About Kirkstone House School
Kirkstone House School is a co-educational independent day school in Lincolnshire. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Kirkstone House 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 Kirkstone House School
Kirkstone House School Admissions Criteria
Kirkstone House School is a co-educational independent day school in Lincolnshire. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, 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 Kirkstone House 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 Kirkstone House 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 — Entrance assessment: Your child will sit Kirkstone House School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. The assessment is designed by the school's academic staff to identify both current ability and future academic potential.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the admissions 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 Kirkstone House 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 Kirkstone House School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Kirkstone House 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 Kirkstone House School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Kirkstone House 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 Kirkstone House School
Step 1 — Visit Kirkstone House School in Baston, Lincolnshire
Visit Kirkstone House School in Baston, Lincolnshire — 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 Kirkstone House
Your child sits the entrance assessment at Kirkstone House
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 Kirkstone House School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Kirkstone House School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Kirkstone House School is a co-educational independent day school in Baston, Lincolnshire.
Independent Practice Papers for Kirkstone House School
Kirkstone House 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
How to Prepare for the Kirkstone House 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 Kirkstone House School (GCSE & BTEC Results)
Kirkstone House is a small, all-ability school where teaching is tailored to the individual, supporting pupils to achieve strong results relative to their starting points.
- GCSE: pupils of all abilities are supported to reach their potential, with strong individual progress in small classes.
- Sixth form (BTEC): the Sixth Form (established in 2013) offers the BTEC Extended Diploma.
- Progression: pupils progress to further and higher education and training.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Kirkstone House School
Kirkstone House School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a day school, places are open to families from across south Lincolnshire, the Peterborough area and the Cambridgeshire border, with all-ability entry rather than selection by where a family lives.
The school sits on a 60-acre site of woodland and lakes in the village of Baston (about five miles south of Bourne); entry runs from the Junior School (from age 4) through to GCSE and the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1964 by Beryl K. Wyman (who began with a nursery of four pupils), Kirkstone House School is a small, all-ability co-educational independent day school (ages 4–18) in the south Lincolnshire village of Baston, with the ethos that ‘the individual counts’. A deliberately small and inclusive school that welcomes pupils of all abilities, it is known for very small classes, a ‘whole child’ approach, strong pastoral care and a well-staffed learning-support department, organised around a traditional four-house system.
Pupils have access to 60 acres of woodland and lakes for outdoor learning, alongside a wide co-curricular programme. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kirkstone House School
How do I get into Kirkstone House School?
To gain entry to Kirkstone House 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.
What entrance exam does Kirkstone House School use?
Kirkstone House School sets its own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. The papers are designed by the school's academic staff and may differ from national exam boards. Practice papers in the relevant 11+ format (such as the ones ExamTutor provides) are excellent preparation for the school's own assessment.
What is the 11+ exam at Kirkstone House School?
Kirkstone House School uses its own entrance assessment for Year 7 entry, covering English and Mathematics, alongside an interview with the Head or Deputy Head and a reference from the current school. The school is non-selective and welcomes pupils of all abilities, so the assessment is used to understand each child's needs and place them well rather than as a competitive pass/fail bar.
Are there scholarships at Kirkstone House School?
Yes. Kirkstone House 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 Kirkstone House School?
Most independent schools including Kirkstone House 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 Kirkstone House 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 Kirkstone House School. No registration required.
When is the Kirkstone House School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Kirkstone House 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 Kirkstone House School 11+ results announced?
At Kirkstone House School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.