The Godolphin School entrance guide
Sited among extensive grounds east of Salisbury, Godolphin School, is a popular Girls all-through school. Comprised of a Prep, Senior and Sixth form, the school collectively provides an all round education to under approximately 450 girls.
Founded by the eponymous Elizabeth Godolphin in the 18th century, it’s origins lay in providing a good quality education to orphaned girls. Over the succeeding centuries it has grown to become a popular school for boarders and local day pupils and has a number of notable alumni, including Deborah Meaden (business woman), Minette Walters (author) and Mary Cartwirght (mathematician), to name but a few.
As might be expected with a selective institution, there are a series of examined entry points. Below, you will be able to read our guide to the entry process and meet our tutors who have experience working with girls aiming to attend Godolphin School.
11 Plus Guide to Godolphin
The 11 plus entry or (pre-test) route is the first assessment stage for entry point to Godolphin's senior school. Like all other independent schools, there is a registration deadline in October (as well as a small fee) with the examinations taking place in November.
The 11 plus Assessments
The 11 plus assessments at Godolphin are set in house and are therefore liable to change from year to year. That said, there are always a series of common features which candidates should familiarise themselves with.
Unlike other schools, which separate the assessments with follow up interviews, all take place on the same day. Girls should expect to be examined in English and Mathematics with the expected standard quite high. A rough rule of thumb is that a year 6 girl, to stand a good chance, should be working roughly a year ahead.
The interview will be with a senior member of staff and applicants should come prepared but not drilled. It's important that applicants can have a conversation with the interviewer and should be able to talk about their current experience of school, why they would like to attend and if they are considering boarding, why it might appeal to them. There are other factors to consider in the 11 plus interview and you can find our guide here.
The 11 plus assessment day will also include a series of activies, focused on team building. It's important that this is a part of the assessment and the school has to ensure that it admits girls who will suit the school. Therefore, it's best to advise applicants to (of course) behave well and enjoy the day.
Compared to some other independent schools of a similar size, Godolphin is extremely prompt in getting back to parents, usually within three weeks, as to whether an offer will be made. Parents have until the following March to inform the school as to whether a place will be accepted.
If your daughter has an upcoming assessment at Godolphin, we have a team of experienced teachers, who can provide one to one support. Below, you can find our tutors who have experience with Godolphin.
13 Plus at Godolphin School
The 13 Plus assessment process, for Year 9 entry, to Godolphin School, is broadly in line with other schools, save girls are expected to sit few papers, with the focus on English and Maths. Similar to the 11 plus entry point, applicants will be interviewed by a senior member of staff and take part in a team building activity, which will be assessed.
While many schools put great emphasis on the challenging nature of their assessments, Godolphin's common entrance level exams are considered moderate in challenge. That is not to say girls should not prepare fully for them, as there is still a good amount of competition per place.
