Boarding Admissions

Caterham School has a thriving boarding community. An experienced and dedicated team of boarding staff ensures a warm and caring atmosphere across all of our boarding houses.

Family-friendly weekly boarding secures time at home each weekend with an action packed week at School. Full boarding also remains a popular option.

Our main boarding entry points are 13+ and 16+, though we also have a small entry point at 14+. We may consider applications outside of year group.

Please note our boarding application form is not available on our website.  For guidance on how to apply and a link to our boarding application form, please contact [email protected].

Candidates already based in the uk

Prospective pupils of any nationality who currently attend a school in the UK and who wish to apply for a boarding place at Caterham School should contact [email protected] and we will guide you on how to apply.

If you would like to arrange a private tour of the school and our boarding houses, and a meeting with Mr Wood, Deputy Head Admissions, please contact [email protected]. We would be delighted to welcome you here. Mr Wood is also pleased to meet with any prospective families virtually.

16+ boarding applicants are encouraged to attend the dedicated virtual 16+ Open Evening held on 10 October 2022. We ask candidates to register for the evening beforehand by contacting [email protected]. The virtual evening includes presentations regarding the Sixth Form and also an opportunity to meet Caterham staff.

After application, we will invite candidates in to the School in the Autumn term for academic Entrance Exams and interview on Saturday 5 November. 

Candidates based overseas

Candidates based overseas usually apply through one of our registered agents. Please get in touch for a list of our registered agents in your region.

1. Application

Our registered agents can guide you through the boarding admissions process. This will involve completing an application form and paying the boarding application fee (£225). In addition to this, the agent will supply us with other information about your child, including a school report and copy of your child’s passport.

2. Entrance Exams

Academic standards are high at Caterham School and so entrance is by selection based on academic merit and an assessment of each pupil’s likely positive contribution to the School.

Entrance Exams are arranged by our registered agents and must take place in either the Agents’ office or at a British Council office. If this causes a problem, please contact us. The below table summarises how we assess candidates at each entry point:

13+ and 14+	All candidates take papers in English, Mathematics (non-calculator) and Critical, Creative and Innovative Thinking.
16+	All candidates will take papers appropriate to their desired A Level choices in addition to a Critical, Creative and Innovative Thinking paper.

Please see below for dates of our Entrance Exams.

3. Interviews

Candidates who perform to the required standard in the Entrance Exams will be invited for interview; we usually interview the majority of applicants. Overseas candidates are interviewed via a virtual platform.  

4. offer

For Boarding Admissions, pupils are offered unconditional places at the School on the basis of their performance in the Entrance Exams and interview. 

13+, 14+ & 16+ Admissions Dates for Applications (2023 ENTRY)

Closing date for 13+ & 14+ Overseas applications	Monday 17 October 2022
13+ & 14+ Entrance papers (sat overseas)	To be taken between September and Saturday 5 November
13+ & 14+ Entrance papers at Caterham School	Saturday 5 November 2022
13+ & 14+ Decision letters to be emailed to families on:	Friday 9 December 2022
13+ & 14+ Closing date for acceptance	Two weeks after the offer date
Virtual Sixth Form Open Evening *Pre-registration is required	Monday 10 October 2022
Closing date for 16+ Overseas applications	Monday 17 October 2022
16+ Entrance papers (sat overseas)	To be taken between September and Saturday 5 November
16+ Entrance papers at Caterham School	Saturday 5 November 2022
16+ decision letters to be emailed to families on:	Friday 2 December 2022
16+ Closing date for acceptance	Two weeks after the offer date

Other information

International students who have EUSS status, a Dependent Visa, Right of Abode, Leave to Remain or other visa, which allows the student to live and study in the UK, should upload a copy of the visa when completing the application.

If your child does not have British or Irish nationality, Settled/Pre-Settled Status or the right to reside in the UK they will need a Child Student Visa to attend Caterham School.  We are a UKVI Sponsored School and can sponsor a pupil’s application for a Child Student visa (CAS – Confirmation of Acceptance to Study), with the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI).

The Admissions team will guide you through the visa application procedure and are happy to assist you with any queries you may have. For further details, please click here.

All applicants to the School for whom English is not a native language will be required to attend lessons at our specialist EAL Department until the Head of EAL is satisfied that the pupil has reached the standard of English necessary to study at a UK university.

Information for Agents

We are happy to receive applications from non-registered agents, though we only pay commission to those with whom we have a formal agreement. We do not currently expect to enter into any further formal agreements with agents. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Candidates applying through non-registered agents can only sit our Entrance Exams at British Council offices or approved exam centres.