Emanuel School: 11 plus entry guide

About Emanuel School

Emanuel School is a private day school for boys and girls aged 10–18 in Battersea, London. The school was originally founded by Lady Anne Dacre – cousin of Queen Elizabeth I – in Westminster in 1594, before moving to its current site on the edge of Wandsworth Common in 1883.

Pupils at Emanuel enjoy an extensive range of co-curricular activities alongside their curriculum, with opportunities in art and design, drama, music and sport. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is extremely popular in Years 10–11, while Goddard Lectures allow pupils to hear from experts in a wide range of professional industries.

Emanuel School is committed to charity work and outreach. The school’s Primary Ambitions partnership sees Emanuel students work with pupils at 25 local primaries, delivering lessons and activities that the primary pupils may not otherwise be able to enjoy.

The school is extremely popular in southwest London and has won a series of accolades in recent years. Pupils’ exam results in 2022 put the school within the top 10 co-educational schools in the UK, and the school was awarded the title ‘Independent School of the Year for the Performing Arts’.

• Headteacher: Mr Robert Milne

• Address: Emanuel School, Battersea Rise, London SW11 1HS

• London Borough: Wandsworth

• Number of pupils: 1,050+

• Age range and gender: 10–18, boys and girls

• National league table rank (Sunday Times Parent Power): 54

• A level results: 92.9% A*–B

• GCSE results: 88.7% 9–7

Emanuel School fees and financial assistance

The fees for Emanuel School in 2023–2024 are £7,687 per term. Fees include the cost of school lunches.

Financial assistance

Emanuel School is committed to widening access by offering fee assistance (bursaries). The level of fee-remission is means-tested and dependent on financial need, but it can be up to 100% of the school fees (including the cost of school lunches and uniform).

To register your child for a bursary at Emanuel School, complete the main 11 plus registration form first. You will then be directed to complete the relevant bursary application form.

Scholarships

Emanuel School is also able to offer scholarships to children applying for 11 plus entry. Scholarship awards are made based on talent in a particular subject and are not means-tested. They typically carry 10% fee-remission, but can be up to 50% in some cases and can be combined with means-tested financial assistance if there is sufficient need.

The deadline for scholarship applications is Friday 10th November 2023.

• Academic scholarships: all children applying for 11 plus entry are automatically considered for an academic scholarship based on their performance in the entrance exam

• Art scholarships: assessed through a series of observational drawing exercises for shortlisted candidates in January 2024

• Drama scholarships: assessed through an audition for shortlisted candidates in January 2024

• Music scholarships: eligible candidates should be playing Grade 5 standard or higher in their main instrument. Shortlisted candidates are assessed through an audition in January 2024

• Sports scholarships: assessed through a practical assessment day for shortlisted candidates in January 2024

Emanuel School 11 plus admissions process

Each year, Emanuel School welcomes around 96 new pupils into Year 7. These children join the 48 pupils moving up from Year 6, resulting in 6 form groups.

1. Visit the school

If you are considering Emanuel School for your child, it’s a good idea to visit the school first at an open event. This is an opportunity to see the school site and facilities, meet staff and current pupils, and ultimately see if the school is an environment where your child will thrive.

Open days take place every autumn. For more details and to book your place, see the school website.

2. Register for 11 plus entry

If you would like to register your child for a place at Emanuel School for Year 7 entry in 2024, you will need to complete the online registration form. This will open on 22nd May 2023 and will close on Friday 13th October 2023 at midday. A registration fee will apply, but this may be waived in particular circumstances (contact the admissions team to discuss).

If you would like to apply for a bursary and/or scholarship, you will need to complete an additional application and submit this by Friday 10th November 2023.

4. Interviews

Children who perform well in the 11 plus entrance exam will be invited back to Emanuel School for an interview. This will take place between Saturday 20th January and Thursday 25th January 2024. If your child is shortlisted for an interview, you will receive an email invitation in early January.

The interview day will consist of a short one-to-one interview with a member of staff and a group experience. This element of the process, which is new for entry in 2024 and beyond, will allow children to demonstrate their creativity and ability to work well as part of a small team.

Children who are shortlisted for an academic scholarship, based on their results in the entrance exam, will have a slightly different interview process. This will include a general one-to-one interview and interviews with members of staff from the English and maths departments.

Take a look at our guide to private school interviews to find out more about the types of questions your child might be asked, what to expect, and get tips on how to prepare.

5. Offers

The outcome of your child’s application will be sent to you by first-class post in February 2024. Offers are made based on your child’s results in the entrance exam, performance at the interview day, and on the reference received from your child’s current school.

If your child is offered a place, you will have until March to accept. A deposit of one term’s fees will apply (paid in four instalments between March and August).

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