Roedean School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Type: Independent day and boarding school for girls
• Age Range: 11-18 years
• Location: Roedean Village, near Brighton, East Sussex
• Student Numbers: Approximately 680 pupils (369 day, 311 boarders)
• Headteacher: Mrs Niamh Green
• Annual Fees: Day £20,190-£26,385; Boarding £29,565-£56,385
• Founded: 1885
• Campus: 118 acres overlooking the English Channel

About Roedean School

Roedean School occupies a truly spectacular clifftop location in East Sussex, where 118 acres of grounds provide an inspiring backdrop for girls' education. Since 1885, this prestigious institution has cultivated generations of confident, intellectually curious young women who go on to make significant contributions across diverse fields.

The school's distinctive red-brick buildings house state-of-the-art facilities including modern science laboratories, a professional theatre, dance studios, and extensive sports facilities. The oceanfront setting creates a unique learning environment where academic rigour meets creative expression, fostering both scholarly achievement and personal development.

Roedean's educational philosophy centres on developing independent thinkers who embrace challenge and demonstrate resilience. The school's House system creates a supportive community where girls form lasting friendships whilst developing leadership skills. With a strong tradition in the arts, sciences, and sport, Roedean consistently achieves excellent academic results alongside remarkable co-curricular achievements.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Roedean's Year 7 entrance assessment is designed to identify girls who will thrive in the school's academically challenging yet nurturing environment. The process evaluates both intellectual capability and personal qualities that align with Roedean's values.

Academic Assessment Components

• English: Reading comprehension, creative writing, and vocabulary assessment
• Mathematics: Problem-solving, numerical reasoning, and mathematical concepts
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Pattern recognition, spatial awareness, and logical thinking
• School Report: Current academic performance and teacher recommendations

Interview Process

Candidates participate in individual interviews with senior staff members who assess personal qualities including curiosity, resilience, and enthusiasm for learning. The interview explores interests, aspirations, and how applicants might contribute to Roedean's vibrant community.

Assessment Timeline

Applications typically open in September for the following year's entry, with assessments taking place between November and January. The school provides detailed guidance on preparation expectations and assessment formats to ensure candidates can perform to their best ability.

How to Apply

Application Steps

1. Initial Registration: Complete the online application form and submit required documentation including current school reports and references.

2. School Visit: Attend a scheduled open day or arrange a private tour to experience Roedean's exceptional facilities and meet current pupils and staff.

3. Assessment Day: Participate in the formal assessment process including written examinations and individual interview.

4. Scholarship Applications: Submit additional portfolio materials for academic, art, music, drama, or sport scholarships by specified deadlines.

5. Decision Notification: Receive outcome communication and, if successful, complete acceptance procedures and prepare for transition programmes.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Application deadlines vary depending on entry point and scholarship categories. The admissions team provides personalised guidance throughout the process, ensuring families understand requirements and timelines specific to their circumstances.

Preparing for the Roedean School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Preparation for the Roedean 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 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.

Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.