Yarm School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• Location: The Friarage, Yarm, North Yorkshire, TS15 9EJ
• School Type: Co-educational independent day school
• Age Range: 3-18 years (Nursery through Sixth Form)
• Pupils: Over 1,100 students
• Headmaster: Dr. Huw Williams
• Class Size: 18-22 pupils in Senior School
• Annual Fees: £9,603 - £16,203 per year
• Phone: 01642 786023
• Website: www.yarmschool.org

About Yarm School

Founded in 1978, Yarm School has established itself as one of North Yorkshire's premier independent schools, guided by its motto "Educating for Life." The school occupies a historic site at The Friarage in the charming market town of Yarm, providing a unique blend of modern educational excellence within a setting rich in heritage.

Yarm School's rapid growth from its founding to over 1,100 pupils reflects its reputation for academic excellence and comprehensive pastoral care. The school's four distinct divisions - Nursery, Preparatory School, Senior School, and Sixth Form - ensure seamless progression and age-appropriate learning environments. The school particularly excels in creating a supportive community atmosphere whilst maintaining rigorous academic standards that consistently produce outstanding results.

The school's location in Yarm offers pupils the advantages of a close-knit community environment combined with excellent transport links to major cities including Newcastle, Leeds, and Manchester. This strategic position allows families from across the North East and Yorkshire to access Yarm School's exceptional educational provision.

Fees and key dates for 2026/27

Yarm School publishes day fees of £7,361 per term for 2026/27, and the figures above come from the school's own fees page as checked in September 2026. Registration dates for the next 11+ round are published by the school's admissions office. The assessment takes place on Saturday, 16 January 2027 (published under the school's "2026/27 entry" cycle). The school states only that Year 7 (11+) entry involves "formal assessments" held in January preceding September entry, without publishing the specific subjects or paper structure on its website. Fees and dates change each year, so the school's website remains the reference for the current round.

The 11+ Assessment Process at Yarm School

Yarm School employs a comprehensive 11+ assessment designed to identify pupils who will thrive within their academic environment and contribute positively to the school community. The examination process is carefully structured to evaluate both academic potential and personal qualities that align with the school's ethos.

The assessment comprises three core components:

• English Assessment: Evaluates reading comprehension, vocabulary, and written expression through carefully crafted tasks that reveal analytical thinking and communication skills
• Mathematics Assessment: Tests numerical reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and mathematical concepts appropriate for Year 6 pupils transitioning to secondary education
• Reasoning Skills: Includes both verbal and non-verbal reasoning components to assess logical thinking, pattern recognition, and cognitive flexibility

The school designs its assessments to be challenging yet fair, focusing on potential rather than extensive preparation. Candidates are evaluated holistically, considering their performance across all components alongside their individual circumstances and educational background.

How to Apply to Yarm School

Applications for Year 7 entry open during the autumn term of Year 6, typically in September. The admissions process follows a structured timeline designed to provide families with clarity and adequate preparation time.

Application Steps:

• Complete the comprehensive application form, providing detailed information about the pupil's academic history and interests
• Submit required documentation including recent school reports and references
• Attend the entrance assessment on the designated date
• Participate in an individual interview with senior staff members
• Await admission decision and fee information

Yarm School recognises that exceptional pupils come from diverse backgrounds and offers a range of scholarships and means-tested bursaries to ensure accessibility for families who would benefit from the school's educational provision. These financial assistance programmes are reviewed annually and can provide significant support towards school fees.

The school encourages early registration to ensure adequate time for assessment preparation and to secure a place in what is typically an oversubscribed year group.

Preparing for the Yarm School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Preparation for the Yarm 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 the North of England 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.