List of Independent Schools in Dorset

There are a range of independent schools in Dorset covering mixed schools, schools for boys and schools for girls.

Below you’ll find a list of those private schools that we have included which have entry into year 7 (11 Plus entry).

Dorset Independent Schools accepting entry into year seven

Bournemouth Collegiate School – Bournemouth – Dorset

Bournemouth Collegiate School is a mixed private school.

Bournemouth Collegiate School- 574 pupils.

“BCS is the only independent co-ed school offering education from Prep to Sixth Form in the Bournemouth & Poole area, close to both town and beaches. They offer an enviable extracurricular programme & work hard to develop the potential of every pupil & bring out the best in everyone.” 

School Website: www.bournemouthcollegiateschool.co.uk

Exam Format – Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) and School’s own. These will typically include:

• Verbal, Non-Verbal, Spatial and Quantitative Reasoning (CAT4)
• English writing

Sherborne Girls – Sherborne – Dorset

Sherborne Girls is an all girls private school.

Sherborne Girls- 471 pupils.

“Sherborne Girls is a friendly, vibrant and highly motivated community at the forefront of women’s education. They are proud to be one of the top academic schools in the country; as well as achieving outstanding success in examinations our girls also excel in a wide range of musical, creative and competitive activities. Many extra curricular activities are available.”

School Website: www.sherborne.com

Exam Format – School’s own. These are split into two parts. Part 1 contains:

• Maths
• English
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

Part 2 contains:

• Problem Solving
• Creative Writing

Talbot Heath School – Bournemouth – Dorset

Talbot Heath School is an all girls private school.

Talbot Heath School- 548 pupils.

“Talbot Heath School’s extremely positive learning environment brings out the best in the pupils from age 3-18 and the close rapport between staff and girls mean that they realise their full potential.”

School Website: www.talbotheath.org

Exam Format – Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4). This is an online test and covers:

• Verbal, Non-Verbal, Spatial and Quantitative Reasoning

Preparing for entry into an Independent School

We have developed a section on how to prepare for Independent school exams and how to prepare for Independent School interviews so do please feel free to use these resources if you would like to.

If you are thinking of trying for an Independent School scholarship or bursary then please see our information page on that topic.

Equally, many independent schools publish past papers and we have past papers and sample papers which are useful for preparation in all the core areas:

Free sample 11 Plus English practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Maths practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning practice and past papers