Key Facts
| School type | Independent day and boarding school, coeducational, ages 2 to 18 |
|---|---|
| Location | Midford Valley, near Bath, Somerset |
| Entry points | Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+) and Year 12 (16+), alongside other points into the Prep School |
| Assessment | CAT4 cognitive ability test, a reference and academic reports from the child's current school, two taster sessions, and an interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team |
| Test provider | CAT4 |
| Day fees () | £7,995 per term (Year 7 and 8), plus a compulsory lunch charge of £340 per term |
| Boarding fees () | £10,815 per term for 3-night boarding, £12,120 per term for weekly boarding, £13,365 per term for full boarding (Year 7 and 8), plus a compulsory lunch charge of £340 per term |
Figures correct at the time of writing — always confirm current fees and deadlines with the school directly.
Entry to Monkton Combe School at 11+ (Year 7) is decided through the CAT4 cognitive ability test, a reference and academic reports from the child's current school, two taster sessions, and an interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Families register formally with a non-refundable fee before the school arranges tasters and assessment, and an offer usually follows within two weeks of these being completed.
Monkton Combe sits in the Midford Valley a mile from Bath, taking day and boarding pupils from age two to eighteen across Prep and Senior divisions. The assessment combines two taster sessions with the CAT4 sitting and a leadership interview, giving the admissions team more to judge a child on than a single test score.
How 11+ entry works
11+ entry places a child into Year 7, the first of two years, Year 7 and Year 8, that sit at the top of the Prep School before pupils move into the Senior School at Year 9. The school also assesses candidates for Year 9 (13+) and Year 12 (16+) entry, alongside earlier points into the Prep School. Year 7 and 8 pupils can join as day pupils or as boarders, with three-night, weekly and full boarding all offered alongside the day option, and day pupils also receive several complimentary midweek boarding nights each year.
How the 11+ assessment works
The 11+ assessment at Monkton Combe School centres on the CAT4 cognitive ability test, taken alongside a reference and academic reports from the child's current school and an interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Every applicant sits CAT4 and meets a member of the Senior Leadership Team; at Year 7 this runs alongside two taster sessions in school, giving the child time in lessons and around the site. Boarding applicants are also invited to an overnight boarding taster. Overseas applicants complete an additional online English language assessment alongside CAT4.
How registration and the admissions process run
Registration opens the process: parents complete the registration form and pay a non-refundable registration fee, which confirms the application. The school then requests a reference and current academic reports from the child's school, along with any medical or SEND information, before arranging the taster sessions, CAT4 assessment and leadership interview. Families receive an offer within two weeks of the taster sessions and assessment being completed, followed by a welcome pack ahead of arrival and a welcome day in the summer term for those joining in September.
- Register and pay the non-refundable registration fee
- School requests reference, academic reports and any medical or SEND information
- Two taster sessions plus CAT4 assessment and Senior Leadership Team interview
- Offer made within two weeks of tasters and assessment
- Welcome pack sent ahead of arrival, then a welcome or induction day
Scholarships and bursaries at 11+
The school offers Academic, Performing Arts and Sport scholarships at 11+, awarded for demonstrated academic, sporting, creative or performance potential. Successful applicants receive a reduction on the day fee. A candidate may apply for up to two scholarship categories, though only one award is made if successful, and scholarship holders are looked on favourably when a bursary is later assessed.
Bursaries are separate from scholarships and are means-tested, assessed through a confidential statement of financial circumstances, drawn from endowment funds and from school funds. Support is typically capped at a third of annual fees, within an overall annual limit on total bursary spending. Priority goes to children of clergy or missionaries and to particularly deserving cases, and families should contact the bursary team as early as possible, and no later than the point of registration.
- Academic, Performing Arts and Sport scholarships available at 11+
- Up to two scholarship categories may be applied for; only one is awarded
- Bursaries means-tested via a confidential statement of financial circumstances
- Bursary priority to children of clergy or missionaries, and deserving cases
How to prepare for the 11+ assessment
Because the process combines a cognitive ability test with taster sessions and an interview, preparation can usefully cover several elements together. Familiarity with the CAT4 format and pacing helps a child feel settled on the day, and the taster sessions reward a child who can talk comfortably about their current school, interests and reading during the interview. The reference and reports from the child's current school also form part of the picture, so steady classroom effort in the run-up matters alongside any test practice.
Related guides
Preparing for the Monkton Combe School 11+ with Taylor Tuition
Preparation for the Monkton Combe 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 Bristol and Bath 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.
Frequently asked questions
- What test does Monkton Combe School use for 11+ entry?
- Monkton Combe uses the CAT4 cognitive ability test for 11+ (Year 7) entry, alongside a reference and academic reports from the child's current school and an interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. International applicants also complete an online English language assessment. The school describes CAT4 as an internationally recognised test.
- Is there an interview for 11+ entry at Monkton Combe School?
- Yes; every 11+ applicant is interviewed by a member of the Senior Leadership Team as part of the assessment. This runs alongside two taster sessions in school, and boarding applicants are also invited to an overnight boarding taster. The interview forms one part of the assessment together with the CAT4 test and the reference from the child's current school.
- What does registering for Monkton Combe School involve?
- Registering a place involves completing the registration form and paying a non-refundable registration fee, which confirms the application. Families should have payment details, the child's passport and birth certificate ready. After registration, the school requests a reference and academic reports from the current school before arranging taster sessions and the CAT4 assessment.
- What scholarships are available at 11+?
- Monkton Combe offers Academic, Performing Arts and Sport scholarships at 11+, awarded for demonstrated academic, sporting, creative or performance potential. Successful applicants receive a reduction on the day fee. A candidate may apply for up to two scholarship categories, though only one award is given if successful, and scholarship holders are looked on favourably when a bursary is later assessed.
- How are bursaries assessed at Monkton Combe School?
- Bursaries are means-tested and assessed through a confidential statement of financial circumstances, drawn from endowment funds and school funds. Support is typically capped at a third of annual fees, within an overall annual limit on total bursary spending. Priority goes to children of clergy or missionaries and to particularly deserving cases, and families should contact the bursary team no later than registration.
- Can pupils board at Monkton Combe School from Year 7?
- Yes; Year 7 and 8 pupils can join as day pupils or boarders, with three-night, weekly or full boarding available alongside the day option. Day pupils also receive complimentary midweek boarding nights each year, giving a taste of boarding life without a full boarding commitment.
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