Admissions Process

If you do not already know Cranleigh, we strongly recommend an initial visit. We offer two Annual Open Mornings as well as smaller Welcome Mornings. These provide a number of families with an opportunity to hear about future plans for the School, to meet the Head and staff, and to enjoy a tour of the School with a current pupil. Advance booking via our Admissions Office is essential.

Individual or small group visits may also be arranged during the week.

Book a visit

If you wish to be considered for a place at Cranleigh, a registration form and non-refundable registration fee of £200 should be submitted via the Admissions Portal.

Early registration is recommended, ideally in Year 5.

We offer the majority of places for Year 9 entry in the Lent term of Year 6. However we hold back places, for families that are not ready to make a decision in schooling, for those wanting to apply in Year 7 & 8. We are currently still taking registrations for 2025 and 2026 entry.

Registration for 13+ entry for September 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 is available

Register Now

Registered applicants will need to sit the ISEB test at their school, arranged by their current Head. The ISEB test takes place between October and mid-November of Year 6. Applicants from schools that do not offer the ISEB test can sit the test at Cranleigh Prep School, in arrangement with the Admissions Team.

Applicants will then be invited to an assessment day during January of Year 6. Each part of our assessment is equally important and offers will only be made once we have reviewed the results of the ISEB test in conjunction with the feedback from the Holistic Assessment Day.

The assessment is a holistic review of the candidate’s interests and abilities. It consists of an informal interview with a senior member of staff, a discussion group,  and fun team building activities. A reference is required from the candidate’s current school.

The interview will provide candidates with an opportunity to discuss their passions and what motivates them; interests and talents outside the classroom will be highly valued.

Following the Holistic Review, and receipt of a positive recommendation from the candidate’s current Head, an unconditional offer may be made. Admissions decisions take into account a variety of factors. We need to be confident that a pupil will thrive academically but we also consider what wider contribution he or she will make to the Cranleigh community, particularly those individuals who will make the most of the available opportunities.

Holistic Review Dates

The majority of offers are made during the Lent term of Year 6. For those applying in Year 7 & 8, we will need registered applicants to either sit the ISEB test at their prep school or a CAT 4 assessment on their assessment day at Cranleigh. Applicants will then be invited to an assessment day. The day will consists of an informal interview with a senior member of staff, and fun activities. A reference is required from the candidate’s current school.

Cranleigh offers a range of academic and other scholarships and awards. To gain an award or scholarship, candidates must demonstrate both excellence in their chosen field and exceptional promise. Applications should be received by the advertised closing date in Year 8 and be supported by their current school.

Scholarships

As the offer to Cranleigh is an unconditional offer we do not require any set formal exams to be completed in Year 8. However we do ask from the pupils current school of any results as this is helpful for setting purposes.