Admissions process
We welcome applicants to join Habs at any of our six formal entry points: 4+ (Reception), 7+ (Year 3), 11+ (Year 7), 11+ deferred (joining in Year 9), 13+ (Year 9) and 16+ (Sixth Form). Occasionally, we also have spaces in other year groups. You can learn more in the Occasional Places and Overseas information sections further down.
Below, you will find a step-by-step guide to visiting our school, applying, assessments, interviews and accepting an offer.
and Overseas
Key dates for Reception
Key dates for Reception
Visit Habs
Attend an Open Event or book a visit to experience our school community first-hand. It is the best way to see our pupils in action, meet staff and discover what makes Habs such a special place to learn and grow.
Register
We receive in the region of 150 applications for approximately 40 places each year.
Our 4+ admissions process is designed to help us get to know your son as an individual and identify boys who will thrive within our Reception community.
We recognise that young children develop at different rates and often show their strengths in different ways. Our aim is to build a rounded picture of your son, considering not only his emerging skills and understanding, but also how he engages with others, approaches new experiences and responds to challenge
Entry is for candidates aged 4 and below the age of 5 on the 1 September in the year of entry.
Learning and discovery assessment
Every boy who applies is invited to attend our 45-minute learning and discovery assessment.
Taking place in small groups with children of a similar age, this stage enables us to observe how your son communicates, collaborates and engages in a range of age-appropriate activities. Children may work independently, alongside their peers and as part of a group, giving us insight into how they approach new experiences, respond to challenge and interact with others.
We are interested in how your son explores, investigates and engages with activities; how he listens and contributes; and how he responds to opportunities for creativity, problem-solving and developing his own ideas.
Alongside these emerging skills, we look for qualities that reflect both the characteristics of effective learning and our Habits framework, including curiosity, resilience, collaboration, initiative and a willingness to have a go.
While your son is with us, parents are invited to remain on site and learn more about life at Habs.
Individual discovery assessment
Following the learning and discovery assessment, roughly half of the children will be invited to return for an individual discovery assessment.
Building on the observations made during the first assessment, this 30-minute, one-to-one session allows us to gain a deeper understanding of your son’s communication and language skills, early mathematical understanding, reasoning and problem-solving, alongside the ways in which he engages with and responds to different activities.
Consistent with both the characteristics of effective learning and our Habits philosophy, we are interested not only in what your son knows, but in how he learns. We look for children who are curious and willing to explore, who remain engaged and persevere when faced with challenge, and who show creativity, independence and growing confidence.
While assessments are taking place, parents are invited to enjoy a tour of the school and learn more about our educational approach.
Offer and offer holder event
Families who receive an offer will also be invited to an Offer Holders’ event. This gives your son an opportunity to return to Habs, spend more time in the Reception environment and begin getting to know the people and surroundings that will become part of his school life.
For parents, it is another opportunity to meet staff, ask questions and learn more about how we will support your son as he begins his journey into the Habs community.
Key dates for Year 3
Key dates for Year 3
Visit Habs
Attend an Open Event or book a visit to experience our school community first-hand. It is the best way to see our pupils in action, meet staff and discover what makes Habs such a special place to learn and grow.
Register
Our 7+ admissions process is designed to help us get to know your son as an individual and identify boys who will thrive within our Year 3 community.
We are looking for boys who demonstrate strong academic potential and the readiness to flourish within an ambitious and enriching learning environment. Our aim is to build a rounded picture of your son, considering not only his academic skills and understanding, but also how he engages with others, approaches new experiences and responds to challenge.
Entry is for candidates aged 7 and below the age of 8 on the 1 September in the year of entry.
First round written assessment
Every boy who applies is invited to attend an assessment morning covering Reasoning, Mathematics and English. This stage enables us to understand your son’s current academic development and his readiness to flourish within our academically ambitious environment.
Through these assessments, we gain insight into his understanding of key concepts, his ability to apply knowledge in unfamiliar contexts and his aptitude for reasoning and problem-solving. Alongside academic attainment, we look for evidence of the qualities that underpin success at Habs, including intellectual curiosity, resilience, critical thinking and a willingness to engage positively with challenge.
Second round assessment: Group lesson, activities and interview
Following the Academic Assessment, a number of boys will be invited to return for a English and STEM assessment.
Building on the academic assessment, this stage allows us to gain a deeper understanding of your son’s strengths, interests and potential. Through a range of English and STEM activities, we observe how he approaches challenge, engages with others and responds to new experiences.
Consistent with our Habits framework, we are interested not only in what your son can achieve academically, but also in the attitudes and qualities that will help him thrive at Habs. We look for boys who are curious, resilient and engaged learners, who show initiative and creativity, and who are ready to contribute positively to our school community.
Parents will also be invited to meet the Head of Prep and Pre-Prep and members of the Prep Leadership Team. This gives us an opportunity to get to know your family and allows you to learn more about our educational approach, ethos and values.
Offer and offer holder event
Families who receive an offer will also be invited to an Offer Holders’ event. This gives your son an opportunity to return to Habs, meet other prospective pupils and begin getting to know the people and surroundings that will become part of his school life.
For parents, it is another opportunity to meet staff, ask questions and learn more about how we will support your son as he begins his journey into the Habs community.
Key dates for Year 7 (11+) or Year 9 (11+DE)
Key dates for Year 7 (11+) or Year 9 (11+DE)
Visit Habs
Attend an Open Day or admissions event and experience our community first-hand.
Register
Applications are completed through our website. Please choose whether your wish to join at Year 7 (11+) or Year 9 (11+ deferred). Families may also apply for scholarships and bursaries at this stage. Scholarships and bursaries require additional application forms.
Assessment
We have partnered with QUEST to develop a bespoke Habs paper based assessment, combining multiple-choice and written questions. The assessment helps us identify academic potential, intellectual curiosity and the readiness to flourish within an ambitious and stimulating learning environment.
The assessment will be held at Habs on 20 November.
It includes:
- English and verbal reasoning (40 minutes)
- Maths and Non-verbal reasoning
(45 minutes) - Creative comprehension (20 minutes)
- Creative writing (20 minutes)
Your child can familiarise themselves with the format and style of questions by trying our Familiarisation Test
Interview and team exercise
Approximately half of students are invited back for an interview and team exercise.
This enables us to look beyond assessment results and gain a deeper understanding of each student’s
interests, character, aspirations and potential contribution to the Habs community. It also provides an opportunity to see how students engage
with others, respond to challenge and approach new situations – qualities that underpin the Habits developed throughout a Habs education.
Parents are also invited to an informal meeting with members of the leadership team.
Offers
Successful students receive an offer to join Habs Boys either at Year 7 (11+ application) or Year 9 (11+ deferred application), together with opportunities to visit the school and begin becoming part of the Habs community.
Financial support
Means-tested financial support is available to those joining us at 11+ or 11+ deferred who would greatly benefit from attending Habs, but for financial reasons would be unable to make an application.
A place will first need to be offered, based on students meeting the assessment criteria for their entry point.
Families will need to prove financial need by completing a confidential statement of income.
It is possible to gain access to financial support and be offered a scholarship simultaneously.
More about our financial support.
Scholarships
11+ scholarships are available for academic ability, art, drama, music and sport.
It is possible to hold a scholarship and gain financial support simultaneously.
More about our scholarships.
Students who apply for a deferred 11+ place, joining in Year 9, will be able to apply for a specialist scholarship in Year 8.
Key dates for Year 9
Key dates for Year 9
Visit Habs
Attend an Open Day or admissions event and experience our community first-hand.
Register
Applications are completed through our website. Families may also apply for scholarships and bursaries at this stage.
Scholarships and bursaries require additional application forms.
Assessment
Students sit the following written paper:
- English (1 hour)
- Maths (45 minutes)
- Humanities
- History (25 minutes)
- Geography (25 minutes)
- Theology and Philosophy (25 minutes)
- Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) (45 minutes)
These assessments help us identify students who will thrive within the academic challenge
of a Habs education.
Interview
Selected candidates are invited back for an interview. This enables us to look beyond assessment results and gain a deeper understanding of each student’s interests, character, aspirations
and potential contribution to the Habs community. It also provides an opportunity to see how students engage with senior staff, respond to challenge and approach new situations—qualities that underpin the Habits developed throughout a Habs education.
Offers
Successful students receive an offer to join Habs Boys, together with opportunities to visit the school and begin becoming part of the Habs community.
Financial support
Means-tested financial support is available to those joining us at 11+ who would greatly benefit from attending Habs, but for financial reasons would be unable to make an application.
A place will first need to be offered, based on students meeting the assessment criteria for their entry point.
Families will need to prove financial need by completing a confidential statement of income.
It is possible to gain access to financial support and be offered a scholarship simultaneously.
More about our financial support.
Scholarship
13+ scholarships are available for academic ability, art, design and technology, drama, music and sport.
It is possible to hold a scholarship and gain financial support simultaneously.
More about our scholarships.
