guidance supports applications to a wide range of universities. (Figures vary year to year; check the school’s website for the latest.)
Pastoral Care, Sport & Co‑curricular Life
Founded in 1887 with a Christian ethos, Babington House is a close, all‑through community where every child is known as an individual. A House system brings boys and girls together across year groups, and classes are kept small (maximum 20).
Facilities & the arts
There are specialist facilities for Science, Music, Drama, Art, Sport, ICT and Languages, and a strong commitment to music, drama, sport and the arts in their broadest sense.
Beyond the classroom
A wide selection of clubs and societies runs throughout the school, and the refurbished Early Years setting offers specialist subjects such as Languages, Bush Craft and Woodwork from the very start.
Babington House Admissions — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Babington House School?
You apply directly to the school — there is no Local Authority Common Application Form. Register with the admissions registrar; senior entry is at 11+ and 16+, with age‑appropriate assessment at other ages where places are available.
Does Babington House use the GL Assessment or an 11+ grammar test?
No. It is an independent school with its own entrance assessment — Mathematics, English and an online test, plus an interview at 11+. There is no GL Assessment, CAF or National Offers Day.
What ages does Babington House take?
It is co‑educational from age 3 to 18, all the way from Nursery through to Sixth Form.
What does the 11+ entrance exam involve?
Written Mathematics and English papers and an online test, plus an interview and a reference from the current school. The school considers academic ability and potential alongside each pupil’s personal qualities.
When is the 11+ entrance exam?
Usually a Saturday in the autumn term (recently early December). Confirm the exact date with the admissions registrar.
How good are the results?
The school is rated “Excellent” by the ISI across all areas and has ranked among England’s top small independent schools — including top in England for A‑Level in 2018 (68% A*/A).
What are the fees, and is help available?
Babington House is fee‑paying. Contact the admissions team about current fees and any scholarships or means‑tested bursaries.
How can my child prepare?
Build confidence in English, Maths and reasoning, practise timed questions, and visit at an open morning so your child feels at ease on assessment day.