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VISIT THE COLLEGE

We love welcoming visitors to the College to experience our beautiful environment and wonderful people and there are lots of opportunities to do this. We recommend that prospective parents and pupils join an Open Event for your initial visit (as long as timescales allow) but there are other events, formal and informal, which enable you to get to know us.

Open Events

Whole School Open Events

Open mornings begin with presentations from senior staff and pupils and include a tour of the College with opportunities to speak with staff and pupils in every department and facility. These events start at 9.00am and we would expect your visit to be concluded by midday. Confirmation of exact timings will be sent to attendees shortly before the event.

Whole School Open Event on Saturday 20 September 2025 - Booking Form

Whole School Open Event on Saturday 21 March 2026 - Booking Form

Sixth Form Open Event

These events also run from 9.00am until midday but are geared specifically towards prospective sixth formers to attend just before the application deadline.

Sixth Form Open Event on 11 October 2025 - Booking Form

Headmaster's Lunches

Join a small number of other parents for lunch with the Headmaster and other senior staff and then have a tour of the College. These events start at midday and are usually finished by around 1.30pm.

Headmaster's Lunch: Parents of pupils looking for Year 9 2027 entry (i.e. current Year 6s)

  • Friday 25 April 2025
  • Thursday 5 June 2025

Headmaster's Lunch: Parents of pupils looking for Year 7 2026 entry

  • To be confirmed

 

If you are interested in joining the waiting list for one of these events then please email Hayley Young.

Individual Visits

After attending an Open Event, you may wish to see the school in operation on a week day and/or to talk to senior staff in more detail. Please contact the Admissions Team to discuss your requirements and arrange a suitable date. Telephone 0118 970 4764 or email [email protected]

Tasters and Workshops

Taster Days: Year 7 2026 

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.

  • Autumn Term 2025 (Booking forms will be available here and emailed out to those on our mailing list as they are diarised)

 

'Experience Shiplake' Taster Afternoon: Year 9 2027 (for girls and boys in Year 6)

Experience Shiplake: Booking Form

Tuesday 20 May 2025, 4.15pm until approximately 6.45pm and aimed at prospective pupils and their parents.

This is an exciting opportunity for pupils to participate in a carousel of taster sessions. Parents will hear from key members of staff about life at Shiplake, engage in a Q&A session and have a guided tour of the College.

The event will end with a meal for the pupils and refreshments for the adults. Places are limited.

 

'Experience Rowing': Year 12 2026

Experience Rowing at Shiplake: Application Form

Rowers currently in Year 10 who want to take their rowing to the next level, and are considering Shiplake College for Sixth Form in 2026, are invited to an 'Experience Rowing at Shiplake' morning on Friday 6 June 2025.

Places are limited will be allocated and confirmed on a first come, first served basis.

Arrival time will be 10.00am for refreshments and a talk about rowing and sixth form at Shiplake for prospective pupils and their parents. This will be followed by water sessions, lunch and tours for the pupils. Collection is at 1.30pm.

 

Experience Sixth Form at Shiplake: Year 12 2026

Experience Sixth Form at Shiplake: Booking Form

A taster event for applicants to join in September 2026 on Wednesday 25 June.

Tasters begin with a welcome address at 10.20am and consist of three lessons and a tour. Lunch and snacks are provided. Collection is at 2.00pm.

We plan to arrange lesson tasters in subjects that are new to applicants but, numbers permitting, will observe any preferences.

 

Should your chosen event be fully booked, please email Mrs Hayley Young to be added to the waiting list.

Virtual Visits and Tours

We have a number of videos and tours available below to give you a flavour of the College, its people and environment from the comfort of your own home:

 

 

 

 

Speak to Current Parents

We think that Shiplake College is a special place, but why not find out what parents of our current pupils think?

The Admissions Team can put you in touch with other parents to ask the questions you might not feel right asking us or just to find out more about their experience of the school. Email [email protected].

78 Sixth Form girls (2024-2025)
We came away completely committed to the idea that this is the right place and thoroughly appreciate all the time, care and effort that goes into setting these experiences up. I don’t know what the Shiplake magic is, but everyone just seems so nice and kind and genuinely interested in whomever they talk to.
Experience Event Attendee - June 2023