Leweston School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• Location: Sherborne, Dorset
• Type: Independent co-educational day and boarding school
• Age Range: 3-18 years
• Entry Points: 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form
• Assessment: English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
• Contact: +44 1963 210691
• Website: www.leweston.co.uk

About Leweston School

Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Dorset, Leweston School offers a distinctive educational experience that combines academic rigour with pastoral care in a supportive family atmosphere. This independent co-educational school serves pupils from nursery through to Sixth Form, with a particular emphasis on nurturing individual talents whilst maintaining high academic standards.

The school's Catholic foundation provides a strong moral framework, though it welcomes families of all faiths and backgrounds. Leweston's relatively intimate size allows for personalised attention, with small class sizes ensuring each pupil receives the support needed to flourish academically and personally. The school's commitment to developing confident, articulate young people is evident in its comprehensive co-curricular programme and emphasis on leadership opportunities.

Located just outside the historic market town of Sherborne, Leweston benefits from both rural tranquillity and excellent transport links. The school's beautiful 46-acre campus provides an inspiring environment for learning, with modern facilities complementing the elegant Georgian architecture of the main building.

Fees and key dates for 2026/27

Leweston School publishes day fees of £7,909 per term for 2026/27, with boarding at £11,793 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

Leweston School's 11+ entrance assessment is designed to identify pupils who will thrive in the school's academic environment whilst contributing positively to the wider school community. The assessment process typically takes place in the January preceding September entry, though arrangements can be made for overseas or relocated families.

The examination comprises four key components:

• English: Reading comprehension, creative writing, and grammar assessment designed to evaluate literacy skills and written expression
• Mathematics: Problem-solving, numerical reasoning, and mathematical concepts appropriate to Year 6 level
• Verbal Reasoning: Assessment of logical thinking and language comprehension through word-based puzzles and questions
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Spatial awareness and pattern recognition through visual and diagrammatic problems

In addition to written assessments, candidates participate in a brief interview with senior staff members. This conversation allows the school to understand each child's interests, motivations, and potential contribution to school life. The interview also provides an opportunity for pupils to ask questions about Leweston and demonstrate their enthusiasm for joining the community.

How to Apply

The application process for 11+ entry at Leweston School begins with registration, ideally by the September preceding intended entry. Early registration is strongly advised as places are limited and demand consistently exceeds availability.

Prospective families should begin by arranging a visit to the school. These visits, available throughout the academic year, provide invaluable insight into daily life at Leweston and allow families to meet staff and current pupils. The admissions team can arrange individual tours or families may attend one of the school's Open Days.

Following registration, candidates receive detailed information about the assessment process, including sample papers and guidance materials. The school provides clear timelines and expects all assessment components to be completed by February, with offers typically made by the end of February or early March.

Required documentation includes academic reports from the current school, a completed application form, and registration fee. International families may need to provide additional documentation regarding visa status and English language proficiency.

Preparing for the Leweston School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Families preparing for the Leweston 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.