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  • Independent school for boys and girls

Bancroft's School: entry, tests, dates and fees

611 – 627 High Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0RF

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial TeamSchool website

Can we apply, and when?

For September 2027 entry

  • Registration closes, 11+ entry

    Tue 1 Dec

    Tuesday 1 December 2026, for September 2027 entry

    Checked, source: Bancroft's School, checked

  • Places at 11+

    65

    Each year at 11+

    Checked, source: Bancroft's School, checked

  • Fees at 11+, day

    £10,400a term

    2026-27 school year, including VAT

    Checked, source: Bancroft's School, checked

Your next steps for 11+ entry

  1. Next: Registration closes for 11+ entry

    in 6 weeks

  2. Coming up: Entrance tests

  3. Coming up: Interviews

Bancroft's School sets its own tests and decides after them and the interviews. We have not found a published pass mark, so we do not show one.

How entry works

How entry works

Ways in, and how children are assessed

Bancroft's School takes new pupils at 7+, 11+ and 16+. Each way in has its own tests and dates.

  • 11+ entryjoins Year 7 (Senior School)

    65 places

    How children are assessed: an English paper, a maths paper, a reasoning paper, an interview and a reference from the current school.

    Registration closes: Tuesday 1 December 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

Other ways in: 7+ and 16+Places, tests and registration for each

  • 7+ entryjoins Year 3 (Prep School)

    How children are assessed: an English paper, a maths paper, a reasoning paper, a piece of creative writing and a reference from the current school.

    Registration closes: Tuesday 1 December 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

  • 16+ entryjoins Year 12 (Sixth Form)

    20 places

    How children are assessed: an interview, a reference from the current school, GCSE grade requirements, other tasks set by the school and own subject papers.

    Registration closes: Friday 9 October 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

Source: Bancroft's School, checked

More about entry from our guide

Bancroft's has a Prep School and a Senior School. The two main ways in are 7+, into the Prep School, and 11+, into the Senior School. A smaller group of students joins the Sixth Form at 16+. Children in the Prep School move up to the Senior School automatically at 11+.

Every route uses tests that Bancroft's sets for itself. When you register, the school also writes to your child's current school for a confidential reference. The 7+ and 11+ registrations close on the same day.

11+: Year 7 (Senior School)Bancroft's School: JoinsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: There are two main ages of entry to Bancroft's: at 7+ (into Year 3) and at 11+ (into Year 7); in addition, weView the official source

Bancroft's aims to fill around 65Bancroft's School: PlacesChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: We are looking to fill around 65 places from external candidates at our 11+ entry point.View the official source places at 11+ with children from other schools. The process for September 2027 entryBancroft's School: Current cycleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Our Assessment Day for September 2027 entry will take place at Bancroft’s on Tuesday 5 January 2027.View the official source has two steps.

Step one: the Assessment Day, on 5 January 2027Bancroft's School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Our Assessment Day for September 2027 entry will take place at Bancroft’s on Tuesday 5 January 2027.View the official source. Children come to Bancroft's and sit:

  • the school's own reasoning paperBancroft's School: Own reasoningChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Children sit three papers: an online reasoning test; a short English paper and a short maths test.View the official source, taken online
  • the school's own English paperBancroft's School: Own englishChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Children sit three papers: an online reasoning test; a short English paper and a short maths test.View the official source, which is short
  • the school's own maths paperBancroft's School: Own mathsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Children sit three papers: an online reasoning test; a short English paper and a short maths test.View the official source, which is also short

A reasoning test checks how a child spots patterns and solves problems, rather than what they have been taught. The school posts sample English and maths papers on its website, which can help a child know what the day looks like.

Step two: interviews, on 23 January 2027Bancroft's School: Interview date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Interviews for selected candidates will take place on Saturday 23 January 2027.View the official source. Children who do well on the Assessment Day are invited back for a one-on-one interviewBancroft's School: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Children who perform well in the assessments are called back for interview; reports from current schools are also considered at this point.View the official source. At this stage the school also reads the reference from the current schoolBancroft's School: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: As part of the registration process, we will contact your child’s current school to request a confidential reference.View the official source. An interview at this age is a chance for a child to talk about what they enjoy.

Offers are emailed on 15 February 2027Bancroft's School: Offer date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: | Monday 15 February | Offers emailed |View the official source, and families accept by 5 March 2027Bancroft's School: Acceptance deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: | Friday 5 March | Acceptance deadline: 10am |View the official source. There is no separate test for academic scholarships: every 11+ candidate is considered. Music Award auditions take place on 28 January 2027Bancroft's School: Scholarship assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: | Thursday 28 January | Music Award auditions |View the official source, by invitation, for children who have been asked to interview.

7+: Year 3 (Prep School)Bancroft's School: JoinsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: There are two main ages of entry to Bancroft's: at 7+ (into Year 3) and at 11+ (into Year 7); in addition, weView the official source

The 7+ for September 2027 entryBancroft's School: Current cycleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Entry September 2027View the official source is spread over two visits to the Prep School.

First visit, on 4 January 2027Bancroft's School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Our first Assessment Day will take place at Bancroft’s on Monday 4 January 2027.View the official source:

  • the school's own maths paperBancroft's School: Own mathsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: The Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning parts of our entrance assessments take place in the Prep School on Monday 4 January 2027.View the official source
  • the school's own reasoning paperBancroft's School: Own reasoningChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: The Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning parts of our entrance assessments take place in the Prep School on Monday 4 January 2027.View the official source, which is non-verbal

Second visit, in small groups later in January:

  • the school's own English paperBancroft's School: Own englishChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: These assessments include a reading comprehension task and a piece of creative writing.View the official source, with a reading comprehension
  • the school's own creative writing taskBancroft's School: Own creative writingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: These assessments include a reading comprehension task and a piece of creative writing.View the official source

Non-verbal reasoning uses shapes and patterns instead of words, so it shows how a young child thinks through a puzzle. In reading comprehension, a child reads a short passage and answers questions about it. The school confirms the small-group English dates to families in December. The school also asks for a reference from the current schoolBancroft's School: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: As part of the registration process, we will contact your child’s current school to request a confidential reference.View the official source.

Offers are emailed on 2 February 2027Bancroft's School: Offer date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Offers will be sent by email on Tuesday 2nd February 2027, with the deadline to accept in early March 2027.View the official source. The school's published information differs on how many 7+ places there are, so we have asked it to confirm.

16+: Year 12 (Sixth Form)Bancroft's School: JoinsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: admit smaller numbers at 16+ (into Year 12).View the official source

Bancroft's looks to admit around 20Bancroft's School: PlacesChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: We are looking to admit around 20 external applicants at our 16+ entry point.View the official source students from other schools at 16+. Registration for September 2027 entryBancroft's School: Current cycleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Entry September 2027View the official source closed on 9 October 2026Bancroft's School: Registration deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: | Friday 9 October | Closing date for registrations |View the official source, so this part will mostly help families thinking about a later year. Students take part while they are in Year 11. The process has these parts:

  • other assessmentBancroft's School: OtherChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: All applicants will sit an online aptitude test of around 45 minutes along with two one-hour exams, from a choice of the subject areas below.View the official source: an online aptitude test, which the school does not name
  • subject papers set by the schoolBancroft's School: Own subject papersChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: All applicants will sit an online aptitude test of around 45 minutes along with two one-hour exams, from a choice of the subject areas below.View the official source: two exams in subjects the student chooses
  • interviewBancroft's School: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Entry to the Sixth Form is based on performance in an entrance examination and an interview, which take place while candidates are in Year 11.View the official source
  • reference from the current schoolBancroft's School: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: As part of the registration process, we will contact your child’s current school to request a confidential reference.View the official source
  • GCSE grade requirementsBancroft's School: Gcse requirementsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Candidates are usually expected to achieve an overall average GCSE grade of 7 across all their GCSE subjects.View the official source

The tests are on 30 October 2026Bancroft's School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Entrance assessments will take place at Bancroft’s on Friday 30 October 2026.View the official source and interviews follow on 14 November 2026Bancroft's School: Interview date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Interviews will take place at Bancroft’s on Saturday 14 November 2026.View the official source. Anyone hoping to take maths at A level sits the maths paper as one of their subject exams. The school publishes the average GCSE grade it usually expects across all subjects, and some A level subjects ask for more. So a place also depends on GCSE results later in the year.

The school's published information differs on when 16+ offers are sent, so we have asked it to confirm. The deadline to accept is 4 January 2027Bancroft's School: Acceptance deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: | Monday 4 January 2027 | Acceptance deadline |View the official source.

Key dates

11+ dates for September 2027 entry

Bancroft's School

  1. Next: Registration closes for 11+ entry

    in 6 weeks

  2. Coming up: Entrance tests

  3. Coming up: Interviews

  4. Coming up: Scholarship assessments

    Only if you are applying for a scholarship

  5. Coming up: Offers sent

  6. Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by

    in about 19 weeks

Dates for the other ways in7+ and 16+

7+ entry, September 2027

  1. Next: Registration closes for 7+ entry

    in 6 weeks

  2. Coming up: Entrance tests

  3. Coming up: Offers sent

  4. Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by

    in about 19 weeks

16+ entry, September 2027

  1. Done: Registration closes for 16+ entry

  2. Next: Entrance tests

  3. Coming up: Interviews

  4. Coming up: Scholarship assessments

    Only if you are applying for a scholarship

  5. Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by

    in about 11 weeks

  6. Not published yet: Offers sent

    Not yet published

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

  1. Not published yet: Registration closes for 11+ entry

    Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

  2. Not published yet: Entrance tests

    Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

  3. Not published yet: Offers sent

    Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

At a glance

Bancroft's School in brief

tap a value for its source

Ages
7 to 18AgesChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: A leading co-educational independent day school for children aged 7-18View the official source
The ages the school teaches, from youngest to oldest.
Day or boarding
day school
Whether pupils go home each day or can live at the school.
Scholarships
2 kinds
Awards for a talent, such as academic work, music or sport.
Ways in
7+, 11+, 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
£150including VAT
Paid to the school when you register your child for its tests.

Fees

From £10,400 a term, including VAT
7+ entry, day
£8,722 a term, including VAT
11+ entry, day
£10,400 a term, including VAT
16+ entry, day
£10,400 a term, including VAT

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

fees shown with and without VAT

Registration fee: £150 (including VAT).

Deposit when you accept a day place: £2,500.

Source: Bancroft's School, checked

Joining atFee for 2026-27Bancroft's School: Academic yearChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Academic Year 2026-2027View the official source
7+ (Prep School)£8,722 per term, including VATBancroft's School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: | Prep School | £7,268.33 | £8,722.00 |View the official source
11+ (Senior School)£10,400 per term, including VATBancroft's School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: | Senior School | £8,666.67 | £10,400.00 |View the official source
16+ (Sixth Form)£10,400 per term, including VATBancroft's School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: | Senior School | £8,666.67 | £10,400.00 |View the official source

How the school sets out VAT: fees shown with and without VATBancroft's School: Vat treatmentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: | Termly Fees | Net fees | Fees payable (inc VAT) per term |View the official source. The figures on this page are the ones that include VAT, which is what families pay. The Sixth Form is part of the Senior School, so it has no separate fee. These are the fees Bancroft's publishes for 2026-27Bancroft's School: Academic yearChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Academic Year 2026-2027View the official source. They change from year to year, so check the latest list before you plan.

Registering a child costs £150, including VATBancroft's School: Registration feeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: This includes a non-refundable registration fee of £150 (including VAT).View the official source. When you accept a place, the school asks for a deposit of £2,500Bancroft's School: Deposit dayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: A deposit payment of £2,500 is payable on acceptance of a place.View the official source. Families who hold a bursary pay a smaller deposit.

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. Income guide: £74,000 joint income (the school's guide figure).
Scholarships
For academic and music, at 11+ and 16+ entry.

Source: Bancroft's School, checked

  • Bursaries: means-tested bursaries availableBancroft's School: AvailableChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Means-tested Bursaries are only available for new applicants at 11+ and 16+ at the School.View the official source
  • Largest bursary: 100%Bancroft's School: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Parents / guardians on the very lowest levels of income may be eligibleView the official source of tuition fees
  • Income guide: £74,000 (joint income, guide)Bancroft's School: Income thresholdChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: While funds are limited each year, families with a joint income below £74,000 may be eligible to apply.View the official source

At Bancroft's, bursaries are for new pupils joining at 11+ or 16+. The Prep School offers them only in rare cases. Families whose joint income is below the guide may apply, and those on the lowest incomes may be offered help with the whole of the tuition fee. The school says its bursary funds are limited each year. A bursary depends on a family's money, not on how a child does in the tests. Our bursaries guide explains the usual steps.

Bancroft's offers scholarships at 11+Bancroft's School: 11 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Music Awards are available for 11+ and 16+ entry and are offered to pupils with exceptional musical ability.View the official source and scholarships at 16+Bancroft's School: 16 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Music Awards are available for 11+ and 16+ entry and are offered to pupils with exceptional musical ability.View the official source. There are two kinds:

  • academic scholarshipsBancroft's School: AcademicChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Bancroft’s offers a limited number of academic scholarships to pupils entering the Senior School at 11+, open to candidates from both Bancroft’s Prep and external feeder schools.View the official source: for children entering the Senior School at 11+, open to Prep pupils and to children from other schools
  • music scholarshipsBancroft's School: MusicChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: Music Awards are available for 11+ and 16+ entry and are offered to pupils with exceptional musical ability.View the official source: called Music Awards, they give free lessons on one instrument, at 11+ and at 16+

A scholarship rewards a strength, while a bursary helps with cost. If your family needs help with fees, apply for a bursary too.

Open days

Next: 7+ Head's Tours (Year 3), Tue 3 Nov 2026

  1. Done: 7+ Head's Tours (Year 3) (passed)

    9:15am - 10:00am

  2. Coming up: 7+ Head's Tours (Year 3)

    9:15am - 10:00am

  3. Coming up: Bancroft's in Action (11+, Year 7)

    9:30 - 11:00am, booking needed

  4. Coming up: Sport at Bancroft's - Talk and Tours (11+, Year 7)

    9:30 - 11:00am, booking needed

  5. Coming up: 7+ (Year 3) Open Morning

    10:00am - 12:00 noon, booking needed

  6. Coming up: 11+ (Year 7) Open Morning

    Session One (9:30am - 11:00am) Session Two (11:00am - 13:00pm)

Source: Bancroft's School, checked

Bancroft's lists these visits. Some need booking through the school's open days page, as shown.

For 7+ families.

For 11+ families.

For 11+ families there is also an open morning in May. The May open mornings for both stages fall after this round's registration deadline, so they may suit families looking at a later year.

Results, as published by the school

A level grades A* to A: 75% (2026)

  • A level grades A* to A, 2026

    75%A level grades A* to A, 2026Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: In 2026, half of all GCSEs were awarded Grade 9. At A Level, 75% of grades were awarded A*–A, with more than half of the year group achieving straight A* and A grades.View the official source

    No earlier year published

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

The school reports this figure for its leavers, and we show it as published.

MeasureFigure
A level grades A* to A75% (2026)Bancroft's School: A level astar apercent (2026)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Bancroft's School.The source says: In 2026, half of all GCSEs were awarded Grade 9. At A Level, 75% of grades were awarded A*–A, with more than half of the year group achieving straight A* and A grades.View the official source

Official documents and sources

16 sources, each kept as an archived copy

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