Our process is designed to be age-appropriate, supportive, and focused on understanding your child as an individual. Whether joining us in Early Years or at Year 3, we aim to ensure every new pupil is well-placed to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally within our community.
Admissions
Find out more about applying to our school
The primary entry points to the school are the Early Years Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception) and Year 3 (ages 7+). Entry at other ages is dependent on vacancies. We encourage families to register interest early, particularly for our most popular entry points.
Where appropriate, children are invited to participate in an age-appropriate assessment or taster session. These sessions are designed to be supportive and familiar, allowing us to understand how your child learns and engages. We also welcome parents and guardians to visit the school during this process, either through a scheduled open day or a personal tour.
We offer specialist-led teaching in small classes, featuring Challenge for All, inclusive extracurriculars, and expert SEND support from the very start.
In the Lent Term, registered applicants are invited to attend an informal assessment within the school setting. These sessions are designed to identify children who will benefit from our academic curriculum and make a positive contribution to school life, including engaging positively with their peers and the wider school community.
To ensure a smooth transition, children entering Reception are expected to demonstrate the ability to integrate successfully with the current cohort, both emotionally and socially, and to show excellent behaviour.
Note:
Applicants assessed as not yet meeting the required behavioural, social, or emotional standards may remain on the waiting list for potential entry into Year 1 and beyond.
Places in other year groups:
While our main entry points are Reception and Year 3, places in other year groups may occasionally become available as vacancies arise.
Registered applicants are invited to attend a morning of activities, which is designed to assess academic potential in a supportive and structured environment.
The 7+ Entrance Assessment for September 2027 entry typically takes place on a Friday in the Lent Term.
The assessment is the CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test), a nationally recognised test that looks at how children think and learn rather than what they already know. It measures four key reasoning skills:
To secure a place, applicants must:
The school offers a limited number of bursary-assisted places for eligible applicants entering from Year 3.
Our admissions team is here to guide you through every step, ensuring clear and timely communication regarding key dates and next steps. Offers are made subject to availability and the specific admissions criteria for each year group.
How to Register:
For full details, please review our Registration and Private School Admissions Procedure.
We look forward to hearing from you. Please do not hesitate to contact the school by telephone or email if you wish to discuss any matters relating to the above.
What truly sets St. Aubyn’s apart is the balance we strike, academic ambition across every dimension of learning, pastoral care without compromise, and a community where every child is nurtured to be curious, confident and kind.
We invite families to visit, explore our school and experience this balance for themselves.
of pupils who sat the 11+ last year received an offer from one of their chosen schools.
To help families in navigating attending an upcoming St. Aubyn’s open day here are answers to some commonly asked questions. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, our admissions team would be delighted to help.
The main points of entry to St. Aubyn’s are Nursery (age 3), Reception (age 4) and Year 3 (7+). We also welcome applications for other year groups where places become available.
If you are considering joining St. Aubyn’s at any stage of your child’s education, we encourage you to contact our Admissions Team. We will be happy to discuss current availability, arrange a personal tour and help you find the most appropriate entry point for your child
Our admissions process is designed to be welcoming, straightforward and age-appropriate, allowing us to get to know your child in a relaxed and supportive environment.
The first step is to complete our online Registration Form and pay the non-refundable registration fee of £120.
Nursery: There is no formal assessment. We simply invite families to visit the school and meet our Early Years team.
Reception: Registered children are invited to attend an informal assessment during the Lent Term, where we observe them through age-appropriate activities within our Early Years setting.
Year 3 (7+): Applicants spend a morning at St. Aubyn’s, taking part in classroom activities alongside assessments in English, Mathematics and Reading.
Following a successful assessment and subject to availability, families are offered a place. A £600 acceptance deposit secures the place and is returned when your child leaves St. Aubyn’s at the end of Year 6, provided the required notice has been given.
We understand that joining a new school is a significant milestone for both children and parents. Our aim is to ensure every family feels welcomed, supported and part of the St. Aubyn’s community from the very beginning.
Children joining Nursery are invited to transition sessions during the Summer Term, giving them the opportunity to meet their teachers, explore their classrooms and become familiar with daily routines before their first day.
Pupils joining older year groups attend an induction morning if they are joining at the beginning of the academic year. Mid-year joiners are introduced carefully to school life and are paired with a friendly buddy who helps them settle into their new class, make friends and quickly feel at home.
Parents are equally important members of our community. Throughout the year there are numerous opportunities to meet staff and other families through welcome events, information evenings and activities organised by our active parent association, SASS (St. Aubyn’s School Association).
Our nurturing approach was recognised during our most recent ISI inspection, where our Early Years provision was awarded a Significant Strength, reflecting the exceptional care, relationships and learning experiences that help children settle quickly and thrive.
St. Aubyn’s is committed to making an outstanding independent education accessible to talented children from a wide range of backgrounds.
Means-tested Assisted Places are available for pupils entering Year 3 (7+) and above. Subject to eligibility and annual review, bursaries of up to 100% of tuition fees may be awarded depending on the financial circumstances and individual needs of each family.
Applications are considered confidentially by the Governors, who assess each family’s circumstances carefully and fairly.
Please contact our Admissions Team for further information about eligibility and the application process.
Still have questions?
We recognise that every family and every child is different.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you would like to discuss your circumstances in more detail.
Still have questions?
We recognise that every family and every child is different. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you would like to discuss your circumstances in more detail.
We warmly invite you to a personal guided tour with Admissions Registrar, Mrs Helen Madden. During your visit, you’ll explore classrooms, creative spaces, and sports facilities to see how children grow in confidence and curiosity while building firm foundations for a lifetime of learning.
Most importantly, you’ll be in amongst a typical school day, allowing you to gain genuine insight into our nurturing community. Your visit concludes with a relaxed meeting with the Head to answer your questions.
