About Quinton House School
Quinton House School is a co-educational independent day school in Upton, Northampton. 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.
Quinton 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 Quinton House School
Quinton House School Admissions Criteria
Quinton House School is a co-educational independent day school in Upton, Northampton. 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 Quinton 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 Quinton 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 Quinton 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 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 Quinton 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 Quinton House School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Quinton 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 Quinton House School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Quinton 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 Quinton House School
Step 1 — Visit Quinton House School in Northampton
Visit Quinton House School in Northampton — 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 Quinton House
Your child sits the entrance assessment at Quinton 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 Quinton House School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Quinton House School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Quinton House School is a co-educational independent day school in Upton, Northampton.
Independent Practice Papers for Quinton House School
Quinton 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 Quinton 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 Quinton House School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Quinton House is a broad-ability all-through school — not an academic hothouse — where small classes and individual attention help pupils achieve results above the national average.
- GCSE: a strong record across a broad curriculum, with the focus on individual progress rather than selection.
- A-Level: pupils progress from the Sixth Form to a range of universities and pathways.
- Progression: pupils progress to a range of universities, apprenticeships and other destinations.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Quinton House School
Quinton House School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a broad-ability day school, places are open to families from across Northampton and the wider area, with all-ability entry rather than selection by where a family lives; an extensive network of school buses serves Northamptonshire and parts of Buckinghamshire (including Daventry, Towcester and Milton Keynes).
The school sits in 31 acres around the Grade I-listed Upton Hall on the edge of Northampton; entry runs from the Nursery (from age 2) and Prep through 11+ and into the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1946 as Upton Hall School and renamed Quinton House School in 1966, Quinton House is a broad-ability, all-through co-educational independent day school (ages 2–18) set in 31 acres around the Grade I-listed Upton Hall near Northampton, with the motto ‘Integri in omnibus’ (virtuous in all things). Part of the Cognita group and deliberately not an academic hothouse, it is known for knowing every child — with small classes, a strong family ethos and pastoral care as a headline strength (including staff trained in mental health first aid).
It offers more than a hundred co-curricular activities a week, including sport, music, performing and creative arts, a triple-language programme and Forest School. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Quinton House School
How do I get into Quinton House School?
To gain entry to Quinton 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 Quinton House School use?
Quinton 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 Quinton House School?
Quinton House 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 Quinton House School?
Yes. Quinton 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 Quinton House School?
Most independent schools including Quinton 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 Quinton 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 Quinton House School. No registration required.
When is the Quinton House School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Quinton 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 Quinton House School 11+ results announced?
At Quinton House School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.