We sat the Entrance Examination for SWPS last year, and now we have finished our first full year here. We hope that our advice will help you to picture what to expect on the day itself and to look forward — it will be much better than you think!
Good luck and remember - keep calm and do your best.
WELCOME TO SIR WILLIAM PERKINS’S SCHOOL
This booklet addresses frequently asked questions about the entrance examination and associated processes for our school.
A similar booklet, written by our Year 8 pupils, offering their firsthand advice to your child is also available. We hope that together they provide reassurance and peace of mind about the process.
You will also have seen information about the entrance examination, including our scholarships and bursaries on our website. If you have any outstanding queries, please telephone the Admissions Department for guidance. We hope to answer all of your questions so that you can help your child achieve their maximum potential on assessment day.
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
We ask you to complete our ‘Examination Entry Form’ on your checklist on the Admissions Portal. This form will be available from September.
ACADEMIC ABILITY
Local schools know us well and will give good advice about our entrance examination; maintained schools usually predict final / current year assessment grades, and if your child is predicted to exceed her Age Related Expectations (ARE), then they stand a good chance of succeeding in the SWPS assessment.
Many students are stronger at either English or Mathematics, and this is taken into account when the Head is making a decision regarding the offer of a place. The Head will also take into consideration school reports and references.
ASSESSMENT DAY - WHAT TO EXPECT
We’re looking forward to welcoming your child on the morning of Saturday, 15 November 2025 for our Assessment Morning.
To help the morning run smoothly, here are a few helpful details:
ARRIVING ON TIME
Please aim to arrive with plenty of time to spare. This helps avoid any stress from traffic and gives you a chance to offer your child some last-minute encouragement. We’ll send you the exact timings ahead of the day.
LET US KNOW IN ADVANCE
If there’s anything happening around the time of the assessment that might affect your child’s performance—such as health issues or family circumstances—please let us know in writing before the day.
PARKING INFORMATION
We will be operating a ‘Drop and Go’ system at the start of the day. Please follow our signage to the drop off point. When you collect your child at the end of the morning, please park and walk into the School. Parking on site is limited, so please plan accordingly. When you arrive, just follow the signs to collect your child.
SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS & MEDICAL INFORMATION
If your child usually receives extra time or other support due to a learning need or medical condition, we’ll need some documentation to make sure we can provide the right support.
Please send us the most recent version of any of the following by 15 October 2025:
• Educational Psychologist or Specialist Teacher’s Report
• SENDCO report with up-to-date scores (e.g., spelling, reading speed)
• Relevant medical information
Note: It’s the parent’s responsibility to provide this documentation. Your child’s current school may help, but they aren’t responsible for submitting it.
ON THE DAY
Here’s what your child should bring:
• A pen (blue or black), pencil, ruler, and rubber
• A book to read while waiting for their interview
• Casual, comfy clothes
We’ll provide paper and a calm, friendly environment. Children will sit in small groups in classrooms (not a big hall), and our experienced staff will be there to support them throughout.
There will be a break with snacks and drinks provided. If your child has any allergies or dietary needs, please let us know in advance.
If you have any questions or need help with anything before the big day, feel free to reach out to the Admissions Department. We’re here to help!
WHAT WILL THE ASSESSMENT INCLUDE
On Assessment Morning, your child will take both English and Maths papers, followed by a short, informal interview. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
ENGLISH PAPER
Duration:
• 1 hour for Year 7 and deferred Year 9 (2028 entry)
• 1 hour 15 minutes for Year 9 (2026 entry)
Section I – Reading
Your child will read one or more short passages—these could be fiction, nonfiction, or poetry—and answer questions to show their understanding.
Section
II – Writing
They will choose one topic from a list and write a piece that could be imaginative, descriptive, or informative. We’re looking for clear, engaging writing with good spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
MATHEMATICS PAPER
Duration:
• 1 hour for Year 7 and deferred Year 9 (2028 entry)
• 1 hour 15 minutes for Year 9 (2026 entry)
General Skills
This section checks your child’s understanding of number work, basic geometry, simple graphs, and datahandling—based on age-appropriate National Curriculum content.
Problem Solving
Here, we’re looking at how well your child can apply maths in real-world-style problems. The numbers are kept simple so we can focus on their problem-solving skills.
Please note: calculators, protractors, and compasses are not allowed.
INTERVIEW
Each child will also have a short, friendly one-to-one chat with a member of our academic team. This is a great opportunity for us to get to know them a little better. The interview will last around five minutes and is designed to be relaxed and informal.
SCHOLARSHIPS& BURSARIES
Types of scholarships available and how to apply.
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Year 7 Entry: Students cannot apply directly. Instead, top-performing candidates in the entrance exams may be invited by the Head to attend an interview for consideration.
Deferred Year 9 Entry (2026): Students may apply and will sit English and Maths papers, followed by academic interviews on Saturday 15 November.
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Submit a scholarship entry form and a video audition and a teacher reference. Include a reference from your child’s current music teacher.
Selected candidates will be invited to a live audition round after the assessment day.
ART SCHOLARSHIPS
Submit a scholarship entry form and a teacher reference.
Attend our Art Scholarship Day, which includes a still-life drawing/painting task and an interview.
Bring a portfolio showcasing your child’s work.
DRAMA SCHOLARSHIPS
Submit a scholarship entry form, a video audition, and a teacher reference. Applications will be reviewed by our drama team, and selected candidates will be contacted with next steps.
SPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS
Submit a scholarship entry form and a reference from a teacher or coach. Candidates will be invited to attend our Sport Scholarship Assessment Day.
STEM SCHOLARSHIPS
Submit a scholarship entry form and a teacher reference.
After the academic assessments, our Heads of STEM will review applications and invite selected students for interview.
Further Information
Full details about each scholarship and how to apply can be found on our school website. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our Admissions Team—we’re here to help!
PERKINS FOUNDATION BURSARIES
At Sir William Perkins’s School, we’re committed to making our education accessible to talented students, regardless of financial background. That’s why we offer means-tested bursaries—known as Perkins Foundation Bursaries—which can cover up to 100% of tuition fees.
These bursaries are available for Year 7 entry only, and applications must be completed by 15 September 2025 via the bursary form on our website.
Please note:
Bursary funds are limited and awarded in line with our formal bursary policy. We encourage early applications to ensure full consideration.
AFTER THE EXAMINATION
Once your child has completed the assessment, we’ll also review a report from their current school to support their application.
If your child’s school charges for completing a reference, please don’t worry—we’re happy to accept a recent routine progress report instead.
SCHOLARSHIP ASSESSMENT DATES
If your child is applying for a scholarship, here are the key dates:
Music Scholarships –Thursday 20 November 2025
Academic & STEM Scholarships –Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Sport Scholarships –Thursday, 27 November 2025
Art & Drama Scholarships –Friday, 28 November 2025
RESULTS & OFFERS
Decision letters will be sent via email on Friday, 12 December 2025.
Please note:
We do not share examination marks.
The Head’s decision regarding offers is final. Offers are specific to the year group applied for and cannot be transferred to another entry year.
As a courtesy, results will also be shared with your child’s current school.
ACCEPTING A PLACE
If your child is offered a place, you’ll receive an acceptance form along with details of the deposit:
Year 7 or Year 9 (2026): Standard deposit
Deferred Year 9 (2028): Deposit plus £2,750, held until your child leaves the school
Please let us know your decision by Wednesday, 4 March 2026. After this date, we may offer the place to another candidate on our waiting list.
JOINING SWPS
Once you’ve accepted a place, we’ll send joining instructions in the early Summer Term. You and your child will be invited to a Welcome Event in early July, where:
Students will find out their form group
They’ll meet their classmates and Form Tutors
Parents can chat with Heads of Year, Form Tutors, and other key staff
It’s a lovely way to start the journey at SWPS!
