Below are some of the questions prospective parents have about the admissions process at Shiplake College. If any of your questions are not answered here, please do not hesitate to contact the Registrar, Mrs Esther Pasmore, on 0118 940 5221 or email [email protected].
At what age do pupils join Shiplake College?
Pupils normally join Shiplake at Year 7 (age 11) and Year 9 (age 13) or Year 12 (age 16). We do consider applications to join at Year 8 or Year 10, if there are vacancies. Admission into Year 11 or the Year 13 is not usually possible.
When should we apply?
The registration deadline for Year 7 candidates is the December of their Year 6, ahead of assessments in January.
For Year 9 candidates the registration deadline is usually mid-July, between Years 6 and 7. Assessments take place in the autumn of Year 7.
Year 12 candidates should be registered by mid-October of their Year 11, ahead of the assessment day in November.
We advise that you register as early as possible in order to benefit from communications from the College about taster events and other activities. Late applications may be considered if there are vacancies.
What are the entry tests?
All applicants on our group assessment days will sit some literacy and numeracy tests, an informal interview and participate in a groupwork activity. Year 7 and Year 9 applicants will also participate in a sports session. Out-of-process applicants will sit the written tests and interview and may take part in some taster lessons.
A reference will also be requested from the candidate’s current school.
Is Shiplake a selective school?
Shiplake College is a selective school but we do not select on academic ability alone. We admit pupils with a wide range of abilities. We look for pupils who will make the most of the opportunities and challenges that will lie ahead of them at the College and who will, in turn, contribute to and enrich the Shiplake community.
My child gets extra time in exams; do you offer this?
We use a combination of short online (typed) and handwritten assessments designed to understand applicants' literacy and numeracy skills and highlight if support needs exist. The tests are dynamic according to ability in a given skill and timed generously, so negate the need for extra time.
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 some 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.
How should I prepare my child for the entrance tests?
No advance preparation is required for our assessment days. Copies of previous years’ papers are not available.
What is the ratio of applicants to places?
We receive about 2.5 applications per place for entry at Year 7, Year 9 and Sixth Form. There are usually around 45 places in Year 7, a further 45 in Year 9 and 50 to 70 at Year 12.
What are the minimum entry requirements for Sixth Form?
For those looking to join Shiplake at Year 12, we look for a minimum of five grade 5s or above at GCSE, to include English and maths. Higher grades are required in the subjects that a pupil is looking to study at A Level.
What happens when Shiplake pupils move from Year 8 to Year 9, or Year 11 to the Sixth Form?
There are no separate tests to move from Year 8 to Year 9, or from Year 11 into the Sixth Form; continuation at Shiplake College is assumed. However, all Year 11 pupils progressing to the Sixth Form would be expected to have a good history of academic effort and classroom discipline, together with a commitment to school activities and a record of participation in extra-curricular activities. Pupils should also expect to achieve at least a Grade 7 in their chosen A level subjects.
Are offers at Year 9 conditional on Common Entrance grades?
No. Any Year 9 places that we offer are unconditional upon Common Entrance results.
How can I learn more about boarding at Shiplake?
Click for more information about the boarding provision at Shiplake College. Click for the Boarding FAQs.
When do I have to make up my mind?
A deadline for completing the acceptance form will be provided with unconditional offers of places, normally giving parents about 4-6 weeks to make a decision. After this date, the place will be released and offered to pupils who were on the waiting list. Details of timelines for upcoming admissions rounds may be found here.
Can I visit the College?
Absolutely! We love welcoming visitors to the College. We hold two whole school open mornings and a Sixth Form open every year as well as a number of other opportunities to visit. Find out more here.
Families are also welcome to arrange an individual visit, to meet the Registrar and have a personal tour of the College. If you would like to meet the Head, please let us know.
Contact the team on 0118 940 5221.
What are the main feeder schools to Shiplake?
Pupils join us from around 50 different schools each year. At Year 7 about half of the joiners come from maintained primary schools and half from independent prep schools. At Year 9 the majority of joiners are from independent prep schools, with some from maintained senior schools. There is a mixture of joiners from maintained and independent schools into the Sixth Form. There are a few schools that send us many pupils each year, but we do not give any preferential treatment; each child's fit with Shiplake College is considered individually.
Do pupils live locally?
The majority of our day pupils live within 50 minutes’ drive of the College, with clusters in Henley-on-Thames, Reading, Marlow, Maidenhead and Beaconsfield. Full and weekly boarders tend to live between 1 and 2 hours’ drive, in particular Surrey and the western suburbs of London, but a number do travel to the College from all areas of the UK (and from overseas).
Do you have a sibling policy?
If you already have a child at Shiplake, we very much hope you will consider sending subsequent children here. However, their fit with the College will be considered individually and, therefore, whilst it is likely they will be offered a place, it is not guaranteed. If siblings do join, we offer a 5% fee discount on the oldest child.
Another Question?
These are some frequently asked questions about the College.
These are some frequently asked questions about boarding at Shiplake.
Is there a question that you would like us to answer that is not included in our FAQs? Please get in touch and we will endeavour to answer this. Call the Admissions Team on 0118 940 5221.