Independent school for boys and girls

Ardingly College: entry, assessments, dates and fees

Ardingly College, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 6SQ

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial TeamSchool website

Can we apply, and when?

For September 2027 entry

Registration closes, 11+ entry
Fri 16 Oct
Friday 16 October 2026, for September 2027 entry
Checked, source: Ardingly College, checked 10 Oct 2026
Places
Not published
Fees
Not published yet

Your next steps for 11+ entry

Next: Entrance tests
Sat 14 Nov 2026

Ardingly College sets its own tests and decides after them. We have not found a published pass mark, so we do not show one.

How entry works

In short

Ardingly College, near Haywards Heath in West Sussex, takes boys and girls (co-educational)Ardingly College: PupilsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: A co-ed boarding and day school in West SussexView the official source aged 2 to 18Ardingly College: Age rangeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Ardingly College (the College) is an academic independent day and boarding school in West Sussex for pupils aged between 2 and 18 years.View the official source, with day pupils and boardersArdingly College: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Ardingly College (the College) is an academic independent day and boarding school in West Sussex for pupils aged between 2 and 18 years.View the official source. For September 2027 entry at 11+, registration and scholarship applications close on Friday 16 October 2026Ardingly College: Registration deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Registration Deadline for 2027 entry (and the deadline to apply for all 11+ scholarships) 16th October 2026View the official source, the assessment day is Saturday 14 November 2026Ardingly College: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: 11+ 2027 Entry Engagement Day 14th November 2026View the official source, and offers come in December 2026Ardingly College: Offer date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: 11+ 2027, Offers sent December 2026View the official source.

How entry works

Ways in, and how children are assessed

Ardingly College takes new pupils at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Each way in has its own tests and dates.

11+ entry
How children are assessed: an English paper, a maths paper, a group activity and a reference from the current school.
Registration closes: Friday 16 October 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

Other ways in: 13+ and 16+Places, tests and registration for each

13+ entry
How children are assessed: an English paper, a maths paper, a group activity, a reference from the current school and the ISEB Common Pre-Test (an online test many independent schools share). Tests are taken in Year 6, with a place offered ahead of entry.
Registration closes: Monday 5 October 2026 (for September 2029 entry)
16+ entry
How children are assessed: an interview, a reference from the current school, GCSE grade requirements, the CAT4 reasoning test and own subject papers.
Registration closes: Tuesday 6 October 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

Source: Ardingly College, checked 10 Oct 2026

More about entry from our guide

Children joining before the senior school go to Ardingly Prep School, which shares the school's website. We are covering it as a separate school, so this page deals with senior entry only.

11+ (Year 7)

What the school assesses: group or team activityArdingly College: Group activityChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Applicants will also participate in fun group activities to experience just a few of the many offerings at Ardingly College.View the official source; school's own English assessmentArdingly College: Own englishChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Applicants will sit short academic assessments in English and Maths (paper based).View the official source; school's own maths assessmentArdingly College: Own mathsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Applicants will sit short academic assessments in English and Maths (paper based).View the official source; reference or report from current schoolArdingly College: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: We will contact the Head of your child's current school and request a reference.View the official source
The school’s current admissions information covers: entry in September 2027Ardingly College: Current cycleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Our main entry points and the year of entry we are currently working towards are Prep School, Year 7 (for September 2027 entry), Year 9 (for September 2029 entry) and 16+ (for September 2027 entry).View the official source

Entry in September 2027

Step	Date
Registration closes	Friday 16 October 2026Ardingly College: Registration deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Registration Deadline for 2027 entry (and the deadline to apply for all 11+ scholarships) 16th October 2026View the official source
Assessment	Saturday 14 November 2026Ardingly College: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: 11+ 2027 Entry Engagement Day 14th November 2026View the official source
Offers	December 2026Ardingly College: Offer date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: 11+ 2027, Offers sent December 2026View the official source
Accept an offer by	Awaiting confirmationArdingly College: Acceptance deadline (2027)Official sources disagree; we are confirming this with the publisher.View the official source
Scholarship application by	Friday 16 October 2026Ardingly College: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Registration Deadline for 2027 entry (and the deadline to apply for all 11+ scholarships) 16th October 2026View the official source
Scholarship assessment	Awaiting confirmationArdingly College: Scholarship assessment date (2027)Official sources disagree; we are confirming this with the publisher.View the official source

Entry in September 2028

Step	Date
Registration closes	Ardingly College: Registration deadline (2028)Not yet published by Ardingly College; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Our main entry points and the year of entry we are currently working towards are Prep School, Year 7 (for September 2027 entry), Year 9 (for September 2029 entry) and 16+ (for September 2027 entry).View the official source
Assessment	Ardingly College: Assessment date (2028)Not yet published by Ardingly College; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Our main entry points and the year of entry we are currently working towards are Prep School, Year 7 (for September 2027 entry), Year 9 (for September 2029 entry) and 16+ (for September 2027 entry).View the official source
Offers	Ardingly College: Offer date (2028)Not yet published by Ardingly College; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Our main entry points and the year of entry we are currently working towards are Prep School, Year 7 (for September 2027 entry), Year 9 (for September 2029 entry) and 16+ (for September 2027 entry).View the official source

13+ (Year 9)

Year 9 places are decided early: children in Year 6Ardingly College: Pre test year groupChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Registered applicants will then be asked to sit the ISEB online Pre-Test at their Prep School in the Michaelmas term of Year 6.View the official source register by Monday 5 October 2026Ardingly College: Registration deadline (2029)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Registration Deadline for 2029 Entry 5th October 2026View the official source, take the Pre-Test and attend an engagement day on Saturday 6 February 2027Ardingly College: Assessment date (2029)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: 13+ 2029 Engagement & Assessment Days 6th February 2027View the official source, and receive deferred offers for September 2029 in March 2027Ardingly College: Offer date (2029)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Decision letter sent March 2027View the official source.

What the school assesses: group or team activityArdingly College: Group activityChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Selected candidates will then be invited to attend an Engagement Day during the following February where they will undertake short written tests and participate in a carousel of lessons and fun activities with their peers.View the official source; ISEB Common Pre-TestArdingly College: Iseb pretestChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Registered applicants will then be asked to sit the ISEB online Pre-Test at their Prep School in the Michaelmas term of Year 6.View the official source; school's own English assessmentArdingly College: Own englishChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: allows us to get to know them. On the day, candidates will complete assessments in English and MathematicsView the official source; school's own maths assessmentArdingly College: Own mathsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: allows us to get to know them. On the day, candidates will complete assessments in English and MathematicsView the official source; reference or report from current schoolArdingly College: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: We will contact the Head of your child's current school and request a reference in December of Year 6.View the official source
First assessment taken in: Year 6Ardingly College: Pre test year groupChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Registered applicants will then be asked to sit the ISEB online Pre-Test at their Prep School in the Michaelmas term of Year 6.View the official source
Offers made early for deferred entry: YesArdingly College: Deferred offerChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Offers will then be made to the successful candidates in March of Year 6 for Year 9 entry.View the official source
The school’s current admissions information covers: entry in September 2029Ardingly College: Current cycleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Our main entry points and the year of entry we are currently working towards are Prep School, Year 7 (for September 2027 entry), Year 9 (for September 2029 entry) and 16+ (for September 2027 entry).View the official source

Entry in September 2029

Step	Date
Registration closes	Monday 5 October 2026Ardingly College: Registration deadline (2029)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Registration Deadline for 2029 Entry 5th October 2026View the official source
Assessment	Saturday 6 February 2027Ardingly College: Assessment date (2029)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: 13+ 2029 Engagement & Assessment Days 6th February 2027View the official source
Offers	March 2027Ardingly College: Offer date (2029)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Decision letter sent March 2027View the official source

16+ (sixth form, Year 12)

Sixth-form applications close on Tuesday 6 October 2026Ardingly College: Registration deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Registration Deadline for 2027 Entry (and the deadline to apply for all 16+ scholarships) 6th October 2026View the official source, with the assessment on Saturday 7 November 2026Ardingly College: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: 16+ Assessment Day 7th November 2026View the official source and offers in December 2026Ardingly College: Offer date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Offers Made December 2026View the official source.

What the school assesses: CAT4Ardingly College: Cat4Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: UK Applicants will be invited to a 16+ Assessment day in November of their Year 11, where they will sit an online CAT test, as well as further papers, depending on the subjects they wish to study in the Sixth Form.View the official source; GCSE grade requirementsArdingly College: Gcse requirementsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Please note where candidates are completing GCSEs, offers will be made subject to them achieving minimum GCSE grade requirements in the subjects they wish to study at A Level or IB Diploma.View the official source; interviewArdingly College: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: All pupils will also have a short interview with a senior member of academic staff.View the official source; subject papersArdingly College: Own subject papersChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: UK Applicants will be invited to a 16+ Assessment day in November of their Year 11, where they will sit an online CAT test, as well as further papers, depending on the subjects they wish to study in the Sixth Form.View the official source; reference or report from current schoolArdingly College: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Once registered we will request a reference from your child’s current school.View the official source
The school’s current admissions information covers: entry in September 2027Ardingly College: Current cycleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Our main entry points and the year of entry we are currently working towards are Prep School, Year 7 (for September 2027 entry), Year 9 (for September 2029 entry) and 16+ (for September 2027 entry).View the official source

Entry in September 2027

Step	Date
Registration closes	Tuesday 6 October 2026Ardingly College: Registration deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Registration Deadline for 2027 Entry (and the deadline to apply for all 16+ scholarships) 6th October 2026View the official source
Assessment	Saturday 7 November 2026Ardingly College: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: 16+ Assessment Day 7th November 2026View the official source
Offers	December 2026Ardingly College: Offer date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Offers Made December 2026View the official source
Accept an offer by	January 2027Ardingly College: Acceptance deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Acceptance Deadline January 2027View the official source
Scholarship application by	Tuesday 6 October 2026Ardingly College: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Registration Deadline for 2027 Entry (and the deadline to apply for all 16+ scholarships) 6th October 2026View the official source
Scholarship assessment	Monday 9 November 2026 to Friday 13 November 2026Ardingly College: Scholarship assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: 16+ Scholarship Assessment Days 9th - 13th November 2026View the official source

Entry in September 2028

Step	Date
Registration closes	Ardingly College: Registration deadline (2028)Not yet published by Ardingly College; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Our main entry points and the year of entry we are currently working towards are Prep School, Year 7 (for September 2027 entry), Year 9 (for September 2029 entry) and 16+ (for September 2027 entry).View the official source
Assessment	Ardingly College: Assessment date (2028)Not yet published by Ardingly College; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Our main entry points and the year of entry we are currently working towards are Prep School, Year 7 (for September 2027 entry), Year 9 (for September 2029 entry) and 16+ (for September 2027 entry).View the official source
Offers	Ardingly College: Offer date (2028)Not yet published by Ardingly College; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Our main entry points and the year of entry we are currently working towards are Prep School, Year 7 (for September 2027 entry), Year 9 (for September 2029 entry) and 16+ (for September 2027 entry).View the official source

Key dates

11+ dates for September 2027 entry

All dates checked 10 Oct 2026Ardingly College

Done: Registration closes for 11+ entry
Fri 16 Oct 2026
Done: Scholarship applications close
Fri 16 Oct 2026
Only if you are applying for a scholarship
Next: Entrance tests
Sat 14 Nov 2026
Coming up: Offers sent
December 2026Expected
Not published yet: Scholarship assessments
Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026
Only if you are applying for a scholarship
Not published yet: Accept or decline an offer by
Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

Dates for the other ways in13+ and 16+

13+ entry, September 2029

Done: Registration closes for 13+ entry
Mon 5 Oct 2026
Next: Entrance tests
Sat 6 Feb 2027
Coming up: Offers sent
March 2027Expected

16+ entry, September 2027

Done: Registration closes for 16+ entry
Tue 6 Oct 2026
Done: Scholarship applications close
Tue 6 Oct 2026
Only if you are applying for a scholarship
Next: Entrance tests
Sat 7 Nov 2026
Coming up: Scholarship assessments
Mon 9 Nov 2026, Fri 13 Nov 2026
Only if you are applying for a scholarship
Coming up: Offers sent
December 2026Expected
Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by
January 2027Expected

A year younger? 11+ dates for September 2028 entrySome are not published yet; we show what the school has said.

Not published yet: Registration closes for 11+ entry
Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026
Not published yet: Entrance tests
Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026
Not published yet: Offers sent
Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

At a glance

Ardingly College in brief

All facts checked 10 Oct 2026tap a value for its source

Ages: 2 to 18AgesChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: Ardingly College (the College) is an academic independent day and boarding school in West Sussex for pupils aged between 2 and 18 years.View the official source; The ages the school teaches, from youngest to oldest.
Scholarships: 6 kinds; Awards for a talent, such as academic work, music or sport.
Day or boarding: day pupils and boarders; Whether pupils go home each day or can live at the school.
Ways in: 11+, 13+, 16+; The ages at which the school takes new pupils (4+, 11+ and so on).
Help with fees: Yes, up to 100%; Bursaries reduce fees for families on lower incomes, after a check of income and savings.
Registration fee: £180VAT not stated by the school; Paid to the school when you register your child for its tests.

Fees

Not published yet

Fees not checked yet

Fees for the 2026–27 school year, as the school publishes them. We never add or remove VAT.

the published fees include VAT

Registration fee: £180 (VAT not stated by the school).

Registration fee: £180Ardingly College: Registration feeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: After submitting the registration form you will be asked to make a bank transfer for the £180 registration fee.View the official source

Bursaries and scholarships

Bursaries up to 100% of fees

Bursaries (help with fees): Available, up to 100% of the fees. They depend on a check of household income and savings.
Scholarships: For academic, art, drama, music, other and sport, at 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry.

Source: Ardingly College, checked 10 Oct 2026

Largest bursary: up to 100%Ardingly College: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: may award a discount ranging from 5% to 100% of tuition feesView the official source of fees, means-tested
Scholarships offered: academicArdingly College: AcademicChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: As well as Academic Scholarships, Ardingly also offers 11+ Scholarships in Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport.View the official source, artArdingly College: ArtChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: As well as Academic Scholarships, Ardingly also offers 11+ Scholarships in Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport.View the official source, dramaArdingly College: DramaChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: As well as Academic Scholarships, Ardingly also offers 11+ Scholarships in Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport.View the official source, musicArdingly College: MusicChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: As well as Academic Scholarships, Ardingly also offers 11+ Scholarships in Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport.View the official source, otherArdingly College: OtherChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: As well as Academic Scholarships, Ardingly also offers 11+ Scholarships in Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport.View the official source, sportArdingly College: SportChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: As well as Academic Scholarships, Ardingly also offers 11+ Scholarships in Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport.View the official source
Scholarship entry points: 11+Ardingly College: 11 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: As well as Academic Scholarships, Ardingly also offers 11+ Scholarships in Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport.View the official source, 13+Ardingly College: 13 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: As well as Academic Scholarships, Ardingly also offers 13+ Scholarships in Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport.View the official source, 16+ (sixth form)Ardingly College: 16 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: As well as Academic Scholarships, Ardingly also offers 16+ Scholarships in Art, Drama, Music and Sport.View the official source

Open days

Next: Virtual Open Morning (Senior School), Fri 26 Feb 2027

Done: Open Morning (passed)
Fri 18 Sept 2026
Done: Senior School Open Morning (passed)
Sat 3 Oct 2026
Coming up: Virtual Open Morning (Senior School)
Fri 26 Feb 2027
Coming up: Lent Term Senior School Open Morning (11+. 13+. 16+)
Fri 12 Mar 2027
Coming up: Senior School Open Event
Mon 3 May 2027

Source: Ardingly College, checked 10 Oct 2026

Results, as published by the school

Exam results

Results are the school's own figures. Schools count them in different ways, so compare with care.

Year	Measure	Figure
2026	IB Diploma average	39.5 pointsArdingly College: Ib average points (2026)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: The Class of 2026 achieved fantastic outcomes: our IB Diploma cohort achieved an average of 39.5 pointsView the official source

What is distinctive about applying to Ardingly

Ardingly publishes its fee schedules only through a third-party document viewer, so we cannot show fees here; the registration fee is £180Ardingly College: Registration feeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: After submitting the registration form you will be asked to make a bank transfer for the £180 registration fee.View the official source. Bursaries can cover up to 100%Ardingly College: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Ardingly College.The source says: may award a discount ranging from 5% to 100% of tuition feesView the official source of fees.

The senior school runs open mornings through the year, listed below. Two dates on the admissions page (the 11+ scholarship window and the 11+ acceptance deadline) look inconsistent, so we are checking them.

Official documents and sources

13 sources, each kept as an archived copy

Ardingly College
PDF document · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Ardingly College
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Ardingly College
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Ardingly College
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Ardingly College
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Ardingly College
PDF document · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Ardingly College
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Ardingly College
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Ardingly College
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Ardingly College
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Ardingly College
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Ardingly College
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Department for Education (Get Information about Schools)
Spreadsheet · copy archived by ExamKind on 11 Oct 2026

ExamKind is independent. We are not connected with Ardingly College, its council or any test provider, and nobody pays to appear on this page. How we check facts · Report an error on this page