How to Apply
Applications for Colfe’s main entry points (3+, 4+, 11+ and 16+) for September 2024 are open.
For occasional place entry (joining year groups outside of main entry points) please contact admissions@colfes.com directly.
Main entry points
(3+ and 4+) Nursery & Reception
We have two Nursery classes and three Reception classes, all of around 20 pupils each. Pupils can join the two Nursery classes at 3+ and the one new Reception class at 4+.
Informal assessments for entry will take place at the beginning of the autumn term of the year preceding entry. We make the 3+ and 4+ assessment process as relaxed, child-friendly and enjoyable as possible. Your child will be invited to join a play session, where he or she will be given a short informal assessment by an experienced early years practitioner. Children born in summer will not be disadvantaged by their birth month – our staff are experienced and will take this into account. We are looking for potential as well as current skills and readiness for learning.
Assessment dates for 2024 entry.
(11+) Year 7
A number of pupils enter Colfe’s in Year 7 (age 11) each year from a wide selection of local primary schools and independent schools – approximately two thirds of the total year group. In addition, pupils from Colfe’s Junior School move up into Year 7 – the remaining third. This equates to either five or six forms depending on the size of the year group. Class sizes do not go above 24 pupils in each form.
Prospective pupils sit our entrance examination and are interviewed in January for entry in September. We also ask for a reference from the pupil’s current school. Offers of places are made when the process is complete in mid February each year.
Academic merit and means-tested scholarships are awarded to pupils entering the school at Year 7 who demonstrate exceptional ability in the entrance examination and who we believe will contribute markedly to the life of the school. If a candidate performs particularly well at interview this is also taken into consideration.
The importance of the wider curriculum at Colfe’s is reflected in our policy of offering a limited number of scholarships in Music, Sport, Drama and Art. These are awarded after individual auditions and assessment; the minimum standard for a Music scholarship is Grade 4. We also take into account performance in the academic entrance exam; pupils must show that they have the potential to achieve in the top half of their year group.
Assessment dates for 2024 entry.
(16+) Sixth Form
The Sixth Form entrance assessment involves a written personal statement as well as two recent school reports. Those wishing to apply for an academic scholarship (including Leathersellers’ Scholarships) will be required to sit an examination, candidates can choose between an essay-based or mathematics assessment. Successful candidates will be invited to interview and offers made are conditional on achieving at least four Grade 7 at GCSE. For Leathersellers’ Scholarships, most applicants will need to achieve at least five Grade 8s at GCSE. However, if your current school does not usually score highly at GCSE we may set you a lower target. At this stage we will also ask for a reference from the pupil’s current school.
In the Senior School and Sixth Form we offer financial assistance in the form of merit based and means-tested scholarships – including a number of fully-funded Leathersellers’ Scholarships for pupils from local state schools who would not otherwise have been able to attend Colfe’s. These are awarded on the basis of exam performance, personal statement, school reports, references and an interview with the Headmaster. Sixth Form scholarships are also conditional on an agreed performance at GCSE.
Assessment dates for 2024 entry.