List of Independent Schools in Essex

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

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

Essex Independent Schools accepting entry into year seven

Brentwood School – Brentwood – Essex

Brentwood School is a mixed private school.

Brentwood School- 1128 pupils.

“Brentwood School inspires high academic standards and a fine all-round education for girls and boys aged 3-18. 72 acres of superb grounds assist excellent learning in beautiful surroundings. Boys and girls are taught separately until the age of 16. Boarding is available from 11-18.The IB is offered to Sixth Formers as an alternative to the school’s broad A Level provision.”

School Website: www.brentwoodschool.co.uk

Exam format – ISEB Common Pretest. This is an online test and will contain sections on:

English
Maths
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning

Chigwell School – Chigwell – Essex

Chigwell School is a mixed private school.

Chigwell School- 930 pupils.

“Chigwell is a co-educational school for pupils aged between 4 and 18 set in 100 acres of beautiful grounds. A balanced education is offered in a stable, traditional environment, but one nonetheless focused on the future. Renowned for high academic standards, they set equal store by their wide range of activities and well developed sense of pastoral care. They aim to ensure that children have a happy and busy time at School but are well prepared for the 21st century world when they leave.”

School Website: www.chigwell-school.org

Exam format – Online test followed by a creative writing paper. The online test comes in stages. Stage 1 includes:

Maths
English
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning

Stage 2 covers:

Puzzles and Problem Solving
Creative Comprehension

Followed by a creative writing paper

Holmwood House School – Colchester – Essex

Holmwood House School is a mixed private school.

Holmwood House School – 375 pupils

“At Holmwood House, we spark curiosity and ignite wonder in each child, through an inspiring learning environment and boundless opportunities for discovery and exploration that develop individuality, confidence and tenacity to reach their true potential, achieve personal success and be prepared for life.”

School Website: www.holmwoodhouse.co.uk

Exam Format – ISEB Common Pretest. This is an online test that covers the following:

English
Maths
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning

New Hall School – Chelmsford – Essex

New Hall School is a mixed private school that operates the diamond structure.

New Hall School- 1170 pupils.

“New Hall School, voted the TES Independent School of the Year 2016 is a boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 3-18 years. It is set in a stunning location, dominated by the former Tudor palace of Beaulieu – once owned by Henry VIII – and surrounded by a historic park and gardens. New Hall operates the ‘diamond model’ structure, that is, co-education in the Preparatory School (3-11), single-sex in the Boys’ & Girls’ Divisions (11-16) and co-education in the Sixth Form.”

School Website: www.newhallschool.co.uk

Exam format – ISEB Common Pretest followed by School’s own. This contains sections on.

English
Maths
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Creative Writing task (school’s own)

St John’s School – Billericay – Essex

St John’s School is a mixed private school.

St John’s School- 354 pupils.

“St John’s School is a unique and caring independent day school for co-ed children aged 3-16. Traditional and modern teaching methods are used to prepare pupils for KS2, the Essex County 11+ exam and GCSE’s. They offer before and after school activities and aim to educate pupils to be mature, responsible, charismatic and confident, in a highly motivated, happy and supportive environment.”

School Website: www.stjohnsschool.net

Exam format – School’s own. This will include sections on:

English
Maths
Verbal 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