Reed's School 11+ entry guide

Considering Reed's School for your child? We’ve collated everything you need to know about 11+ entry. Learn how to apply, what’s on the entrance exam, and how to help your child prepare for success.

Key information for Reed's School

• Address: Reed's School, Sandy Lane, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 2ES
• Age range and gender: boys aged 11–18
• Type of school: independent day and boarding
• Number of students: 750+
• Admissions contact: [email protected]
• 11+ open days: September in Year 5 and Year 6
• 11+ selection criteria: ISEB Common Pre-Test, interview and school report
• Financial assistance: Foundation scheme providing financial support to children who have lost the support of one or both parents
• 11+ scholarships: academic, art, drama, music and sport

About Reed's School

Reed's School is a 'dynamic and progressive school' located in Cobham, Surrey. It's an independent school for boys aged 11 to 18, with girls joining in the sixth form. Founded in 1813, the school offers both day and boarding options. The school is known for strong academic performance in examinations.

Reed’s School provides excellent facilities, including modern classrooms, science labs, and sports amenities. It excels in sports, particularly in tennis and hockey. Students have won many national titles, including winning 43 National Championships since 2003. The arts are also a key focus, with many opportunities in music, drama and visual arts.

At Reed's, a wide diversity of opinions are encouraged. The school fosters a supportive and inclusive community. Reed's core values are Integrity, Compassion, Curiosity, Resilience, Responsibility and Independence. These values create a 'strong moral compass' in students.

The school seeks 'to develop the self-esteem and character of each individual'. According to the Good Schools Guide, “Academic performance has soared under current headship… Elsewhere, pupils’ brilliance is polished till it shines but personalities remain unchanged. Here, parents feel pupils’ characters have room to grow, too.”

Dates for your diary

• Registration closes: October in Year 6
• ISEB Common Pre-Test: by end of November in Year 6
• Interviews: January in Year 6
• Offers of places: February in Year 6

Reed's School 11+ entrance exam

All children applying for 11+ entry to Reed's School sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test. This is an exam created by the Independent Schools Examination Board which is usually taken in the autumn term of Year 6.

The ISEB Common Pre-Test is taken online and consists of multiple choice questions. It is entirely adaptive, which means the questions become more difficult depending on how your child is performing. The questions span four subjects:

• Maths: questions are based on the Year 5 national curriculum – although children in Year 6 may find this section challenging. The questions range from arithmetic to multi-step problem solving.
• English: questions are split into two sections: reading comprehension, and spelling, punctuation and grammar.
• Verbal reasoning: your child will be tested on their ability to reason and solve problems with written information, such as letters, words, symbols and numbers.
• Non-verbal reasoning: these questions assess your child’s logic, critical thinking and problem-solving skills using figures and diagrams. They will need to show that they can analyse and manipulate 2D and 3D figures.

The ISEB Common Pre-Test takes around 2 and a half hours to complete. Your child can sit the four subjects together or at separate times. If they are taking all four subjects on the same day, they will be allowed a short break between each section.

Following the ISEB Common Pre-Test, applicants are invited to an interview. A school report is also requested.

Atom’s top tips for applying to Reed's School

Reed's School is a selective school, and competition for places can be high. Here are our top tips to help your child prepare for the selection process.

Bitesize learning

It’s important to build a good knowledge base before school entrance exams. Your child should have a good understanding of the content they’ve been taught at school before testing their knowledge with practice tests.

Using a ‘little and often’ approach when learning is key – our brains encode new information more effectively when dealing with smaller ‘chunks’ of information. For children aged 10–11, child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20–30 minutes.

With Atom Home, you don’t need to worry about creating a study schedule. When you enter your target schools, you’ll get a bespoke learning plan tailored to your schools’ entrance exams. Know exactly what your child needs to do each week to confidently pass.

Read widely

Entrance exams test children’s ability to analyse and interpret written information. Regular reading is a great way to help your child build these skills.

Encourage them to read books from different genres and by a diverse range of authors. Increasing the variety of your child’s reading will help them understand different styles, tones and purposes. Meanwhile, reading a little every day will help widen their vocabulary, sharpen their analytical thinking, and enhance their imagination.

Looking for reading inspiration? Check out our Key Stage 2 reading list.

Hone curiosity

Selective schools are often looking for children who are interested in learning. You can help by supporting your child’s broader learning, their intellectual curiosity, and their passion for developing an understanding of the world.

Talk to your child about the world we live in and inspire an interest in current affairs with age-appropriate journalism. It’s also a good idea to make sure they’re benefitting from a rich variety of experiences, such as visiting libraries, museums and galleries.

Refine exam technique

When your child feels confident with their knowledge of the exam topics, they’ll be ready to put their knowledge to the test.

Mock tests can help your child develop problem-solving skills and refine exam technique. They’re also a great way to consolidate learning, while highlighting any knowledge gaps they might want to tackle before exam day.

When you set Reed's School as a target school on Atom Home, your child will get ISEB mock tests as part of their learning plan. Atom’s mock tests mirror the real ISEB – the curriculum, the timings, the controls and even the colours. Know what to expect on exam day.

Celebrate progress

Setting regular, achievable goals and celebrating your child’s progress – no matter how big or small – will help keep their motivation high.

Make sure to encourage a growth mindset. This means celebrating effort, as well as achievement! When your child makes mistakes or struggles to understand a particular topic, help them understand that they’ll improve through practice. Regular praise will help your child improve their resilience when tackling new and challenging topics.