Cheltenham Ladies’ College has been educating girls for 170 years. Its GCSE and A Level results are consistently excellent and the College is regularly named the top boarding school for IB in the country. Cheltenham Ladies’ College emphasises a well-rounded education, where co-curricular pursuits and contribution to the school community are weighed equally with academic achievement. The College admits a mixture of boarders and day pupils and there are three points of entry: 11+, 13+ and 16+.
Entering Cheltenham Ladies’ College in Year 7/9 (11+ & 13+ entry):
75 pupils join Cheltenham Ladies’ College in Year 7 every year in September, made up of 50 boarders and 25 day pupils. A further 50 students join in Year 9.
11+/13+ Entrance Process for Cheltenham Ladies’ College:
Year 7 candidates are required to attend an Assessment Day at Cheltenham Ladies’ College in October of Year 6. The Assessment Day comprises written and adaptive online tests in Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning, as well as group interviews and activities. A reference will also be requested from each candidate’s current Head Teacher.
Offers of places are made in mid-November of Year 6. Girls who perform most strongly in the entrance exams will be invited to take part in further assessments and interviews for an Academic Scholarship in the February of Year 6.
The Assessment Day for Year 9 candidates takes place in the Autumn Term of Year 7. Girls will sit written papers and participate in group discussions and activities. The examination includes an online Maths assessment, an online Verbal Reasoning assessment, and a written English paper comprising a comprehension analysis and an extended writing exercise.
Offers are made in December of Year 7. Scholarship information will be sent to parents in the summer of Year 7, after the offer of a place has been accepted. Scholarship assessments take place in the January and February of Year 8.
Read more information in the briefing paper for Year 9 entry.
Entering in Year 12 (Sixth Form Entry):
Each year Cheltenham Ladies’ College welcome 45 new boarders and day girls in Year 12.
16 Plus Entrance Process:
The deadline for submitting a Registration Form is 1st July of Year 10 (or 1st June for bursary applicants).
Once you have registered successfully, candidates must submit a handwritten essay in response to a title provided by the College. These titles will be sent to applicants at the start of the May half-term. This essay is intended to test an applicant’s ability to express themselves, in writing, with coherence and efficiency.
Some candidates may be invited to a virtual follow-up interview to discuss their essay.
Candidates will be invited to take the entrance examinations in November at Cheltenham Ladies’ College, following submission of their subject preferences for sixth form. The assessment day comprises:
- Written papers on two of the applicant’s chosen Sixth Form subjects.
- An adaptive verbal reasoning test and an adaptive test in either Maths/Science or Art/Humanities.
- A 1-2-1 interview with a member of the Sixth Form Team or Senior Leadership.
- A small, group-based activity with other candidates.
Candidates short-listed for Scholarships will take part in an assessment programme in the same week as the entrance exams.
Links to Sixth Form briefing papers for English Literature and Mathematics can be found below:
Scholarships at Cheltenham Ladies’ College
Cheltenham Ladies’ College have a range of scholarships available at different points of entry:
- Academic and Music Scholarships are available at 11+, 13+ and 16+.
- Art and Sport scholarships are available at 13+ and 16+.
Academic Scholarships
All applicants at 11+ and 13+ are automatically considered for an Academic Scholarship. Those candidates who are invited to take part in the Scholarship assessment process will sit additional practical assessments and group tasks as well as attend an interview.
Candidates interested in applying for a Sixth Form Academic Scholarship must sit written exams in the November of Year 10 and complete an interview at the College.
Art, Music and Sport Scholarships
Potential Art Scholars must prepare a portfolio of recent work and take part in a timed assessment as part of the application process.
Applicants for a Music Scholarship must attend an audition, showcasing two prepared pieces. They may also be asked to take part in a sight-reading lesson, aural tests and a discussion about their musical interest.
Candidates for a Sport Scholarship are invited to attend an Assessment Day, involving interviews and practical assessments.
What questions does Cheltenham Ladies’ College ask at interview?
Like many school interviews the Cheltenham Ladies’ College interview seeks to explore the following about each student:
- Family (e.g. What do you like to do on the weekend as a family?)
- School (e.g. What do you most enjoy about your current school?)
- Academic Learning (e.g. What is your favourite subject and why?)
- Reading (e.g. Do you enjoy reading?)
- Extracurricular (e.g. What activities do you get involved in at school outside of the classroom?)
- Hobbies (e.g. What do you do in your spare time at outside of school?)
- Cheltenham Ladies’ College (e.g. Why would you like to come to Cheltenham Ladies’ College?)
Why is Cheltenham Ladies’ College so popular?
In 2023, 52.2% achieved 40+ in International Baccalaureate (IB) while 72.6% achieved A*/A at A Level. At GCSE, 88.3% of grades were 9-7.
Over 70% of Cheltenham Ladies’ College graduates took up places at top 10 universities in 2022, with 17 students offered places at Oxbridge.
Is Cheltenham Ladies’ College hard to get into?
Owing to its exceptional academic record, a broad extra-curricular programme, and a historical track record of preparing girls for higher education and beyond, Cheltenham Ladies’ College is highly competitive. They are looking for academic curiosity, articulacy and attention to detail in potential candidates and consider examination results as only a part of the whole when considering a pupil’s potential. Cheltenham Ladies’ College students are characterised by their intellectual interest, resilience and a willingness to try.
Cheltenham Ladies’ College Famous Alumni
- Dame Kristen Scott Thomas
- Dame Mary Archer
- Tamara Hill-Norton
Tutors for Cheltenham Ladies' College Admissions
Keystone has over a decade of experience providing tuition to families who wish to send their children to some of the leading UK independent schools including Cheltenham Ladies'.
The tutors we work with are experienced in the intricacies of the 11 plus, 13 plus common entrance, the ISEB pre-test and 16 plus entrance to Cheltenham Ladies'.
Read more about the Cheltenham Ladies' tutors we work with.
For more details on how Keystone can help with preparation for entry to Cheltenham Ladies', please call the office for a chat with one of our client managers, or contact us via our request a tutor form.