About Headington School
Headington School is a girls independent day school in Oxford. 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.
Headington 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 Headington School
Headington School Admissions Criteria
Headington School is a girls independent day school in Oxford. 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 Headington 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 Headington 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 Headington 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 Headington 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 Headington School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Headington 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 Headington School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Headington 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 Headington School
Step 1 — Visit Headington Rye Oxford
Visit Headington Rye Oxford — individual visits year-round, Meet the Headmistress several times a term, termly Open Mornings
Step 2 — Apply online via Headington's admissions portal
Apply online via Headington's admissions portal — applications for September 2026 are open
Step 3 — Upload a current passport style photo
Upload a current passport style photo and tell us about your daughter
Step 4 — Pay the non-refundable registration fee of £120
Pay the non-refundable registration fee of £120 (£180 for overseas applicants) — fee may be waived for families on income support
Step 5 — For 11+/12+ admissions contact Colleen on 01865 759872
For 11+/12+ admissions contact Colleen on 01865 759872; for international families contact Anna on 01865 759116
Step 6 — Submit by the deadline
Submit by the deadline (apply early in year preceding entry recommended)
Step 7 — Your daughter attends the entrance assessment at
Your daughter attends the entrance assessment at Headington
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the deposit
On acceptance, pay the deposit (may be waived in exceptional financial hardship cases)
Independent Subjects Tested at Headington School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Headington School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries up to 100% of fees for local day girls living within 26-mile radius of Headington at 11+ (additional means-tested awards up to 50% of day fees at 13+).
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Headington Rye Oxford (formerly Headington School) is an independent girls' school in Oxford for pupils aged 3-18. 1,045 pupils. Church of England affiliation. Approximately 45-50 new pupils join in Year 7 each year. Selective. Day applications for Year 7 entry in 2026 closed (boarding places only); 2026 scholarship/bursary deadline passed.
Independent Practice Papers for Headington School
Headington 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 Headington 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 Headington School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Headington is an academically selective school whose results regularly place it among the top girls’ schools in the country.
- GCSE: an outstanding record across a broad curriculum (more than 20 subjects in the lower and middle school).
- A-Level: excellent results across nearly 30 subjects (with the option of an EPQ), with around 84% of leavers going to their first-choice university.
- Progression: strong progression to leading universities, including Oxbridge.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Headington School
Headington School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a day and boarding school, it draws day girls from across Oxford and the surrounding area (within roughly a 26-mile radius for bursary purposes) and boarders from the UK and overseas (with a large international community), with selective entry by examination rather than where a family lives.
The central Headington campus offers full, weekly and flexi boarding from age 11; main entry points are at 11+, 13+ and the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1915 by a group of evangelical Christians to provide a sound education for girls, Headington School is a Church of England day and boarding school in Oxford, with the motto ‘Fight the good fight of Faith’. In September 2024 it merged with the neighbouring Rye St Antony School to form Headington Rye Oxford: the Senior School remains girls-only (ages 11–18) while the Preparatory School (ages 3–11) is now co-educational. With around a quarter of pupils boarding and over forty nationalities represented, it is known for an empowering ethos, an inclusive Christian foundation and excellent pastoral care.
Its facilities and co-curricular programme are exceptional — with 120-plus clubs, a professional-standard theatre, strong music, and notable sport including hockey, netball and rowing (it has its own boat club). For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Headington School
How do I get into Headington School?
To gain entry to Headington 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 Headington School use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
Yes. Headington 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 Headington School?
Headington 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 Headington School?
Yes. Headington 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 Headington School?
Most independent schools including Headington 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 Headington 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 Headington School. No registration required.
When is the Headington School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Headington School is Apply early in year preceding entry — check school website. The registration fee is £120 (£180 for overseas), non-refundable. Waived for income support recipients.. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Headington School 11+ results announced?
At Headington School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.
What is the acceptance deposit at Headington School?
The acceptance deposit at Headington School is Details in offer letter (may be waived in exceptional cases). This is payable on acceptance of a place.