St Paul’s is an independent boy’s school set within 45 acres of open space in Barnes, South West London. The school was founded in 1509 by John Colet with the vision to provide an outstanding all-round education to prepare boys for a successful future. The school welcomes all academically eligible students, regardless of either economic or social circumstances.
How to get into St Paul’s School
Entering in Year 7 (11+):
Children from state primary or those whose independent school finishes in Year 6, might want to sit the 11+ and apply to St Paul's Junior School. They admit around 36 boys at this entry point. Boys spend two years at St Paul’s Juniors before moving to St Paul’s School in Year 9.
Stage 1 is the ISEB Common Pre-Test.
Stage 2 is for students who have performed strongly in the ISEB Common Pre-Test. Written papers in English (45 minutes) and Maths (60 minutes) are sat. Further details of the 11+ syllabus can be found on the .
Entering in Year 9 (13+):
St Paul’s accepts 198 boys each year into Year 9. Typically, almost half of these boys have attended St Paul’s Junior, the other half come from a wide range of schools. For boys joining from other schools, the registration and selection process begins in Year 5.. Families applying to the school with assessment in Year 6, must choose from either Year 7 (11+) entry to St Paul’s Junior or Year 9 (13+) entry to St Paul’s – it is not possible to register for both entry points.
13 Plus Entrance Process for St Paul’s:
Stage 1 is the ISEB Common Pre-Test, ordinarily sat in October or November of Year 6. This is a computerised test of English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. This is normally completed at the student’s current school; however, it can also be sat at St Paul’s if this is not possible.
The school will also request a report from the student’s Head Teacher regarding character, academic strengths, and outside interests. Prospective parents will hear a decision from St Paul’s no later December of Year 6.
Read more about the ISEB Common Pre-test
Stage 2 is for students who have performed strongly in the ISEB Common Pre-Test and have a satisfactory report from their Head Teacher. Successful candidates at this stage will sit written assessments at St Paul’s in early January. This involves a 60 minute Mathematics and a 45 minute English paper. The English test requires boys to write a discursive piece, responding to one of three given topics.
Stage 3 - Candidates who perform well at Stage 2 are invited to interview, taking place between January and June of Year 6. They meet two senior members of teaching staff, each of whom spend 25 minutes talking to candidates about their academic study thus far. At the same time and while they wait, parents meet and talk with a senior member who can answer any questions they may have.
If students attend schools overseas, or schools that finish in Year 6, St Paul’s ordinarily interviews between January and March.
The school writes to parents within three weeks of interview and informs them of the following potential outcomes:
- A place on the Main List
Parents must accept offers for the Main List by end of Year 7. If applicants attend a school that follows a Year 7 and 8 curriculum approved by St Paul’s, a place at the school is given conditionally. This on progressive academic progress and excellent conduct at their current school – and an ‘unreserved reference’ from the Headteacher that supports their application.
Offers to those who do not follow a curriculum prescribed by St Paul’s will be subject to the same conditions as above, but the school can place additional conditions: one such may include applicants achieving 70% in core subjects at Common Entrance.
- A place on the Reserve List
Early in Year 8 (at this point the deadline for accepting Main List offers will have passed) the Reserve List is reviewed. Reserve List candidates will have to sit written papers in English and Maths, and a further, current reference will be requested from the boy’s current Head Teacher. Some unconditional places will then be offered; a very small number of students will go onto a further short wait list.
- An explanation that an offer has not be made.
Are St Paul’s own tests difficult?
As with all entrance tests, the Stage 2 tests are designed to challenge and stretch applicants. Both tests are paper-based and typically sat one after the other. In previous years they have included the following:
English: In the past, applicants have been asked to complete comprehension. The texts have been considered challenging for a range of reasons:
Composition: The texts chosen have often been particularly challenging passages which include a lot of dialogue and/or have included advanced use of vocabulary and writer’s technique.
Questions: Generally, there are few literal questions, and most question