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Whitgift School

Whitgift School is an independent school for boys in South Croydon, London. Entry to Year 7 is by the school's own entrance examination in early January of Year 6, with papers in English, mathematics and critical thinking skills; every candidate is automatically considered for an academic scholarship, and the school does not give priority to siblings of current students.

RegionLondon
AdmissionsSchool admissions page
DfE URN101837

The exam

Athena holds admission-route records for Whitgift School. They are shown by entry cycle below; where the provider changes between cycles, each cycle keeps its own recorded exam.

2027 entry

  • School-set second-stage papers (style class)11+ route

    Set by Individual schools / small consortia (no board)

    11+ entry (Year 7): the school's own entrance examination in early January of Year 6, with papers in English, Mathematics and Critical Thinking Skills. Boys being considered for an offer are interviewed in mid-to-late January, and every candidate is automatically considered for an Academic Scholarship. Decisions are emailed in mid-February. Headline rule: Whitgift does not give priority to siblings of current students. 2027 cycle: examination Tuesday 5 January 2027, interviews 13-28 January 2027, decisions Friday 12 February 2027.

    1038 published practice questions tagged for this exam

    Route record: verified · Athena independents completion research 2026-10-28

2028 entry

  • School-set second-stage papers (style class)11+ route

    Set by Individual schools / small consortia (no board)

    11+ entry (Year 7): the school's own entrance examination in early January of Year 6, with papers in English, Mathematics and Critical Thinking Skills. Boys being considered for an offer are interviewed in mid-to-late January, and every candidate is automatically considered for an Academic Scholarship. Decisions are emailed in mid-February. Headline rule: Whitgift does not give priority to siblings of current students.

    1038 published practice questions tagged for this exam

    Route record: verified · Athena independents completion research 2026-10-28

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Key dates & preparation

2028 entry

Test: January of Year 6 — the school’s own examination day (a few schools test in November or December of Year 6)

Results: Outcomes follow the school’s published timetable, typically in the spring term of Year 6

Offers: February of Year 6 — the school publishes its offers to its own timetable (London day schools cluster around a mid-February offer point)

When to start preparing: Start preparing in the autumn term of Year 5 (the standing rule: about 18 months before the test).

General guidance: this follows the rule of thumb of starting about 18 months before the test. It is not the school's own published advice.

Source: official admissions information · checked 2026-10-28

2027 entry

Test: January of Year 6 — the school’s own examination day (a few schools test in November or December of Year 6)

Results: Outcomes follow the school’s published timetable, typically in the spring term of Year 6

Offers: February of Year 6 — the school publishes its offers to its own timetable (London day schools cluster around a mid-February offer point)

When to start preparing: Start preparing in the autumn term of Year 5 (the standing rule: about 18 months before the test).

General guidance: this follows the rule of thumb of starting about 18 months before the test. It is not the school's own published advice.

Source: official admissions information · checked 2026-10-28

Admissions rules

No catchment — open competition

There is no catchment area. Admission is by the school’s own assessment process (examinations and, usually, an interview); the school sets its own oversubscription criteria in its admissions policy — commonly the assessment result first, with sibling or other connections considered at some schools.

Read the school's admissions policy

Results & destinations

2025 results

GCSE: 69% of grades were at 8 or 9 (42% of grades were awarded at 9)

School-published

A level: Average point score per A level entry 47.01 (average grade A-); 41.8% of A level students achieved AAB or higher

DfE performance tables

Source: official source · checked 2026-10-28

2024 results

A level: Average point score per A level entry 47.76 (average grade A-)

DfE performance tables

Source: official source · checked 2026-10-28

Scholarships & bursaries

Schemes recorded from the school's own published information. A scholarship is a merit award; a bursary is means-tested. Values are shown exactly as the school states them — where a scheme is honorary, its stated value says so.

11+ entry

  • Academic Scholarship

    ScholarshipAcademic

    What is assessed: Awarded to recognise academic potential; all applicants who sit the Entrance Examinations are considered (shortlisted candidates attend an academic scholarship assessment day)

    When: Entrance Examinations in the admissions cycle

    What it's worth: Value not stated on the school's published pages

    How to apply: All entrance candidates automatically considered

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Choral Scholarship

    ScholarshipMusic

    What is assessed: No formal singing qualifications are required, but candidates must have experience of singing in choirs; at audition, choral candidates sing two contrasting pieces, plus melodic singing, sight-singing and aural tests

    When: Audition Tuesday 19 January 2027

    What it's worth: Value not stated on the school's published pages

    How to apply: Separate application required (Choral Scholarship form uploaded with the main application)

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Drama Scholarship

    ScholarshipDrama

    What is assessed: Once academically assessed, selected candidates are invited to an audition: two monologues of 2 minutes each — one classical piece from Shakespeare or one of his contemporaries, and one from a contemporary play written after 1956; a Drama reference/testimonial is required with the application

    When: Audition Friday 22 January 2027

    What it's worth: Value not stated on the school's published pages

    How to apply: Separate application required (Drama Scholarship form uploaded with the main application)

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Music Scholarship

    ScholarshipMusic

    What is assessed: Principal instrument at least Grade 5 standard; once academically assessed, selected candidates are invited to an audition: one piece on each of two instruments (or two contrasting pieces), sight-reading of a short piece, singing a melodic phrase, elementary sight-singing and other aural tests

    When: Audition Tuesday 19 January 2027

    What it's worth: Holders are automatically entitled to at least one Music Award covering the cost of music lessons (fee remission value not stated on the page)

    How to apply: Separate application required (Music Scholarship form uploaded with the main application, with latest music exam certificates)

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Sport Scholarship

    ScholarshipSport

    What is assessed: Candidates should have a significant strength, county level (or equivalent) or above, in at least one sport; once academically assessed, selected candidates attend a sports assessment day: generic ball handling and spatial awareness skills, fitness testing, core sport sessions in cricket, football, hockey and rugby, and specific sports testing; sporting references from the current school and coaches are required

    When: Assessment Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 January 2027

    What it's worth: Value not stated on the school's published pages

    How to apply: Separate application required (Sport Scholarship form uploaded with the main application)

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Music Award

    AwardMusic

    What is assessed: Candidates who are not successful in receiving a Music or Choral Scholarship following audition may still be offered a Music Award

    When: Following the scholarship auditions (audition Tuesday 19 January 2027)

    What it's worth: Covers the cost of music lessons

    How to apply: Considered automatically following a Music/Choral Scholarship audition

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Bursaries (John Whitgift Foundation)

    BursaryOther

    What is assessed: Means-tested bursaries funded by a John Whitgift Foundation grant (around one in ten of the school's students hold one), for applicants who demonstrate strong academic ability or the potential to be key co-curricular contributors; amounts are means-tested on individual circumstances; additional support with trips, uniform and exam fees may be available at the Headmaster's discretion

    When: Assessed alongside the admissions process

    What it's worth: Means-tested; the amount varies with individual circumstances

    How to apply: Bursary applications via the John Whitgift Foundation

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

13+ entry

  • Academic Scholarship

    ScholarshipAcademic

    What is assessed: Awarded to recognise academic potential; all applicants who sit the Entrance Examinations are considered (shortlisted candidates attend an academic scholarship assessment day)

    When: Entrance Examinations in the admissions cycle

    What it's worth: Value not stated on the school's published pages

    How to apply: All entrance candidates automatically considered

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Choral Scholarship

    ScholarshipMusic

    What is assessed: No formal singing qualifications are required, but candidates must have experience of singing in choirs; at audition, choral candidates sing two contrasting pieces, plus melodic singing, sight-singing and aural tests

    When: Audition Friday 20 November 2026

    What it's worth: Value not stated on the school's published pages

    How to apply: Separate application required (Choral Scholarship form uploaded with the main application)

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Drama Scholarship

    ScholarshipDrama

    What is assessed: Once academically assessed, selected candidates are invited to an audition: two monologues of 2 minutes each — one classical piece from Shakespeare or one of his contemporaries, and one from a contemporary play written after 1956; a Drama reference/testimonial is required with the application

    When: Audition Wednesday 18 November 2026

    What it's worth: Value not stated on the school's published pages

    How to apply: Separate application required (Drama Scholarship form uploaded with the main application)

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Music Scholarship

    ScholarshipMusic

    What is assessed: Principal instrument at least Grade 7 standard; once academically assessed, selected candidates are invited to an audition: one piece on each of two instruments (or two contrasting pieces), sight-reading of a short piece, singing a melodic phrase, elementary sight-singing and other aural tests

    When: Audition Friday 20 November 2026

    What it's worth: Holders are automatically entitled to at least one Music Award covering the cost of music lessons (fee remission value not stated on the page)

    How to apply: Separate application required (Music Scholarship form uploaded with the main application, with latest music exam certificates)

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Sport Scholarship

    ScholarshipSport

    What is assessed: Candidates should have a significant strength, county level (or equivalent) or above, in at least one sport; once academically assessed, selected candidates attend a sports assessment day: generic ball handling and spatial awareness skills, fitness testing, core sport sessions in cricket, football, hockey and rugby, and specific sports testing; sporting references from the current school and coaches are required

    When: Assessment Thursday 19 November 2026

    What it's worth: Value not stated on the school's published pages

    How to apply: Separate application required (Sport Scholarship form uploaded with the main application)

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Music Award

    AwardMusic

    What is assessed: Candidates who are not successful in receiving a Music or Choral Scholarship following audition may still be offered a Music Award

    When: Following the scholarship auditions (audition Friday 20 November 2026)

    What it's worth: Covers the cost of music lessons

    How to apply: Considered automatically following a Music/Choral Scholarship audition

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Bursaries (John Whitgift Foundation)

    BursaryOther

    What is assessed: Means-tested bursaries funded by a John Whitgift Foundation grant (around one in ten of the school's students hold one), for applicants who demonstrate strong academic ability or the potential to be key co-curricular contributors; amounts are means-tested on individual circumstances; additional support with trips, uniform and exam fees may be available at the Headmaster's discretion

    When: Assessed alongside the admissions process

    What it's worth: Means-tested; the amount varies with individual circumstances

    How to apply: Bursary applications via the John Whitgift Foundation

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

16+ entry

  • Academic Scholarship

    ScholarshipAcademic

    What is assessed: Awarded to recognise academic potential; all applicants who sit the Entrance Examinations are considered (shortlisted candidates attend an academic scholarship assessment day)

    When: Entrance Examinations in the admissions cycle

    What it's worth: Value not stated on the school's published pages

    How to apply: All entrance candidates automatically considered

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Choral Scholarship

    ScholarshipMusic

    What is assessed: No formal singing qualifications are required, but candidates must have experience of singing in choirs; at audition, choral candidates sing two contrasting pieces, plus melodic singing, sight-singing and aural tests

    When: Audition Friday 20 November 2026

    What it's worth: Value not stated on the school's published pages

    How to apply: Separate application required (Choral Scholarship form uploaded with the main application)

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Drama Scholarship

    ScholarshipDrama

    What is assessed: Once academically assessed, selected candidates are invited to an audition: two monologues of 2 minutes each — one classical piece from Shakespeare or one of his contemporaries, and one from a contemporary play written after 1956; a Drama reference/testimonial is required with the application

    When: Audition arranged on an individual basis

    What it's worth: Value not stated on the school's published pages

    How to apply: Separate application required (Drama Scholarship form uploaded with the main application)

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Music Scholarship

    ScholarshipMusic

    What is assessed: Principal instrument at least Grade 8 standard; once academically assessed, selected candidates are invited to an audition: one piece on each of two instruments (or two contrasting pieces), sight-reading of a short piece, singing a melodic phrase, elementary sight-singing and other aural tests

    When: Audition Friday 20 November 2026

    What it's worth: Holders are automatically entitled to at least one Music Award covering the cost of music lessons (fee remission value not stated on the page)

    How to apply: Separate application required (Music Scholarship form uploaded with the main application, with latest music exam certificates)

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Sport Scholarship

    ScholarshipSport

    What is assessed: Candidates should have a significant strength, county level (or equivalent) or above, in at least one sport; once academically assessed, selected candidates attend a sports assessment: generic ball handling and spatial awareness skills, fitness testing, core sport sessions in cricket, football, hockey and rugby, and specific sports testing; sporting references from the current school and coaches are required

    When: Assessment arranged on an individual basis

    What it's worth: Value not stated on the school's published pages

    How to apply: Separate application required (Sport Scholarship form uploaded with the main application)

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Music Award

    AwardMusic

    What is assessed: Candidates who are not successful in receiving a Music or Choral Scholarship following audition may still be offered a Music Award

    When: Following the scholarship auditions (audition Friday 20 November 2026)

    What it's worth: Covers the cost of music lessons

    How to apply: Considered automatically following a Music/Choral Scholarship audition

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

  • Bursaries (John Whitgift Foundation)

    BursaryOther

    What is assessed: Means-tested bursaries funded by a John Whitgift Foundation grant (around one in ten of the school's students hold one), for applicants who demonstrate strong academic ability or the potential to be key co-curricular contributors; amounts are means-tested on individual circumstances; additional support with trips, uniform and exam fees may be available at the Headmaster's discretion

    When: Assessed alongside the admissions process

    What it's worth: Means-tested; the amount varies with individual circumstances

    How to apply: Bursary applications via the John Whitgift Foundation

    Official scholarship information

    Checked 2026-10-28

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