About Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS)
Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS) is a girls independent day school in Chertsey, Surrey. 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.
Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS) 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 Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS)
Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS) Admissions Criteria
Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS) is a girls independent day school in Chertsey, Surrey. 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 Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS) 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 Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS). 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 Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS)'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 her interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether her child has been offered a place at Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS).
- ✓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 Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS). Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS) 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 Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS).
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS) 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 Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS)
Step 1 — Visit SWPS in Chertsey, Surrey
Visit SWPS in Chertsey, Surrey — arrange a personal tour or attend an Open Event
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form via OpenApply
Complete the online registration form via OpenApply (swps.openapply.com)
Step 3 — Register by noon on Thursday 15 October 2026
Register by noon on Thursday 15 October 2026 (for September 2027 entry); deadline for 2026 entry has passed (noon Wed 15 October 2025)
Step 4 — All applicants invited to sit the entrance test
All applicants invited to sit the entrance test — Saturday 14 November 2026 (for 2027 entry); Saturday 15 November 2025 (for 2026 entry)
Step 5 — Pupils take Maths and English papers
Pupils take Maths and English papers and have an interview with a senior member of staff
Step 6 — Scholarship assessments
Scholarship assessments and auditions take place in late November
Step 7 — Decisions emailed to parents in December 2026 (for 2027 entry)
Decisions emailed to parents in December 2026 (for 2027 entry); December 2025 (for 2026 entry)
Step 8 — Deadline for acceptance March 2027 (for 2027 entry)
Deadline for acceptance March 2027 (for 2027 entry); March 2026 (for 2026 entry) — with a deposit of £750 to secure place
Independent Subjects Tested at Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS)
Scholarships & Bursaries at Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS)
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Sport and STEM Scholarships at 11+. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Sport and STEM Scholarships offered
Additional notes: Sir William Perkins's School (SWPS) is an independent day school in Chertsey, Surrey for ages 11-18 (formerly girls only, now accepting boys from September 2026, phased to fully co-educational by 2030). ~580 pupils. 13 acres of greenbelt land. SWPS Boat Club (rowing) is one of the country's most successful school programmes — competes in National Schools' Regatta, Henley Women's Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta.
Independent Practice Papers for Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS)
Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS) 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 Sir William Perkin's School (SWPS) 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.