About Heathfield School Ascot
Heathfield School Ascot is an independent girls’ boarding and day school in Ascot, Berkshire (ages 11–18). Entry is by the school’s own age-appropriate entrance assessment and interview — applications are made directly to the school. Academic scholarships and bursaries may be available — contact the school.
Heathfield School Ascot offers an outstanding education with excellent academic standards, small class sizes and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. GCSE 9–7: 70%.
About the Heathfield School Ascot Entrance Assessment
Heathfield School Ascot is an independent girls’ boarding and day school in Ascot, Berkshire (ages 11–18). Entry is by the school’s own entrance assessment and interview, with applications made directly to the school.
The assessment is age-appropriate and typically covers English and Mathematics with reasoning, alongside an interview and a current-school reference. As an independent school it sets its own assessment and standards; fees apply, with scholarships and bursaries available.
Registration windows, assessment dates and open events are published on the school’s own admissions pages each year. Full and weekly boarding and day places are offered.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Heathfield School Ascot
Heathfield School Ascot Admissions Criteria
Heathfield School Ascot is an independent girls’ boarding and day school in Ascot, Berkshire (ages 11–18). Entry is by the school’s own age-appropriate entrance assessment and interview — applications are made directly to the school. Academic scholarships and bursaries may be available — contact the school.
- ✓Attend an Open Day or arranged visit to Heathfield School Ascot — check the school website for dates.
- ✓Complete the Registration Form on the school website and pay the registration fee.
- ✓A reference is requested from the child's current school. Based on a satisfactory report, the candidate is invited to sit the assessment.
- ✓Sit the CEM Select online assessment at the school (approximately 60 minutes): three sections covering Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- ✓Attend a short interview with a member of the admissions team, focusing on interests, motivation and personal qualities.
- ✓No fixed pass mark — selection is based on overall performance in the assessment, interview and school reference.
- ✓An offer is usually made within 1–2 weeks of the interview and assessment.
- ✓Academic, Music, Sport, Art and All-Rounder Scholarships may be available — contact the school for details.
- ✓Means-tested Bursaries may be available for financially eligible families.
- ✓Confirm the place by completing an Acceptance Form and paying the required deposit.
Heathfield School Ascot Oversubscription Criteria
For 2026 Year 7 entry, Heathfield School Ascot ranks applicants by performance in the CEM-style entrance assessment. The following selection priorities are typically applied:
- Children who meet the academic standard in Heathfield School Ascot's entrance assessment (CEM-style)
- Children with siblings currently attending the school
- Children of former pupils (alumni connections)
- Children with strong references from current primary head
- Children of staff members (where applicable)
- Distance from school / catchment priority (some independents)
- Children ranked by performance in the assessment up to Heathfield School Ascot's places available
- Tiebreak: interview performance, references, or other school-specific criteria
Key Dates & Deadlines — Heathfield School Ascot 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | Varies by school (typically open Sept/Oct of Year 5) |
| 📌 Registration closes | Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies) |
| 📌 CEM-style 11+ Entrance Test | January of Year 6 (Independent school entrance exam, CEM-style format) |
| 📌 Test results released | February of Year 6 |
| 📌 Offers issued by school | February-March (varies by school) |
How to Apply to Heathfield School Ascot Directly
Step 1 — Attend an Open Day at Heathfield School Ascot
Visit during Year 5 to meet staff, tour the school and assess fit. Independent school open days are usually in Sept-Nov.
Step 2 — Register your child with Heathfield School Ascot
Complete the registration form on the school's website. Registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies). A registration fee usually applies.
Step 3 — Sit the school's entrance assessment
Heathfield School Ascot's entrance exam (CEM-style format) is typically held in January of Year 6. Covers English, Mathematics, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, plus interview.
Step 4 — Provide school references
Your child's current Head Teacher will be asked to submit a confidential reference. Strong references are particularly important for independent schools.
Step 5 — Attend an interview
Most independent schools interview shortlisted candidates. Interviews assess motivation, character and academic potential.
Step 6 — Receive your offer
Offers issued by Heathfield School Ascot in February-March (varies by school). Compare with offers from any other independent schools applied to.
Step 7 — Accept your place and pay deposit
Accept your offer in writing and pay the acceptance deposit (typically £500-£2,000, deducted from first-term fees) by the school's deadline.
CEM Select Subjects Tested at Heathfield School Ascot
Practice Papers for Heathfield School Ascot
Heathfield School Ascot uses the CEM Select 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning tests
- 450 video explanations
- 24 hours of video content
- 3 × Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning tests
- 450 video explanations
- 22.5 hours of video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 8.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 8.0 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 7.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 7.0 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 6.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 6.0 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Heathfield School Ascot 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 Heathfield School Ascot (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Heathfield is a leading independent girls’ school rated ‘Excellent’ by the ISI, with consistently strong results.
- GCSE: a high proportion of strong GCSE grades across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level: a strong sixth form (around two-thirds of grades A*–B in recent years) supporting university applications.
- Progression: high rates of progression to leading universities, including in art and design through its creative partnerships.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Heathfield School Ascot
Heathfield School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. Places are open to families from across Ascot and the surrounding area, with boarders from across the UK and overseas, and are allocated on the basis of the entrance assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school sits in 36 acres on the outskirts of Ascot, around 30 miles from London and close to Heathrow; it offers day and boarding places, with entry by assessment rather than catchment.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1899, Heathfield is an intentionally small Church of England day and boarding school known for a strong reputation in pastoral care, where every girl is known individually. From September 2026 the Sixth Form becomes co-educational, with co-educational Year 7 following from September 2027.
It is noted for the creative arts (with partnerships including Falmouth and the London College of Fashion) and a strong sporting programme spanning lacrosse, netball and equestrian disciplines. For the full list of activities, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Heathfield School Ascot
How do I apply to Heathfield School Ascot for Year 7?
Applications to Heathfield School Ascot are made directly to the school. Register on the school's website (registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies)), pay the registration fee, sit the entrance exam, and attend an interview if shortlisted.
Does Heathfield School Ascot use the CEM 11+ test?
Heathfield School Ascot historically used the CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) 11+ entrance test. Since CEM 11+ was retired in 2022, many schools have transitioned to GL Assessment or developed bespoke entrance tests. Practice papers in the CEM-style format remain valuable preparation as the topic areas (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) are still tested in most formats.
What's the difference between CEM and GL Assessment?
Both test similar subjects (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) but differ in style: CEM was designed to be less coachable with broader vocabulary and varied question types per paper; GL Assessment has more structured, predictable papers per subject area. Many former CEM schools now use GL Assessment after CEM 11+ was retired in 2022.
How many Year 7 places does Heathfield School Ascot have?
Heathfield School Ascot admits a limited number of Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly.
When is the 11+ test for Heathfield School Ascot?
For 2026 entry, Heathfield School Ascot's 11+ entrance assessment is held in January of Year 6 (Independent school entrance exam, CEM-style format). Registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies).
What's the pass mark / qualifying score for Heathfield School Ascot?
Heathfield School Ascot sets its own qualifying mark each year based on the standardised score distribution of applicants. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) according to performance in the entrance assessment.
Is Heathfield School Ascot a state school or fee-paying?
Heathfield School Ascot is an independent fee-paying school. Registration fees, entrance exam fees, and tuition fees apply. Bursaries and scholarships are typically available for academically able pupils from lower-income families — check the school's website for details.
How can my child prepare for the Heathfield School Ascot 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete CEM-style 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question, and downloadable resources covering English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the test for best results.
Where can I find Heathfield School Ascot's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Heathfield School Ascot 2026 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, current test format, qualifying mark, supplementary forms, and any school-specific application requirements.