About The Abbey School
The Abbey School is a girls independent day school in Berkshire. 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.
The Abbey 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 #440 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 26.8%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for The Abbey School
The Abbey School Admissions Criteria
The Abbey School is a girls independent day school in Berkshire. 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 The Abbey 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 The Abbey 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 The Abbey School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. 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 The Abbey 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 The Abbey School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
The Abbey 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 The Abbey School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — The Abbey 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 The Abbey School
Step 1 — Attend an Open Morning (held throughout the year
Attend an Open Morning (held throughout the year) or informal Open Evening in the Autumn Term — bookings made via online form
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's website
Step 3 — Pay the non-refundable registration fee of £100
Pay the non-refundable registration fee of £100 (£250 for overseas applicants)
Step 4 — Submit registration by the deadline in December of the
Submit registration by the deadline in December of the year prior to entry
Step 5 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your daughter's current school
Step 6 — Your daughter attends an Interview Day at The Abbey in
Your daughter attends an Interview Day at The Abbey in the Autumn Term of Year 6 — includes a workshop, activity session and short informal interview
Step 7 — Sit the 11+ entrance examination covering English
Sit the 11+ entrance examination covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Step 8 — Following assessment, offers are communicated
Following assessment, offers are communicated — on acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
Independent Subjects Tested at The Abbey School
Scholarships & Bursaries at The Abbey School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships (carry a 10% per-year fee remission). Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Academic Scholarship paper in Spring Term of Year 6 for Year 7 entrants. Specialist Scholarships for arts, drama, music or sport.
Additional notes: The Abbey is a leading girls' independent day school in central Reading. The school is part of the IB World Schools network. Daughters/close relations of Abbey Alumnae may receive preference in oversubscription criteria.
Independent Practice Papers for The Abbey School
The Abbey 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 The Abbey 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 The Abbey School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
The Abbey is consistently among the top-performing girls’ schools in the country, with outstanding results at GCSE and in a Sixth Form offering both A-Levels and the IB Diploma.
- GCSE: an outstanding record, well above national benchmarks.
- A-Level & IB: excellent results across a wide choice of A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate (the IB cohort has averaged well above the global average).
- Progression: strong progression to leading universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for The Abbey School
The Abbey School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a day school, places are open to families from across Reading and the surrounding Berkshire area, with selective entry by assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school occupies a town-centre site on Kendrick Road in Reading; entry points run from the Nursery and Junior School through 11+ and into the Sixth Form, with scholarships and bursaries available.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1887 (as Reading High School) and known as The Abbey since 1913, it is an independent day school for girls (ages 3–18) on Kendrick Road in Reading, comprising a Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form. With more than 130 years at the forefront of girls’ education, it is known for combining academic rigour with a warm, inclusive ethos that prioritises happiness, confidence and balance, supported by strong tutor and pastoral care.
Enrichment is wide-ranging, with opportunities in music, drama, sport, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, trips and clubs. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Abbey School
How do I get into The Abbey School?
To gain entry to The Abbey 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 The Abbey School use?
The Abbey School sets its own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. 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 The Abbey School?
The Abbey 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 The Abbey School?
Yes. The Abbey 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 The Abbey School?
Most independent schools including The Abbey 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 The Abbey 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 The Abbey School. No registration required.
When is the The Abbey School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at The Abbey School is December of the year prior to entry. The registration fee is £100 (£250 for overseas applicants), non-refundable. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are The Abbey School 11+ results announced?
At The Abbey School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.