Registration deadlines.

What deadlines are

A registration deadline is the last date a school accepts an application for a given entry year. For most London 11+ and 13+ entry it falls in the autumn more than nine months before entry — commonly late October or early November for the following September. Registering means submitting the school's form and paying its registration fee; it is what puts a child on the list for assessment.

Frequently asked questions

When do independent school registration deadlines fall?

For 11+ and 13+ entry at London day schools, most close in late October or early November of the preceding year — so for September 2027 entry, autumn 2026. Boarding schools and 13+ entry via the ISEB Common Pre-Test often close earlier, sometimes two years ahead. 4+ and 7+ deadlines are typically in the autumn a year before entry, and 16+ deadlines usually fall between October and December.

What happens if I miss a registration deadline?

Most selective schools will not accept a late registration, because assessment sessions and reference requests are already scheduled. It is always worth calling the admissions office — occasionally a place opens up through the waiting list or a late round — but you should assume a missed deadline means waiting a year.

Does registering commit me to anything?

No. Registering puts your child forward for assessment and costs a registration fee, normally between £100 and £350, which is non-refundable and does not guarantee a place. You are under no obligation to sit the assessment or accept an offer. Registering at several schools is completely normal.

Can I register at more than one school?

Yes, and most families do. Schools expect it. The practical limit is the assessment calendar rather than the registration one — several London schools assess on the same days in January, and consortium schools share a single sitting, so check assessment dates before registering widely.

How is a registration deadline different from an acceptance deadline?

A registration deadline is when you must apply. An acceptance deadline is much later — after offers go out, usually in March — and is the date by which you must accept a place and pay the deposit, or lose it.