About King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton
King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton is a leading independent co-educational day school founded in 1553 by Royal Charter of King Edward VI. As an independent school, fees apply. Entry to Year 7 is via an entrance examination (English and Mathematics), interview, and school reference. Academic scholarships up to 10% of fees and means-tested bursaries (including up to 100% of fees via the EPA Bursary) are available.
King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 73%. A-Level A*–B: 83.8%.
About the King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton Entrance Exam
King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton is a selective independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 11–18, founded in 1553 and fully co-educational since 1994. Entry to Year 7 is by the school’s own entrance assessment — KES is not part of a consortium and does not operate a catchment area, so families apply directly to the school rather than through a Local Authority Common Application Form.
The 11+ assessment is a two-stage process: a written entrance examination followed by an interview. The examination has three components — a Reasoning paper (which may include Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning), an English paper (reading comprehension plus a writing task) and a Mathematics paper. The papers are set by the school and based broadly on the Key Stage 2 curriculum.
Candidates also attend a short interview with a member of teaching staff, and a reference is requested from the child’s current school. Assessments and interviews take place in January, with around 85 places available in Year 7. Offers are typically issued a few weeks after the examination.
As an independent school, fees apply, but KES offers academic scholarships (up to 10% of fees), Creative Arts and Sport awards, and generous means-tested bursaries — including the EPA (Sir Edward Penley Abraham) Bursary, which can cover up to 100% of fees for eligible families. This page is updated with the latest verified admissions information from the school’s official website.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton
King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton Admissions Criteria
King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton is a leading independent co-educational day school founded in 1553 by Royal Charter of King Edward VI. As an independent school, fees apply. Entry to Year 7 is via an entrance examination (English and Mathematics), interview, and school reference. Academic scholarships up to 10% of fees and means-tested bursaries (including up to 100% of fees via the EPA Bursary) are available.
- ✓Complete an enquiry form via the KES website (senior.kes.school) — application cycle starts around May.
- ✓Attend a Taster Morning or arrange an individual tour.
- ✓Sit the school’s entrance examination in January — three papers covering Reasoning (Verbal & Non-Verbal), English (comprehension + writing) and Mathematics.
- ✓Attend an interview with a member of KES teaching staff (held in January of Year 6).
- ✓Provide a reference from your child's current school.
- ✓Academic scholarships (up to 10% of fees) awarded based on exam performance.
- ✓Means-tested bursaries available including the EPA (Sir Edward Penley Abraham) Bursary (100% fees) for science-inclined pupils with household income below £46,000.
- ✓EPA Bursary applicants also sit a 30-minute science exam.
King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton Oversubscription Criteria
Entry to KES is competitive and based on academic merit. With around 85 places in Year 7 and many more applicants, the school ranks candidates on their overall performance in the entrance examination and interview, considered alongside the school reference. The main factors are:
- Performance across the three examination components — Reasoning, English and Mathematics
- The interview with a member of KES teaching staff
- The confidential reference from the child’s current school
- Non-academic achievements and activities, as reflected in the school report
- Means-tested bursaries and scholarships are assessed separately and do not affect the academic selection decision
Key Dates & Deadlines — King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton 2027 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | Around May (online via the KES website, senior.kes.school) |
| 📌 Registration fee | Approximately £50 (reduced for bursary applicants) |
| 📌 Entrance examination & interview | January (Reasoning, English and Mathematics, plus interview) |
| 📌 Offers issued | A few weeks after the examination |
| 📌 Acceptance deadline | Around early March |
How to Apply to King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton
Step 1 — Register directly with King Edward VI School
Complete the online registration via the KES website (senior.kes.school). The 11+ application cycle typically opens around May. A registration fee applies (approximately £50, reduced for bursary applicants).
Step 2 — Visit the school
Attend an Open Morning or arrange an individual tour during Year 5 or early Year 6 to meet staff and pupils and get a feel for life at KES.
Step 3 — Sit the entrance examination
Your child sits the school’s own written examination in January. There are three components: a Reasoning paper (may include Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning), an English paper (reading comprehension and writing) and a Mathematics paper.
Step 4 — Attend an interview
Shortlisted candidates attend a short interview (around 15 minutes) with a member of KES teaching staff, usually around the time of the entrance examination.
Step 5 — Provide a school reference
A confidential reference is requested from your child’s current school and considered alongside the examination and interview.
Step 6 — Receive your offer
Results are typically sent a few weeks after the examination. Offers must be accepted by the published deadline (around early March). Academic, Creative Arts and Sport scholarships, plus means-tested bursaries, are available to successful applicants.
Subjects Assessed at King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton
11+ Practice Papers for King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton
King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton sets its own 11+ entrance examination covering Reasoning, English and Mathematics. Our practice papers cover the same question types — with full video explanations for every question.
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Academic Performance at King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton
KES is an academically selective independent school, and results at GCSE and A-Level are consistently strong, with most leavers progressing to leading universities. Because entry is selective, the intake is academically able, and the school combines high expectations with a broad curriculum across the sciences, humanities, languages and the creative arts.
Published headline figures change each year, so confirm the latest GCSE and A-Level results — and the most recent ISI inspection report — on the school’s own website. A recent £10 million investment in facilities supports teaching across the senior school.
Catchment & Admissions Area for King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton
As an independent school, KES has no catchment area and is not part of a consortium, so admission is not tied to where you live and there is no priority-area or distance rule. Places are offered on the basis of the entrance assessment and interview alone.
Pupils travel in from Southampton and across Hampshire and the surrounding areas, and the school operates an extensive network of daily coaches. King Edward VI Preparatory School (ages 2–11) is a feeder school, though junior pupils still sit the same assessment as external applicants. Confirm current coach routes directly with the admissions team.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Co-curricular at King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton
KES places a strong emphasis on pastoral care, with a tutor-based system supporting each pupil’s wellbeing and progress as they settle into senior school. The school aims to be a happy, purposeful community in which pupils are encouraged to be independent, curious and considerate.
The co-curricular programme is wide-ranging, spanning sport, music, drama and art alongside an unusually broad set of clubs and societies — from astronomy and philosophy to architecture and Amnesty — so pupils can pursue existing interests and discover new ones. For the latest detail on teams, ensembles and societies, see the school’s own pages, as provision is regularly updated.
Frequently Asked Questions — King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton
How do I apply to King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton for Year 7?
You apply directly to the school via the KES website (senior.kes.school). The application cycle typically opens around May; you register and pay a registration fee, and your child then sits the entrance examination and interview in January. KES is not part of a consortium, so you do not apply through a Local Authority Common Application Form.
What is the King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton 11+ entrance exam?
It is the school's own assessment with three written components — a Reasoning paper (which may include Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning), an English paper (reading comprehension and a writing task) and a Mathematics paper — followed by a short interview. The papers are set by the school and based broadly on the Key Stage 2 curriculum.
Does King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton have a catchment area?
No. KES does not operate a catchment area and is not part of a consortium. Entry is based on performance in the entrance examination and interview together with a school reference, so applications are welcome from families regardless of where they live.
How many Year 7 places does King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton offer?
There are around 85 places in Year 7 each year. Entry is competitive and based on the entrance examination, interview and school reference.
Is King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton a state school or fee-paying?
It is an independent (fee-paying) school. It offers academic, Creative Arts and Sport scholarships and generous means-tested bursaries — including the EPA (Sir Edward Penley Abraham) Bursary, which can cover up to 100% of fees for eligible families.
When does the King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton entrance exam take place?
The entrance examination and interviews take place in January for entry the following September. Registration via the school website typically opens around May of the preceding year.
What subjects are tested in the King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton 11+?
The examination covers Reasoning (which may include Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning), English (reading comprehension and a writing task) and Mathematics (number, algebra, measurement, geometry and statistics, with problem solving).
How can my child prepare for the King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton 11+?
Build strong English (comprehension and writing) and Mathematics skills in line with the Key Stage 2 curriculum, and practise Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning question types under timed conditions. Regular reading and familiarity with the exam format both help.
Where can I find King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton's official admissions information?
Full details, key dates, fees and registration are on the school's official website at senior.kes.school. Always confirm the latest information directly with the school before applying.
How to Prepare for the King Edward VI School (KES) Southampton 11+ Exam
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