Your school guide

Bede's Senior School

Bede’s Senior School at Upper Dicker introduces Year 7 in September 2027, using an Experience Day with assessment, activities and interview.

Independent school · Hailsham, East Sussex

Prepare with confidence.

Use Plusling to prepare for 11+ entry to Bede's Senior School. Build skills with original questions, understand the answers and turn tricky topics into your next step forward.

Try five free questions. See the feedback for yourself.

By Plusling Editorial
A child choosing an answer to an original Plusling maths question on a phone.

Meet the school

At a glance

Facts checked

School type
Independent school
Department for Education
Location
Hailsham, East Sussex
Department for Education
Pupils
Coeducational
Department for Education
Registered ages
13–19
Department for Education

The Dicker, Upper Dicker, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 3QH

Plan your approach

Entry information

For September 2027 entry

Bede’s Senior School at Upper Dicker begins Year 7 entry in September 2027; its Eastbourne Upper School is a separate pathway. For Year 7/8 Senior entry, pupils register after a school visit and attend a Bede’s Experience Day while in Year 6. The day includes a masterclass, group discussion, one-to-one interview, online Maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning test, and an activity. The school also reviews reports and a school reference.

Entry stage: Year 7 at Bede’s Senior School, Upper Dicker

What the assessment covers

  • Mathematics
  • English
  • Verbal reasoning
  • Non-verbal reasoning

The admissions process

  • Visit and complete the registration form
  • Attend a Bede’s Experience Day (BE Day) while in Year 6
  • Academic masterclass, group discussion, interview, online subject/reasoning test and afternoon activity
  • Admissions Panel considers school reports, reference and other relevant documents; outcome follows 14 days after BE Day

Read the official details: Admissions information from Bede’s School

Go to the source

Official links for your shortlist

Use the school’s current admissions information to check which sample papers or familiarisation materials apply to your child’s entry year.

From subjects to skills

Turn the assessment subjects into a practice plan.

Start with these core skills from the published subject list. Pair the official assessment material with regular Plusling practice.

Maths

A useful place to start

Ask your child to explain their method, estimate the answer and check the final calculation. Notice which step needs more practice.

Build on it with Plusling

Use Plusling’s original maths questions and worked explanations to make those next practice sessions count.

Start the 5-question maths quiz
Read the subject guide →

English

A useful place to start

Read a short passage together. Ask your child to find evidence for an answer and explain unfamiliar words in context.

Build on it with Plusling

Build on that reading with Plusling’s English questions and explanations, then choose a topic to practise again.

Start the 5-question English quiz
Read the subject guide →

Verbal reasoning

A useful place to start

Talk through word relationships, letter patterns and codes. Encourage your child to explain the rule before choosing an answer.

Build on it with Plusling

Explore words and logic with Plusling’s verbal reasoning quizzes, with feedback that helps the next attempt feel clearer.

Start the 5-question verbal reasoning quiz
Read the subject guide →

Non-verbal reasoning

A useful place to start

Look for changes in shape, position, shading and direction. Work out one rule at a time before checking it against the choices.

Build on it with Plusling

Give visual reasoning another go in Plusling, with original puzzles and explanations your child can return to.

Start the 5-question non-verbal reasoning quiz
Read the subject guide →

Print, practise, build confidence

Printable practice for these subjects

Original Plusling papers with space to work and separate answers and explanations.

These are Plusling skills practice, not official school or test papers.

Keep the practical steps clear

Your application starting points

Use the official links on this page to answer these questions for your child’s entry year.

  1. Check the entry point and eligibility

    Confirm the year group, age requirements and any conditions that apply to your child.

  2. Put the right dates in your diary

    Note any published registration, assessment, application and offer-response dates that apply to your child’s route. They may be separate steps.

  3. Check the assessment guidance

    If an assessment applies, look for official examples, question formats, timings and answer instructions to help plan your child’s preparation.

  4. Check fees and financial support

    Look at fees, bursaries and scholarships, including any separate forms, evidence and deadlines.

Open the official admissions links →

Picture your child’s everyday life here.

An open day is a chance to look beyond the exam. Useful questions to take with you:

  • How do you help new pupils settle in and make friends?
  • Who can a child turn to when they feel worried or stuck?
  • How do you help pupils recover from a setback and discover their strengths?
Explore the school’s website ↗

Know where to focus

Give their preparation a clear direction.

See the topics your child has practised, revisit questions that need another look and choose a focus for the next session. Plusling helps you put your time where it can be useful.

  • Topic summaries and practice history
  • Choose topics in Focus Practice
  • Progress to discuss with the adults helping them
Plusling practice history, questions to revisit and suggested topics on a laptop.

Their next step starts here

Give their 11+ preparation a confident start.

Try Plusling together. Five free questions, useful feedback and a first look at a friendlier way to practise.

Before you apply

  • Year 7 at the Upper Dicker Senior School begins in September 2027. The school has not published a dated BE Day schedule on the admissions pages; contact admissions for the next available date and any access arrangements.

Plusling’s guide to Bede's Senior School is independently written. The school and its admissions authority publish the official arrangements.

Contains government school-register data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Primary sources

  1. Admissions and distinct school pathways Bede’s School
  2. Senior School Entry: Year 7/8 process Bede’s Senior School
  3. Bede’s Experience Day: assessment details Bede’s Senior School
  4. Bede’s Senior School establishment record Department for Education