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Are you considering Bancroft's School for your child? We've collated everything you need to know about applying for a place in Year 7. Learn about key dates, what's covered on the entrance exam, and how to help your child prepare.
About Bancroft's School
Bancroft’s School is a private day school in northeast London for boys and girls aged 7–18. It was originally founded in 1737 in Mile End as a boys' school, before admitting girls in 1973.
Bancroft's School is 'unashamedly aspirational' and values curiosity, kindness, integrity, courage, balance, and excellence. There are high academic standards and students consistently achieve excellent exam results. As a result, Bancroft's is currently ranked within the top 50 independent schools in the country.
Students at Bancroft's can choose to get involved in over 100 clubs and societies, with plenty of student-led initiatives. The Combined Cadet Force is one of the most popular activities and offers training in flying, gliding, and orienteering. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Scout Group also attract lots of students.
The school is on a mission to attract more pupils from a diverse range of backgrounds. The Bancroft's Foundation was set up in 2012 to generate funding for assisted places (bursaries). Over £2 million has been raised to date.
Head: Mr Simon Marshall
Address: Bancroft’s School, High Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0RF
London borough: Redbridge
Age range and gender: 7–18 (co-educational)
Number of pupils: 1,100+
National league table rank (Sunday Times Parent Power): 37
A level results (2022): 93% A*–B
GCSE results (2022): 93.5% 9–7
Key info for Year 7 admissions
Admissions contact: [email protected], 020 8585 4821
Open day: Saturday 11th November 2023 and further small group tours throughout the autumn. Book online
Entry process: CEM Select test, English paper, maths paper, and interview
Registration closes: Friday 1st December 2023
Assessment date: Tuesday 9th January 2024
Bancroft's School fees and financial assistance
The fees at Bancroft's School in 2023–2024 are £7,590 per term, or £22,770 per year. The fees include school lunches, personal accident insurance, all curriculum-related books, materials and some curriculum-related external trips.
Financial assistance
Bancroft's is committed to widening access to bright children through assisted places (bursaries). These are means-tested awards based on a confidential financial assessment of household income. Bursary awards are reassessed every year. For more information about bursaries, take a look at the school website.
Scholarships
All children applying for 11 plus entry to Bancroft's School are automatically considered for an academic award. Known as a Drapers' Academic Award, these are given to children who perform particularly well in the entry process. These awards do not have any financial value attached.
Once your child has joined the school, they may apply for other Drapers' Awards (scholarships). All awards are honorary and given on an annual basis with the exception of music awards, which are awarded every two years.
Bancroft's School term dates
The 2023–2024 term dates at Bancroft's are:
Autumn term: 6th September – 15th December 2023
Half term: 23rd October – 3rd November 2023
Spring term: 10th January – 28th March 2024
Half term: 12th–16th February 2024
Summer term: 22nd April – 5th July 2024
Half term: 27th May – 3rd June 2024
The 2024–2025 term dates at Bancroft's are:
Autumn term: 4th September – 13th December 2024
Half term: 21st October – 1st November 2024
Spring term: 8th January – 28th March 2025
Half term: 10th–14th February 2025
Summer term: 22nd April – 4th July 2025
Half term: 26th May – 2nd June 2025
Bancroft's School 11 plus admissions process
Bancroft's is a selective school. Places in Year 7 are allocated based on your child's performance in the entrance tests and interview.
1. Visit the school
If you're considering Bancroft's School for your child, it's a good idea to visit the school first. Bancroft's holds regular open events in the summer and autumn terms, and smaller group tours during the autumn.
Larger open events give you the opportunity to see the school facilities, find out more about teaching and learning, and hear from senior staff. See upcoming dates and book an open event online.
2. Register for 11+ entry
Once you have decided to begin your child's application, you'll need to complete the online registration form. If you're applying for entry in 2024, you'll need to complete this form by Friday 1st December 2023.
Registration costs £125 per child and is non-refundable. If you would like your child to be considered for a means-tested assisted place, do not complete this registration form. Instead, you should complete an initial assessment of income form and submit this before Wednesday 15th November 2023. If the admissions team then decide that you could qualify for an assisted place, you will be asked to pay a reduced registration fee of £20.
3. Bancroft's School 11+ entrance tests
All children who are registered by the deadline will be invited to take the Bancroft's School 11+ entrance tests. Children applying for 2024 entry will take the tests on Tuesday 9th January 2024.
There are three components to the test:
CEM Select 11+ reasoning test: CEM Select is an online test which mostly assesses verbal and non-verbal reasoning. It also includes some questions in English comprehension and maths.
English writing paper: the English paper lasts 30 minutes and consists of a creative writing task.
Maths paper: the maths paper lasts 30 minutes and tests the key concepts studied in Key Stage 2.
FREE English writing & maths practice papers
Get prepared for the Bancroft's School entrance exam with these free practice papers. You'll get a maths and creative writing practice paper and guidance for marking your child's test.
4. Interviews
Children who perform well in the Bancroft's 11+ exam are called back to the school for an interview on Saturday 27th January 2024. Your child's school report will also be taken into account.
The interviews take place with members of senior school staff, and are mostly academic in content. Your child might also want to think about how they enjoy spending their time outside of school and describe any particular interests or achievements.
5. Offers
Bancroft's School will let you know of the outcome of your child's application on Thursday 15th February 2024. This will be sent both by email and post.
If your child is offered a place, you'll be invited to an Offer Holds Event on Thursday 22nd February 2024. If you would like to accept the place, you'll need to pay a £1,000 deposit and complete the acceptance paperwork by Monday 4th March.
How to prepare for the Bancroft's 11+
As Bancroft's School is academically-selective, places will be offered to children who perform well in the admissions process. Here are our top tips to help your child prepare.
It can be tempting to jump straight into practice papers to prepare for school exams. However, this is not an effective way to learn and can cause children to feel demotivated.
Your child should have a good understanding of the content they’ve been taught in Year 5 before testing their knowledge with practice papers. Using a ‘little and often’ approach when recapping content is key, as our brains encode new information more effectively when dealing with smaller ‘chunks’ of information. Experts recommend study sessions should last no longer than 30 minutes for children aged 10–11.
All-in-one 11+ prep for Bancroft's School
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Personalised support for you
We understand how important this next step is for them, and for you. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions you may have about applying to Bancroft's School or other selective schools.
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