Ackworth School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School: Ackworth School
• Location: Pontefract Road, Ackworth, Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF7 7LT
• Type: Independent day and boarding school
• Age Range: 2.5 to 19 years
• Founded: 1779
• Head: Martyn Beer (since April 2024)
• Ethos: Quaker values of peace, equality, and community
• Entry Points: Various, including Year 7 (11+)

About Ackworth School

Founded in 1779, Ackworth School offers a distinctive educational experience rooted in Quaker principles in the heart of West Yorkshire. This independent day and boarding school provides continuity of education from nursery through to sixth form, fostering deep friendships and personal development across its entire age range of 2.5 to 19 years.

The school's commitment to small class sizes ensures each pupil receives personalised attention, enabling them to flourish both academically and emotionally. Ackworth's Quaker heritage creates a nurturing environment where values of kindness, empathy, and respect are embedded throughout daily school life. This unique ethos, combined with academic rigour, produces well-rounded individuals prepared for future challenges.

Located on an attractive campus in Ackworth, the school offers flexible boarding arrangements alongside day provision, catering to families across Yorkshire and beyond. The curriculum is designed to inspire intellectual curiosity whilst encouraging individual goal-setting and personal growth.

Fees and key dates for 2026/27

Ackworth School publishes day fees of £7,272 per term for 2026/27, with boarding at £10,672 to £12,500 per term, taken from the school's own fees page in October 2026. Registration dates for the next 11+ round are published by the school's admissions office. Fees and dates change each year, so the school's website remains the reference for the current round.

The 11+ Assessment Process at Ackworth School

Ackworth School's Year 7 entry process involves a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate both academic ability and personal suitability for the school's unique environment. The assessment takes place during the autumn term prior to entry and includes several components:

Academic Testing

Prospective pupils sit assessments in core subjects including:

• Mathematics - testing numerical reasoning and problem-solving skills
• English - evaluating reading comprehension, writing ability, and verbal reasoning
• General reasoning - assessing logical thinking and analytical skills

Personal Interview

Each candidate participates in an individual interview with senior staff members. This conversation explores the child's interests, aspirations, and alignment with Ackworth's Quaker values. The interview also allows the school to understand how each pupil might contribute to and benefit from the school community.

Previous Academic Records

The admissions team reviews reports from the candidate's current school to gain insight into their academic progress, behaviour, and engagement with learning. This holistic approach ensures compatibility with Ackworth's educational philosophy.

How to Apply

The application process for Ackworth School follows a straightforward pathway designed to support families throughout their journey:

Initial Steps

• School Visit: Attend an open day or arrange an individual tour to experience the school's unique atmosphere
• Application Submission: Complete the application form available through the school's website
• Registration Fee: Submit the required registration fee to secure your child's place in the assessment process

Assessment and Decision

• Assessment Day: Your child will attend the school for testing and interview during the designated assessment period
• Decision Communication: The school will communicate their decision within two weeks of the assessment
• Acceptance: Successful candidates receive a formal offer with details about the next steps

Financial Support

Ackworth School offers means-tested bursaries for families requiring financial assistance. Bursary applications should be submitted alongside the main application, allowing the school to consider both academic suitability and financial need simultaneously.

Preparing for the Ackworth School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Preparation for the Ackworth School 11+ tends to go best when it starts early and stays steady, and most families who work with us begin between twelve and eighteen months out. Our tutors, who have prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, plan the work backwards from the school's own assessment format and registration deadline.

The tutors we match to 11+ preparation are drawn from a pool in which more than half hold Qualified Teacher Status, around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and which includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.

Families in the South and South West and further afield work with us online, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation to talk through your child's current level and the timeline to the 11+. Families receive progress reports after sessions and have a dedicated point of contact, and we reply to enquiries within one working day with tutor recommendations.

Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.