About Bancroft's School
Bancroft's School is a leading independent co-educational day school in Woodford Green, Essex, ranked #43 nationally (Times). Entry to Year 7 uses the CEM Select assessment. 80 pupils admitted per year. GCSE 9-7: 88.3%, A-Level A*-B: 93.2%. Academic Scholarships and means-tested Bursaries available.
Bancroft's School offers an outstanding education with excellent academic standards, small class sizes and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. GCSE 9–7: 88.3%.
About Admission to Bancroft’s School
Bancroft’s School is a highly selective independent (fee‑paying) co‑educational day school for ages 7 to 18 in Woodford Green, in the London Borough of Redbridge (Essex border). Entry is by the school’s own assessment and interview, and you apply directly to the school — there is no local‑authority Common Application Form and no National Offers Day.
The main senior intake is at 11+ (Year 7), with around 60 places, alongside entry at 7+, 13+ and 16+. For 11+, candidates sit three assessments — an online CEM Select reasoning test (verbal, non‑verbal and numerical reasoning), the school’s own English paper (including a writing task) and its own Mathematics paper — followed by an interview. Registration is online with a non‑refundable fee.
Sixth Form entry is based on interview and strong predicted GCSE grades. This guide explains the assessments, key steps and dates, results and school life — always confirm the latest details on the school’s official admissions pages before applying.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Bancroft's School
Bancroft's School Admissions Criteria
Bancroft's School is a leading independent co-educational day school in Woodford Green, Essex, ranked #43 nationally (Times). Entry to Year 7 uses the CEM Select assessment. 80 pupils admitted per year. GCSE 9-7: 88.3%, A-Level A*-B: 93.2%. Academic Scholarships and means-tested Bursaries available.
- ✓Attend an Open Day or arranged visit to Bancroft's School — check the school website for dates.
- ✓Complete the Registration Form on the school website and pay the registration fee.
- ✓A reference is requested from the child's current school. Based on a satisfactory report, the candidate is invited to sit the assessment.
- ✓Sit the CEM Select online assessment at the school (approximately 60 minutes): three sections covering Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- ✓Attend a short interview with a member of the admissions team, focusing on interests, motivation and personal qualities.
- ✓No fixed pass mark — selection is based on overall performance in the assessment, interview and school reference.
- ✓An offer is usually made within 1–2 weeks of the interview and assessment.
- ✓Academic, Music, Sport, Art and All-Rounder Scholarships may be available — contact the school for details.
- ✓Means-tested Bursaries may be available for financially eligible families.
- ✓Confirm the place by completing an Acceptance Form and paying the required deposit.
Bancroft's School Oversubscription Criteria
For 2026 Year 7 entry, Bancroft's School ranks applicants by performance in the CEM-style entrance assessment. The following selection priorities are typically applied:
- Children who meet the academic standard in Bancroft's School's entrance assessment (CEM-style)
- Children with siblings currently attending the school
- Children of former pupils (alumni connections)
- Children with strong references from current primary head
- Children of staff members (where applicable)
- Distance from school / catchment priority (some independents)
- Children ranked by performance in the assessment up to Bancroft's School's places available
- Tiebreak: interview performance, references, or other school-specific criteria
Key Dates & Deadlines — Bancroft's School 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | Varies by school (typically open Sept/Oct of Year 5) |
| 📌 Registration closes | Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies) |
| 📌 CEM-style 11+ Entrance Test | January of Year 6 (Independent school entrance exam, CEM-style format) |
| 📌 Test results released | February of Year 6 |
| 📌 Offers issued by school | February-March (varies by school) |
How to Apply to Bancroft's School Directly
Step 1 — Attend an Open Day at Bancroft's School
Visit during Year 5 to meet staff, tour the school and assess fit. Independent school open days are usually in Sept-Nov.
Step 2 — Register your child with Bancroft's School
Complete the registration form on the school's website. Registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies). A registration fee usually applies.
Step 3 — Sit the school's entrance assessment
Bancroft's School's entrance exam (CEM-style format) is typically held in January of Year 6. Covers English, Mathematics, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, plus interview.
Step 4 — Provide school references
Your child's current Head Teacher will be asked to submit a confidential reference. Strong references are particularly important for independent schools.
Step 5 — Attend an interview
Most independent schools interview shortlisted candidates. Interviews assess motivation, character and academic potential.
Step 6 — Receive your offer
Offers issued by Bancroft's School in February-March (varies by school). Compare with offers from any other independent schools applied to.
Step 7 — Accept your place and pay deposit
Accept your offer in writing and pay the acceptance deposit (typically £500-£2,000, deducted from first-term fees) by the school's deadline.
CEM Select Subjects Tested at Bancroft's School
CEM Select Practice Papers for Bancroft's School
Bancroft's School uses the CEM Select 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning tests
- 450 video explanations
- 24 hours of video content
- 3 × Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning tests
- 450 video explanations
- 22.5 hours of video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 8.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 8.0 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 7.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 7.0 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 6.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 6.0 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Bancroft's 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 Bancroft’s School (GCSE & A‑Level Results)
Bancroft’s is a highly selective, ‘unashamedly aspirational’ co‑educational independent school with consistently high results that place it among the country’s leading independents.
- ✓GCSE: the large majority of grades at 9–7 (A*/A), reflecting a strongly academic intake.
- ✓A‑Level: consistently strong, with most entries at the top grades.
- ✓Leavers progress to leading universities, including Oxbridge and Russell Group institutions.
- ✓Small classes and a wide co‑curriculum support each pupil. (Figures vary year to year; see the school’s website for the latest.)
Catchment Area for Bancroft's School
Bancroft’s School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. Places are open to families from across Woodford Green and the surrounding Essex and north-east London area and beyond, and are allocated on the basis of the entrance assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school is on the High Road in Woodford Green (London Borough of Redbridge), drawing pupils from across the area; places depend on the entrance assessment rather than where you live.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1737, Bancroft’s combines high academic expectations with a broad enrichment programme, including its bespoke ‘Lion Diploma’ and a ‘Learning for Life’ ethos.
There are over 100 clubs and societies alongside strong music, drama, art, design and sport. For the full list of activities, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bancroft's School
How do I apply to Bancroft's School for Year 7?
Applications to Bancroft's School are made directly to the school. Register on the school's website (registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies)), pay the registration fee, sit the entrance exam, and attend an interview if shortlisted.
Does Bancroft's School use the CEM 11+ test?
Bancroft's School historically used the CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) 11+ entrance test. Since CEM 11+ was retired in 2022, many schools have transitioned to GL Assessment or developed bespoke entrance tests. Practice papers in the CEM-style format remain valuable preparation as the topic areas (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) are still tested in most formats.
What's the difference between CEM and GL Assessment?
Both test similar subjects (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) but differ in style: CEM was designed to be less coachable with broader vocabulary and varied question types per paper; GL Assessment has more structured, predictable papers per subject area. Many former CEM schools now use GL Assessment after CEM 11+ was retired in 2022.
How many Year 7 places does Bancroft's School have?
Bancroft's School admits approximately 80 Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its admissions criteria to allocate places fairly.
When is the 11+ test for Bancroft's School?
For 2026 entry, Bancroft's School's 11+ entrance assessment is held in January of Year 6 (Independent school entrance exam, CEM-style format). Registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies).
What's the pass mark / qualifying score for Bancroft's School?
Bancroft's School sets its own qualifying mark each year based on the standardised score distribution of applicants. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) up to 80 places.
Is Bancroft's School a state school or fee-paying?
Bancroft's School is an independent fee-paying school. Registration fees, entrance exam fees, and tuition fees apply. Bursaries and scholarships are typically available for academically able pupils from lower-income families — check the school's website for details.
How can my child prepare for the Bancroft's School 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete CEM-style 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question, and downloadable resources covering English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the test for best results.
Where can I find Bancroft's School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Bancroft's School 2026 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date admissions criteria, current test format, qualifying mark, supplementary forms, and any school-specific application requirements.