About Derby High School
Derby High School is a co-educational independent day school (HMC/IAPS) in Littleover, Derby, for ages 3 to 18. Fees apply, with means-tested bursary and Assisted Places support available. Entry at 11+ is via the school's own entrance examination. Excellent GCSE results and a broad extracurricular programme.
Derby High School provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 49.3%. A-Level A*–B: 69%.
About Admissions to Derby High School
Derby High School is a co‑educational independent day school in Littleover, Derby (ages 3–18), founded in 1892 and a member of HMC and IAPS. The senior school has been fully co‑educational since 2019. As an independent school, fees apply, with means‑tested bursary and Assisted Places support available.
Entry to Year 7 (Senior School) is selective, by the school’s own entrance assessment (standardised papers in English, Mathematics and reasoning), together with a school report and sometimes an interview. You apply directly to the school.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Derby High School
Derby High School Admissions Criteria
Derby High School is a co-educational independent day school (HMC/IAPS) in Littleover, Derby, for ages 3 to 18. Fees apply, with means-tested bursary and Assisted Places support available. Entry at 11+ is via the school's own entrance examination. Excellent GCSE results and a broad extracurricular programme.
- ✓Register with Derby High School via their admissions office (derbyhigh.gdst.net).
- ✓Sit the 11+ entrance examination: English and Mathematics papers.
- ✓Attend an interview with a senior member of staff.
- ✓Academic, Music and Sport scholarships available.
- ✓GDST means-tested bursaries available — support up to significant percentage of fees.
- ✓Open mornings available — book via the school website.
Derby High School Oversubscription Criteria
Derby High School is typically oversubscribed. Places are offered on the basis of performance in the entrance assessment and the school’s published admissions criteria. Offers are based on performance in Derby High School’s own entrance assessment together with the school’s admissions criteria.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the required standard in the entrance test (above the qualifying standard set by Derby High School)
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium / Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME)
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school
- Children with sibling(s) currently attending the school
- Children of staff (where staff member has worked at the school for 2+ years)
- Children ranked by total standardised score (highest first) up to the published admission number
- Tiebreak: distance from home to school (straight-line measurement) for children with equal scores
Key Dates & Deadlines — Derby High School 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | May 2025 |
| 📌 Registration closes | Mid-July 2025 (varies by school) |
| 📌 Derby High School’s entrance assessment Test | September 2025 (English + Maths + Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) |
| 📌 Test results released | Mid-October 2025 |
| 📌 CAF deadline (apply via Local Authority) | Friday 31 October 2025 |
| 📌 School sends offers | From the school directly |
How to Apply to Derby High School
Step 1 — Register your child directly with Derby High School
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Default) when registration opens. Closes Mid-July 2025 (varies by school). A registration fee may apply for the entrance assessment — check with the school.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Derby High School
Visit during Year 5 or early Year 6 to meet staff and pupils and decide whether to list this school on your CAF.
Step 3 — Sit the GL Assessment Entrance Test
Your child sits the GL Assessment in September 2025. The test typically covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised scores age-adjusted.
Step 4 — Receive your standardised test results
Test results are communicated to parents by the school after the entrance assessment. You will receive the outcome of the school’s own assessment and an indication of whether your child has passed the required standard.
Step 5 — Submit Derby High School’s registration and admissions forms
List Derby High School as one of your preferences on the CAF submitted via your home Local Authority (not the school's LA, unless they are the same). You can usually list 3-6 preferences depending on your LA.
Step 6 — Submit the CAF by the deadline
Submit your CAF by Friday 31 October 2025. Late applications are processed only after all on-time applications have been allocated, dramatically reducing your chance of a place.
Step 7 — Receive your offer directly from Derby High School
Offers are issued via your Local Authority on Monday 2 March 2026. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Derby High School's waiting list — managed by the school itself.
Subjects Assessed at Derby High School
11+ Practice Papers for Derby High School
Derby High 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
Academic Performance at Derby High School
Derby High School is an academically strong independent school with consistently good GCSE and A‑Level results and a broad sixth‑form curriculum, with most leavers progressing to university.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Co‑curricular at Derby High School
- ✓Pastoral: a house and tutor structure focused on wellbeing.
- ✓Co‑curricular: a wide range of music, drama, clubs, societies and sport.
Frequently Asked Questions about Derby High School
Is Derby High School state or independent?
Derby High School is a co-educational independent day school in Littleover, Derby, for ages 3-18, founded in 1892 (a member of HMC and IAPS).
How do I apply to Derby High for Year 7?
You apply directly to the school. Entry to the Senior School is selective, based on the school's own entrance assessment (English, Maths and reasoning), a school report and sometimes an interview.
Are there bursaries or scholarships?
Yes - means-tested bursaries and an Assisted Places scheme are available, along with scholarships; a scholarship combined with an assisted place will not exceed 50% of the fee.
Is Derby High a girls' school?
No longer - the senior school was formerly girls-only but has been fully co-educational since 2019; the primary school has always been co-educational.
How to Prepare for the Derby 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.