Shiplake College is very proud to be an all ability school and, as such, we operate as holistic an assessment process as possible.
In the morning candidates sit a series of short literacy and numeracy skills assessments, some online and some handwritten; these tests are designed to provide a clear and broad picture of a pupil's baseline skills and highlight if support needs exist. The tests are timed generously and negate the need to provide exam concessions. However, if a child usually receives exam concessions, parents should let us know and this will be taken into consideration when evaluating the marks. Our assessments are intended to show us what pupils can achieve and not what they cannot.
After lunch with current pupils, there will be an indoor and an outdoor activity (weather permitting) in small groups allowing us to observe each pupil’s interactions with peers and staff in a more relaxed situation. There will also be an informal interview with a senior member of staff.
The purpose of the assessment day is to allow our experienced staff to determine whether each pupil would thrive in Shiplake College’s active educational environment and not to simply see which pupils score the highest in exam conditions.
After the registration deadline has passed in late November, applicants will receive an invitation to an assessment day and a confidential reference will also be sought from present and previous schools.
If you have any concerns, queries or requests regarding your child’s assessment day, please call the Admissions Office on 0118 940 5221 or 0118 970 4764.
In September 2024, we moved to using a combination of short online (typed) and handwritten assessments designed to look at applicants' literacy and numeracy skills.
These tests are designed to provide a clear and broad picture of a pupil's baseline skills and highlight if support needs exist.
The tests are dynamic according to ability in a given skill and timed generously, therefore they negate the need to provide exam concessions.
If, however, a child usually receives exam concessions, parents should let us know and this will be taken into consideration when evaluating the marks. For example, if a pupil usually types all their school work, we will still ask them to handwrite two sections of the assessment so that we have a clear and up-to-date snapshot of that support need. They will type the remaining sections.
Our assessments are intended to show us what pupils can achieve and not what they cannot.
Click here for a printable Year 7 September 2025 Entry Timeline
| Event |
Timing |
| Whole College Open Morning |
Autumn Term of Year 6 |
Registration Deadline
Scholarship and Bursary Application Deadlines |
December of Year 6 |
| References Requested from Current School |
December of Year 6 |
| Assessment Days |
January of Year 6 |
| Scholarship Assessments |
January of Year 6 |
| Decision Letters Sent |
February of Year 6 |
| Deadline for Place Acceptances |
March of Year 6 |
| Waiting List and Late Applications Considered |
April of Year 6 Onwards |
| Welcome Events |
Spring and Summer of Year 6 |
Girls and boys in Year 6 who are considering joining Shiplake College at Year 7 have the opportunity to attend a taster event. These take place in the autumn term prior to entry (when the pupils are in Year 6) just before the registration deadline.
Taster Days: Year 7 2025 (girls and boys in Year 6)
Taster Days begin with a welcome from the Headmaster at 10.30am and consist of three lessons and a sports session. Lunch and snacks are provided.
- October 2024 (exact dates tbc)
Please submit your online registration here. The registration deadline for 2025 admission is Monday 2 December 2024. Assessments take place in January.
Academic, art, drama, music and sport scholarships are available at Year 7. All are assessed on merit and will only be awarded to those pupils offered a Year 7 place at the College. Year 7 scholarships are held for two years, provided that a pupil's conduct, effort and commitment to his area of scholarship is maintained. Scholars must re-apply in Year 8 to be assessed for an award for Year 9 onwards.
Further details of scholarships available to Year 7 applicants and the criteria for selection are available on the scholarships page.
Scholarship applications for these must be received in line with the registration deadline.
Mrs Esther Pasmore, Admissions Registrar