About Collegiate School
Collegiate School is a co-educational 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.
Collegiate 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 Collegiate School
Collegiate School Admissions Criteria
Collegiate School is a co-educational 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 Collegiate 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 Collegiate 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 Collegiate School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. 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 Collegiate 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 Collegiate School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Collegiate 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 Collegiate School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Collegiate 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 Collegiate School
Step 1 — Visit Collegiate School Bristol via an Open Event
Visit Collegiate School Bristol via an Open Event or arrange a personal tour
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's website
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 11+ entrance examination at
Your child sits the 11+ entrance examination at Collegiate School
Step 6 — Top performing candidates may be invited for scholarship
Top performing candidates may be invited for scholarship interviews/auditions
Step 7 — Following assessment, offers are communicated
Following assessment, offers are communicated
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the £500 deposit (refunded without interest
On acceptance, pay the £500 deposit (refunded without interest, less any outstanding charges, when pupil leaves)
Independent Subjects Tested at Collegiate School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Collegiate School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Art, Music, Drama, Sport Scholarships at Year 7 and Year 12 (max 15% of fees). 5% sibling discount applied to younger pupil's fees while older sibling at the school. Discounts for offspring of Old Colstonians (5+ years at the school). Means-tested bursaries via the school's foundation.
Outcome announced: Scholarships max out at 15% of fees
Additional notes: Now known as Collegiate School Bristol (formerly Colston's School). Co-educational day school for pupils aged 3-18, set within a 30-acre site. Member of HMC. Personal accident insurance provided for all pupils at no additional cost.
Independent Practice Papers for Collegiate School
Collegiate 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 Collegiate 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 Collegiate School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Collegiate School (formerly Colston’s School) is a co-educational independent day school in Bristol with strong, well-rounded results at GCSE and A-Level.
- GCSE: a strong record across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level: solid results from a wide range of subjects.
- 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 Collegiate School
Collegiate 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 the surrounding area, with entry by assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school sits on a 30-acre site at Stapleton in Bristol (the former Bishop’s Palace), with entry points from Pre-School and the Junior School through to the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1710 by Edward Colston as Colston’s Hospital and known for most of its history as Colston’s School, the school was renamed Collegiate School, Bristol in September 2022 to drop the name of Colston (a slave trader), while retaining and explaining its historic crest and motto. Today it is a co-educational independent day school (ages 2–18) on a 30-acre site at Stapleton, fully co-educational since its 1991 merger with the Collegiate School in Winterbourne, and known for an inclusive community and strong pastoral care.
Day pupils are allocated to one of four houses, within 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 Collegiate School
How do I get into Collegiate School?
To gain entry to Collegiate 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 Collegiate School use?
Collegiate School sets its own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. 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 Collegiate School?
Collegiate 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 Collegiate School?
Yes. Collegiate 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 Collegiate School?
Most independent schools including Collegiate 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 Collegiate 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 Collegiate School. No registration required.
When is the Collegiate School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Collegiate School is See school website for current deadlines. The registration fee is Payable with registration. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Collegiate School 11+ results announced?
At Collegiate 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 Collegiate School?
The acceptance deposit at Collegiate School is £500 (refundable when pupil leaves, less any outstanding charges). This is payable on acceptance of a place.