About Halliford School
Halliford School is a boys independent day school in Shepperton, Surrey. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Halliford 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 #493 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 54%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Halliford School
Halliford School Admissions Criteria
Halliford School is a boys independent day school in Shepperton, Surrey. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, 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 Halliford 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 Halliford 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 — Entrance assessment: Your child will sit Halliford School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The assessment is designed by the school's academic staff to identify both current ability and future academic potential.
- ✓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 Halliford 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 Halliford School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Halliford 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 Halliford School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Halliford 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 Halliford School
Step 1 — Attend a Visitor Morning at Halliford School in Shepperton
Attend a Visitor Morning at Halliford School in Shepperton
Step 2 — Complete the online Registration Form
Complete the online Registration Form on the school's website
Step 3 — Pay the non-refundable registration fee of £150 (incl
Pay the non-refundable registration fee of £150 (incl. VAT) by bank transfer (£200 for overseas)
Step 4 — Submit registration by Friday 27 November 2026
Submit registration by Friday 27 November 2026 (for September 2027 Year 7 entry)
Step 5 — Indicate any interest in scholarships on the registration form
Indicate any interest in scholarships on the registration form (scholarship/SEND reports deadline same as registration)
Step 6 — Bursary deadline is Friday 13 November 2026
Bursary deadline is Friday 13 November 2026 (two weeks prior to registration)
Step 7 — Your son attends an interview with the Headmaster
Your son attends an interview with the Headmaster, followed by the Entrance Examination Day
Step 8 — Sit the entrance exam (English: comprehension, SPaG, creative writing
Sit the entrance exam (English: comprehension, SPaG, creative writing; Maths NC level 4; computer-adaptive VR and NVR) — Tue 6 Jan 2026 (for 2026 entry); Jan 2027 (for 2027 entry)
Independent Subjects Tested at Halliford School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Halliford School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Art & Design, Drama, Music, STEM and Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available (request forms from Bursary Department: fees@hallifordschool.co.uk / 01932 234923).
Outcome announced: Scholarship Assessment Days held the week after close of registration
Additional notes: Halliford School is an independent boys' school in Shepperton, Surrey (co-ed Sixth Form). 461 pupils ages 11-19. Entry at 11+, 13+ and 16+ (girls only at 16+). Sixth Form scholarship application deadline: Friday 14 November 2025 for Sept 2026 entry.
Independent Practice Papers for Halliford School
Halliford 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
How to Prepare for the Halliford 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 Halliford School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Halliford is a small, selective school where academic ambition is balanced with individual support, with strong results at GCSE and in its co-educational Sixth Form.
- GCSE: a strong record across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level: strong results in the co-educational Sixth Form, with pupils progressing to a range of universities.
- Progression: pupils progress to a wide range of universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Halliford School
Halliford School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a day school, places are open to families from across Shepperton, Spelthorne and the wider Surrey/south-west London area, with selective entry by assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school is a short walk from Shepperton station with extensive coach and minibus services from surrounding towns; boys enter at 11+ and 13+, and the Sixth Form is co-educational, admitting girls as well as boys at 16+.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1921, Halliford School is an HMC selective independent day school in Shepperton, Surrey — for boys aged 11–18, with a well-established co-educational Sixth Form admitting girls from 16 — with the motto ‘Via firma ad firmiora’ (a firm path to firmer things). A Church of England foundation that proudly describes itself as a small school built on strong family values (‘Come as you are. Go as all you can be.’), it is known for knowing every student individually, outstanding pastoral care and, in its most recent inspection, a ‘Significant Strength’ for pupil leadership.
It offers first-class sporting, cultural and co-curricular opportunities, with scholarships available for academic, artistic, dramatic, musical and sporting excellence. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Halliford School
How do I get into Halliford School?
To gain entry to Halliford 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.
What entrance exam does Halliford School use?
Halliford School sets its own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The papers are designed by the school's academic staff and may differ from national exam boards. Practice papers in the relevant 11+ format (such as the ones ExamTutor provides) are excellent preparation for the school's own assessment.
What is the 11+ exam at Halliford School?
Halliford 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 Halliford School?
Yes. Halliford 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 Halliford School?
Most independent schools including Halliford 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 Halliford 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 Halliford School. No registration required.
When is the Halliford School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Halliford School is Friday 27 November 2026 (for September 2027 entry). The registration fee is £150 incl. VAT (£200 for overseas), non-refundable, by bank transfer. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Halliford School 11+ results announced?
At Halliford School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.