About Kneller Hall School
Kneller Hall School is a new Dukes Education school due to open in September 2027 on the historic Kneller Hall site in Twickenham (the former Royal Military School of Music), becoming the new home of Radnor House Twickenham. The school will use the CEM 11+ entrance examination for Year 7 entry. The CEM assessment covers English Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Mathematical Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Academic scholarships and means-tested bursaries may be available.
Kneller Hall School offers an outstanding education with excellent academic standards, small class sizes and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities.
About the Entrance Assessment for Kneller Hall School
Kneller Hall School is a co-educational independent school being established by Dukes Education on the historic Kneller Hall site in Twickenham (the former Royal Military School of Music), within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It becomes the new home of Radnor House Twickenham, whose senior school is relocating to the 30-acre campus. Applications are made directly to the school (a registration fee applies).
Entry to Year 7 is by the school's own entrance assessment, covering English, Mathematics and Reasoning. The assessment is designed to be accessible and to identify each child's potential; as a Dukes school, admissions are assessment-based, and pupils from Radnor House Prep and other Dukes schools may be considered for priority, though places are not guaranteed.
As a new school, Kneller Hall has no historical results or inspection reports yet. For 2027 entry the assessment is held during Year 6, with offers issued afterwards. Always confirm the current admissions arrangements, dates and fees directly with the school, as it is still in its launch phase.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Kneller Hall School
Kneller Hall School Admissions Criteria
Kneller Hall School uses the CEM 11+ entrance examination for Year 7 entry. The CEM assessment covers English Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Mathematical Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Academic scholarships and means-tested bursaries may be available.
- ✓Register with Kneller Hall School via the school's admissions office or website.
- ✓A reference is requested from the child's current school ahead of the assessment.
- ✓Sit the CEM 11+ entrance examination at the school: two written papers — English/Comprehension and Mathematics/Reasoning.
- ✓All questions are multiple-choice. Papers cover English Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, Mathematical Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- ✓Attend an interview or informal assessment day at the school.
- ✓No fixed pass mark — selection is based on the overall entrance assessment and interview.
- ✓Offers typically made within 1–2 weeks of the assessment.
- ✓Academic, Music, Sport and other Scholarships may be available.
- ✓Means-tested Bursaries available for eligible families — contact the school's bursar.
- ✓Open Days held each term — book via the school website.
Kneller Hall School Oversubscription Criteria
For 2027 Year 7 entry, Kneller Hall School ranks applicants by performance in the school's own entrance assessment. The following selection priorities are typically applied:
- Children who meet the academic standard in Kneller Hall School's entrance assessment
- 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 Kneller Hall School's places available
- Tiebreak: interview performance, references, or other school-specific criteria
Key Dates & Deadlines — Kneller Hall School 2027 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | Varies by school (typically open Sept/Oct of Year 5) |
| 📌 Registration closes | Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies) |
| 📌 Own Entrance Assessment | Held during Year 6 (English, Mathematics and Reasoning) |
| 📌 Test results released | February of Year 6 |
| 📌 Offers issued by school | February-March (varies by school) |
How to Apply to Kneller Hall School Directly
Step 1 — Attend an Open Day at Kneller Hall School
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 Kneller Hall School
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
Kneller Hall School's own entrance assessment is typically held during Year 6. It covers English, Mathematics and Reasoning, with an 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 Kneller Hall School 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.
Subjects Assessed at Kneller Hall School
CEM Practice Papers for Kneller Hall School
Kneller Hall School uses the CEM 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 Kneller Hall 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 Kneller Hall School (Curriculum & Approach)
Kneller Hall is a new school established by Dukes Education on the historic Kneller Hall site, so it does not yet have published examination results or an inspection report. Its curriculum leads to GCSEs and A-Levels, and the school points to Dukes Education’s wider record for its academic ambition.
For the latest information once results are available, see the school’s own website.
Catchment Area for Kneller Hall School
Kneller Hall School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. Places are open to families from across Twickenham, Richmond and the surrounding south-west London area, and are allocated on the basis of the entrance assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school occupies a 30-acre Grade II listed site in Twickenham (London Borough of Richmond upon Thames); places are open across the area and allocated by assessment rather than catchment.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Kneller Hall is a new co-educational day school established by Dukes Education on the historic Kneller Hall site — the early-18th-century Grade II listed building that was, from 1857 to 2021, home to the Royal Military School of Music. It becomes the new senior home of Radnor House Twickenham, combining heritage architecture with modern facilities.
The school sets out to offer a broad co-curricular programme alongside its academic curriculum, with a focus on wellbeing, creativity and critical thinking. For the latest details, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kneller Hall School
How do I apply to Kneller Hall School for Year 7?
Applications to Kneller Hall School 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 Kneller Hall School use the CEM 11+ test?
No. Kneller Hall School is a new Dukes Education school and sets its own entrance assessment for Year 7, covering English, Mathematics and Reasoning. The former CEM 11+ consortium test was retired in 2022 and is not used here.
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 Kneller Hall School have?
Kneller Hall School 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 Kneller Hall School?
For 2027 entry, Kneller Hall School's 11+ entrance assessment is held during Year 6 (the school's own assessment in English, Mathematics and Reasoning). Registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies).
What's the pass mark / qualifying score for Kneller Hall School?
Kneller Hall School 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 Kneller Hall School a state school or fee-paying?
Kneller Hall School 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 Kneller Hall School 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 Kneller Hall School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Kneller Hall School 2027 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.