Frensham Heights School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Name: Frensham Heights School
• Location: Rowledge, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4EA
• School Type: Independent coeducational day and boarding school
• Age Range: 3 to 18 years
• Total Students: Approximately 494
• Founded: 1925
• Headmaster: Ben McCarey (since September 2024)
• Day Fees: £380 to £8,085 per term
• Boarding Fees: £9,060 to £12,615 per term
• Scholarships Available: Academic, arts, drama, music, and sports

About Frensham Heights School

Nestled within the stunning Surrey Hills, Frensham Heights School has been nurturing young minds since 1925. Founded by visionary educator Edith Douglas-Hamilton, this progressive independent school has maintained its pioneering spirit for nearly a century. The school's distinctive approach emphasises individual growth within a supportive community environment, encouraging students to become confident, creative thinkers.

The school's 57-acre campus provides an inspiring backdrop for learning, featuring purpose-built facilities including the professional Aldridge Theatre, a dedicated music centre, and an independent sixth form centre. This exceptional environment allows students aged 3 to 18 to flourish across all areas of school life, from academic pursuits to creative arts and sporting achievements.

Frensham Heights' educational philosophy centres on developing the whole child, fostering intellectual curiosity whilst nurturing emotional intelligence and social responsibility. The school's commitment to individualised learning ensures each student receives personalised attention, enabling them to discover their unique talents and potential.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Frensham Heights School employs a comprehensive assessment approach for Year 7 entry that evaluates both academic ability and personal qualities. The school seeks students who will thrive within their progressive educational environment and contribute positively to the school community.

Assessment Components:

• Mathematics: Problem-solving skills, numerical reasoning, and mathematical understanding appropriate for age
• English: Reading comprehension, creative writing abilities, and verbal communication skills
• Verbal Reasoning: Language comprehension, logical thinking, and analytical skills
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Pattern recognition, spatial awareness, and abstract thinking abilities

The assessment process is designed to identify students who demonstrate academic potential whilst also showing the curiosity and creativity that align with the school's educational values. Rather than focusing solely on test performance, Frensham Heights considers each child's individual strengths and learning style.

How to Apply

The admissions process at Frensham Heights School is designed to ensure the best possible match between prospective students and the school's unique educational approach.

Application Steps:

• Initial Enquiry: Contact the admissions team directly or submit an online enquiry form
• School Visit: Attend an open morning or arrange a personal tour to experience the school environment
• Application Submission: Complete the comprehensive application form with required documentation
• Assessment Day: Participate in age-appropriate assessments and informal interviews
• Decision: Receive notification regarding the outcome of the application

The school particularly values meeting prospective families in person, as this allows both parties to determine whether Frensham Heights' progressive approach aligns with the family's educational aspirations. Early application is recommended, particularly for popular entry points such as Year 7.

Preparing for the Frensham Heights School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Families preparing for the Frensham Heights 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.