We currently admit around 35 pupils into Year 9 each September. All Year 9 day pupils will be located together (each with a House affiliation for inter-House competitions), while boarders (flexi-, part, weekly and full) will be based in the junior boarding houses.
Our 13+ entry is particularly appealing to those applying from independent preparatory schools, which usually only accommodate pupils up to Year 8. However, applications are welcome from all backgrounds, including state and other independent secondary schools in the UK and abroad. All candidates are given equal consideration for places at Shiplake.
Admissions Process Timeline: September 2027 and 2028
We will be running an assessment process for late 2027 applicants and 2028 applicants this Spring and Summer Term.
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Various events for visitors | March and April 2026 |
| Whole College Open Morning | Saturday 21 March 2026 |
| Registration Deadline | Friday 17 April 2026 |
| References Requested from Current School | Monday 20 April 2026 onwards |
| Assessment Days | Friday 24 April 2026 Tuesday 28 April 2026 Thursday 30 April 2026 |
| Bursary Applications | From May 2026 |
| Decision Letters Sent | May 2026 |
| Acceptance Deadline | January of Year 7 |
| Scholarship Application Deadline | 1 December of Year 8 |
| Scholarship Assessments | February/March of Year 8 |
| Welcome Events | Throughout Year 7 and Year 8 |
Admissions Process Timeline: September 2029 onwards
We will assess the majority of pupils for Year 9 entry in September 2029 in the Spring Term of their Year 6. This is in line with many other senior schools, to reassure parents that their children have a place around the same time that their peers are accepting offers.
Download a printable timeline with dates for 2029 entry here
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Whole College Open Morning | Late March and early October annually |
| Taster Days and Workshops | Autumn Term of Year 6 |
| Registration Deadline | 1 December of Year 6 |
| References Requested from Current School | December of Year 6 |
| Assessment Days | January of Year 6 |
| Bursary Application Window | Summer of Year 6 |
| Decision Letters Sent | March of Year 6 |
| Acceptance Deadline | January of Year 7 |
| Scholarship Application Deadline | December of Year 8 |
| Scholarship Assessments | February/March of Year 8 |
| Welcome Events | Throughout Year 7 and Year 8 |
Our Assessment Days
Shiplake College is very proud to be an all ability school and, as such, we operate as holistic an assessment process as possible. The purpose of the assessment day is to allow our experienced staff to determine whether each pupil would thrive in Shiplake College’s active educational environment and not to simply see which pupils score the highest in exam conditions.
In the morning candidates sit a series of short literacy and numeracy skills assessments, some online and some handwritten; these tests are designed to provide a clear and broad picture of a pupil's baseline skills and highlight if support needs exist. The tests are timed generously and negate the need to provide exam concessions. However, if a child usually receives exam concessions, parents should let us know and this will be taken into consideration when evaluating the marks. No advance preparation is required for our assessment days and copies of previous years’ papers are not available. Our assessments are intended to show us what pupils can achieve and not what they cannot.
After lunch with current pupils, there will be an indoor and an outdoor activity (weather permitting) in small groups allowing us to observe each pupil’s interactions with peers and staff in a more relaxed situation. There will also be an informal interview with a senior member of staff.
After the registration deadline has passed, applicants will receive an invitation to an assessment day and a confidential report will also be sought from present and previous schools.
If you have any concerns, queries or requests regarding your child’s assessment day, please call the Admissions Office on 0118 940 5221 or 0118 970 4764.
Access Arrangements on Assessment Days
In September 2024, we moved to using a combination of short online (typed) and handwritten assessments designed to look at applicants' literacy and numeracy skills.
These tests are designed to provide a clear and broad picture of a pupil's baseline skills and highlight if support needs exist.
The tests are dynamic according to ability in a given skill and timed generously, therefore they negate the need to provide exam concessions.
If, however, a child usually receives exam concessions, parents should let us know and this will be taken into consideration when evaluating the marks. For example, if a pupil usually types all their school work, we will still ask them to handwrite two sections of the assessment so that we have a clear and up-to-date snapshot of that support need. They will type the remaining sections.
Our assessments are intended to show us what pupils can achieve and not what they cannot.
Year 9 Taster Days
For entry into Year 9, these take place in the Autumn Term of an applicant's Year 6.
Click here for more information about tasters and other opportunities to visit.
If you have any queries, please contact the Assistant Registrar, Mrs Hayley Young, at [email protected].
Registration Form
Scholarships at Year 9
Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sport Scholarships are available to Year 9 applicants. Further details are available on the Scholarships page.
The deadline for applying for a Year 9 scholarship is December of Year 8, and assessments for these will take place after offers of places have been made.
Contact Details
Mrs Esther Pasmore, Admissions Registrar, 0118 940 5221.