King Edward’s Witley: parents’ guide to Year 7 entry

King Edward’s Witley is an independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 11–18 in Godalming, Surrey. It was founded in 1553 by Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London, who persuaded the child King Edward VI to hand over Bridewell Palace to house, care and educate the poor. The school’s rich historic connections and inclusive Christian ethos are still integral to its approach today.

Children learn and live on a 100-acre campus. Day pupils and boarders are treated equally; the King Edward’s Witley house system embeds all pupils in school life and its supportive networks. A rich co-curricular programme helps pupils broaden their horizons and develop new interests in sports, the arts, research, technology and creativity, with outlets for mind, body and spirit.

There are plenty of opportunities to explore interests in the curriculum, too. Studies are structured around and beyond the national curriculum; alongside the core subjects, pupils take two or three modern languages and can choose from an array of creative pursuits, including art, design technology, food and textiles, music, computing, drama, and sport. In the sixth form, students can opt to take A levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB).

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Key information for King Edward's Witley

• Head: Mrs Joanna Wright

• Address: King Edward’s Witley, Petworth Road, Witley, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 5SG

• County: Surrey

• Admissions contact: Mr J Benson – [email protected], 01428 686771

• Age range and gender: boys and girls aged 11–18

• Number of pupils: 421

• Open day date: Thursday 26th January and Thursday 16th March 2023. Book a place online

• Overview of selection procedure: ISEB Common Pre-Test, interview and school report

• Registration closes: 1st November of Year 6

• Assessment date: December of Year 6

King Edward's Witley fees and financial assistance

The fees at King Edward’s Witley are different for pupils in the 1st and 2nd forms (Years 7–8) and for those in older year groups (Years 9–11 and the sixth form). The current fees for Years 7–8 are £5,960 per term for day pupils and £11,195 to £11,790 per term for weekly to full boarders. Day fees include lunch.

King Edward’s Witley is able to offer means-tested financial assistance via the School’s Foundation and the City of London to families where boarding or the school’s style of education is a particular need. The level of bursary award will depend on the family’s total assessable income, but is normally up to a maximum of 50% of the fees.

Scholarships are also available for 11 plus candidates in the areas of academia, art, design technology, drama, music, and sport. These are not means-tested but are awarded based on co-curricular talent.

Sibling discounts are available for children at King Edward’s Witley and its partner school, Barrow Hills School and Nursery. A discount on fees for children of armed forces families will also be considered.

King Edward's Witley term dates

The term dates at King Edward's Witley for 2022–23 are:

• Autumn term: 5th September – 16th December 2022

• Half term: 14th–30th October 2022

• Spring term: 9th January – 24th March 2023

• Half term: 10th–19th February 2023

• Summer term: 17th April – 7th July 2023

• Half term: 26th May – 4th June 2023

The term dates at King Edward’s Witley for 2023–24 are:

• Autumn term: 4th September – 15th December 2023

• Half term: 13th–29th October 2023

• Spring term: 8th January – 22nd March 2024

• Half term: 9th–18th February 2024

• Summer term: 15th April – 5th July 2024

• Half term: 24th May – 2nd June 2024

Admissions process for Year 7 entry to King Edward's Witley

If you are considering King Edward’s Witley for your child’s secondary education, the school welcomes you to visit either by attending an opening morning or by arranging an individual visit. This normally involves meeting with the head or with the director of admissions, and touring the school site with a current pupil.

Once you have decided to proceed with the admissions process, you will need to register your child and pay a non-refundable registration fee of £150. You can apply at any time before the deadline of 1st November when your child is in Year 6. The application form is available to download from the King Edward’s Witley school website.

Your child’s current school will be contacted to request a report on their progress and potential. They will then be invited to take the ISEB Common Pre-Test, either at their current school (if the school is a registered testing centre) or at King Edward’s Witley, in the December of Year 6. You will need to register your child to sit the test separately with the ISEB via their website. Children may also have an informal interview with a member of King Edward’s Witley senior staff.

Places in Year 7 are offered on the basis of the results from the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the informal interview and your child’s school report.

King Edward's Witley 11 plus exam

Children who are registered for Year 7 entry to King Edward's Witley will take the ISEB Common Pre-Test, either at their own school (if it is a registered testing centre) or at King Edward’s Witley itself. This test is taken online and is adaptive, meaning that the questions become more difficult depending on how your child is performing.

You will need to register your child separately for the ISEB via the ISEB website. You only need to register your child once, regardless of how many schools you are applying for.

The test takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete and covers four subjects:

• English: 40 minutes in total. There are 50 questions split across two sections: reading comprehension and SPaG (spelling, punctuation and grammar).

• Maths: 40 minutes in total. There are 30 questions which test pupils on number and place value, calculations, fractions, decimals and percentages, measurement, geometry, and statistics.

• Verbal reasoning: 30 minutes in total. 25 questions test candidates’ logic and comprehension, including problem-solving techniques, trial and error skills, the ability to work logically, the ability to recognise suitable solutions, and knowledge of vocabulary and definitions.

• Non-verbal reasoning: 36 minutes in total. There are 30 questions to complete, requiring pupils to either analyse 2D figures and diagrams to look for patterns, or to manipulate 3D figures and diagrams to visualise them in different ways.

Atom’s complete guide to the ISEB Common Pre-Test

How to help your child prepare for the selection process at King Edward's Witley

Build foundational knowledge

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Engage with their progress

Celebrate your child’s improvement in areas of challenge together. An accurate and ongoing assessment of their areas of strength and development is helpful.

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It’s our mission to help your child feel prepared and confident before the exam day. Begin your free 5-day free trial of Nucleus today to help your child succeed.

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