About Ipswich High School
Ipswich High School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school at Woolverstone, near Ipswich, Suffolk, for pupils aged 3 to 18. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school’s own entrance exam in English and Mathematics, and may include a group activity or interview. Formerly part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school left the GDST in 2017 and became fully co-educational in 2018. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Ipswich High 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 Ipswich High School
Ipswich High School Admissions Criteria
Ipswich High School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school at Woolverstone, near Ipswich, Suffolk, for pupils aged 3 to 18. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school’s own entrance exam in English and Mathematics, and may include a group activity or interview. Formerly part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school left the GDST in 2017 and became fully co-educational in 2018. 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 Ipswich High 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 Ipswich High 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 — Sit the entrance exam: Your child will sit Ipswich High School’s own 11+ entrance exam covering English and Mathematics, designed to identify academic ability and potential. The English paper assesses reading and writing and the Mathematics paper covers problem-solving and arithmetic.
- ✓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 Ipswich High 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 Ipswich High School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Ipswich High 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 Ipswich High School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Ipswich High 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 Ipswich High School
Step 1 — Visit Ipswich High School (now co-educational, formerly girls')
Visit Ipswich High School (now co-educational, formerly girls') — 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 child's current school
Step 5 — Your child sits the entrance assessment at Ipswich High
Your child sits the entrance assessment at Ipswich High
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
Independent Subjects Tested at Ipswich High School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Ipswich High School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Ipswich High School is a co-educational independent day school in Ipswich, Suffolk (founded 1878 as Ipswich High School for Girls; became co-educational in 2018). 84-acre Woolverstone Hall campus on the River Orwell.
Independent Practice Papers for Ipswich High School
Ipswich High 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 Ipswich High School
Ipswich High School is academically selective: entry to Year 7 is by the school’s own English and Mathematics papers, set to assess each child’s current ability and academic potential. Small class sizes and a broad, challenging curriculum support strong individual progress from Nursery through to Sixth Form.
The school follows a “diamond” structure: boys and girls are taught together in the Prep School and Sixth Form, with single-sex teaching in core subjects across Years 5 to 11. This is intended to combine the academic advantages of single-sex teaching with the social breadth of a co-educational community.
Pupils progress to GCSE and then a wide range of A-Level subjects in the Sixth Form. Current published GCSE and A-Level results, together with leavers’ destinations and the most recent ISI inspection report, are available on the school’s official website.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Co-curricular at Ipswich High School
Set in 87 acres of parkland at Woolverstone Hall overlooking the River Orwell, the school pairs a rural campus with extensive facilities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a 300-seat theatre, AstroTurf pitches, science and ICT suites and cookery rooms.
Pastoral care is organised through a house system (Aqua, Ignis, Ventus and Terra) and form tutors, with a strong emphasis on knowing every pupil as an individual. Day, weekly, flexi and full boarding are offered in the refurbished Dairy House and Barns, recognised by the Boarding Schools’ Association for their development.
A wide co-curricular and enrichment programme spans sport, music, drama, art and outdoor activities, making full use of the woodland and waterside setting. Scholarships in academic study, music, art, drama and sport recognise particular talents at 11+.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ipswich High School
How do I get into Ipswich High School?
To gain entry to Ipswich High School Year 7, parents register their child with the Admissions Team, submit a registration fee and arrange for the child to sit the school's own 11+ entrance exam in English and Mathematics. A reference from the current school is required. Following the exam and any group activity or interview, parents are notified in writing of the outcome.
Is Ipswich High School a GDST school?
No. Ipswich High School was formerly part of the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST) but left the Trust in 2017 and became fully co-educational in September 2018. It is now an independent co-educational day and boarding school owned by Ipswich Education Ltd, and sets its own entrance exam rather than a GDST-wide assessment.
What is the 11+ exam at Ipswich High School?
Ipswich High School sets its own 11+ entrance exam for Year 7 entry, comprising an English paper (reading and writing) and a Mathematics paper (problem-solving and arithmetic). The exam is designed to identify both current ability and academic potential, and applicants may also take part in a group activity or interview with staff.
Are there scholarships at Ipswich High School?
Yes. Ipswich High 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 Ipswich High School?
Most independent schools including Ipswich High 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 Ipswich High 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 Ipswich High School. No registration required.
When is the Ipswich High School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Ipswich High School is See school website for current deadlines. The registration fee is Payable at registration. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Ipswich High School 11+ results announced?
At Ipswich High School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.
How to Prepare for the Ipswich High 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.