Whitgift School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Type: Independent day school for boys aged 10-18
• Location: South Croydon, London
• Founded: 1600 by John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury
• Entry Points: Ages 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16
• Day Fees: Approximately £8,154 per term
• Boarding Fees: £13,190 to £15,997 per term
• Bursaries: Up to 110% of fees available
• Campus: 45-acre parkland setting

About Whitgift School

Whitgift School occupies a unique position in British independent education, combining four centuries of educational heritage with thoroughly modern facilities and teaching methods. Founded in 1600, this South Croydon institution educates over 1,200 boys within a magnificent 45-acre parkland campus that provides an inspiring environment for learning and personal development.

The school's educational philosophy centres on developing independent thinkers who demonstrate both academic excellence and strong character. Whitgift's comprehensive approach extends far beyond the classroom, with extensive co-curricular programmes designed to nurture leadership qualities and diverse talents. The school's commitment to fostering a lifelong love of learning ensures boys leave well-prepared for the challenges of modern university life and beyond.

Whitgift's facilities reflect its ambition to provide world-class education. The campus houses state-of-the-art science laboratories, a dedicated music school with professional-standard recording facilities, extensive art studios, and a sports complex that includes both indoor and outdoor facilities. This investment in infrastructure demonstrates the school's commitment to providing boys with every opportunity to excel in their chosen fields.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Whitgift School's 11+ assessment process is designed to identify boys who will thrive in the school's academically rigorous yet supportive environment. The selection process combines academic testing with personal interviews to ensure candidates possess both the intellectual capability and character qualities that align with Whitgift's values.

Academic Assessments
The written assessments focus on core subjects that form the foundation of secondary education:

• English: Testing comprehension, creative writing, and analytical skills
• Mathematics: Covering numerical reasoning, problem-solving, and mathematical concepts appropriate for Year 6 students
• Verbal Reasoning: Evaluating logical thinking and language comprehension abilities
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Assessing spatial awareness and pattern recognition skills

Interview Process
Successful candidates from the written assessments are invited for personal interviews. These conversations allow the admissions team to understand each boy's interests, motivations, and potential contribution to the Whitgift community. The interview process is designed to be supportive rather than intimidating, helping boys demonstrate their personality and enthusiasm for learning.

How to Apply

The application process for Whitgift School requires careful planning and preparation, particularly for the competitive 11+ entry point. Parents should begin the process well in advance to ensure their son has the best opportunity to demonstrate his potential.

Registration and Timeline
Registration typically opens in the September of Year 5 for the following year's entry. Early registration is strongly recommended as places are limited and demand consistently exceeds availability. The school provides detailed guidance on application deadlines and assessment dates through their admissions office.

Required Documentation
Applications must include recent school reports, a completed application form, and a registration fee. The school may also request additional information about the candidate's interests, achievements, and any special educational needs or circumstances that should be considered during the assessment process.

Assessment Scheduling
Written assessments typically take place in January of Year 6, with interviews conducted shortly afterwards for successful candidates. The school provides clear guidance on what to expect during each stage of the process, helping to reduce anxiety and ensure boys can perform to their full potential.

Preparing for the Whitgift School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Families preparing for the Whitgift 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 in Surrey 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.