Whitgift School, set in 45 acres in South Croydon, describes itself as standing “among London’s leading independent schools, recognised across the UK for academic excellence”. The school's exam results page reports that in 2025 88% of all A level grades awarded were at A*, A or B. For families in South Croydon, Sutton, Bromley, and across South London, Whitgift is a secondary school option where, according to the school's bursaries page, means-tested bursarial support reaches “around one in ten” of its 1,500 students. That combination of academic excellence and financial support makes the 11+ entry process worth taking seriously and preparing for properly.
Whitgift is an independent boys' school whose admissions welcome page describes “an outstanding all-round education, underpinned by excellent teaching and deep pastoral care”, in the classroom, on the stage, on the sports field and through leadership and service. Boys here are stretched, but they are not left to sink. On fees, the school's admissions policy says that “no parent interested in Whitgift should be discouraged from applying on financial grounds”, while also saying that financial support is not guaranteed and demand for assistance is high.
Whitgift's admissions policy says the Entrance Examinations for 11+ applicants comprise English Essay and Comprehension, Mathematics and Critical Thinking, and its 11+ entry page lists the entrance exams as English, Maths and Thinking Skills (age-related). For September 2027 entry, that page gives the admissions exam date as Tuesday 5 January 2027.
The policy describes the Critical Thinking paper as “a series of problem-solving puzzles and thinking skills questions”, with questions that are typically multiple-choice. Whitgift is not one of the thirteen schools named on the London 11+ Consortium's website as forming the Consortium; the Consortium's own assessment is a separate online test of 100 minutes in total.
Whitgift's admissions policy describes the school as “academically selective” and says “Entry is competitive”. Admission is based on academic ability and performance in the school's entrance examinations, together with interviews and an assessment of a student's potential to contribute to the wider life of the school, and the policy adds that references from current schools can also play a key role. The school's admissions welcome page says it attracts “ambitious, curious and capable boys” from across the capital, the surrounding counties and, through its boarding community, from across the UK and internationally.
Key facts about entry:
Whitgift's 11+ entry page says that past papers are not released, but that there are some sample papers available, which are requested through a sample exam paper request form; it adds that “we do not have sample papers for Critical Thinking Skills.” On interviews, the admissions policy says: “There is no requirement for applicants to prepare for these interviews.”
Our 11+ specialists work with Whitgift applicants on the English, Maths and Critical Thinking papers the school lists for 11+ entry, tailoring preparation to the competitive academic standards this South Croydon independent sets. Our students have achieved a 95%+ offer rate across selective school entry, and we're rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot. Book a free consultation to discuss a preparation plan for the Whitgift School 11+.
Leading Tuition provides 1-to-1 specialist tutoring for children preparing for Whitgift School's 11+ entry. Our tutors understand the papers Whitgift lists for 11+ entry — English Essay and Comprehension, Mathematics and Critical Thinking.
We work with each child individually, identifying where their preparation is strongest and where targeted work will make the most difference. For some children, that means building confidence in extended Maths problems; for others, it means developing the precision and range of their written English. Preparation for an exam this competitive requires consistency, expert guidance, and honest feedback — and that is what we provide.
For official entry requirements and registration details, see the Whitgift School 11+ admissions.
Whitgift's 11+ entry page sets out the key dates for September 2027 entry, shown in the table below.
| Stage | Date | What the school says |
|---|---|---|
| Application closing date | Friday 6 November 2026 | Includes scholarship applications |
| Bursary registration of interest | Opened Wednesday 2 September 2026; closes Friday 20 November 2026 | A separate form on the John Whitgift Foundation website; bursaries are only available for Day places |
| Entrance Examination | Tuesday 5 January 2027 | English Essay and Comprehension, Mathematics and Critical Thinking |
| Interviews | Wednesday 13 January to Tuesday 26 January 2027 (inclusive) | A conversation with a senior member of staff, followed by a short meeting with parents or guardians |
| Decisions | Friday 12 February 2027 | Decisions are emailed to parents |
Following the Entrance Examination, applicants who have achieved the required standard are invited to an interview, and the admissions policy says an invitation to an interview does not constitute an offer of a place. The policy describes a 20-minute conversation between the prospective student and a senior member of staff, including some further academic verbal testing and discussion of areas of interest, and a subsequent 10-minute conversation between the parents and the same senior member of staff.
The school's admissions welcome page says that all UK applicants will be invited to come in to school and sit their entrance exams, and that overseas applicants will need to arrange invigilation at their current school or their local British Council.
The admissions welcome page sets out a four-step application process: visit the school, apply online, assessments and interviews, and offer and acceptance. The admissions policy recommends visiting before applying, and says Whitgift holds an Open Morning once a year, generally on the third Saturday in September, and Open Afternoons in September, early October and in Spring, which families must book in advance.
Applications are made through an online form. The 11+ entry page says the form takes about 45 minutes and must be completed in one session, because the information is not saved if the session is closed before the application is submitted. The documents to have ready are a copy of the boy's passport, a passport-style photograph, copies of his last two school reports and, where they apply, scholarship forms and SEND documents. The school asks for both parents' signatures on the application, and emails a payment link for the entrance exam fee once the application has been processed. On offers, the admissions welcome page says families are contacted by email with the outcome and that, to secure a place, they pay a deposit and sign the Form of Acceptance.
On scholarships, the 11+ entry page says all students who sit the Entrance Examinations are considered for an academic scholarship, with no separate application. Students with exceptional ability and talent may also apply for a scholarship in Drama, Music and Sport: candidates complete and upload the relevant Whitgift Scholarship Form with the online application, a maximum of three non-academic scholarships can be applied for, and each specialist area's criteria must be met. The admissions policy says academic scholarships are based on attainment in the Entrance Examination and on review of the interview process, and that scholarships are awarded irrespective of parental income.
Bursaries are handled differently. The bursaries page says they are means-tested and based on both financial need and highest performance on the entrance exams, and that families register their interest through the John Whitgift Foundation on a form that is additional to the Whitgift application. It adds that not all families who register will be assessed and not all who financially qualify will be offered a bursary, and that successful recipients are notified at the same time as the offer of a school place. The admissions policy says it is possible to be awarded a scholarship as well as a bursary, but that both must be applied for.
For applicants who need support in the exams, the 11+ entry page says access arrangements are assessed by Whitgift's Head of Learning Support in line with JCQ guidelines. The school asks for an EHCP and/or written recommendations from a qualified professional, such as an Educational Psychologist report dated within three years, together with a supporting letter from the current school confirming the access arrangements it provides, and says SEND information must be provided at the time of application. The admissions policy adds that extra time and/or laptops may be allowed where the application is supported by an Educational Psychologist's report or EHCP dated within three years of the exam. Where English is not the first language spoken at home, the 11+ entry page says boys may be required to sit an EAL exam paper, decided in consultation with the Head of EAL.
Preparing for the Whitgift School 11+ Entrance Examinations?
Our specialist tutors provide 1-to-1 tutoring across the papers Whitgift lists for 11+ entry — English Essay and Comprehension, Mathematics and Critical Thinking. Personalised programmes built around your child's timeline and starting point.
With a 95%+ offer rate across selective school entry.
Book a Free ConsultationWhitgift's admissions policy says the Entrance Examinations for 11+ applicants comprise English Essay and Comprehension, Mathematics and Critical Thinking. The policy describes the Critical Thinking paper as “a series of problem-solving puzzles and thinking skills questions”, with questions that are typically multiple-choice. The school's 11+ entry page lists the entrance exams as English, Maths and Thinking Skills (age-related).
Leading Tuition provides specialist 1-to-1 tutoring covering the papers Whitgift lists for 11+ entry: English Essay and Comprehension, Mathematics and Critical Thinking. We work with families across South Croydon, Sutton, Bromley and online, delivering personalised programmes built around your child's starting level and the time available before the 5 January 2027 entrance examination (September 2027 entry). Book a free consultation to discuss your son's 11+ preparation.
Whitgift's admissions policy describes the school as “academically selective” and says “Entry is competitive”. Admission is based on academic ability and performance in the school's entrance examinations, together with interviews and an assessment of a student's potential to contribute to the wider life of the school, and the policy adds that references from current schools can also play a key role in admissions decisions.
For September 2027 entry, Whitgift's 11+ entry page gives the Entrance Examination date as Tuesday 5 January 2027. Applications, including scholarships, close on Friday 6 November 2026, interviews run from Wednesday 13 January to Tuesday 26 January 2027 (inclusive), and decisions are emailed to parents on Friday 12 February 2027. The school's admissions welcome page says that all UK applicants will be invited to come in to school and sit their entrance exams, and that overseas applicants will need to arrange invigilation at their current school or their local British Council.
The London 11+ Consortium's website names thirteen schools as forming the Consortium (Channing School, Francis Holland (Regent’s Park), Francis Holland (Sloane Square), Godolphin and Latymer, More House, Northwood College for Girls, Notting Hill and Ealing High School, Queen’s College, Queen’s Gate School, South Hampstead High School, St Augustine’s Priory, St Helen’s School and St Margaret’s School), and Whitgift is not among them. The Consortium's own assessment is a separate online test of 100 minutes in total, designed in collaboration with Quest Assessments. Whitgift's 11+ entry page lists its entrance exams as English, Maths and Thinking Skills (age-related), and its 10+ entry page, for entry into Year 6, links a familiarisation test hosted on the Quest Assessments website.
Students who are being considered for an offer are invited to an interview with a senior member of staff, and Whitgift's 11+ entry page says the interview provides an opportunity to continue to assess a boy's academic suitability and to hear more about his interests and activities beyond the classroom. The admissions policy describes a 20-minute conversation between the prospective student and a senior member of staff, including some further academic verbal testing and discussion of areas of interest, followed by a 10-minute conversation between the parents and the same senior member of staff. It says: “There is no requirement for applicants to prepare for these interviews.”
Whitgift's 11+ entry page says that past papers are not released, but that there are some sample papers available, which are requested through a sample exam paper request form. The same page adds: “we do not have sample papers for Critical Thinking Skills.”
Following the Entrance Examination, the admissions policy says applicants who have achieved the required standard will be invited to an entrance interview, and that an invitation to an interview does not constitute an offer of a place. After the entrance procedure the Headmaster selects the applicants to whom offers will be made; offers are sent out electronically, and parents are required to sign and return a Form of Acceptance. For September 2027 entry, the 11+ entry page gives Friday 12 February 2027 as the date decisions are emailed to parents.
Whitgift's admissions policy says that applicants who fail to gain admission into the School “may be considered for entry at the next appropriate point”, and gives the example that unsuccessful applicants for Year 6 entry may submit an application again for Year 7. The policy lists 10+, 11+, 13+ and 16+ as the four main entry points for day students, and the 11+ entry page asks families with questions to email admissions@whitgift.co.uk.
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