About Bede's Prep School
Bede's Prep School is a co-educational independent day school in Surrey & Sussex. 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.
Bede's Prep 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.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Bede's Prep School
Bede's Prep School Admissions Criteria
Bede's Prep School is a co-educational independent day school in Surrey & Sussex. 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 Bede's Prep 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 Bede's Prep 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 Bede's Prep 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 Bede's Prep 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 Bede's Prep School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Bede's Prep 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 Bede's Prep School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Bede's Prep 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 Bede's Prep School
Step 1 — Visit Bede's Prep School in Eastbourne, East Sussex
Visit Bede's Prep School in Eastbourne, East Sussex — arrange a personal tour
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's admissions portal
Step 3 — Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Step 4 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your child's current school
Step 5 — Your child sits the entrance assessment at Bede's Prep
Your child sits the entrance assessment at Bede's Prep
Step 6 — Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Step 7 — Following assessment, offers are communicated
Following assessment, offers are communicated
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
Independent Subjects Tested at Bede's Prep School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Bede's Prep School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Bede's Prep School is a co-educational independent day and boarding preparatory school in Eastbourne, East Sussex (founded 1895). Linked to Bede's Senior School in Upper Dicker.
Independent Practice Papers for Bede's Prep School
Bede's Prep 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 Bede's Prep 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 Bede's Prep School (Progression to the Senior School)
Bede’s Prep is a preparatory school, so pupils move on to senior school rather than sitting GCSEs or A-Levels here — most continue to Bede’s Senior School at Upper Dicker.
- Approach: academically non-selective, with a notably broad sport and arts curriculum (including a dance academy).
- Progression: at the end of Year 8 most pupils move up to Bede’s Senior School, with which the Prep forms an all-through school to 18.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Bede's Prep School
Bede’s Prep School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a prep day and boarding school, it draws day families from across Eastbourne and the wider East Sussex coast and boarders more widely, with non-selective entry rather than where a family lives, and buses serving points around Eastbourne and West Sussex.
The Prep sits on the clifftop in the Meads area of Eastbourne (with the Senior School in the countryside at Upper Dicker); entry runs from the Nursery (from three months) through to Year 8, with pupils then moving up to Bede’s Senior.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1895, Bede’s Prep School is the co-educational preparatory day and boarding school (ages 3 months–13) of Bede’s, set on the Eastbourne clifftop above Beachy Head, with its Senior School in the Sussex countryside at Upper Dicker. Non-selective and known for the quality of its pastoral care, it is a colourful, energetic school that aims to discover and develop each pupil’s individual talents. (Bede’s has announced that, from autumn 2027, its Eastbourne provision will extend to Year 11.)
It offers one of the broadest sport and arts programmes in the area — unusually including its own dance academy — alongside the full range of co-curricular activities. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bede's Prep School
How do I get into Bede's Prep School?
To gain entry to Bede's Prep 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 Bede's Prep School use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
Yes. Bede's Prep 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 Bede's Prep School?
Bede's Prep 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 Bede's Prep School?
Yes. Bede's Prep 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 Bede's Prep School?
Most independent schools including Bede's Prep 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 Bede's Prep 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 Bede's Prep School. No registration required.
When is the Bede's Prep School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Bede's Prep School is See school website for current deadlines. The registration fee is Payable at registration. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Bede's Prep School 11+ results announced?
At Bede's Prep School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.