Senior School Entry Process
Applications for entry to St Teresa’s can be made for girls at age 11 or 13.
Places for girls at age 12 or 14 also, occasionally, become available.
The deadline for registration for Year 7 entry is 10th October in the year prior to joining, eg if joining in September 2027, the deadline would be 10th October 2026.
Admissions Process
The admissions process normally begins at least a year prior to entry, with prospective parents and pupils attending an Open Morning and / or having an individual tour of the school and a meeting with the Headmaster.
Parents who would like their daughters to be considered for a place create a parent account with Applicaa and complete the online registration form and pay a non-refundable registration fee.
11+ Admissions Process
We are very excited to be moving to the ISEB Common Pre-Tests for 11+ entry in September 2027 and 13+ Pre-Test entry in September 2029.
All candidates sit the online ISEB Common Pre-Tests during the first term of Year 6; an age-standardised test for pupils applying for independent senior schools.
The tests comprise English (40 minutes), Mathematics (40 minutes), Non-Verbal Reasoning (30 minutes) and Verbal Reasoning (25 minutes); they are in a multiple-choice format.
No special preparation is required for the Common Pre-Tests, which are designed to identify potential as well as attainment.
Further information about the ISEB Common Pre-Tests can be found on the following → page
The tests are usually sat at the candidate’s current school; if current schools are unable to invigilate the tests, candidates will be able to sit them at St Teresa’s on Friday 6th November 2026.
Candidates must only sit the ISEB Common Pre-Tests once each academic year. If a girl is sitting the tests for more than one school, the results are provided to all schools to which the girl has applied.
All tests must be completed by our deadline of Friday 20th November 2026 either at current schools or at St Teresa’s.
All candidates will also need to attend St Teresa’s on Thursday 12th November 2026 for an Experience Day when they will complete a short piece of creative writing, enjoy some exciting activities and have lunch.
Online interviews will take place on Saturday 14th November 2026.
Offers of places will be made during the week commencing Monday 30th November 2026.
12+/13+/14+ Admissions Process
Candidates visit St Teresa’s on an individual basis to sit entrance exams in Mathematics and English.
Timings vary per age group but will usually be a 9am arrival and, departure at 12.30pm; candidates will also spend break time with pupils in their current year group.
Scholarships
Scholarship Assessments at 11+ are taken at the end of November and will be offered in conjunction with entrance examination results.
Scholarship Assessments at 13+ are also taken, and offered, at the end of November.
Criteria for Admission
Girls are offered a place following the satisfactory completion of examination papers set by the school and receipt of a reference from the Head of their present school.
The Headmaster is entitled to take into account any particular attribute of the girl that suggests she may benefit from the general ethos of the school.
St Teresa’s is a highly popular, over-subscribed school, and we welcome applications from pupils of all abilities, including those with very mild learning difficulties.
The Headmaster is, however, entitled to refuse admission to a girl with special educational needs if she feels the school does not have the provision to assist with those needs.
Bursaries
St Teresa’s has a policy of encouraging applications from any pupil who would benefit from a place at the school. As part of widening access, bursaries are available at all points of entry and may be up to 50% fees.
In addition, there is funding available for short-term bursarial help where parents have experienced unforeseen financial hardship.
Means-tested application forms are available from Mrs Norris, Financial Accountant, on bursaries@effinghamschools.org
Armed Forces Discount
Pupils who have a parent serving in the armed forces are eligible for a 10% discount on the fees. Serving personnel should be aware that they can apply for MOD and Foreign Office boarding school allowance under certain criteria.
Siblings
A reduction in tuition fees is offered from Reception upwards (for the second and subsequent children) when two siblings or more are at St Teresa’s and/or Cranmore and/or Manor House at the same time. This will be a 5% discount on tuition fees for the second child, 10% for the third child and 15% for the fourth and subsequent children.
Girls who have sisters/brothers at St Teresa’s and/or Cranmore and/or Manor House are, where possible, given priority on entry.
