Durham School Entrance Examinations

General Comments

All assessment procedures for admission to the School take place at the School in late January or early February. Early application is advised as demand for places at all levels is currently very high. Provided there are still places available, late applications will be considered in which case assessment will be based either on a special examination sat at the School or (in the case of some 13+ entrants) on the Common Entrance Examination sat at the pupil's own school.

Entry at 11 + (into Year 7)

Assessment for entry at 11 + (i.e. into Year 7) takes place on one single day and takes the form of short tests in English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning.

Entry at 13 + (into Year 9)

All candidates for 13+ entry are required to sit the Durham School 13 + Entrance Examination which is held at the School and spread over one day. The examination will consist of tests in English and Mathematics and a short interview. The award of academic scholarships at 13+ (King's Scholarships) will be based on a candidate's performance in both examinations as well as at the interview. 

Entry into the Sixth Form (Year 12)

Those wishing to enter into the Sixth Form without applying for an award simply sit their GCSE examinations. The minimum requirement for acceptance is 5 passes at Grade C or above and at least Grade A in those subjects to be continued at AS level in Year 12.

open mornings

Many people experience Durham School at an open morning. Find out more about our open mornings and individual visits.

photo gallery

See more photos in the prep school photo gallery or in the senior school photo gallery.

request prospectus

Find out more about the school by requesting our prospectus.

Testimonials

"When you join the school, you get a buddy who is there to help you around the House and she is just like a big sister. I found that I soon made friends with all the other girls in MacLeod and many of the Pimlico girls. So settling in was not as scary and hard as I thought it would be - it was actually quite fun! "
Emily Phillips (MacLeod, Year 9)