Admissions (How to join)
The best way to choose a Senior school is to experience it in action

Open days

Visiting Cranleigh Senior lets you experience the rhythm of school life and see how your child will grow. You’ll meet the Head, speak with pupils and meet the staff who will be supporting them each day.

Senior Open Days

Half day termly events offering a welcoming first look at Cranleigh life, with opportunities to hear from pupils and staff, tour the campus, and gain a real sense of the School’s vibrant community and educational approach.

Book onto an Open Day

Admissions Mornings & Tours

Regular opportunities to explore the School more personally during a normal working day, see lessons and activities in action, and meet a Senior Leader who can answer any questions about life at Cranleigh.

Enquire with our Admissions team

Entry points at Cranleigh

Prep between lessons Summer 2026

How do I apply to Cranleigh at 11+? (Year 7)

Applying to Cranleigh at 11+ is a supported process for entry into Cranleigh Prep, with progression into Senior at 13+. You’ll register, come in for an assessment day and have an interview – all with our friendly Admissions team on hand to help. You can find the full details on the Prep Admissions page.

Scholarships are available for 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry. 

Senior School Life Summer 2026

How do I apply to Cranleigh Senior at 13+? (Year 9)

Applying to Cranleigh at 13+ (Year 9) is our main entry point for Cranleigh Senior. Pupils complete an academic assessment – usually the ISEB test or CAT4 – plus an interview with our Admissions Director. You can enquire with our Admissions team below, or register your child.

Scholarships are available for 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry. 

Senior Academic Classroom Summer 2026

How do I apply to Cranleigh at 14+ (Year 10)?

Cranleigh school admissions at 14+ (Year 10) leads directly into the GCSE years. If space is available, you’ll be invited to register, come in for an assessment day and have an interview – a chance for us to get to know you and for you to get a feel for the school. You can enquire with our Admissions team below, or register your child.

Sixth Form Sixth Form Centre Academic

How do I apply to Cranleigh Sixth Form at 16+?

Applying to Cranleigh Sixth Form at 16+ opens the door to a broad and exciting A Level programme, with the option to study selected BTEC qualifications and complement your studies with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). We look at the whole person – not just exam results – so we can understand your interests, strengths and what you’ll bring to Sixth form life. Enquire below with our Admissions team for 16+ entry. 

Scholarships are available for 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry.

Cranleigh LVth Chemistry Lab 4 178010 2

How do I apply to Cranleigh Senior from outside the UK?

Our independent school in Surrey welcomes boarders from around the world, creating a lively, globally minded community. If you’re applying from overseas, our international admissions team is right beside you, helping with visas, guardianship and pastoral onboarding. You can learn more about applying from outside the UK by contacting our Admissions team.

What is the admissions journey?

The Cranleigh School admissions journey is designed to be clear, supportive and personal, with our friendly Admissions team guiding you from first enquiry to joining the school.

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Frequently asked questions about Admissions

When does 13+ pre-testing happen?

The main route for 13+ entry is Year 6 pre-testing (ages 10–11) where they take the CAT4 test. Pupils applying later follow a different route, with CAT4 testing in Years 7 and 8 instead.

Is 14+ (Year 10) competitive?

Yes, entry into the GCSE years is selective and depends on places being available, but spaces do open in most years. The assessment process mirrors 13+ entry and is structured and supportive, giving pupils every opportunity to show their strengths.

Do you take 16+ (Sixth Form) pupils?

Yes, we warmly welcome Lower Sixth applicants to Cranleigh independent school in Surrey. Entry is holistic, combining academic assessment with personal evaluation. Pupils can also apply for scholarships during the process.

What is the application timeline?

  • Year 6-8 (ages 10-13) – 13+ entry 
  • Year 9-10 (ages 13–15) – 14+ entry, subject to availability
  • Year 11 (ages 15-16) –16+ Sixth Form entry

What's the assessment process?

Cranleigh’s assessment looks at the whole person and varies by entry point. It usually includes a mix of tests, interviews and school reports. The process is structured, supportive and clearly guided by a friendly Admissions team.

What scholarships and bursaries does Cranleigh offer?

Cranleigh offers a range of scholarships, exhibitions and bursaries to help pupils access a Cranleigh education and to recognise talent, achievement or potential. For 13+ and 16+ entry, pupils can apply for up to two scholarships – Academic, Art, Design Engineering, Product Design, Drama, Performing Arts, Music or Sport. Scholarships include a financial award of up to 15%. Applicants who are not awarded a scholarship may instead be offered an Exhibition, which provides recognition of particular strength in a chosen area and access to dedicated pathways and development opportunities, but does not include a fee reduction. Bursaries are means-tested and provide support based on individual family circumstances, with some places supported by the Cranleigh Foundation. 

You can explore the full range of support available on our Scholarships & Bursaries page below.

Apply for a Scholarship

Our Scholarships recognise and reward excellence and support young people who demonstrate exceptional ability and potential in academics, the arts, music and sport. We offer Scholarships at three different age groups: Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+) and Year 12 (16+). To see our 11+ Scholarships, please follow this link.

Scholarships at 13+

We welcome applications for Academic, Art, Design Engineering, Drama, Sport, Performing Arts and Music awards. Parents will be invited to apply for scholarships in the Autumn of Year 8. Links to all scholarship forms are also shown below. If parents have any scholarship queries in advance of that time, please email admissions@cranleigh.org. Candidates should be able to evidence great potential in their chosen area. Applications must be endorsed by the candidate’s current headteacher and, in the case of Music, Performing Arts, Drama or Sport, from an appropriate specialist teacher or coach if appropriate.

Application forms for each type of scholarship are also shown below.
All scholarship forms for Year 9 entry in 2027 are shown below and should only be completed once your child has an accepted place at Cranleigh School.

Deadline for Academic Scholarship applications is 1st Jan 2027. The deadline for all other scholarships is 31st October 2027.

Scholarships at 16+

We welcome applications for Academic, Art, Design Engineering, Drama, Performing Arts, Music and Sport awards for Sixth Form entry. Candidates will have displayed excellence in, and passion for, their chosen field. Parents will be invited to apply for scholarships but may also use the links below to apply once their child is registered on our Admissions Portal. If parents have any scholarship queries in advance of  that time, please email admissions@cranleigh.org

Forms for Scholarship applications for the following areas are available below.
The scholarship forms for entry at 16+ for September 2027 are now open, with the deadline being 2nd November 2026. Please note that you must complete a Registration for your child before submitting a scholarship application in any of these disciplines.

What bus routes serve Cranleigh Senior?

Our school bus routes run to and from Shere, Cobham, East Horsley, Godalming, Horsham, and Billingshurst. Explore our bus routes below.

Visit us and experience it for yourself