About Truro School
Truro School is a co-educational independent day school in Cornwall. 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.
Truro 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 #302 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 46.5%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Truro School
Truro School Admissions Criteria
Truro School is a co-educational independent day school in Cornwall. 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 Truro 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 Truro 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 Truro School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics and 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 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 Truro 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 Truro School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Truro 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 Truro School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Truro 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 Truro School
Step 1 — Visit Truro School at an Annual Open Morning (October
Visit Truro School at an Annual Open Morning (October) or arrange a tour at a mutually convenient time (tel: 01872 246062 or email admissions)
Step 2 — Complete and return the online Registration Form together
Complete and return the online Registration Form together with the £100 registration fee
Step 3 — The school requests a current-school reference covering
The school requests a current-school reference covering academic ability and co-curricular involvement
Step 4 — Attend an interview with the Head
Attend an interview with the Head or Director of Admissions during the Autumn/Spring Term, prior to entrance exams
Step 5 — Sit the 11+ entrance examinations
Sit the 11+ entrance examinations — for September 2026 entry, on Saturday 24 January 2026
Step 6 — All candidates sit an electronic Cognitive Ability Test (CAT4
All candidates sit an electronic Cognitive Ability Test (CAT4) measuring Verbal, Non-Verbal, Quantitative and Spatial Reasoning
Step 7 — Following assessment, offers are communicated
Following assessment, offers are communicated — on acceptance, sign the acceptance form
Step 8 — Pay the £500 deposit to secure your child's place
Pay the £500 deposit to secure your child's place (refunded during their last term at the school)
Independent Subjects Tested at Truro School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Truro School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Art, Drama, Fencing, Music and Sports Scholarships at 11+. Means-tested bursaries available via financial declaration.
Outcome announced: Academic Scholarships awarded based on entrance exam and interview performance
Additional notes: Truro School is a leading co-educational independent day and boarding school in Cornwall. Admission to 1st-4th Year is by entrance examination, school report and interview. CAT4 test is not based on anything that can be learned — no preparation required.
Independent Practice Papers for Truro School
Truro 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 Truro 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 Truro School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Truro School is Cornwall’s leading independent school academically, with strong results at GCSE and as the county’s leading co-educational A-Level provider.
- GCSE: a strong record (recently over 500 grades at 9–7, more than twice the national average).
- A-Level: strong results, with a distinctive Sixth Form Diploma alongside A-Levels and a notable record in the Extended Project Qualification.
- Progression: strong progression to a wide range of universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Truro School
Truro School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As Cornwall’s largest co-educational independent school (day, with boarding available), it draws families from across the county and beyond, with entry by assessment rather than where a family lives.
The Senior School sits in 40 acres overlooking Truro and its cathedral, with the Prep School near the Royal Cornwall Hospital; entry runs from the Nursery and Prep through 11+ and into the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1880 by Methodists (as Truro Wesleyan Middle Class College), Truro School is Cornwall’s leading co-educational independent day and boarding school (ages 3–18), with the motto ‘Esse quam videri’ (to be, rather than to seem to be). A Methodist foundation with its chapel at the heart of school life and part of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust, it is known for an ethos of ‘compassionate ambition’ and strong, personalised pastoral care, nurturing values of curiosity, confidence, compassion, creativity and courage.
Set in an inspiring Cornish landscape, it offers an extensive co-curricular programme across sport, music, the arts and the outdoors — and counts Olympic sailor Sir Ben Ainslie and chess grandmaster Michael Adams among its alumni. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Truro School
How do I get into Truro School?
To gain entry to Truro 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 Truro School use?
Truro School sets its own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics and 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 Truro School?
Truro 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 Truro School?
Yes. Truro 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 Truro School?
Most independent schools including Truro 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 Truro 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 Truro School. No registration required.
When is the Truro School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Truro School is Prior to the entrance examinations in January. The registration fee is £100. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Truro School 11+ results announced?
At Truro School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.
What is the acceptance deposit at Truro School?
The acceptance deposit at Truro School is £500 (refunded during child's last term at the school). This is payable on acceptance of a place.