About Cokethorpe School
Cokethorpe School is a co-educational independent day school in Witney, Oxfordshire. 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.
Cokethorpe 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 #412 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 48%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Cokethorpe School
Cokethorpe School Admissions Criteria
Cokethorpe School is a co-educational independent day school in Witney, Oxfordshire. 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 Cokethorpe 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 Cokethorpe 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 Cokethorpe 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 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 Cokethorpe 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 Cokethorpe School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Cokethorpe 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 Cokethorpe School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Cokethorpe 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 Cokethorpe School
Step 1 — Visit Cokethorpe School on its 150-acre rural Oxfordshire campus
Visit Cokethorpe School on its 150-acre rural Oxfordshire campus — book an Open Event or 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 attends Cokethorpe for the entrance assessment
Your child attends Cokethorpe for the entrance assessment
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 Cokethorpe School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Cokethorpe School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available — termly fees cover school tuition and lunch.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Cokethorpe School is a co-educational independent day school in Witney, Oxfordshire (founded 1957, co-educational since 1992). For ages 4-18, joint Church of England and Roman Catholic foundation. 660 pupils on a 150-acre rural campus.
Independent Practice Papers for Cokethorpe School
Cokethorpe 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 Cokethorpe 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 Cokethorpe School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Cokethorpe achieves strong results across GCSE and A-Level within a broad, individually focused education.
- GCSE: a strong record (in 2024, around 90% of pupils achieved grade 5+, with 46% of entries at grade 7 or higher).
- A-Level: strong results, with pupils progressing to a range of universities.
- Progression: pupils progress to a wide range of universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Cokethorpe School
Cokethorpe School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a day school, places are open to families from across West Oxfordshire and beyond, with selective entry by assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school sits in 150 acres of parkland near Witney, about ten miles west of Oxford on the edge of the Cotswolds, with a fleet of coaches covering more than twenty routes (including Swindon, Oxford, Brize Norton and Didcot); entry runs from the Pre-Prep and Prep through 11+ and into the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1957 and set in 150 acres of West Oxfordshire parkland around a Cotswold-stone Queen Anne house, Cokethorpe School is an HMC co-educational independent day school (ages 4–18) near Witney, with the Prep and Senior Schools on a single site. A joint Church of England and Roman Catholic foundation (with religion kept low-key) and co-educational since 1992, it is known for a strong, family- and community-focused ethos in which pastoral care is one of its great strengths, supported by a house system from the Prep School upwards.
It offers an exceptional breadth of co-curricular opportunity — a wide programme of clubs, societies and activities alongside strong sport, music, drama and the arts. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cokethorpe School
How do I get into Cokethorpe School?
To gain entry to Cokethorpe 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 Cokethorpe School use?
Cokethorpe 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 Cokethorpe School?
Cokethorpe 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 Cokethorpe School?
Yes. Cokethorpe 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 Cokethorpe School?
Most independent schools including Cokethorpe 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 Cokethorpe 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 Cokethorpe School. No registration required.
When is the Cokethorpe School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Cokethorpe 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 Cokethorpe School 11+ results announced?
At Cokethorpe School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.