About Kingham Hill School
Kingham Hill School Kingham Hill School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school near Kingham in Oxfordshire, set in the Cotswold countryside. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment — the CAT4 cognitive abilities test (verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning) — together with an interview and a current-school reference. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Kingham Hill 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 #391 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 31%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Kingham Hill School
Kingham Hill School Admissions Criteria
Kingham Hill School Kingham Hill School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school near Kingham in Oxfordshire, set in the Cotswold countryside. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment — the CAT4 cognitive abilities test (verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning) — together with an interview and a current-school reference. 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 Kingham Hill 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 Kingham Hill 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 — CAT4 assessment: Your child will sit the CAT4 cognitive abilities assessment — covering verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning — alongside an interview. CAT4 measures underlying academic potential rather than curriculum knowledge.
- ✓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 Kingham Hill 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 Kingham Hill School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Kingham Hill 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 Kingham Hill School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Kingham Hill 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 Kingham Hill School
Step 1 — Visit Kingham Hill School in Oxfordshire
Visit Kingham Hill School in Oxfordshire — arrange a personal tour or attend an Open Event
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 Kingham Hill
Your child sits the entrance assessment at Kingham Hill
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 Kingham Hill School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Kingham Hill School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Kingham Hill School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire. Christian foundation.
Independent Practice Papers for Kingham Hill School
Kingham Hill School uses CAT4 assessment 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 Kingham Hill 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 Kingham Hill School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Kingham Hill is a small, non-selective school where individual attention helps pupils achieve strong results at GCSE and A-Level relative to their starting points.
- GCSE: a strong record across a broad curriculum, with strong individual progress in small classes.
- A-Level: strong results, 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 Kingham Hill School
Kingham Hill School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a day and boarding school (with weekly boarding available), it draws day families from across west Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds and boarders from the UK and overseas, with non-selective entry by the school’s own assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school sits in a 100-acre Cotswold estate near Kingham, with direct rail links to Oxford and London; entry is at 11+, 13+ and into the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1886 by the Christian philanthropist Charles Edward Baring Young, Kingham Hill School is a small, non-selective co-educational independent day and boarding school (ages 11–18) set in a 100-acre Cotswold estate near Chipping Norton, with the motto ‘In Virum Perfectum’. Co-educational since 1992 and rooted in a strong Christian ethos, it describes itself as ‘a small school with a big heart’, known for individual attention, character development and excellent pastoral care across eleven day and boarding houses; in 2025 it joined the Dean Close Foundation (as Dean Close Kingham Hill School).
Co-curricular life is varied — from a working school farm and a Combined Cadet Force to climbing, music, drama and Model UN — supported by its ‘Equipped to Flourish’ programme. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kingham Hill School
How do I get into Kingham Hill School?
To gain entry to Kingham Hill 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 Kingham Hill School use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
No. Kingham Hill uses the CAT4 cognitive abilities test (verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning), together with an interview and a school reference, rather than the ISEB Common Pre-Test.
What is the 11+ exam at Kingham Hill School?
Kingham Hill 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 Kingham Hill School?
Yes. Kingham Hill 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 Kingham Hill School?
Most independent schools including Kingham Hill 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 Kingham Hill 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 Kingham Hill School. No registration required.
When is the Kingham Hill School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Kingham Hill 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 Kingham Hill School 11+ results announced?
At Kingham Hill School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.