The Harrodian School Entrance Guide

Harrodian runs regular tours for families interested in joining the school. These take place between September and the start of the public exams in May. They are specific to each entry point and can be booked directly with the school. Tours include a meeting with the Head and a chance to see the school in action. There are also Open Mornings for different entry points, some of which are by invitation only following confirmed registration. 11+ Open Mornings take place in September and are bookable on the website, and a Sixth Form (16+) Open Evening takes place in October. A comprehensive virtual school tour is also available on the website. 

Following registration for 4+ entry (pre-prep), children and their families are sent invites to attend the Open Morning at Harrodian in September, the year before entry. There are activities for children to do at this Open Morning, which is described as an ‘informal assessment’ and families are then sent offers for entry to the Harrodian School in October and must be accepted promptly. Harrodian runs a tea party in the summer term for children and their families who have accepted their places. 

Following registration, the process for 8+ entry (prep) to Harrodian involves an assessment day which takes place at the school in the Spring term prior to entry. This includes tests in literacy and numeracy alongside observation of the children and a short interview. A reference is also requested from the child’s current school. Offers for entry into the prep school are sent out soon after the assessment day and must be accepted promptly by the end of the month. Children are then invited into school for an induction morning before they start in September. 

11+ entry to Harrodian is a two-stage process. The school uses the popular ISEB pre-test which pupils take at their own school in the Autumn term of Year 6. This test involves English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning and is standardized and age-weighted for the individual pupil. Following this, successful pupils who meet the school’s standard for entry will be invited to interview in the early Spring term. Offers are sent out soon after these interviews and must be accepted promptly. Children are then invited into school for an induction morning before they start in September.

Students looking for 16+ entry to Harrodian should register and attend the Open Evening in the Autumn term of Year 11. They will then be invited to attend an assessment day, taking papers in both English and Maths. The second stage for successful students is an interview day, with interviews taking place with both senior and subject-specific staff. A reference is also requested from the student’s current school. Offers are sent out following this and are conditional on GCSE grades being achieved in the summer. 

Scholarships are offered at Harrodian at 13+ and 16+ only. These are based solely on performance at Common Entrance and GCSE respectively and are for internal candidates only. Bursaries are available at Harrodian at 11+ entry only. These include a home visit and are dependent on successful achievement in the 11+ entry assessments. Up to 100% fee remission is available for families who would otherwise be unable to afford the educational opportunities offered.