About Royal Hospital School
Royal Hospital School is a co-educational independent day school in Suffolk. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Royal Hospital 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 #371 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 56.3%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Royal Hospital School
Royal Hospital School Admissions Criteria
Royal Hospital School is a co-educational independent day school in Suffolk. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, 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 Royal Hospital 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 Royal Hospital 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 — ISEB Common Pre-Test: Your child will sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test online — the standardised, adaptive assessment used by Royal Hospital School and over 90 other UK independent senior schools. The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes in total. It is age-standardised to allow fair comparison across applicants.
- ✓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 Royal Hospital 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 Royal Hospital School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Royal Hospital 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 Royal Hospital School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Royal Hospital 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 Royal Hospital School
Step 1 — Visit Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, Suffolk
Visit Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, Suffolk — 200-acre campus overlooking the River Stour
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 school's own entrance exam
Your child sits the school's own entrance exam — testing English and Maths
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 Royal Hospital School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Royal Hospital School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Royal Hospital School is a co-educational independent boarding and day school in Holbrook, Suffolk (IP9 2RX) founded 1712. Times rank #371. Set on a beautiful 200-acre campus overlooking the River Stour. Strong naval tradition with focus on character development and leadership skills.
Independent Practice Papers for Royal Hospital School
Royal Hospital School uses ISEB Common Pre-Test 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 Royal Hospital 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 Royal Hospital School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Royal Hospital School offers a broad, all-ability education and achieves strong results through active differentiation, with A-Levels and BTECs on offer.
- GCSE: a solid record across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level & BTEC: strong results across 24 A-Level subjects and vocational options, with leavers progressing to a wide range of universities.
- Progression: most leavers progress to university or further training.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Royal Hospital School
Royal Hospital School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a co-educational boarding and day school, places are open to families from across Suffolk and Essex, and to boarders from the UK and overseas, with entry by assessment at 11+, 13+ and 16+ (Common Entrance or the school’s own assessment).
The school sits on a 200-acre campus at Holbrook on the Shotley Peninsula, overlooking the River Stour about 7 miles from Ipswich and within an hour of London.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1712 by Royal Charter as part of Greenwich Hospital — and historically known as ‘the Cradle of the Navy’ — Royal Hospital School is a co-educational independent boarding and day school (ages 11–18) in Suffolk, with a proud naval heritage that still shapes its values of courage, resilience and community. Boarding and day houses, named after naval figures, are at the heart of its strong pastoral care.
Co-curricular life is wide-ranging, with a strong naval and outdoor tradition — sailing and the Combined Cadet Force alongside sport, music, drama and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Royal Hospital School
How do I get into Royal Hospital School?
To gain entry to Royal Hospital 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 Royal Hospital School use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
Yes. Royal Hospital School uses the ISEB Common Pre-Test as part of its 11+ admissions process. The ISEB Common Pre-Test is an online, adaptive assessment commissioned by ISEB and developed by GL Assessment, used by over 90 leading UK independent senior schools. It covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes to complete. Results are age-standardised and shared with all senior schools the candidate has registered with.
What is the 11+ exam at Royal Hospital School?
Royal Hospital 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 Royal Hospital School?
Yes. Royal Hospital 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 Royal Hospital School?
Most independent schools including Royal Hospital 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 Royal Hospital 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 Royal Hospital School. No registration required.
When is the Royal Hospital School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Royal Hospital 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 Royal Hospital School 11+ results announced?
At Royal Hospital School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.