Entry at age 13
‘Being a Pauline means school is actually fun — there’s always stuff to do.’ — 4th former
Parents, boys and prep school heads all work together to make sure that St Paul’s is the right school for a boy. A prospectus can be requested online or by contacting our receptionist on 020 8748 9162.
When everyone is happy that St Paul’s is the right choice, this is how to apply for entry at age 13.
When should I register?
The 13+ list opens four years prior to entry, in May, allowing you time before registering to discuss your move to senior school with your current school.
The next available year for 13+ entry is 2017, which is for boys born between 1 September, 2003 and 31 August, 2004.
Registration opens on 20 May (Monday), 2013 and all forms must reach us by the closing date of 17 October (Friday), 2014.
How do I register?
Download a registration form. Please also take the time to read our Annual Information document and Terms and Conditions.
Complete and return the regsitration form, together with a copy of your son’s birth certificate and the registration fee of £175.
At a state primary school?
We welcome applicants from state primary schools. You have your own entry examination and initially join our prep school in Year 7, allowing you to enjoy the final year in your current school.
What happens after registration?
We will acknowledge receipt of your registration form and payment.
Two years before entry, and provided we receive a report from your prep school recommending that we are the appropriate choice, we will invite you for interview. This will take place any time between January and December. No special preparation is required: there are two short English and Mathematics tests, followed by an interview — a 20 minute conversation in which you will be asked questions covering a range of topics. The whole process lasts about an hour, during which your parents will have the chance to speak to a senior member of staff. Decisions are sent out within ten days.
Boys who are successful will receive a main list offer, provisional on their achieving the required standard in the Scholarship or Common Entrance exams taking place in May or June of the year of entry. (The 2014 Junior Academic Scholarship takes place over three days, 5-7 May.) Boys who don’t quite make the main list but whom we feel might develop over the following year will receive a reserve list offer. With the help of prep schools, we will review the reserve list around one year before entry. For a very few boys, we will be unable to make an offer.
One year before entry, parents of boys on the main list will be asked formally to accept our provisional offer by returning the deposit of one third of a term’s fees. Those on the reserve list will be contacted by either us or their prep school head.
Come and look at the school …
School tours are available for registered boys and their parents, and can be either a group or an individual tour. Tours for 2017 applicants will start in January 2014.
Our receptionist (020 8748 9162) will help you with available dates and our staff and pupils will be happy to give you a flavour of life at St Paul’s.
How is a place confirmed?
Shortly after the entrance exams, parents of successful boys will receive a letter confirming the award of a place. During the summer we send a new-boys’ pack which provides detailed information, including the date of the induction day (usually the day before term starts).
Is any fee assistance available?
Fee assistance is available to parents who meet the means-tested criteria.
Do you have a sibling policy?
All boys are treated the same whether or not they have a brother at the school.
