About St. Edward's School, Cheltenham
St. Edward's School, Cheltenham is a co-educational independent day school in Gloucestershire. 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.
St. Edward's School, Cheltenham 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 #591 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 26%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for St. Edward's School, Cheltenham
St. Edward's School, Cheltenham Admissions Criteria
St. Edward's School, Cheltenham is a co-educational independent day school in Gloucestershire. 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 St. Edward's School, Cheltenham 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 St. Edward's School, Cheltenham. 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 St 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 St. Edward's School, Cheltenham.
- ✓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 St. Edward's School, Cheltenham. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
St. Edward's School, Cheltenham 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 St. Edward's School, Cheltenham.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — St. Edward's School, Cheltenham 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 St. Edward's School, Cheltenham
Step 1 — Attend an Open Event at St Edward's
Attend an Open Event at St Edward's or 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 11+ entrance assessment at St Edward's
Your child sits the 11+ entrance assessment at St Edward's
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 — St Edward's is proudly non-selective in approach, focusing on each child's potential
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
Independent Subjects Tested at St. Edward's School, Cheltenham
Scholarships & Bursaries at St. Edward's School, Cheltenham
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sport Scholarships — mostly awarded at Year 7, with some at Year 9 and Year 12. Means-tested bursaries available for up to 100% of fees.
Outcome announced: Scholarships awarded based on assessment performance and demonstration of talent in specific areas
Additional notes: St Edward's Cheltenham is the cheapest independent school in Cheltenham and the only co-ed independent day school in the area. Co-educational and non-selective in approach — described as 'softer round the edges' and 'less polished'. 257 pupils. Annual fees from £21,192.
Independent Practice Papers for St. Edward's School, Cheltenham
St. Edward's School, Cheltenham 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 St. Edward's School, Cheltenham 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 St. Edward's School, Cheltenham (GCSE & A-Level Results)
St Edward’s is a proudly non-selective school, so its focus is on individual progress and value-added rather than academic selection, with a nurturing approach across GCSE and the Sixth Form.
- GCSE: a broad curriculum supporting each pupil’s individual progress (as a small, non-selective school, comparable published GCSE data is limited, so confirm figures with the school).
- A-Level: a supportive Sixth Form from which pupils progress to a range of universities and pathways.
- Progression: pupils progress to a range of universities and careers.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for St. Edward's School, Cheltenham
St Edward’s School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a non-selective co-educational day school, places are open to families from across Cheltenham and the surrounding Gloucestershire area rather than being based on where a family lives.
The school occupies more than 45 acres across two sites in Cheltenham (the Senior School at Charlton Kings, with the Nursery and Preparatory School nearby); entry points run from the Nursery and Prep through 11+ and into the Sixth Form, with scholarships at Year 7 and the Lower Sixth and means-tested bursaries available.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1987, St Edward’s School is a co-educational Roman Catholic independent day school in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (ages 11–18 in the Senior School, with an associated Nursery and Preparatory School), with the motto ‘Quantum Potes Aude’ (strive for the best). A Catholic foundation that welcomes pupils of all faiths and none, it is Cheltenham’s only co-educational independent day school and the only one without boarding — proudly non-selective, with a smaller, gentler, notably nurturing ethos and outstanding pastoral care (including a dedicated wellbeing hub).
Despite its size, it offers a vibrant co-curricular programme across drama, music, sport, the Combined Cadet Force and a wide range of trips and adventures. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about St. Edward's School, Cheltenham
How do I get into St. Edward's School, Cheltenham?
To gain entry to St. Edward's School, Cheltenham 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 St use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
Yes. St 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 St. Edward's School, Cheltenham?
St. Edward's School, Cheltenham 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 St. Edward's School, Cheltenham?
Yes. St. Edward's School, Cheltenham 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 St. Edward's School, Cheltenham?
Most independent schools including St. Edward's School, Cheltenham 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 St. Edward's School, Cheltenham?
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 St. Edward's School, Cheltenham. No registration required.
When is the St. Edward's School, Cheltenham 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at St. Edward's School, Cheltenham is See school website for current deadlines. The registration fee is Payable with registration. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are St. Edward's School, Cheltenham 11+ results announced?
At St. Edward's School, Cheltenham, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.