About Ewell Castle School
Ewell Castle School is an independent co-educational day school in Ewell, Surrey. As an independent school, fees apply. Entry at 11+ is via the school's own entrance examination. The school offers a nurturing environment with small class sizes and a broad curriculum.
Ewell Castle School provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 52.1%. A-Level A*–B: 52.8%.
About the Ewell Castle School Entrance Assessment
Ewell Castle School is a co-educational independent day school in Ewell, Surrey. Entry to Year 7 is by the school’s own entrance assessment, and applications are made directly to the school — not through the Local Authority.
The assessment typically covers English, Mathematics and reasoning, usually with a taster day and an interview. As an independent school, Ewell Castle sets its own assessment and standards; fees apply, with scholarships and bursaries available.
Registration, assessment dates and open events are published on the school’s own admissions pages each year. Because Ewell Castle is independent, you apply to and are offered a place by the school directly, on its own timetable.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Ewell Castle School
Ewell Castle School Admissions Criteria
Ewell Castle School is an independent co-educational day school in Ewell, Surrey. As an independent school, fees apply. Entry at 11+ is via the school's own entrance examination. The school offers a nurturing environment with small class sizes and a broad curriculum.
- ✓Register with Ewell Castle School via their admissions office (ewellcastle.co.uk).
- ✓Sit the 11+ entrance examination: English and Mathematics papers.
- ✓Attend an interview and/or taster day.
- ✓Academic and other scholarships may be available — contact the admissions team.
- ✓Means-tested bursaries available.
- ✓Open days held in autumn — check website for dates.
Ewell Castle School Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the None Year 7 admission number, the Board of Governors / Trust applies the following criteria in priority order. Final ranking uses the standardised score achieved in the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test (above the qualifying standard set by Ewell Castle 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 — Ewell Castle School 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | May 2025 |
| 📌 Registration closes | Mid-July 2025 (varies by school) |
| 📌 GL Assessment 11+ Entrance 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 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 2 March 2026 |
How to Apply to Ewell Castle School
Step 1 — Register your child for the GL Assessment 11+ Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Default) when registration opens. Closes Mid-July 2025 (varies by school). There is no fee to sit the GL Assessment test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Ewell Castle 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 released to parents in line with the school’s own admissions timetable. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
Step 5 — Complete the school’s application form
List Ewell Castle 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 school offer on National Offers Day
Offers are issued via your Local Authority on Monday 2 March 2026. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Ewell Castle School's waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Ewell Castle School
Practice Papers for Ewell Castle School
Ewell Castle School uses the GL Assessment 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
Academic Performance at Ewell Castle School
Ewell Castle School has a strong academic record at GCSE and A‑Level, with leavers progressing to leading universities. As a selective independent it sets its own standards through its entrance assessment.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Co‑curricular at Ewell Castle School
- ✓Pastoral: a supportive house system with strong individual care.
- ✓Co‑curricular: a broad programme of sport, music, drama and clubs.
- ✓Boarding/day: see the school for current boarding and day options.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ewell Castle School
Is Ewell Castle a state or independent school?
Ewell Castle School is a co-educational independent day school in Ewell, Surrey - it is fee-paying, not a state grammar.
How do I apply to Ewell Castle for Year 7?
You apply directly to the school. Entry is by the school's own entrance assessment, a taster day and an interview.
Does Ewell Castle use the GL Assessment 11+?
No. As an independent school it sets its own entrance assessment - it is not part of the state GL 11+ system.
Are there scholarships and bursaries?
Yes - scholarships and means-tested bursaries are available; contact the school.
How to Prepare for the Ewell Castle 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.