Admission to our schools is based on a child’s potential, and not just on a single test performance. As part of the entrance process, we meet with all prospective pupils before the assessments and we also take into account recommendations from their previous school in the form of a reference.

On the day of testing itself, we try to make the experience as stress-free as possible. It may be the first time your child has sat a test of this kind, so allowances are made for the anxiety that some children may experience. We meet each individual on arrival and look after them throughout their visit to help settle their nerves and ensure they feel comfortable and confident.

We endeavour to give our prospective pupils every chance to shine and are happy to guide each family through the entrance procedure.  If a child needs access arrangements for a written test, these should be discussed with the admissions office in advance.

Please note that we welcome applications throughout the year (subject to availability) and boys and girls are able to join the schools at multiple entry points.

Entry requirements

Entry for Nursery

After their third birthday, children are welcome to join the Nursery at Monmouth Prep School. The transition from home to Nursery can be a big step for children, so we ensure that they feel happy and comfortable with us from day one. We are delighted to offer parents the flexibility of morning, afternoon or all-day sessions for their child, with a minimum of four half-day sessions per week.

Prospective families are invited to visit the school for a bespoke tour or open event. Parents are also welcome to register their child, with flexible entry points throughout the year.   All prospective pupils coming into Nursery are required to attend up to three half-day sessions during which time they will be able to familiarise themselves with our Nursery setting, staff and their new classmates. During the half-day taster sessions, we will carry out a series of observations and informal assessments to ensure that our rich education environment will suit the child’s needs.  We will also contact any other childcare setting that the child may attend for additional relevant information, and our Nursery leader will undertake a home visit. During their Admissions journey, Monmouth Prep School’s Head, Mr Neil Shaw, would be delighted to meet every child personally to learn more about them.

We would expect current Nursery pupils to naturally and happily transition to Reception once they reach the appropriate age.

Entry for Reception to Year 2

Prospective families are invited to visit the school for a bespoke tour or open event. Parents are also welcome to register their child. There are no assessments or formal interviews for children applying for Reception-Year 2, though, during their Admissions journey, Monmouth Prep School’s Head, Mr Neil Shaw, would be delighted to meet every child personally to learn more about them. Families may then be made an offer of a place.

All current Year 2 pupils naturally and comfortably transition into Year 3 in September. There is no longer a requirement for current Year 2 pupils to undergo assessments for Year 3 entry.

Tel:  01600 737707    Email:  prep.admissions@habsmonmouth.org

Entry for our to Year 3 to Year 6

For admission into Years 3-6, all children will have an interview-style chat with the Head of Monmouth Prep School, Mr Neil Shaw. We may also ask to see a sample of a child’s work. Not only does this help us determine a child’s academic potential, but it is also an opportunity for your child’s individualism and personality to shine.

The boys and girls will also take a short age appropriate test in Maths and English which will be taken under the care of a member of the teaching staff. These entrance assessments are usually held in March, though they can be arranged at other times during the school year. Offers will be made in writing within two weeks of the assessments.

Wherever possible, girls and boys will be able to attend a taster day, if they wish. This is a fantastic opportunity for our candidates to experience a day in the life of a Monmouth Prep School pupil.

Entry for Year 7 (11+)

Assessments

All applicants will sit an online CEM assessment at the School which covers three core areas: numerical, verbal and non-verbal ability. CEM is an adaptive, age-standardised assessment for which no prior preparation is required. In addition, candidates will sit an English paper offering the opportunity to portray their creative writing skills.

When it is not possible to sit the online CEM assessment at School, papers will be taken in English, Mathematics (calculator), and Mathematics (non-calculator) remotely by arrangement.

In addition, candidates sit a creative writing paper, which provides applicants with the opportunity to portray their creative writing skills to set tasks.

For those interested in an 11+ Scholarship/Award, these are to be applied for during the autumn term preceding the intended point of entry whilst the candidate is in Year 6.  Please refer to ‘Key Dates for 2023 entry’ below for further detail.

Interview

All candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview with a member of our senior school academic staff. Candidates are asked to bring along with them an object of interest. This could be something that interests them such as a hobby, a sport, perhaps a special present, a picture of a pet, something that they have collected or found, something they have made or perhaps a book that they have enjoyed reading.

The interview gives an opportunity for the candidate to talk about their interests and passions. We encourage candidates to practise talking at home about their hobbies and current affairs, so that they can talk as freely as possible during the interview.

We will also obtain a reference from the candidate’s current school.

Entry for Year 8 (12+) and Year 10 (14+)

Assessments

All applicants will sit written papers at School in English, Mathematics (calculator), and Mathematics (non-calculator).  When it is not possible for candidates to sit the assessments at School, papers will be sat remotely by arrangement.

Interview

All candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview with the Head or member of our senior school academic staff. The interview gives an opportunity for the candidate to talk about their interests and passions. We encourage candidates to practise talking at home about their hobbies and current affairs, so that they can talk as freely as possible during the interview.

We will also obtain a reference from the candidate’s current school.

Entry for Year 9 (13+)

We welcome applications into Year 9 from various schools and the admissions process can vary accordingly.

ISEB Common Pre-Testing

Applicants who attend an IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools) Prep School can be assessed using the ISEB (Independent Schools Examination Board) Common Pre-Tests during their time in Year 6 or Year 7. These assessments, should the applicant be successful, will result in a confirmed offer for entry into Year 9.

A further assessment may be carried out in Year 8 for setting purposes. The ISEB Common Pre-Tests are age-standardised and the tests are taken online in the candidate’s current school and consist of multiple-choice tests in Mathematics, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning.

Entry assessments at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools

Applicants joining us from other schools will sit written papers at School in English, Mathematics (calculator), and Mathematics (non-calculator), during their time in Year 8.  When it is not possible for candidates to sit the assessments at School, papers will be sat remotely by arrangement.

For those interested in a 13+ Scholarship/Award, these are to be applied for during the autumn term preceding the intended point of entry whilst the candidate is in Year 8.  Please refer to ‘Key Dates for 2023 entry’ below for further detail.

Interview

All candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview with the Head or member of our senior school academic staff. The interview gives an opportunity for the candidate to talk about their interests and passions. We encourage candidates to practise talking at home about their hobbies and current affairs, so that they can talk as freely as possible during the interview.  We will also obtain a reference from the candidate’s current school.

Entry for Sixth Form (16+)

Entrance to the Sixth Form will be based upon our entry requirement of GCSE results of 5 x Grades 9-6 (A*- B equivalent) and preferably a Grade 7 or above in the subjects to be studied at A level.

Conditional offers will be made upon the basis of predicted grades and we will also take into consideration a school reference and recent reports. Candidates will also be required to undertake an interview with our Director of Sixth Form. Offers will be confirmed further to final GCSE results.

For those interested in a 16+ Scholarship/Award, these are to be applied for during the autumn term preceding the intended point of entry whilst the candidate is in Year 11.  Please refer to ‘Key Dates for 2023 entry’ below for further detail.

We encourage prospective Sixth Form students to attend our Sixth Form Information Evening in the autumn term preceding the intended point of entry whilst the candidate is in Year 11. The evening provides prospective students and their parents with the opportunity to explore our Sixth Form facilities, meet with senior members of academic staff and Heads of Departments to learn more about Sixth Form life at Haberdashers’ Monmouth.

Entry for International Applicants

Please find detail of our assessment process for international applicants here.

Key Dates for September 2024 entry

Key Dates for 2024 entry

Get in touch

We would love to hear from you and have a chance to meet your family. Please complete the relevant contact form to arrange a visit, request a prospectus or for any questions that you may have.  Alternatively, our friendly admissions team can be contacted on 01600 710433 or by email at admissions@habsmonmouth.org.

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