We understand that choosing a school for your child is time-consuming and sometimes stressful so we have tried to make the process here at Bradfield College as simple, informative and enjoyable as possible. The admissions process is the same for both UK and international applicants.
| Contact our Admissions team | |
|---|---|
| admissions@bradfieldcollege.org.uk | |
| Telephone | 0118 964 4516 |
Families are welcome to visit as many times as they wish but we recommend you follow the following route:
STAGE 1 – JOIN US FOR A SATURDAY MORNING TOUR
Parents will be invited to tour the College campus. Dr Chris Stevens will address the parents, and there will be a presentation by one of our senior pupils about their Bradfield journey (you can watch a selection of these talks here).
Entry Requirements
The following are required for entry to the College at Year 9:
- Success in the Common Academic Scholarship, the Bradfield College Scholarship, Common Entrance or Bradfield Entrance Examinations. We also accept the Prep School Baccalaureate.
- A Headmaster’s or Headmistress’ reference from the pupil’s current school
ADDITIONAL POINTS TO CONSIDER
We welcome pupils with an Educational Psychologist’s Report providing our Support and Study Skills Department can enable them to access the full curriculum and pupils may be invited for an assessment with the Department.
We also welcome pupils with physical disabilities. Parents must inform the College of their child’s medical, physical or educational needs prior to accepting a place at Bradfield College.
Please contact the Admissions Office for more details.
STAGE 2 – REGISTRATION BY 1 JANUARY OF YEAR 6 (to be included in first round of offers)
If you decide to proceed with an application after your initial tour, you will need to complete our Provisional Entry Form and return this to our Admissions office.
STAGE 3 – ISEB COMMON PRE-TEST
All candidates will be asked to take the ISEB (Independent Schools’ Examination Board) Common Pre-Test in their Prep School between November and February of Year 6. Pupils who are not at a Prep School will be invited to take the test at Bradfield.
STAGE 4 – ADMISSIONS ASSESSMENT
This normally takes place on Tuesday afternoons in the Autumn and Lent terms of Year 6, although later applications will, of course, be considered. Prior to the assessment we will request a detailed reference from the Head of your child’s current school.
- Admissions Interview – (20-30 minutes). This aims to understand how well your child will fit into Bradfield and what she or he will be able to contribute to the academic life of the College. We will also talk to your child about their other interests and skills.
- Housemistress or Housemaster Interview – (20-30 minutes). This interview is designed to establish how well your child is suited to College life.
- Candidates will participate in a problem solving challenge – (60 minutes). This challenge, which will be similar to those found in the TV show ‘The Crystal Maze’, will allow us to assess our applicants more broadly whilst providing a fun and engaging environment. It also allows us to gain further insight as to whether applicants are likely to respond positively to Bradfield’s focus on the development of the attributes encompassed in our vision of an ‘Education for Life’. Amongst the characteristics which we will be considering are interpersonal skills, resilience, innovation, and reflection.
STAGE 5 – OFFER OF A PLACE – MARCH YEAR 6 AND YEAR 7/8 FOR LATE APPLICANTS
Following Stages 1-4 we will consider whether we can make your child an offer. This is done in consultation with the Admissions interviewer and with the relevant Housemaster or Housemistress, and also takes into consideration the reference from your child’s current school, and their performance in the Common Pre-Test.
Candidates applying after 1 January of Year 6 and in YEAR 7
We make a few offers later in Year 6 and Year 7 if places are available. Candidates will be asked to take the ISEB (Independent Schools’ Examination Board) Common Pre-Test either at their Prep School or at Bradfield. We will also request a reference from their current school. Strong candidates will be invited for an Online Assessment.
Candidates applying in YEAR 8
Year 8 candidates will be asked to take the Bradfield Entrance Tests (in Maths and English) by January of Year 8. We will also request school reports and a reference from their current school. Strong candidates will be invited for an Online Assessment.
BURSARIES
Please let us know at the time of Registration if you would like to apply for a bursary.
From Year 6 – Parents are invited to submit their financial details as soon as possible so that if their child is offered a place they will be in a position to accept the offer knowing that the required level of fee assistance is available, subject to a review in Year 8, when the level of bursary may be varied upwards or downwards depending on parental circumstances.
The bursary application deadline is 31 October of Year 8.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Year 8 – Scholarship application deadline is December of Year 8 (Sports Scholarship application deadline is October of Year 8).
Further information on our Scholarships page here.
STAGE 6 – ENTRANCE TESTS (YEAR 8)
All candidates take one of the following tests:
Bradfield Entrance Tests (Maths and English) – January of Year 8 for pupils coming from overseas, or who are not at a Prep School
Common Academic Scholarship – February of Year 8
Common Entrance/Prep School Baccalaureate – June of Year 8.
OPTIONAL APPOINTMENT WITH THE HEADMASTER
Parents are most welcome to book an individual appointment with the Headmaster, Dr. Christopher Stevens, after they have visited the College and registered their child. This is entirely optional and is not part of the formal admissions process.
If you have any queries about the admissions process, please do not hesitate to contact one of our Admissions team on 0118 964 4516.
