About The Godolphin School
The Godolphin School is an independent boarding and day school for girls in Salisbury, Wiltshire, founded in 1726 by Elizabeth Godolphin and one of the oldest girls' schools in the country. A close-knit school of around 320–390 pupils (about half board), it sits on a spacious site near the cathedral city, around 1.5 hours from London. As an independent school it charges fees — around £8,000 a term for day pupils (confirm the current figure), with boarding higher. (This is the Salisbury school, not Godolphin & Latymer in London.)
Entry to Year 7 is by the school's own entrance assessment — a one-hour English paper (reading comprehension and creative writing) and a one-hour Mathematics paper (Key Stage 2 curriculum) — followed by a short interview with a senior member of staff. The assessments are set in-house and may vary slightly from year to year.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Godolphin School
Godolphin School Admissions Criteria
Godolphin School is a girls independent day school in London. 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 Godolphin 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 Godolphin 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 Godolphin 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 her interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether her child has been offered a place at Godolphin 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 Godolphin School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Godolphin 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 Godolphin School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Godolphin 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 Godolphin School
Step 1 — Visit Godolphin School in Salisbury, Wiltshire
Visit Godolphin School in Salisbury, Wiltshire — arrange a personal tour
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's admissions portal
Step 3 — Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Step 4 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your daughter's current school
Step 5 — Your daughter sits the 11+ entrance assessment at
Your daughter sits the 11+ entrance assessment at Godolphin
Step 6 — Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Step 7 — Following assessment, offers are communicated
Following assessment, offers are communicated
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
Subjects Tested at Godolphin School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Godolphin School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Godolphin School is an independent day and boarding school for girls in Salisbury, Wiltshire (founded 1726). Times rank #321.
Catchment Area for The Godolphin School
As an independent school, Godolphin has no catchment area; girls travel in from across Wiltshire and beyond, and around half board. Places are awarded on the entrance assessment and interview.
Godolphin offers academic, music and sport scholarships at 11+ plus means-tested bursaries, including Foundation Bursaries worth up to 70% of boarding fees for girls in particular need; apply alongside your entry application.
Independent Practice Papers for Godolphin School
Godolphin School uses School's own bespoke 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 The Godolphin School
Godolphin 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 Godolphin
- ✓Pastoral: a close-knit girls’ boarding and day community with strong individual care.
- ✓Co‑curricular: a broad programme of sport, music, drama and clubs.
- ✓Boarding/day: day, weekly and full boarding options.
How to Prepare for the Godolphin 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.
The Godolphin School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Godolphin at 11+?
Register online directly with the school, ideally a year ahead of entry. Your daughter sits the English and Maths assessment and has a short interview with a senior member of staff.
What is on the Godolphin 11+ assessment?
A one-hour English paper (reading comprehension and creative writing) and a one-hour Mathematics paper (Key Stage 2 curriculum), plus a short interview. The papers are set in-house.
Is Godolphin selective, and does it charge fees?
Yes — it is a selective independent boarding and day school for girls, so it charges fees (around £8,000 a term for day pupils; confirm the current figure, with boarding higher).
Is this Godolphin & Latymer in London?
No — this is The Godolphin School in Salisbury, Wiltshire (a girls' boarding and day school founded in 1726), not Godolphin & Latymer in Hammersmith.
Does Godolphin offer boarding?
Yes — it is a boarding and day school; around half of pupils board.
Does Godolphin have a catchment area?
No. As an independent school it admits girls from any area; it is about 1.5 hours from central London.
Are scholarships and bursaries available?
Yes — academic, music and sport scholarships at 11+, plus means-tested bursaries (including Foundation Bursaries worth up to 70% of boarding fees for girls in particular need).
When is the assessment?
Apply a year ahead; the assessment and interview take place in the year before entry. Check the school site for exact dates for September 2027 entry.
How can my daughter prepare?
Build confident Year 5/6 English and maths; no special preparation is required, but timed comprehension, creative writing and KS2 maths practice help. ExamTutor offers Independent-style practice papers with full video explanations.