About Frensham Heights School
Frensham Heights School is a co-educational independent day school in Rowledge, Surrey. 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.
Frensham Heights 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. Ranked #534 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 30%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Frensham Heights School
Frensham Heights School Admissions Criteria
Frensham Heights School is a co-educational independent day school in Rowledge, Surrey. 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 Frensham Heights 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 Frensham Heights 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 Frensham Heights 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 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 Frensham Heights 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 Frensham Heights School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Frensham Heights 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 Frensham Heights School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Frensham Heights 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 Frensham Heights School
Step 1 — Visit Frensham Heights School in Rowledge, Farnham
Visit Frensham Heights School in Rowledge, Farnham — attend an Open Morning (held throughout the year) or smaller events in February/March
Step 2 — Book a private tour with the Admissions Team
Book a private tour with the Admissions Team if Open Events don't suit
Step 3 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's admissions portal as soon as possible after your visit
Step 4 — Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Step 5 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your child's current school
Step 6 — Your child sits the 11+ assessments at Frensham
Your child sits the 11+ assessments at Frensham — held in January of the calendar year of entry
Step 7 — Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
Independent Subjects Tested at Frensham Heights School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Frensham Heights School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Frensham Heights School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Rowledge near Farnham, Surrey (founded 1925 by Edith Douglas-Hamilton). For ages 3-18, ~530 pupils. Progressive education movement school. Motto: Think, Create, Explore. Features the Aldridge Theatre (300 capacity).
Independent Practice Papers for Frensham Heights School
Frensham Heights 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 Frensham Heights 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 Frensham Heights School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Frensham Heights achieves strong academic results as part of a deliberately broad, progressive education rather than an exam-factory approach.
- GCSE: a strong record (in 2024, around 53% of grades at 9–7).
- A-Level: strong results (around 48% A*–A in 2024), with students going on to Russell Group universities, top creative colleges and apprenticeships.
- Progression: progression to a wide range of universities and creative courses.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Frensham Heights School
Frensham Heights School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a day and boarding school (with full, weekly and flexi boarding from age 11), it draws day families from across the Farnham and Surrey/Hampshire border area and boarders more widely, with entry by assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school sits on a 125-acre campus in the Surrey Hills near Farnham, about 40 miles from London (with a London bus for weekly boarders); entry runs from the Nursery and Junior School through 11+ and into the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1925 as part of the progressive education movement, Frensham Heights is an independent co-educational day and boarding school (ages 3–18) on a 125-acre campus in the Surrey Hills near Farnham, with the motto ‘Think, Create, Explore’. Distinctively progressive and co-educational from its founding, it has no school uniform, teachers and pupils on first-name terms and co-educational boarding houses, with a non-hierarchical ethos built on mutual respect and strong pastoral care.
The arts are at its heart — supported by a theatre, music centre and a bespoke Sixth Form Arts Awards programme — alongside a wide co-curricular range including outdoor education. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Frensham Heights School
How do I get into Frensham Heights School?
To gain entry to Frensham Heights 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 Frensham Heights School use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
Yes. Frensham Heights 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 Frensham Heights School?
Frensham Heights 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 Frensham Heights School?
Yes. Frensham Heights 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 Frensham Heights School?
Most independent schools including Frensham Heights 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 Frensham Heights 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 Frensham Heights School. No registration required.
When is the Frensham Heights School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Frensham Heights School is Register as soon as possible after visit. The registration fee is Payable at registration. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Frensham Heights School 11+ results announced?
At Frensham Heights School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.