About Newcastle-under-Lyme School
Newcastle-under-Lyme School is an independent school using the CEM Select online assessment for Year 7 entry. The 60-minute CEM Select test covers Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Academic scholarships and bursaries may be available — contact the school.
Newcastle-under-Lyme School offers an outstanding education with excellent academic standards, small class sizes and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. GCSE 9–7: 68.9%.
About the CEM-style 11+ Test for Newcastle-under-Lyme School
Newcastle-under-Lyme School is a boys independent school in England that historically used the CEM 11+ entrance test (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, University of Durham) for Year 7 admission. Note that many schools have transitioned to GL Assessment or bespoke entrance tests since CEM 11+ was retired in 2022 — verify the current format on the school's website. The school admits approximately a limited number of Year 7 pupils each September, and applications are made directly to Newcastle-under-Lyme School (registration fee payable).
The CEM-style 11+ format traditionally consists of one or two papers covering English (comprehension, cloze passages, vocabulary), Mathematics (numerical reasoning, problem-solving), Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. CEM scores are age-standardised so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. The CEM-style is the established alternative reference format to GL Assessment.
For 2026 entry, the Newcastle-under-Lyme School entrance exam is held in January of Year 6, with results and offers issued in February-March (varies by school).
Newcastle-under-Lyme School is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (available places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Newcastle-under-Lyme School
Newcastle-under-Lyme School Admissions Criteria
Newcastle-under-Lyme School is an independent school using the CEM Select online assessment for Year 7 entry. The 60-minute CEM Select test covers Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Academic scholarships and bursaries may be available — contact the school.
- ✓Attend an Open Day or arranged visit to Newcastle-under-Lyme School — check the school website for dates.
- ✓Complete the Registration Form on the school website and pay the registration fee.
- ✓A reference is requested from the child's current school. Based on a satisfactory report, the candidate is invited to sit the assessment.
- ✓Sit the CEM Select online assessment at the school (approximately 60 minutes): three sections covering Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- ✓Attend a short interview with a member of the admissions team, focusing on interests, motivation and personal qualities.
- ✓No fixed pass mark — selection is based on overall performance in the assessment, interview and school reference.
- ✓An offer is usually made within 1–2 weeks of the interview and assessment.
- ✓Academic, Music, Sport, Art and All-Rounder Scholarships may be available — contact the school for details.
- ✓Means-tested Bursaries may be available for financially eligible families.
- ✓Confirm the place by completing an Acceptance Form and paying the required deposit.
Newcastle-under-Lyme School Oversubscription Criteria
For 2026 Year 7 entry, Newcastle-under-Lyme School ranks applicants by performance in the CEM-style entrance assessment. The following selection priorities are typically applied:
- Children who meet the academic standard in Newcastle-under-Lyme School's entrance assessment (CEM-style)
- 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 Newcastle-under-Lyme School's places available
- Tiebreak: interview performance, references, or other school-specific criteria
Key Dates & Deadlines — Newcastle-under-Lyme School 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | Varies by school (typically open Sept/Oct of Year 5) |
| 📌 Registration closes | Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies) |
| 📌 CEM-style 11+ Entrance Test | January of Year 6 (Independent school entrance exam, CEM-style format) |
| 📌 Test results released | February of Year 6 |
| 📌 Offers issued by school | February-March (varies by school) |
How to Apply to Newcastle-under-Lyme School Directly
Step 1 — Attend an Open Day at Newcastle-under-Lyme 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 Newcastle-under-Lyme 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
Newcastle-under-Lyme School's entrance exam (CEM-style format) is typically held in January of Year 6. Covers English, Mathematics, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, plus 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 Newcastle-under-Lyme 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.
CEM Select Subjects Tested at Newcastle-under-Lyme School
CEM Select Practice Papers for Newcastle-under-Lyme School
Newcastle-under-Lyme School uses the CEM Select 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning tests
- 450 video explanations
- 24 hours of video content
- 3 × Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning tests
- 450 video explanations
- 22.5 hours of video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 8.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 8.0 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 7.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 7.0 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 6.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 6.0 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Newcastle-under-Lyme 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 Newcastle-under-Lyme School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Newcastle-under-Lyme School is a leading co-educational independent day school in Staffordshire, with what it describes as the county’s highest-performing Sixth Form.
- GCSE: a high proportion of strong GCSE grades across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level: strong A-Level results across sciences, humanities, languages and the arts, taught in small classes.
- Progression: high rates of progression to leading universities, supported by personalised careers guidance.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Newcastle-under-Lyme School
Newcastle-under-Lyme School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. Places are open to families from across Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent and the wider Staffordshire and Cheshire area, and are allocated on the basis of the entrance assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school is on Mount Pleasant in Newcastle-under-Lyme, close to the Potteries with good links to Manchester and Birmingham; it is a day school and entry is by assessment rather than catchment.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Newcastle-under-Lyme School is an all-through co-educational day school (ages 3–18) formed from the amalgamation of the old Newcastle High School (1874) and the Orme Girls’ School (1876), with a nurturing ethos running from the Prep School to the Sixth Form. Its 2024 ISI inspection singled out the co-curricular provision as a ‘significant strength’.
There is a wide programme spanning the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the Combined Cadet Force, Model United Nations, music (choirs and ensembles, ABRSM) and three drama productions a year with LAMDA. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Newcastle-under-Lyme School
How do I apply to Newcastle-under-Lyme School for Year 7?
Applications to Newcastle-under-Lyme 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 Newcastle-under-Lyme School use the CEM 11+ test?
Newcastle-under-Lyme School historically used the CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) 11+ entrance test. Since CEM 11+ was retired in 2022, many schools have transitioned to GL Assessment or developed bespoke entrance tests. Practice papers in the CEM-style format remain valuable preparation as the topic areas (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) are still tested in most formats.
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 Newcastle-under-Lyme School have?
Newcastle-under-Lyme 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 Newcastle-under-Lyme School?
For 2026 entry, Newcastle-under-Lyme School's 11+ entrance assessment is held in January of Year 6 (Independent school entrance exam, CEM-style format). Registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies).
What's the pass mark / qualifying score for Newcastle-under-Lyme School?
Newcastle-under-Lyme 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 Newcastle-under-Lyme School a state school or fee-paying?
Newcastle-under-Lyme 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 Newcastle-under-Lyme 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 Newcastle-under-Lyme School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Newcastle-under-Lyme School 2026 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.