About Felsted School
Felsted School is a co-educational independent day school in Felsted, Essex. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Felsted 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 Felsted School
Felsted School Admissions Criteria
Felsted School is a co-educational independent day school in Felsted, Essex. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, 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 Felsted 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 Felsted 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 — ISEB Common Pre-Test: Your child will sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test online — the standardised, adaptive assessment used by Felsted School and over 90 other UK independent senior schools. The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes in total. It is age-standardised to allow fair comparison across applicants.
- ✓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 his interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether him child has been offered a place at Felsted 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 Felsted School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Felsted 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 Felsted School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Felsted 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 Felsted School
Step 1 — Visit Felsted School on its Essex campus
Visit Felsted School on its Essex campus — attend an Open Morning or arrange a personal visit
Step 2 — Sign up to the Admissions portal on the school's website
Sign up to the Admissions portal on the school's website
Step 3 — Complete the registration form
Complete the registration form and transfer the registration fee
Step 4 — Complete the Supplementary Information Form
Complete the Supplementary Information Form and any Scholarship/Award application forms
Step 5 — Send the most recent school report
Send the most recent school report and any other relevant reports
Step 6 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your child's current school
Step 7 — Your child sits the entrance assessment at Felsted
Your child sits the entrance assessment at Felsted
Step 8 — On acceptance, the school confirms details of the New
On acceptance, the school confirms details of the New Joiner Process with induction and welcome events
Independent Subjects Tested at Felsted School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Felsted School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available. Contact admissions@felsted.org or prepadmissions@felsted.org (Prep, 01371 822 611).
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Felsted School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Essex. Year 3 (age 7+) is the main prep school entry point prior to Year 7 (11+). International Admissions Registrar: Mrs Fran McCarthy +44 (0)1371 822608 (intadmissions@felsted.org).
Independent Practice Papers for Felsted School
Felsted School uses ISEB Common Pre-Test 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 Felsted 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 Felsted School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Felsted achieves strong results in a Sixth Form offering both A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate, attracting a diverse, internationally minded community.
- GCSE: a strong record across a broad curriculum taught by subject specialists.
- A-Level & IB: strong results, with a well-regarded IB programme (ranked among the top UK schools for the IB, averaging around 35 points).
- Progression: strong progression to a wide range of universities in the UK and abroad.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Felsted School
Felsted School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a day and boarding school (with full, weekly and contemporary boarding), it draws day families from across the region — with daily bus routes — and boarders from the UK and overseas, with entry by assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school sits on a 90-acre village campus in North Essex, about an hour from London and Cambridge and 20 minutes from Stansted; the Prep School runs from age 3 (with boarding from Year 5) and the Senior School from 13, with entry points including 11+, 13+ and the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1564 by Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich, Felsted School is a co-educational independent boarding and day school (ages 3–18) on a 90-acre village campus in North Essex, with the motto ‘Garde Ta Foy’ (keep your faith). One of the twelve founding schools of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference and a Church of England foundation, it is known for an award-winning, long-established boarding culture and the ‘Seven Foundations of Felsted’ — spanning academic aspiration, sporting excellence, enrichment, wellbeing and a strong, inclusive sense of community.
Sport is a particular strength (with partnerships including Essex Cricket and Saracens Rugby), alongside a wide programme of music, drama, the arts and academic enrichment. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Felsted School
How do I get into Felsted School?
To gain entry to Felsted 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.
Does Felsted School use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
Yes. Felsted School uses the ISEB Common Pre-Test as part of its 11+ admissions process. The ISEB Common Pre-Test is an online, adaptive assessment commissioned by ISEB and developed by GL Assessment, used by over 90 leading UK independent senior schools. It covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes to complete. Results are age-standardised and shared with all senior schools the candidate has registered with.
What is the 11+ exam at Felsted School?
Felsted 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 Felsted School?
Yes. Felsted 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 Felsted School?
Most independent schools including Felsted 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 Felsted 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 Felsted School. No registration required.
When is the Felsted School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Felsted School is Standard applications still being taken for 2026 entry; scholarship/bursary applications for 2026 are now closed (re-open for 2027). The registration fee is Payable at registration. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Felsted School 11+ results announced?
At Felsted School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.