Admissions Assessments
Our assessment process is designed to help us get to know each child joining the school, understand their strengths and recognise their potential. Assessments are tailored to the child’s age and point of entry, ranging from informal activities and taster days for younger pupils to age-appropriate academic assessments and interviews for entry to the Senior School and Sixth Form. Whatever the entry point, we aim to make the experience positive and welcoming, with our Admissions Team on hand to guide and support families every step of the way.
Junior School
All children applying for a place in Year 1 to Year 6 will take part in an assessment before we are able to offer a place.
For children applying to Years 1 and 2, the assessment takes place as part of a taster day and is carried out by the class teacher and subject staff. Children applying to Year 3 to Year 6 are assessed by our Individual Needs Department.
Children applying to join Year 6 will also be assessed to ensure they are working towards the level required for entry to the Senior School.
Our Junior School assessments are arranged individually and are designed to give us a clear picture of each child’s current abilities. Depending on the time of year and the age of the child, the assessment may include some or all of the following:
- Reading assessment
- A short piece of independent writing
- NFER Maths assessment
- Vernon Spelling Test
Where appropriate, we may also use:
- MAT non-verbal assessment
Once the assessment is complete, children are invited to spend the rest of the day with their current year group, joining in with lessons and classroom activities. This gives them the opportunity to experience a typical school day and get a feel for life at St Gabriel’s.
Year 7
All children joining the Senior School in Year 7 are invited to an assessment morning in the second half of the Autumn Term of Year 6.
For families looking for a place in Year 7 2027, the assessment morning will take place on Saturday, 7 November.
Prospective pupils will sit online assessments in:
- English
- Maths
- Reasoning (Verbal & Non-Verbal)
- Problem-solving
They will also complete a creative writing task and have an interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
For 2027 entry we will be using Quest Admissions Assessments and parents can find more information and sample questions here.
Year 8 & Year 9
St Gabriel’s entrance examinations assess both current levels of achievement and, most importantly, your child’s potential.
For families looking for a place in Year 8 or Year 9 2027, the assessment morning will take place on Saturday, 7 November.
Prospective pupils will sit papers in
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
They will also have an interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Parents should inform the school prior to the examination day of any learning difficulty that might affect their child’s performance and provide documentation to support this.
Sixth Form
We welcome Sixth Form applications from students who currently attend other schools.
There are no formal assessments for Sixth Form entry, places are offered on predicted GCSE grades and an admissions interview with the Principal and Head of Sixth Form.