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  • Independent school for boys

Tonbridge School: entry, assessments, dates and fees

Tonbridge School, High Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1JP

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial TeamSchool website

Can we apply, and when?

For September 2029 entry

  • Registration closes

    Not published yetChecked

  • Places

    Not published

  • Fees at 13+, day

    £16,069a term

    2026–27 school year, including VAT

    Checked, source: Tonbridge School, checked

Your next steps for 13+ entry

  1. Next: Entrance tests

Tonbridge 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

Tonbridge School takes new pupils at 13+ and 16+. Each way in has its own tests and dates.

  • 13+ entry

    How children are assessed: an interview, 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: Not yet published (for September 2029 entry)

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

  • 16+ entry

    How children are assessed: an English paper, an interview, a reference from the current school, GCSE grade requirements, own subject papers and ukiset.

    Registration closes: Thursday 1 October 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

Source: Tonbridge School, checked

More about entry from our guide

13+ (Year 9)

Successful Year 6 candidates are offered a deferred place for Year 9. Boys who apply later, in Year 8, can sit a late entry exam; for September 2027 entry it is on Thursday 5 November 2026 (Year 8 late entry, UK candidates); Saturday 7 November 2026 (Year 8 late entry, overseas candidates)Tonbridge School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: UK candidates: Thursday 5 November 2026View the official source. The school's 13+ page gives two different registration deadlines for the Year 6 round, so we are checking which applies.

  • What the school assesses: group or team activityTonbridge School: Group activityChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: The Experience Afternoon comprises a carousel of activities which provide opportunities to work individually, as well as collaboratively, in addition to a one-to-one interview with a member of our teaching staff.View the official source; interviewTonbridge School: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: The Experience Afternoon comprises a carousel of activities which provide opportunities to work individually, as well as collaboratively, in addition to a one-to-one interview with a member of our teaching staff.View the official source; ISEB Common Pre-TestTonbridge School: Iseb pretestChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Boys applying in Year 6 are required to sit the ISEB Pre-Test.View the official source; reference or report from current schoolTonbridge School: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: The School will also request a confidential school reference from your son’s current school.View the official source
  • First assessment taken in: Year 6Tonbridge School: Pre test year groupChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Boys applying in Year 6 are required to sit the ISEB Pre-Test.View the official source
  • Offers made early for deferred entry: YesTonbridge School: Deferred offerChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: The offer is dependent on boys staying at their current school in Years 7 and 8.View the official source
  • The school’s current admissions information covers: entry in September 2029Tonbridge School: Current cycleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Thu1 Oct2026 Application deadline for Year 9 2029View the official source

Entry in September 2027

StepDate
AssessmentThursday 5 November 2026 (Year 8 late entry, UK candidates); Saturday 7 November 2026 (Year 8 late entry, overseas candidates)Tonbridge School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: UK candidates: Thursday 5 November 2026View the official source
Scholarship application byTuesday 1 December 2026 (art, design technology and engineering, drama, music, sport); Monday 1 March 2027 (academic)Tonbridge School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Closing date for applications: 1 December 2026View the official source
Scholarship assessmentMonday 18 January 2027 (art, design technology and engineering, drama, music, sport); Wednesday 28 April 2027 to Sunday 30 May 2027 (academic)Tonbridge School: Scholarship assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Assessments week commencing 18 January 2027View the official source

Entry in September 2028

StepDate
Registration closesTonbridge School: Registration deadline (2028)Not yet published by Tonbridge School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Thu1 Oct2026 Application deadline for Year 9 2029View the official source
AssessmentTonbridge School: Assessment date (2028)Not yet published by Tonbridge School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Thu1 Oct2026 Application deadline for Year 9 2029View the official source
OffersTonbridge School: Offer date (2028)Not yet published by Tonbridge School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Thu1 Oct2026 Application deadline for Year 9 2029View the official source

Entry in September 2029

StepDate
Registration opensApril 2026Tonbridge School: Registration opens (2029)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Apr 2026 Registration opens for Year 9 entryView the official source
Registration closesAwaiting confirmationTonbridge School: Registration deadline (2029)Official sources disagree; we are confirming this with the publisher.View the official source
AssessmentTuesday 3 November 2026Tonbridge School: Assessment date (2029)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Tue3 Nov2026 ISEB Common Pre Test Examinations (primary school boys)View the official source
Bursary application byThursday 1 October 2026Tonbridge School: Bursary deadline (2029)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Thu1 Oct2026 Registration closesView the official source
Who can applyboysTonbridge School: Pupils (2029)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: The Lower School – Novi, Second Year and Third Year – will continue to provide boys’ education only.View the official source

16+ (sixth form, Year 12)

Sixth-form entry for September 2027 is for boysTonbridge School: Pupils (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: A Tonbridge education provides an exceptional all-round experience for boys and, from 2028 we are delighted to welcome girls into Sixth Form.View the official source; from September 2028 it is mixedTonbridge School: Pupils (2028)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: From September 2028, girls will join initially as day pupils, with boarding provision available from September 2030View the official source. Applications for September 2027 closed on Thursday 1 October 2026Tonbridge School: Registration deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: The deadline for all registrations is 1 October 2026.View the official source, the assessment is on Saturday 31 October 2026Tonbridge School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: These will take place either at Tonbridge School or at an approved test centre overseas on Saturday 31 October 2026.View the official source and offers are made in December 2026Tonbridge School: Offer date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Dec 2026 Offers madeView the official source.

  • What the school assesses: GCSE grade requirementsTonbridge School: Gcse requirementsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Once made, the offer is subject to your child reaching the minimum grade entry criteria as set out in your offer letter and the School receiving a satisfactory confidential school reference.View the official source; interviewTonbridge School: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Based on the results of these exams, applicants may be invited to an online interview with a subject specialist teacher.View the official source; school's own English assessmentTonbridge School: Own englishChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: If your child performs well in the initial assessment, is predicted strong grades for the end of Year 11 (including predicted grades for GCSE), they will be invited to sit examinations in their chosen A Level subjects, in addition to an English Language Exam.View the official source; subject papersTonbridge School: Own subject papersChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: If your child performs well in the initial assessment, is predicted strong grades for the end of Year 11 (including predicted grades for GCSE), they will be invited to sit examinations in their chosen A Level subjects, in addition to an English Language Exam.View the official source; reference or report from current schoolTonbridge School: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Once made, the offer is subject to your child reaching the minimum grade entry criteria as set out in your offer letter and the School receiving a satisfactory confidential school reference.View the official source; UKisetTonbridge School: UkisetChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: In advance of applicants being considered for a place, they will be required to sit a UKiset assessment, naming Tonbridge as the School you would like the results to be shared with.View the official source
  • The school’s current admissions information covers: entry in September 2027Tonbridge School: Current cycleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Your child will join the School in Year 12 in September 2027.View the official source

Entry in September 2027

StepDate
Registration closesThursday 1 October 2026Tonbridge School: Registration deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: The deadline for all registrations is 1 October 2026.View the official source
AssessmentSaturday 31 October 2026Tonbridge School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: These will take place either at Tonbridge School or at an approved test centre overseas on Saturday 31 October 2026.View the official source
OffersDecember 2026Tonbridge School: Offer date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Dec 2026 Offers madeView the official source
Accept an offer byDecember 2026Tonbridge School: Acceptance deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Places must be accepted by the specified date in December.View the official source
Who can applyboysTonbridge School: Pupils (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: A Tonbridge education provides an exceptional all-round experience for boys and, from 2028 we are delighted to welcome girls into Sixth Form.View the official source

Entry in September 2028

StepDate
Registration closesTonbridge School: Registration deadline (2028)Not yet published by Tonbridge School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Your child will join the School in Year 12 in September 2027.View the official source
AssessmentTonbridge School: Assessment date (2028)Not yet published by Tonbridge School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Your child will join the School in Year 12 in September 2027.View the official source
OffersTonbridge School: Offer date (2028)Not yet published by Tonbridge School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Your child will join the School in Year 12 in September 2027.View the official source
Who can applymixedTonbridge School: Pupils (2028)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: From September 2028, girls will join initially as day pupils, with boarding provision available from September 2030View the official source

Key dates

13+ dates for September 2029 entry

Tonbridge School

  1. Done: Registration opens for 13+ entry

  2. Done: Bursary applications close

    Only if you are applying for help with fees

  3. Next: Entrance tests

  4. Not published yet: Registration closes for 13+ entry

    Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

Dates for the other ways in16+

16+ entry, September 2027

  1. Done: Registration closes for 16+ entry

  2. Next: Entrance tests

  3. Coming up: Offers sent

    Expected

  4. Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by

    Expected

At a glance

Tonbridge School in brief

Ways in
13+, 16+
The ages at which the school takes new pupils (4+, 11+ and so on).
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.
Help with fees
Yes, up to 100%
Bursaries reduce fees for families on lower incomes, after a check of income and savings.
Registration fee
£350including VAT
Paid to the school when you register your child for its tests.

Fees

From £16,069 a term, including VAT
13+ entry, day
£16,069 a term, including VAT
13+ entry, full boarding
£21,417 a term, including VAT
16+ entry, day
£16,069 a term, including VAT
16+ entry, full boarding
£21,417 a term, including VAT

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: £350 (including VAT).

Source: Tonbridge School, checked

Joining atDayFull boarding
13+£16,069 per term (including VAT)Tonbridge School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Day Boy Fees | £16,069View the official source£21,417 per term (including VAT)Tonbridge School: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Boarding Fees | £21,417View the official source
16+£16,069 per term (including VAT)Tonbridge School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Day Boy Fees | £16,069View the official source£21,417 per term (including VAT)Tonbridge School: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Boarding Fees | £21,417View the official source
  • Registration fee: £350 (including VAT)Tonbridge School: Registration feeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: In Year 6, the next step is to complete the online Registration Form and to pay the non-refundable registration fee of £350 (inclusive of VAT).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, design and technology, drama, music and sport, at 13+ and 16+ entry.

Source: Tonbridge School, checked

  • Largest bursary: up to 100%Tonbridge School: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Financial assistance is available following means-testing of up to 100% of fees with a package for additional support where necessary.View the official source of fees, means-tested
  • Scholarships offered: academicTonbridge School: AcademicChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: We offer Academic, Art, Design Technology and Engineering, Drama, Music, and Sports (Cowdrey) Scholarships.View the official source, artTonbridge School: ArtChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: We offer Academic, Art, Design Technology and Engineering, Drama, Music, and Sports (Cowdrey) Scholarships.View the official source, design and technologyTonbridge School: Design technologyChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: We offer Academic, Art, Design Technology and Engineering, Drama, Music, and Sports (Cowdrey) Scholarships.View the official source, dramaTonbridge School: DramaChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: We offer Academic, Art, Design Technology and Engineering, Drama, Music, and Sports (Cowdrey) Scholarships.View the official source, musicTonbridge School: MusicChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: We offer Academic, Art, Design Technology and Engineering, Drama, Music, and Sports (Cowdrey) Scholarships.View the official source, sportTonbridge School: SportChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: We offer Academic, Art, Design Technology and Engineering, Drama, Music, and Sports (Cowdrey) Scholarships.View the official source
  • Scholarship entry points: 13+Tonbridge School: 13 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Applications are open to boys entering Year 9.View the official source, 16+ (sixth form)Tonbridge School: 16 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Our Sixth Form Scholarship Programme celebrates exceptional talent within academic, music and sporting domains and has been designed to attract, nurture and support new Sixth Form students in their areas of strength.View the official source

Open days

This year's events have passed

  1. Done: First open morning for prospective candidates (passed)

  2. Done: Second open morning for prospective candidates (passed)

Source: Tonbridge School, checked

What is distinctive about applying to Tonbridge

Families thinking about Tonbridge decide early: the bursary application for the Year 6 round was due on Thursday 1 October 2026Tonbridge School: Bursary deadline (2029)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Thu1 Oct2026 Registration closesView the official source, before the Pre-Test, so financial paperwork needs to be ready at the start of Year 6.

Bursaries are means-tested and can cover up to 100%Tonbridge School: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Financial assistance is available following means-testing of up to 100% of fees with a package for additional support where necessary.View the official source of fees. Termly fees for 2026–27Tonbridge School: Academic yearChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Termly school fees 2026 – 2027 (Fees inclusive of VAT)View the official source are £16,069 per term (including VAT)Tonbridge School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Day Boy Fees | £16,069View the official source for day boys and £21,417 per term (including VAT)Tonbridge School: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: Boarding Fees | £21,417View the official source for boarders, and the registration fee is £350 (including VAT)Tonbridge School: Registration feeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Tonbridge School.The source says: In Year 6, the next step is to complete the online Registration Form and to pay the non-refundable registration fee of £350 (inclusive of VAT).View the official source.

Scholarships at 13+ have their own deadlines and assessments, separate from the entrance process; the dates for September 2027 entry are listed in the 13+ section above.

Official documents and sources

12 sources, each kept as an archived copy

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