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Entry at 11+

When pupils arrive into Lower School at Dauntsey's they will be part of a cohort of around 100 children who have come from more than 60 different schools, state and prep, local and overseas.   This is fundamental to the friendly and unpretentious atmosphere that is ever-present at Dauntsey's. All pupils arrive ready to make new friends and make the most of the experiences that lie in front of them.

Within the first few weeks, pupils head off on a one-night residential trip.  The trip provides an opportunity to further strengthen those friendships in the early days and gives them grounding for their future of an adventurous education.

The Lower School is very much part of main school, and many events and activities will involve pupils from across the whole school.  First Form pupils are also mentored by a Sixth Form prefect who they meet with once a week, giving them additional connections in the Upper School.  That said, we are fortunate to have our own base, The Lower School Centre, where pupils spend a great deal of time.

I look forward to sharing more about life in the Lower School with you.

Eleni Conidaris, Deputy Head (Lower School)

For candidates wishing to enter into the First Form/Year 7, assessments and interviews take place at Dauntsey's in mid January of the year of entry. At First Form, both day and boarding places are available, with an option of flexi-boarding in the First and Second Form (subject to availability).

The format of the 11+ entrance assessment is as follows:

Written assessment
Creative writing exercise – 30 minutes

Online assessments
English comprehension and SPAG exercise – 30 minutes
Maths – 30 minutes
Verbal Reasoning – 10 minutes
Puzzles and Problem Solving – 15 minutes

All prospective pupils are interviewed in the same week as the assessments. Those travelling long distances are welcome to request an interview on the same day as the assessments. All others are invited to come for interview later in the same week - Thursday or Friday.

Those living overseas take the assessments by arrangement either at their current school or at a British Council office and will be interviewed via Microsoft Teams. Candidates who do not have English as their first language should refer to the International Candidates page.
 

Key dates for 11+ Entry 2025

Registration Deadline 14 October 2024
Entrance Examination 21 January 2025
Interviews and Auditions 23 & 24 January 2025
Offers Made w/c 3 February 2025

 

Clubs and Activities

Dauntsey's prides itself on the huge range of clubs, societies and activities that exist to provide enrichment and breadth to the academic curriculum. 

Life at the Manor

The Manor is home to approximately 80 Lower School boarders (aged 11-14).

Lower School Academics

The Lower School curriculum offers a very broad, varied programme, providing interest and challenge for pupils and delivering the essential background for the I/GCSE courses studied in later years.