About Cranford House School
Cranford House School is a co‑educational independent school in Moulsford, Oxfordshire. Entry to Year 7 is by the school’s own entrance assessment. Academic scholarships and bursaries may be available — contact the school.
Cranford House School offers an outstanding education with excellent academic standards, small class sizes and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. GCSE 9–7: 60%.
About Admissions to Cranford House School
Cranford House School is a co-educational independent school in England that sets its own entrance assessment for Year 7 admission — as an independent school it does not use a grammar‑school 11+ test board. Check the school’s website for current arrangements. The school admits approximately a limited number of Year 7 pupils each September, and applications are made directly to Cranford House School (registration fee payable).
The school’s own entrance assessment traditionally consists of one or two papers covering English (comprehension, cloze passages, vocabulary), Mathematics (numerical reasoning, problem-solving), Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Scores are age-standardised so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. Cranford House sets its own entrance assessment for Year 7 entry.
For 2026 entry, the Cranford House School entrance exam is held in January of Year 6, with results and offers issued in February-March (varies by school).
Cranford House School is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (available places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Cranford House School
Cranford House School Admissions Criteria
Cranford House School is a co‑educational independent school in Moulsford, Oxfordshire. Entry to Year 7 is by the school’s own entrance assessment. Academic scholarships and bursaries may be available — contact the school.
- ✓Attend an Open Day or arranged visit to Cranford House 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 school’s entrance 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.
Cranford House School Oversubscription Criteria
For 2026 Year 7 entry, Cranford House School ranks applicants by performance in its own entrance assessment. The following selection priorities are typically applied:
- Children who meet the academic standard in Cranford House School's entrance assessment
- 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 Cranford House School's places available
- Tiebreak: interview performance, references, or other school-specific criteria
Key Dates & Deadlines — Cranford House School 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | Varies by school (typically open Sept/Oct of Year 5) |
| 📌 Registration closes | Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies) |
| 📌 School’s entrance assessment | January of Year 6 (the school’s own entrance assessment) |
| 📌 Test results released | February of Year 6 |
| 📌 Offers issued by school | February-March (varies by school) |
How to Apply to Cranford House School Directly
Step 1 — Attend an Open Day at Cranford House 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 Cranford House 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
Cranford House School's entrance assessment 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 Cranford House 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.
The Entrance Assessment at Cranford House School
11+ Practice Papers for Cranford House School
Cranford House School sets its own entrance assessment. 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 Cranford House 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 Cranford House School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Cranford House (now also known as Cranford School) is a co-educational independent school rated ‘Excellent’ by the ISI, with consistently strong academic results.
- GCSE: strong GCSE results, with pupils typically taking 9–11 subjects.
- A-Level: a wide sixth form offering over 20 A-Level subjects.
- Progression: pupils progress to a range of universities and pathways, supported by individual guidance.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Cranford House School
Cranford House School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. Places are open to families from across the Oxfordshire–Berkshire border around Wallingford, Henley and Wantage and beyond, and are allocated on the basis of the entrance assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school is in Moulsford near Wallingford, with most families living within about 15 miles; places depend on assessment rather than where you live.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1931, Cranford is a small, warmly regarded Church of England co-educational school (ages 3–18) known for outstanding pastoral care and for knowing each pupil individually; it has been admitting boys since 2020 as it became fully co-educational.
There are strong opportunities in sport, music, drama and a wide range of clubs and hobbies. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cranford House School
How do I apply to Cranford House School for Year 7?
Applications to Cranford House 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.
What entrance test does Cranford House School use?
Cranford House School sets its own entrance assessment. As an independent school it does not use a grammar‑school 11+ board, and 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 Cranford House School have?
Cranford House School admits a limited number of Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly.
When is the 11+ test for Cranford House School?
For 2026 entry, Cranford House School's 11+ entrance assessment is held in January of Year 6 (the school’s own entrance assessment). Registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies).
What's the pass mark / qualifying score for Cranford House School?
Cranford House 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) according to performance in the entrance assessment.
Is Cranford House School a state school or fee-paying?
Cranford House 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 Cranford House School 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers complete 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 Cranford House School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Cranford House School 2026 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, current test format, qualifying mark, supplementary forms, and any school-specific application requirements.