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  • Independent school for boys

St Paul's Prep School: entry, tests, dates and fees

Lonsdale Road, London SW13 9JT

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: St Paul's School, checked

  • Places at 11+

    36

    Each year at 11+

    Checked, source: St Paul's School, checked

  • Fees at 11+, day

    £10,221a term

    2026-27 school year, including VAT

    Checked, source: St Paul's School, checked

Your next steps for 11+ entry

  1. Next: Entrance tests

  2. Coming up: Scholarship applications close

    in about 9 weeks

    Only if you are applying for a scholarship

  3. Coming up: Scholarship assessments

    Only if you are applying for a scholarship

St Paul's Prep 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

St Paul's Prep School takes new pupils at 7+, 8+ and 11+. Each way in has its own tests and dates.

  • 11+ entryjoins St Paul's Prep School (two years, then St Paul's School in Year 9)

    36 places

    How children are assessed: an English paper, a maths paper, an interview and the ISEB Common Pre-Test (an online test many independent schools share).

    Registration closes: Friday 16 October 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

Other ways in: 7+ and 8+Places, tests and registration for each

  • 7+ entryjoins Lower First Year (Year 3)

    72 places

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

    Registration closes: Friday 25 September 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

  • 8+ entry

    How children are assessed: not checked yet.

Source: St Paul's School, checked

More about entry from our guide

The prep school has two main ways in, and they feel quite different. At 7+, young boys take tests written by the school and then spend part of a day learning in a small group. At 11+, the first step is an online test taken by children applying to many schools, followed by the school's own exams and an interview. The 7+ intake is the larger of the two. Boys stay until the end of Year 8.

The prep school shares its site with St Paul's School, which says that about half of the 198St Paul's School: PlacesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: with approximately half of the 198 boys coming from St Paul’s Prep School and the other half from a wide variety of prep schools (ending at Year 8) across London.View the official source boys in its Year 9 come up from the prep school.

7+: Lower First Year (Year 3)St Paul's Prep School: JoinsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: 7+ pupils enter our Lower First Year, a year that acts as a period of settling in and adjusting to life in a large, fast moving prep school.View the official source

The school lists 72St Paul's Prep School: PlacesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: We admit approximately 72 boys at the 7+ entry point from a wide range of state and independent schools in and around London.View the official source places at 7+. For September 2027 entrySt Paul's Prep School: Current cycleChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: The application process for 7+ 2027 entry opened in February 2026.View the official source, boys are assessed through:

  • the school's own English paperSt Paul's Prep School: Own englishChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Candidates will be invited to sit tests in English, Mathematics and Reasoning.View the official source
  • the school's own maths paperSt Paul's Prep School: Own mathsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Candidates will be invited to sit tests in English, Mathematics and Reasoning.View the official source
  • the school's own reasoning paperSt Paul's Prep School: Own reasoningChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Candidates will be invited to sit tests in English, Mathematics and Reasoning.View the official source
  • group activitySt Paul's Prep School: Group activityChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: This process will involve a Maths lesson, an English lesson and group problem-solving task.View the official source
  • reference from the current schoolSt Paul's Prep School: ReferenceChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: A reference will be sought from the Head of a boy’s current school.View the official source

The English task is a dictation. A teacher reads a passage aloud and each boy writes it down, which shows how well he listens, spells and punctuates. St Paul's does not publish past papers for these tests.

The written tests are on 21 November 2026St Paul's Prep School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: 7+ Exam | Saturday 21 November 2026View the official source. Boys who do well are invited back for a half-day session in a small group. It includes a maths lesson, an English lesson and a problem-solving task done as a team. These sessions take place within a fortnight of the tests, so families do not wait long. Offers go out on 4 December 2026St Paul's Prep School: Offer date (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Final Outcome Sent to Parents | Friday 4 December 2026View the official source, and a place must be accepted by 28 January 2027St Paul's Prep School: Acceptance deadline (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: 7+ Acceptance Deadline | Noon, Thursday 28 January 2027View the official source.

Registration for this round closed on 25 September 2026St Paul's Prep School: Registration deadline (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: 7+ Registration Closes | Friday 25 September 2026View the official source. For September 2028 entry, it opens in February 2027St Paul's Prep School: Registration opens (2028)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Registration for 7+ in 2027 is now closed. Registration for 7+ in 2028 will open in February 2027.View the official source, so families of boys now in Year 1 can plan ahead.

The school's fee list and prep school page also refer to 8+ entrySt Paul's Prep School: OfferedChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: A registration fee of £240 (incl. VAT) is payable when registering your son for 7+ and 8+ entry to St Paul’s Prep School.View the official source. We could not confirm a separate 8+ process or any 8+ dates, so if your son is in Year 3, ask the admissions team what applies to him.

11+ (Year 7)

Boys who join at 11+ go to St Paul's Prep School (two years, then St Paul's School in Year 9)St Paul's Prep School: JoinsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: We admit approximately 36 boys at this point; they spend two years at St Paul’s Prep School before moving on to St Paul’s School in Year 9.View the official source. The school lists 36St Paul's Prep School: PlacesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: We admit approximately 36 boys at this point; they spend two years at St Paul’s Prep School before moving on to St Paul’s School in Year 9.View the official source places at 11+. For September 2027 entrySt Paul's Prep School: Current cycleChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Registration for September 2027 entry is now open.View the official source, the steps are:

  • ISEB Common Pre-TestSt Paul's Prep School: Iseb pretestChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: All Year 6 11+ candidates are required to take the ISEB online pre-test.View the official source
  • the school's own English paperSt Paul's Prep School: Own englishChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Those 11+ candidates who are successful in the ISEB pre-test are invited back to sit written examinations in English and Mathematics at St Paul’s in December.View the official source
  • the school's own maths paperSt Paul's Prep School: Own mathsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Those 11+ candidates who are successful in the ISEB pre-test are invited back to sit written examinations in English and Mathematics at St Paul’s in December.View the official source
  • interviewSt Paul's Prep School: InterviewChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: If your son performs well in the written exams, he will be invited back for an in-person interview.View the official source

Every 11+ boy starts with the ISEB Common Pre-Test. It is done online, and its questions get harder or easier depending on each answer. It checks reading, maths and reasoning skills. Boys can take it at St Paul's, or at their current school if that school is a registered ISEB centre. Our guide to the ISEB Pre-Test has more on how it works.

Boys who do well are invited to the school's written English and maths exams on 9 December 2026St Paul's Prep School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Written Examinations | Wednesday 9 December 2026View the official source. The school does not send out past papers, but it does publish a syllabus, so you can see which topics are covered. Boys applying from overseas must come in person for these exams.

Interviews follow a few weeks later, on 14 January 2027, 15 January 2027, 18 January 2027 and 19 January 2027St Paul's Prep School: Interview date (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Interviews | 14, 15, 18, 19 January 2027View the official source. Offers are sent on 12 February 2027St Paul's Prep School: Offer date (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Offer letter, acceptance form and request for deposit following the interviews | Friday 12 February 2027View the official source, and families must reply by 2 March 2027St Paul's Prep School: Acceptance deadline (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Acceptance Deadline | Tuesday 2 March 2027 at middayView the official source.

St Paul's School runs a separate 13+ route that is also assessed in Year 6, with the place starting in Year 9. If you are weighing up the two, the admissions team can help you decide which suits your son.

Key dates

11+ dates for September 2027 entry

St Paul's School

  1. Done: Registration opens for 11+ entry

  2. Done: Registration closes for 11+ entry

  3. Next: Entrance tests

  4. Coming up: Scholarship applications close

    in about 9 weeks

    Only if you are applying for a scholarship

  5. Coming up: Scholarship assessments

    Only if you are applying for a scholarship

  6. Coming up: Interviews

  7. Coming up: Offers sent

  8. Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by

    in 19 weeks

Dates for the other ways in7+

7+ entry, September 2027

  1. Done: Registration opens for 7+ entry

  2. Done: Registration closes for 7+ entry

  3. Next: Entrance tests

  4. Coming up: Offers sent

  5. Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by

    in about 14 weeks

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 9 Oct 2026

  2. Not published yet: Entrance tests

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

  3. Not published yet: Offers sent

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

At a glance

St Paul's Prep School in brief

tap a value for its source

Ages
7 to 13AgesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Boys attend St Paul’s Prep School aged 7 to 13, and St Paul’s School aged 13 to 18.View 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+, 8+, 11+
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.

Fees

From £10,221 a term, including VAT
7+ entry, day
£10,221 a term, including VAT
8+ entry, day
£10,221 a term, including VAT
11+ entry, day
£10,221 a term, including VAT

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

fees shown include VAT

Deposit when you accept a day place: £3,300.

Source: St Paul's School, checked

Joining atFee for 2026-27St Paul's Prep School: Academic yearChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Fees per term (inclusive of VAT £) | 2026/27View the official source
7+£10,221 per term, including VATSt Paul's Prep School: DayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: St Paul’s Prep School – Lower First to Upper Third Years (Years 3-8) | £10,221View the official source
11+£10,221 per term, including VATSt Paul's Prep School: DayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: St Paul’s Prep School – Lower First to Upper Third Years (Years 3-8) | £10,221View the official source

The prep school charges one fee from Year 3 to Year 8. On its fee list, fees shown include VATSt Paul's Prep School: Vat treatmentChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Fees per term (inclusive of VAT £) | 2026/27View the official source. These figures are for 2026-27St Paul's Prep School: Academic yearChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Fees per term (inclusive of VAT £) | 2026/27View the official source. The school reviews fees every year, so check its current list before you budget.

The 7+ registration fee is £240, including VATSt Paul's Prep School: Registration feeChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: A registration fee of £240 (incl. VAT) is payable when registering your son for 7+ and 8+ entry to St Paul’s Prep School.View the official source. You cannot get it back if you withdraw. At 11+ the charge is an exam fee of £75St Paul's Prep School: Registration feeChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: 11+ entry | You will be required to upload an electronic copy of your son’s passport (jpg or pdf) and make an online payment for the £75 exam fee.View the official source, with a further fee due if your son is offered a place and you accept. A deposit of £3,300St Paul's Prep School: Deposit dayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: A deposit of £3,300 is required when a parent accepts the offer of a place. The deposit also covers attendance at the Senior SchoolView the official source is paid on accepting a place, and it carries on into the senior school. Bursary families 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: £144,000 gross household income.
Scholarships
For music and sport, at 11+ entry.

Source: St Paul's School, checked

Bursaries here are part of the Founder's Awards scheme that also covers St Paul's School.

  • Bursaries: means-tested bursaries availableSt Paul's Prep School: AvailableChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Financial assistance is available on a means-tested basis, with up to 100% fee remission available.View the official source
  • Largest award: 100%St Paul's Prep School: Max percentChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Financial assistance is available on a means-tested basis, with up to 100% fee remission available.View the official source of fees
  • Income limit: £144,000 (gross household income, maximum)St Paul's Prep School: Income thresholdChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Families with a gross household income of up to £144,000 pa and net assets up to £1.6m may be eligible for a bursary.View the official source

The scheme also has a ceiling on net assets. Both limits are described as a guide rather than a strict rule, so it is worth asking if your family is close. Our bursaries guide explains how means testing tends to work.

The school offers scholarships at 11+St Paul's Prep School: 11 plusChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: A number of music scholarships and exhibitions are offered at 11+, 13+ and 16+ to pupils who show outstanding potential in at least one instrument.View the official source: music scholarshipsSt Paul's Prep School: MusicChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: The 11+ music process at St. Paul’s Prep is a warm and inspiring journey for young musicians.View the official source and sport scholarshipsSt Paul's Prep School: SportChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: These awards will be for boys entering at 11+ and 16+, with plans to roll out awards for 13+ in 2027.View the official source. A music scholarship includes free lessons on two instruments, and a music exhibition includes free lessons on one. The sport awards are the Gissing Sports Awards, new from this autumn. Applications close on 21 December 2026St Paul's Prep School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Gissing Sport Award and Music Scholarship Applications Close | Monday 21 December 2026View the official source. Assessments fall on 11 January 2027 and 2 February 2027St Paul's Prep School: Scholarship assessment date (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Paul's School.The source says: Gissing Sport Award Assessments | 11 January 2027View the official source: the first date is for sport and the second for music auditions.

Open days

Next: 7+ Open Morning, Sat 7 Nov 2026

  1. Coming up: 7+ Open Morning

Source: St Paul's School, checked

The school lists this event.

The Open Morning is held once a year. It is aimed at families whose sons are already registered. For 11+, the school posts open days and visits on its admissions pages, so check there for the next dates.

Official documents and sources

15 sources, each kept as an archived copy

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