How to join Freemen’s

Whether you are an ambitious explorer, a creative thinker or a passionate leader, we want you to be the best and the happiest you can be. 

Our main entry points are Year 3, Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12, but if we have places we will consider applications for other year groups from Year 4 to Year 10.

This page will give you a general overview of the admissions process, but if you would like specific information and key dates, type you child's date of birth into the box below. 

Step 1: Open Event

Join us for an open event. You can explore the school, take part in activities and demonstrations, ask lots of questions and decide if Freemen's is the right fit for you. We recommend you come the year before you wish to apply, but will be delighted to see you whenever you can visit.  

Book onto an open event

Step 2: Register Your Child

Complete the online application form by 1 October the year before you wish to join.

For 11+/Year 7 entry or deferred 13+/Year 9 entry, please also register on the ISEB Guardian Portal to sit ISEB Pre-Tests in the Autumn of Year 6. 

There is a £200 (inclusive of VAT) non-refundable registration fee, which you can pay at the time you make your application.

Subject to availability of places, applications may be considered after the 1 October deadline. Please contact Admissions to enquire.

Apply Now

Step 3: Entrance Assessments

Junior School Applicants

We consider the following when deciding to offer a place:

• Assessments for Junior School entry, assessments are paper based in English, Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning
• A one-to-one informal interview, which allows us to find out more about your child's personality and interests
• A confidential report from your child's current school

The assessments will take place in December for anyone joining in Year 3 to Year 6.

Senior School Applicants

We consider the following when deciding to offer a place:

• Online ISEB Pre-Tests for 11+/Year 7 and deferred 13+/Year 9 entry (see below)
• Assessments for all Senior School entry points, including ISEB, assessments are online and cover English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning (see below)
• Activities Day for entry into Years 7 to 10 which includes a Freemen's creative writing assessment
• A one-to-one informal interview, which allows us to find out more about your child's personality and interests
• A confidential report from your child's current school

The assessments will take place in November for children who would like to join in Year 7 and above.

11+/Year 7 entry and deferred 13+/Year 9 entry - ISEB Pre-Tests

The ISEB Pre-Tests are multiple choice, adaptive, age-standardised online tests in Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The test framework is available publicly and a range of information for schools and candidates is available on the ISEB website.

Freemen’s will provide an opportunity for candidates to sit the ISEB Pre-Tests on site if their current school does not offer a sitting. We will contact those candidates directly with further details. For overseas applicants, the ISEB Pre-Tests can be taken at a British Council office or any ISEB-approved testing centre.

The tests must be completed by the last day of November of Year 6.

Sixth Form Applicants

Sixth Form external applicants do not need to sit entrance assessments if they are taking 7 or more GCSE's including Maths and English.

• Predicted grades: We require an average score of 6.0 across at least 7 GCSEs plus specific grade requirements in the subjects you wish to study at A Level.
• A Sixth Form Questionnaire you will be asked to complete after applying
• A one-to-one interview with a member of the Sixth Form team
• A confidential report from your current school

Our interview and activities morning will take place in early November. 

Step 4: Offers of Places and Taster Events

Decision letters will be sent by email in mid-December.

11+ scholarship results will not be published until mid-January.

The time you have to accept your place will vary depending on which year group you apply for. Most will have until the end of January. Those applying for Year 7 will have until the first Thursday in March.

We run taster events for offer-holders in January and February if you have not made up your mind. Children will enjoy some fun activities, while parents can talk to staff and get answers to any of those last minute questions.

Step 5: Acceptance

To accept your place, you will need to sign and return the acceptance form with the £2,000 deposit for day pupils and a full term's fees for boarders.

We send out the New Starters Pack with all the information you will need to join the school early in the Summer Term.

Step 6: Induction Events

We hold induction events for pupils and parents towards the end of the Summer Term. Children and young people will have the chance to meet their class or tutor group, as well as their teachers or tutors. Parents are invited to an evening reception to meet other parents and have talks from the relevant of Heads of School.

 Step 7: First Day

We will make sure you have everything you need to start on the first day of term. We hold a coffee morning for parents once you have dropped your child off.