Entry to STAHS

Girls spend about an hour with our Pre-Prep team in a warm, child-focused environment, similar to the one they would experience in a pre-school setting, surrounded by interesting activities and toys.

By engaging with each child, playing games, sharing activities and stories we gain an insight into whether your daughter would thrive at STAHS. We are sensitive to the needs of your young daughter and keep our 4+ assessments to just a few girls per session.

Ahead of assessment, parents and daughters are invited to join familiarisation playdate session, helping girls feel at ease and ready to enjoy their return visit to Prep for assessment. We offer a number of assessment mornings from the start of the autumn term, with offers made soon after assessment.

ADMISSIONS TIMETABLE FOR ENTRY TO RECEPTION (4+) SEPTEMBER 2026

Please note that all dates for 2026 entry are provisional and may change.

Once you have applied you will be invited to book a Familiarisation Playdate and Entrance Assessment Session.

Click here to apply for a place at STAHS

Your application is confirmed by paying a non-refundable fee.

In Year 3 the Prep expands from two to three forms per year group, so we have capacity for another class of girls. We put girls at ease at our welcoming assessment day, which gives a real taste of STAHS combining fun, interactive activities, with formal testing. Girls spend a day with us taking part in online assessments in maths, English and reasoning, a writing task, lesson experience, outdoor team activity and interview.

PLACES FOR YEAR 3 FOR IMMEDIATE ENTRY

Occasionally we have places available to join Year 3 ahead of September 2026.

ADMISSIONS TIMETABLE FOR ENTRY TO YEAR 3 (7+), SEPTEMBER 2026

Please note that all dates for 2025 entry are provisional and may change.

Click here to apply for a place at STAHS

We have a two-stage process for entry at Year 7: all candidates attend our 11+ assessment day, after which a number of candidates are called back for interview.

ENTRANCE ASSESSMENT DAY

Assessment Day is around the length of a normal school day, with break times, lunch and refreshments provided. Some candidates will be able to take the test at their own school if it acts as an invigilation centre for the Common Pre-Test; where this happens, children will be with us for around half a day for the other elements of Assessment Day.

STAHS is among a number of leading independent schools using the Common Pre-Test to assess applicants. The tests are taken online and consist of multiple-choice tests in Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. No special preparation is required for the tests. Results are age-standardised to adjust for the age of the child taking the test.

Practice tests are not available, but examples and practice questions, where relevant, are provided during the tests so that candidates understand what they have to do and a ISEB Walkthrough is available that demonstrates the look and feel of the tests. STAHS offers two optional 11+ Taster Days to help pupils understand what to expect on Assessment Day, take part in a range of activities and get to know the School. Information on how to book these is sent to those who have completed the Application Form.

Further information for candidates is in our STAHS Assessment Guide

INTERVIEWS

Following Assessment Day, a number of pupils will be invited back to STAHS for interview. Interviews are with senior members of staff and no preparation is required. The sessions are a relaxed and enjoyable experience,  with pupils taking part in stimulating group activities whilst they are with us. At the same time, parents meet individually with our Head and Deputy Heads. The meetings are purely for parents’ benefit and form no part of the assessment process for pupils.

ADMISSIONS TIMETABLE FOR ENTRY TO YEAR 7 (11+), SEPTEMBER 2026

Please note that all dates for 2026 entry are provisional and may change.

Click here to apply for a place at STAHS

Your application is confirmed by paying a non-refundable fee.

When selecting students to join our thriving Sixth Form, we look for independence, intellectual curiosity and creativity. 

On Assessment Day, students complete online assessments in vocabulary, mathematics and non-verbal reasoning and a non-subject specific written paper testing critical thinking and communication. Candidates are selected for interview on the basis of their performance on assessment day, and return to STAHS for an interview with the Head and Head of Sixth Form.

Students are asked to indicate the subjects they would like to study for A level. Following assessment, successful candidates are made offers conditional on obtaining our required GCSE results for their chosen A level subjects – see the A level subject pages of our Sixth Form Prospectus for details of requirements. We require external students joining STAHS to achieve a minimum of grade 6 in Maths and in English, alongside the grade requirements in relevant GCSEs for their chosen A levels.

The admissions process is kept under review and may be adapted according to circumstances at the time. 

ADMISSIONS TIMETABLE FOR ENTRY TO YEAR 12 (16+), SEPTEMBER 2026

Please note that all dates for 2026 entry are provisional and may change.

Click here to apply for a place at STAHS

Your application is confirmed by paying a non-refundable fee.

OCCASIONAL PLACES

Sometimes we have places available in other year groups than our standard entry points.

It may also be possible to start at the school in any term, and not just in the September entry. We are academically selective and all applicants sit an age-appropriate assessment in the Prep School or entry examinations in the Senior School.

Please contact admissions@stahs.org.uk for details. To apply for a place for your child in the please complete the application form using the link below.  Your application is confirmed by paying a non-refundable registration fee.

The admissions process is kept under review and may be adapted according to circumstances at the time.