Admissions Process
Embley attracts those with the capacity to wonder in any and all things. Our admissions process has been designed so that children can show us their character, curiosity and passion for learning alongside their academic abilities. This approach allows us to make sure every child is well suited to Embley life.
Step 1. Visit us
We hope that the information you’ve found on our website and social channels, and the conversations you may have had with families of some of our current pupils, will have left you wanting to find out even more. The best way to really understand Embley is to come and see us for yourself and we have a range of events for you to choose from. Please click here to find more about our open events or to arrange a visit.
Step 2. Apply for a place
To register for a place at Embley, please complete our online registration form and provide a non-refundable registration fee of £100 for the application. Your child will then be placed on the appropriate admissions application list (registration does not guarantee a place at the school).
Step 3. Attend a taster session
Taster days provide a great opportunity for children to discover Embley for themselves, where they meet their prospective classmates and teachers and take part in a range of taster lessons and experiences. If you are registered with us then we will automatically send you more information about our taster sessions.
Step 4. Reference requests and school reports
Upon receipt of your registration, we will request a reference from your child’s current school. We will also ask to see a copy of your child’s most recent school report.
Step 5. Complete our entrance assessments
Prep School assessments
Children applying for Reception and Year 1 will take part in a short numeracy and phonics/vocabulary test. Year 2 to 6 in our Prep School will be asked to complete a short written task and complete a computer-based cognitive ability test. Senior School assessments comprise an English written paper and a computer-based cognitive ability test.
Senior School assessments
These assessments comprise an English written paper and a computer-based cognitive ability test.
The cognitive ability test measures how a child can think in areas known to make a difference in achievement and learning. The test is split into four sections: verbal reasoning (words), quantitative reasoning (numbers), non-verbal reasoning (shapes) and spatial ability (objects and space).
Year 8 and 10 applicants and all children wishing to join our Senior School mid-academic year will sit an additional written Maths paper.
We hold an assessment morning for entry into Year 7 and 9 each year in January. Applicants for other year groups will be assessed in accordance with the time of the application.
Sixth Form entry criteria
All candidates are expected to achieve a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 9 to 5, including English and Maths, and at least grade 7 in the A Level subjects to be studied, or equivalent subjects.
Interviews
Senior School and Sixth Form applicants will be invited to attend a short interview with a member of our Senior Leadership Team. There is no need for any coaching for this interview, we encourage children to be spontaneous with their answers. During the interview, candidates will be encouraged to talk about their motivations for joining Embley and their wider interests and hobbies, as well as providing an opportunity to engage in friendly academic discussion.
Step 6. Offer of a place
If your child is offered a place at Embley you will need to complete all the paperwork included in our acceptance pack which will be sent to you at the time of offer. We will ask for payment of an acceptance deposit to secure the place (£400 for UK students, £500 for EU students, £2,500 for non-EU/international students).
A waiting list may be available for children who have reached an appropriate standard in our entrance assessments where the year group is full.
Progress through the school
All pupils who join us at one of our younger entry points will enjoy a full career at Embley, proceeding through our Senior School to study GCSEs and onto our Sixth Form to study A Levels.
All pupils will sit our entrance assessments for entry into Year 7 at the Senior School and progression onto the Sixth Form is normally assured by a combination of appropriate behaviour, hard work and academic success.
Find out more
Please contact our Admissions Team for further information about our admissions process on 01794 512206 or by email.