About Clifton High School
Clifton High School is a girls independent day school in Bristol. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Clifton High 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. Ranked #428 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 57.3%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Clifton High School
Clifton High School Admissions Criteria
Clifton High School is a girls independent day school in Bristol. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, 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 Clifton High 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 Clifton High 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 — Entrance assessment: Your child will sit Clifton High School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The assessment is designed by the school's academic staff to identify both current ability and future academic potential.
- ✓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 her interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether her child has been offered a place at Clifton High 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 Clifton High School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Clifton High 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 Clifton High School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Clifton High 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 Clifton High School
Step 1 — Visit Clifton High via an Open Event
Visit Clifton High via an Open Event or arrange a private tour with the Admissions Team
Step 2 — Attend a Taster Day
Attend a Taster Day — typically held in October and November prior to entrance examinations
Step 3 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's website
Step 4 — Submit registration by the deadline in December of the
Submit registration by the deadline in December of the year preceding entry
Step 5 — The school requests a recent current-school report
The school requests a recent current-school report and a confidential reference from your child's current school
Step 6 — Attend a formal meeting between you
Attend a formal meeting between you, your child and the Head, including an interview
Step 7 — Your child sits the 11+ entrance examinations at Clifton
Your child sits the 11+ entrance examinations at Clifton High
Step 8 — On acceptance of a place
On acceptance of a place, return the completed acceptance form, pay the £495 deposit and sign the Parent Contract
Independent Subjects Tested at Clifton High School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Clifton High School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Drama, Arts, Sports Scholarships, plus Bursary and Sibling Discount (10% for 1st child after proof either parent or grandparent studied at Clifton High for seven years).
Outcome announced: Awards announced following assessment
Additional notes: Clifton High School operates a Diamond Model — co-educational from Nursery to Year 6, then taught separately in core subjects from Years 7-9, before combining again in Year 10. Located in Clifton Village, Bristol.
Independent Practice Papers for Clifton High School
Clifton High School uses School's own bespoke 11+ 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 Clifton High 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 Clifton High School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Clifton High is an academically selective all-through school that gets strong results without ‘constantly hunting exam results’, with a notably nurturing, individual focus.
- GCSE: a strong record (in 2025, over three-quarters of grades at 9–6 and 96% at 9–4); pupils typically take nine subjects.
- A-Level: solid results (around 63% at A*–B) from a choice of around 27 subjects plus ancillary courses.
- Progression: pupils progress to a range of universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Clifton High School
Clifton High School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a day school, places are open to families from across Bristol and surrounding villages, with entry by selective assessment rather than where a family lives; the school runs and shares transport routes with other Bristol independents.
It sits in Clifton Village in the heart of Bristol, with entry points from pre-school and Reception through to the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1877 as Clifton High School for Girls and fully co-educational since 2009, Clifton High School is a co-educational independent day school (ages 3–18) in Clifton Village, Bristol, driven by its values of curiosity, empathy, love and direction. Renowned for outstanding pastoral care and a nurturing, pupil-centred approach, it is the only school in the region to use the ‘Diamond Edge’ model — pupils are taught together in the early years, separately in core subjects in Years 7–9, then together again.
There is a broad co-curricular programme across sport, music, drama and the arts. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Clifton High School
How do I get into Clifton High School?
To gain entry to Clifton High 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.
What entrance exam does Clifton High School use?
Clifton High School sets its own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The papers are designed by the school's academic staff and may differ from national exam boards. Practice papers in the relevant 11+ format (such as the ones ExamTutor provides) are excellent preparation for the school's own assessment.
What is the 11+ exam at Clifton High School?
Clifton High 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 Clifton High School?
Yes. Clifton High 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 Clifton High School?
Most independent schools including Clifton High 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 Clifton High 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 Clifton High School. No registration required.
When is the Clifton High School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Clifton High School is December of the year preceding entry. The registration fee is Payable with registration form. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Clifton High School 11+ results announced?
At Clifton High School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.
What is the acceptance deposit at Clifton High School?
The acceptance deposit at Clifton High School is £495. This is payable on acceptance of a place.