Felsted School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• Founded: 1564 by Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich
• Location: Felsted, Essex (one hour from London and Cambridge)
• Type: Co-educational independent boarding and day school
• Age Range: 4-18 years
• Campus: 90-acre picturesque grounds
• Boarding Options: Full boarding, weekly boarding, and day places
• Recent Achievement: Boarding School of the Year (TES 2023)
• Academic Results: Average IB score over 35 points (2023)
• Sports Excellence: National Champions in Rugby and Hockey

About Felsted School

Felsted School represents nearly five centuries of educational excellence, having educated generations of students since 1564. This distinguished Essex institution combines the best of traditional British independent education with forward-thinking approaches to learning and development.

Set within 90 acres of beautiful countryside, Felsted offers an exceptional environment where academic rigour meets pastoral care. The school's proximity to London and Cambridge provides unique opportunities for cultural enrichment and university preparation, whilst maintaining the peaceful setting essential for focused study.

Felsted's recent recognition as Boarding School of the Year by the TES in 2023 reflects the institution's commitment to providing outstanding care and education. The school's sporting achievements, including national championships in rugby and hockey, demonstrate the comprehensive approach to student development that characterises the Felsted experience.

The school's flexible boarding arrangements cater to modern family needs, offering full boarding, weekly boarding, and day options. Daily bus services from various regions ensure accessibility for local families who prefer day education whilst maintaining connection to the school's vibrant community.

Fees and key dates for 2026/27

Felsted School publishes day fees of £9,604 per term for 2026/27, with boarding at £12,311 to £13,070 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 Felsted School

Felsted School's 11+ assessment process is designed to identify students who will flourish within the school's academically demanding yet nurturing environment. The assessment focuses on fundamental academic skills whilst evaluating each candidate's potential for growth and contribution to the school community.

Assessment Components

Mathematics Assessment:
The mathematics paper evaluates problem-solving abilities, mathematical reasoning, and numerical fluency. Students encounter questions that test both computational skills and logical thinking, reflecting Felsted's emphasis on developing confident mathematicians.

English Assessment:
The English component assesses reading comprehension, written expression, and vocabulary usage. Candidates demonstrate their ability to analyse texts, articulate ideas clearly, and showcase their command of the English language.

Reasoning Assessments:
Verbal reasoning tests evaluate students' ability to understand and manipulate language-based concepts, whilst non-verbal reasoning assessments focus on pattern recognition and spatial awareness. These components help identify students with strong analytical and logical thinking skills.

Assessment Day Experience

The assessment day at Felsted is designed to be welcoming and supportive, allowing candidates to demonstrate their abilities in a comfortable environment. Students are guided through each component with clear instructions, ensuring they can showcase their true potential.

How to Apply to Felsted School

The application process for Felsted School Year 7 entry requires careful planning and attention to deadlines. Families should begin the process well in advance to ensure all requirements are met.

Application Steps

Initial Application:
Complete the online application form available on Felsted's official website. This comprehensive form captures essential information about your child's academic background and interests.

Supporting Documentation:
Submit recent school reports, teacher references, and any additional documentation that demonstrates your child's achievements and character. These materials provide valuable context for the admissions team.

Registration and Assessment:
Once the application is processed, candidates will be invited to attend the assessment day. This includes the academic tests and may involve a brief interview with senior staff members.

School Visit:
Prospective families are encouraged to visit Felsted to experience the school environment firsthand. These visits provide opportunities to meet staff, tour facilities, and ask specific questions about school life.

Final Decision:
Following assessment and review, successful candidates will receive an offer of admission. The school provides clear communication throughout the process, ensuring families understand next steps and requirements.

Preparing for the Felsted School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Families preparing for the Felsted 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.