FREE Download: Sir William Perkins's School 2026 11+ Exam & Year 7 Entry 11 Plus Guide

Sir William Perkins's School is a co-educational selective independent school in Chertsey, Surrey. Established in 1726, it serves students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Sir William Perkins is ranked among the best independent schools in UK, holding an ISI rating of "Excellent". Check out its ISI rating for details.

Sir William Perkins's School embarks on a historic chapter, welcoming boys into Year 7 from September 2026 as it celebrates its 300th anniversary. This pioneering co-educational environment complements its strong academic provision, including the Higher and Foundation Project Qualifications, fostering independent learning and exceptional outcomes.

This guide, drawing on my 18+ years of education consultancy, simplifies Sir William Perkins's School 2026 11+ Exam admissions for parents.

School Details

• Type of School: Independent Day School
• Boarding Type: Day
• Gender Type: Co-educational
• Religion: Non-denominational
• Age Range: 11-18
• GCSE Results (2025): 85% of grades were grades 9–7
• A-Level Results (2025): 86% of grades achieved were A* – B grades

Admissions Details

• Admissions Policy: Entrance test (Maths and English) & interview
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): Approximately 80+ places.
• Exam Board: School's own
• Number of Stages: 2
• School Catchment Area: No
• Sibling Policy: No
• Pass Mark Guidance: Aim for 90%

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Sir William Perkins's School Official Website.

Navigating the admissions process for independent schools like Sir William Perkins's School can feel daunting for parents. To help you stay organised and ensure you don't miss any crucial steps, I have compiled the key dates for the upcoming 11 plus entry.

Keeping track of the Sir William Perkins's School open day, application deadlines, and the all-important 11+ Exam date is essential for a smooth application journey. These 11 plus exam dates and associated milestones are based on the latest information directly from the school's official admissions pages, ensuring accuracy for prospective families.

Please note that while these dates are current, it's always wise to double-check the Sir William Perkins's School website for any last-minute updates.

​For September 2026 entry to Sir William Perkins's School, a leading choice among independent schools in Surrey, parents should begin the 11 plus exam process in 2025. As stated in the Sir William Perkins's School Admissions Policy, early registration is highly recommended.

How to register for 11+ exam

• Complete the online form for your 11 plus exam registration for Year 7 entry.
• Your child will be invited for assessments and an interview, including Maths and English tests.
• Explore scholarship opportunities in Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Sport, or STEM.

As an independent day school in Surrey, Sir William Perkins's School (SWPS) does not operate a formal catchment area or specific postcode priority zones for admissions. Instead, entry to Sir William Perkins is highly selective and based purely on merit, welcoming applicants from a wide geographical area who can commute to the school.

The admissions process for Year 7 is criteria-led, focusing on a candidate's performance in the school's own entrance examinations in English and Mathematics, an interview with a senior member of staff, and a report from their current school. This ensures that places are offered to students who demonstrate strong academic potential and a good fit with the school's ethos.

​Given the highly competitive nature of admissions to independent schools like Sir William Perkins's School, it is always prudent for parents to develop a robust backup strategy. Oversubscription is common, meaning many excellent candidates may not secure a place.

Considering a mix of independent and, where geographically feasible, grammar schools ensures a wider range of options and reduces pressure during the application process. This approach allows you to explore different educational philosophies and environments, finding the best fit for your child's unique needs and aspirations.

• St George's College, Weybridge: A strong co-educational independent option, offering a broad curriculum and excellent facilities, often considered by families in the Surrey area looking for a similar all-round education to Sir William Perkins.
• Lady Eleanor Holles School (LEH), Hampton: For parents who might still prefer a single-sex environment, LEH is a highly academic girls' independent school with an outstanding reputation, albeit with very high oversubscription pressure.
• Tiffin School, Kingston upon Thames: Included as a top-tier grammar school alternative, Tiffin offers an exceptional academic education for boys. While single-sex and state-funded, it represents a different pathway for highly academic children, fulfilling the "grammar mix" aspect of a backup strategy.

​Sir William Perkins's School does not publicly release the exact number of applications received for Year 7 entry each year.

For Year 7 entry from September 2026, Sir William Perkins's School is transitioning to a fully co-educational environment, welcoming both boys and girls. The school has stated that "Interest in Year 7 2026 entry has already been exceptionally high," and encourages early registration due to this demand.​

While specific application figures are not disclosed, the school's move to co-education and its strong academic reputation suggest a competitive admissions process. For the most current information, parents are advised to refer to the official Sir William Perkins's School admissions page.

As stated in the Sir William Perkins's School Admissions Policy, the admissions process includes both written assessments and an interview.

The Sir William Perkins's School 11 Plus Test for Year 7 entry is a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate a candidate's academic potential. All applicants are invited to sit the entrance test at the school.

Subjects Assessed:

• 11+ English: This assessment typically includes a Reading Comprehension section, based on a provided extract, and a Writing Task. Sample papers are provided by school to help students feel familiar and confident ahead of the assessment day.
• 11+ Mathematics: The Mathematics assessment covers general mathematical skills and problem-solving.

Following the written assessments, candidates will also meet with a senior member of staff as part of the admissions process. These conversations are designed to help Sir William Perkins's School get to know each student, their interests, and aspirations. For guidance on preparing for such discussions, you may find information on 11+ interview questions helpful.

To excel in the Sir William Perkins's School 11 Plus Test, familiarise your child with the school's own specimen papers. Consistent practice of 11 plus exam questions in both English and Mathematics, focusing on comprehension, writing, general maths skills, and problem-solving, will build confidence and improve performance.

Parent’s Top 2 Queries

• What exam board does Sir William Perkins follow?

  Sir William Perkins's School sets its own bespoke entrance examination papers for Year 7 admissions.

• How long is the 11+ Exam for Sir William Perkins?

  The school's official admissions information does not specify the exact total duration of the 11+ entrance examination. However, it comprises separate assessments for 11+ English and 11+ Mathematics.

Sir William Perkins's School does not publish an official 11 Plus pass mark. Children aiming for 95%+ in PiAcademy’s 11+ Practice Papers are better positioned. Maximising scores across all tested subjects is crucial.

Sir William Perkins's School (SWPS) conducts its own entrance examination for Year 7 entry, focusing on English and Mathematics. The assessment is a single-stage process designed to identify candidates with strong academic potential. From September 2026, SWPS will welcome both boys and girls into Year 7, marking a significant new chapter for the school.

The entrance test typically takes place in November of Year 6, with assessments in English and Mathematics, followed by an interview with a senior member of staff. The school provides sample papers to help familiarise prospective pupils with the format and style of questions.

English Assessment

The English assessment at Sir William Perkins's School is divided into two papers: a Reading Comprehension paper and a Writing Task paper. This structure ensures a thorough evaluation of a child's literacy skills, from understanding complex texts to expressing ideas clearly and creatively.

The Reading Comprehension section assesses a child's ability to read and interpret a given passage, answer questions based on the text, infer meaning, and understand vocabulary in context. The Writing Task requires pupils to demonstrate their creative or descriptive writing skills, focusing on structure, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and the ability to develop a coherent narrative or argument.

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Mathematics Assessment

The Mathematics assessment at Sir William Perkins's School also comprises two distinct sections: General Skills and Problem Solving. This approach allows the school to gauge both foundational mathematical knowledge and the ability to apply these skills to more complex, multi-step problems.

The General Skills section covers core arithmetic, number properties, basic algebra, geometry, measures, and data handling, aligning with the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum. The Problem Solving section challenges pupils to use their mathematical reasoning to solve unfamiliar problems, often requiring several steps and a clear understanding of how to approach different scenarios.

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Best Resources for Sir William Perkins's School 11+ Exam

Preparing for the Sir William Perkins's School 11+ exam requires focused practice in English and Mathematics. Utilising resources that mirror the school's own exam style is crucial for building confidence and familiarity. For comprehensive preparation, exploring a wide range of 11 plus exam papers can be highly beneficial.

Recommended English Resources

To excel in the English assessment, children should practise both comprehension and writing extensively. This includes working on reading speed, understanding different question types, expanding vocabulary, and developing strong creative writing techniques.

Recommended Mathematics Resources

For Mathematics, consistent practice across all Key Stage 2 topics is essential, alongside dedicated work on problem-solving strategies. Children should be comfortable with both routine calculations and applying their knowledge to unfamiliar contexts.

Recommended Interview Resources

Sir William Perkins's School in Surrey is a highly competitive independent school, making thorough preparation essential for Year 7 entry. Mock tests are crucial for familiarising children with the exam format, managing time effectively, and reducing anxiety on assessment day.

Sir William Perkins's School conducts its own English and Maths assessments, so practising a range of 11 plus mock test Surrey papers is vital. These simulations help identify strengths and weaknesses, allowing targeted revision. For a free diagnostic assessment to pinpoint areas for improvement, visit here.

Consistent practice builds confidence, ensuring your child performs their best for this prestigious school.

• Autumn Half Term 1: 07th September 2026 - 16th October 2026
• Autumn Half Term 2: 02nd November 2026 - 11th December 2026
• Spring Half Term 1: 05th January 2027 - 12th February 2027
• Spring Half Term 2: 22nd February 2027 - 25th March 2027
• Summer Half Term 1: 14th April 2027 - 28th May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: 07th June 2027 - 09th July 2027

Independent school admissions involve direct applications, distinct registration deadlines, and bespoke pre-testing. Review these official inspection reports and testing guidelines to prepare your child for Sir William Perkins's School.

• Sir William Perkins's School Entrance Exam Specimen Papers
• UK Govt. - Get Information on Sir William Perkins's School Page
• Sir William Perkins's School ISI Report
• Sir William Perkins's School Admissions Policy
• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data
• Sir William Perkins's School - Charity Commission

Understanding the financial commitment for Sir William Perkins's School is a key consideration for prospective parents. For the academic year 2025-2026, the termly school fees are approximately £9061.84 (incl. VAT).

A non-refundable fee of £200 - which is inclusive of VAT - is charged for registration.

Additionally, means-tested Perkins Foundation Bursaries are available, potentially covering up to 100% of tuition, subject to annual review. While these fees are significant, they are comparable to many of the most expensive Private Schools UK.