Year 7 Admissions Process
Joining Pangbourne in Year 7 offers the perfect transition from junior to senior school. Dunbar Division (Year 7 and 8 House) provides a nurturing and supportive environment for your child whilst they experience life in senior school. Our key objective throughout the Admissions process is to ensure that your child will benefit positively from the curriculum, facilities and opportunities we offer, and enjoy academic and personal success in the future.
There will be an activities and assessment morning that takes place in mid-November in the first term when your child is in Year 6.
As part of our assessment process, we will request copies of your child’s latest school reports and contact their school for a confidential report in advance of the assessment day.
We recommend that applicants are registered a minimum of one year prior to joining. For those seeking entry in September 2026, you may wish to download our Year 7 2026 Key Admissions Dates.
Register
To register your child please complete the online registration form and pay the relevant non-refundable registration fee. The closing date for registration is early October, the year before your child is due to start. Late applications may be considered, subject to the availability of places. Please contact the Admissions Team if you would like to discuss this.
If your child has any SEN/Learning Support needs, this should also be indicated on the registration form and submitted with supporting documentation. The Admissions team will contact you to discuss the appropriate access arrangements for the entrance assessment.
Please note that if you wish to apply for a means-tested bursary, the application must be submitted by the end of September prior to the year before your child is due to start.
Experience
Your child will be invited to attend a Dunbar Experience Day in the Michaelmas term of their Year 6. Whilst these days are not compulsory, they are a fantastic opportunity for your child to spend some time in school, taking part in some sample lessons and activities. With the emphasis on fun and getting to know Pangbourne a little better, the day will help your child to become more familiar with the College prior to attending their activities and assessment day.
Assessment
Your child will be invited to come to Pangbourne for a morning of activities and assessment. During the morning they will take part in a variety of teacher-led team activities which will be observed by senior members of staff. The morning will also include a short online assessment. The activities and assessment morning will typically take place in mid-November,
The morning is designed to be an enjoyable experience for your child and we would like to emphasise that no additional preparation or tutoring is required for the activities or assessment morning.
As part of our assessment process, we will request copies of your child’s latest school reports and contact their school for a confidential report in advance of the assessment day.
Applications for Scholarships must be submitted by the end of October in the year prior to entry and auditions/assessments for those take place in advance of the closing date for accepting the offer.
Reflection and decision
Once the assessment process is complete, we will notify parents in writing with the outcome of their application.
On receiving an offer, if you have any unanswered questions or need more information our Admissions team will be happy to help. Whether it’s a simple question, speaking to a key member of staff or visiting us again we will ensure you have all you need to make your decision.
When we make an offer of a place, we firmly believe that Pangbourne is the right school for that child. Offers need to be formally accepted together with a deposit payment.
Join
Starting a new school is a big step for the whole family, our Admissions team will keep you informed and guide you through to the point your child joins school in September.
You will be invited to a Welcome event, where you can meet other families who will be joining Pangbourne. You will also meet the Head of Dunbar Division (Year 7 and Year 8) and key members of the teaching and pastoral team.
