Your school guide
St Swithun's School
St Swithun’s external Year 7 applicants take ISEB Pre-Tests and the school’s written English and Maths papers.
Independent school · Hampshire
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Use Plusling to prepare for 11+ entry to St Swithun's School. Build skills with original questions, understand the answers and turn tricky topics into your next step forward.
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St Swithun's School free practice papers
Original subject practice with space to work and answers to talk through together.
English papers
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Maths papers
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Verbal Reasoning papers
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Non-verbal Reasoning papers
Explore the papersCreate a free Plusling account and answer a few quick questions, and we'll email you a link to these papers in your Parent Hub. These are Plusling skills practice, not official school papers.
Meet the school
At a glance
Facts checked
Alresford Road, Winchester, SO21 1HA
Plan your approach
Entry information
External UK applicants for Year 7 sit St Swithun’s own written English and maths papers and the ISEB Common Pre-Tests. The school also considers academic reports and a confidential reference; internal prep-school and overseas routes have different arrangements. For September 2027, the usual 30 September Year 6 registration date has passed; the school says late Year 7 applications may be considered subject to availability.
Entry stage: 11+ / Year 7
What the assessment covers
- English
- Mathematics
- Verbal reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
Assessment provider: St Swithun’s School (written papers), ISEB Common Pre-Tests
The admissions process
- The usual external UK registration deadline is 30 September in Year 6. For September 2027 it has passed; ask Admissions whether a late application can be considered.
- Take the school’s written English and maths papers and the online ISEB Common Pre-Tests in November of Year 6.
- Provide current academic reports and a confidential reference, with opportunities to meet the Headmistress.
- Overseas and internal prep-school applicants should follow the separate arrangements in the admissions policy.
Read the official details: Admissions information from St Swithun’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.
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 quizMaths
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 quizVerbal 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 quizNon-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 quizKeep 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.
Check the entry point and eligibility
Confirm the year group, age requirements and any conditions that apply to your child.
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.
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.
Check fees and financial support
Look at fees, bursaries and scholarships, including any separate forms, evidence and deadlines.
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?
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
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
- The usual 30 September Year 6 deadline has passed for September 2027. St Swithun’s says late Year 7 applications may be considered subject to availability; contact Admissions before preparing for the November assessments.
Plusling’s guide to St Swithun's 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
- St Swithuns: school details Department for Education
- St Swithun’s senior admissions pathways St Swithun’s School
- St Swithuns: admissions information St Swithuns
- ISEB Common Pre-Tests information for families ISEB
- Official school website | St Swithuns St Swithuns