Application Process
Year 9 Entry September 2026
Application Process
Students wishing to join New Hall in Year 9 are warmly encouraged to arrange a visit via the Admissions Department. We also invite you to attend our Open Day on Saturday 27 September 2025 by booking here.
All students applying for a place to join Year 9 in September 2026:
1. Please complete a Year 9 registration form
2. Students will be required to complete the Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) assessments in January 2025
3. Students will have an interview with a senior member of staff in January 2025
4. With permission, we will request a reference from your child’s current school. Your child’s most recent school report will also be required
5. If you wish for your child to be considered for a scholarship, please complete and return the Scholarship Application Form provided by Admissions
6. Year 9 places are offered in February 2026
7. The deadline for Year 9 place acceptance is 2 March 2026
Assessments
All candidates for entry in September 2026 will complete the Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) assessments. The CAT4 assessments consist of Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. In addition to this, students will complete an English comprehension assessment, which examines their ability to write a balanced argument.
Each student will attend an interview at New Hall. The interview will last approximately 15 minutes. During this time, students are invited to give a 3-minute presentation on a subject of their choice, so that they can demonstrate their individual strengths and interests.
Alongside the examinations and interview, a report and reference from the child’s current headteacher form an important part of the assessment process.
Scholarships & Awards
A number of scholarships and awards are offered at Year 9 entry. For further information, please refer to the Bursaries & Scholarships Policy available on the School website.
Once you have registered for a place, the Admissions Department will provide the relevant application forms and details of any evidence required to support a Scholarship or Award application. Candidates wishing to apply for the Modern Languages Award (Upper School) will be required to sit an additional assessment in either French, Spanish or both.
Students who are shortlisted for Sport or Music Scholarships will be invited to a final assessment day in January 2026.
If applying for a Catholic Scholarship, students should also provide photocopies of their baptismal and First Holy Communion certificates, together with a completed reference form from their Parish Priest.
The School aims to inform all students if their application to attend New Hall is successful within one month of the academic assessments. Where relevant, scholarships will also be advised at this time.
Visiting New Hall
We are pleased to offer families considering Year 9 entry an opportunity to tour the School on weekdays during the Michaelmas Term. There are also opportunities to meet with SLT, Director of Boarding and Admissions, and Heads of Departments to discuss your child’s schooling.
Should you wish to visit, please contact the Admissions Department on admissions@newhallschool.co.uk or on 01245 236 098.
Communication of Offer Decisions
We communicate offer decisions via email in February 2026. Please do let us know of any achievements, interests or passions of your child during this process.
