Box Hill School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School: Box Hill School
• Location: Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey
• Type: Independent coeducational day and boarding school
• Age Range: 11-18 years
• Students: Approximately 425
• Head: Ms Hayley Robinson
• Day Fees: £7,040-£7,915 per term
• Boarding Fees: £11,715-£14,290 per term
• Contact: +44 1372 373382

About Box Hill School

Nestled in the picturesque Surrey countryside near Dorking, Box Hill School provides a distinctive educational experience that blends academic rigour with international perspective. Established in 1959, this coeducational institution welcomes approximately 425 students aged 11-18, with around 30% representing over 30 different nationalities.

The school's ethos centres on developing confident, compassionate global citizens through its unique Round Square membership - an international network of schools promoting adventure, internationalism, environmental awareness, democracy, and service. This philosophy permeates every aspect of school life, from the curriculum to the extensive outdoor education programme.

Box Hill's stunning 40-acre campus features modern facilities including a contemporary sports centre, state-of-the-art science laboratories, and recently refurbished boarding houses. The school's location on the North Downs provides exceptional opportunities for outdoor learning, with the famous Box Hill National Trust land literally on the doorstep.

Academic achievement remains paramount, with small class sizes ensuring personalised attention. The school offers both GCSE and A-Level programmes, alongside the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for Sixth Form students, providing flexible pathways to suit different learning styles and university aspirations.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Box Hill School's Year 7 entry assessment focuses on identifying students who will thrive in their supportive, internationally-minded environment. The assessment process typically includes:

• Mathematics Assessment: Evaluating numerical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and mathematical concepts appropriate for Year 6 students
• English Assessment: Testing reading comprehension, creative writing abilities, and fundamental grammar and vocabulary skills
• Reasoning Tasks: Both verbal and non-verbal reasoning components to assess logical thinking and analytical capabilities
• Personal Interview: A conversation with senior staff to understand the child's interests, motivations, and alignment with the school's values

The school seeks students who demonstrate academic potential alongside curiosity, resilience, and openness to new experiences. Given Box Hill's international character, the admissions team particularly values students who show cultural awareness and adaptability.

Assessment dates are typically held during the autumn term for the following September entry, though the school maintains flexibility for overseas applicants and those with exceptional circumstances.

How to Apply

The application process for Box Hill School Year 7 entry follows these essential steps:

• Initial Enquiry: Contact the admissions office to discuss your child's suitability and arrange a school visit
• Application Submission: Complete the comprehensive application form available through the school website, including academic reports and references
• Registration Fee: Submit the required registration fee to secure your child's place in the assessment process
• Assessment Day: Attend the scheduled assessment session, which combines academic testing with interview opportunities
• Decision Notification: Receive the admissions decision, typically within two weeks of assessment
• Place Acceptance: Confirm your child's place by returning signed acceptance documents and paying the required deposit

The school encourages prospective families to visit during term time to experience the vibrant community atmosphere. Regular open events and individual tours can be arranged by contacting the admissions team directly.

Preparing for the Box Hill School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Families preparing for the Box Hill School 11+ usually come to us a year or so before the assessment, though shorter runs work where the foundations are already sound. Having prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools, with placements including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, our tutors build each programme around the format the school actually uses, whether a written paper, an online pre-test, an interview or a combination of them.

More than half of our tutors hold Qualified Teacher Status and around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and the pool includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools, so the preparation is led by people who know how selective schools assess. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.

Families work with us online from anywhere in the UK or abroad, 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.