At Tonbridge, we are looking for bright boys. Bright boys from anywhere, and from whatever life background; who can move from asking the right questions to challenging the answers.
We encourage all families considering Tonbridge to begin their journey by arranging a visit and registering with us while their son is in Year 5, or aged ten. Seeing the school is an important step in finding out whether it is the right fit for your family, offering you the chance to experience Tonbridge as a pupil. Discover all of our upcoming admissions events
The main entry point to Tonbridge is in Year 9 when around 150 boys join the school, of which approximately 85 are boarders and 65 are day boys. Boys entering at this stage are usually aged between 13.0 and 13.11 on 1st September of the year of entry. These age-limits are not inflexible, and slightly younger or older candidates may be accepted at the Headmaster’s discretion.
Most applications for Year 9 entry are made when boys are in between Year 5 and Year 6, but our arrangements are sufficiently flexible to consider those who apply later. Whilst most boys will join us from a UK preparatory school, we welcome applications from primary schools or from overseas.
A small number of boys join Tonbridge in Year 10. Boys entering at this stage are usually aged between 14.0 and 14.11 on 1st September of the year of entry. These age-limits are not inflexible, and slightly younger or older candidates may be accepted at the Headmaster’s discretion.
For entry only - We are accepting applications from boys who will be applying for a Music Scholarship. All applicants must submit two YouTube clips of them playing their selected instrument(s) to Veryan Larmour ([email protected]) before commencing any application.
Registration
Registration is the formal first stage of the Year 10 admissions process. If you advised to complete a registration form by Mrs Larmour, then please complete the online Tonbridge Registration Form. There is a non-refundable registration fee of £250. All applications must be submitted with a copy of the candidate’s latest school report. Candidates who reside permanently overseas should also arrange to sit UKiset assessment tests, naming Tonbridge as a school to which they would like the results to be sent. The test can be sat at centres across the world
The application deadline is 1 September - earlier submission is welcome. Candidates whose country of residence is in China or Hong Kong are asked to contact our representatives there by 1 August :
Hong Kong applicants should contact Ms Battie Fung, Academic Asia, 14/F, China Taiping Tower Phase II, 8 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Tel：+852 2833 0919 | Fax：+852 2834 5398 | www.academic-asia.com | Email: [email protected]
Mainland China applicants should contact Ms Sophie Smith, BE Education, 9/F, Yueda 889 Center, 1111 Changshou Road, Shanghai, 200042, China
Tel: +862133607080 ext.8112 | www.be.co | Email : [email protected]
UK candidates and who are resident in the UK should complete registration by 1st October in the year prior to proposed entry. Late applicants may be considered at the school’s discretion if there are still places available. Please contact the admissions office before registering as a late applicant.
Entry Exams and Interviews
Examinations will be set by Tonbridge in Mathematics and English only, to be taken in late October/ November; it should be noted that these exams are highly competitive with only the strongest candidates receiving offers of places. Specimen papers can be viewed on our exam papers page. Papers can be taken either at Tonbridge or at a British Council office around the world or possibly at another approved international location. Once the exams have been marked in mid November, the top 50% of boys will be interviewed by a member of our teaching staff online.
Offers of Unconditional Places
UNCONDITIONAL OFFERS will be issued to the best performing applicants by 1 December (nine months prior to arrival at Tonbridge). Parents accept the UNCONDITIONAL OFFER by returning the Final Entry Form and paying an admission fee of £2,000. Applicants living overseas will also be required to pay the first term’s fees in advance.
Sixth Form (16+) Entry
Each year up to 20 boys join Tonbridge in the Sixth Form, aiming to benefit from the structure and space we allow for boys to develop and pursue their own academic interests and subject specialisms.
We believe that specialisation in three or four A level subjects provides the most effective route for our boys into the top universities; on average, around 30 boys make successful applications to Oxford and Cambridge, and increasingly to top US universities. We have an excellent relationship with American and European Universities and provide on site training for SAT exams.
Our support for boys making applications to top ranking universities is excellent and almost all boys get into their first choice university.
In addition to the academic specialism encouraged by A level, we ask boys who aspire to top universities to submit a voluntary Extended Project in the Upper Sixth. This is guided by academic staff and can be assessed through the submission of an essay, a piece of art work, a piece of music or any other medium chosen by the boy.
Academic extension is further enhanced through a varied Seminar programme of lectures given by visiting speakers, a vibrant range of societies and visits off campus.
We strongly encourage a wider participation in the life of the school and the wider community; most Sixth Formers will take advantage of our Community Action programme, our conservation programme, our CCF contingent or our links with The Marsh Academy, a maintained school we co-sponsor in the Romney Marsh.
There are, of course, opportunities to be involved in sport, music, drama and other creative activities that are open to boys in other years. However, in the Sixth Form there is greater flexibility for boys to choose their own route through these options and also for boys to lead in these areas. We actively encourage Sixth Form boys to show initiative and leadership and are keen to support boy-led ideas in these co-curricular areas of school life.
Boys entering at this stage are usually aged between 16.0 and 16.11 on 1st September of the year of entry. These age-limits are not inflexible, and slightly younger or older candidates may be accepted at the Headmaster’s discretion.
Registrations
Registration is the formal first stage of the Sixth Form admissions process. To register, please complete the online Tonbridge Registration Form. There is a non-refundable registration fee of £250. All applications must be submitted with a copy of the candidate’s latest school report. Candidates whose permanent home address is overseas should also arrange to sit UKiset assessment tests, naming Tonbridge as a school to which they would like the results to be sent. The test can be sat at centres across the world
The application deadline is 1 September (in the year prior to proposed entry) for all boys applying from overseas schools - earlier submission is welcome. The application must include a school report and the UKiset assessment must be booked so that UKiset send the results to us by 1 September. Candidates whose country of residence is China or Hong Kong must contact our representatives there by 1 August:
Hong Kong applicants should contact Ms Battie Fung, Academic Asia, 14/F, China Taiping Tower Phase II, 8 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Tel：+852 2833 0919 | Fax：+852 2834 5398 | www.academic-asia.com | Email: [email protected]
Mainland China applicants should contact Ms Sophie Smith, BE Education, 9/F, Yueda 889 Center, 1111 Changshou Road, Shanghai, 200042, China
Tel: +862133607080 ext.8112 | www.be.co | Email : [email protected]
The deadline for boys in UK schools who are also resident in the UK is the 1st October (in the year prior to proposed entry). After these deadlines, late applicants may be considered at the school’s discretion if there are still places available. Please contact the Admissions Office before registering as a late applicant.
Sixth Form Scholarships
The School may offer a small number of academic, music or sports scholarships to boys joining the School in the Sixth Form. All Sixth Form scholars will receive a £2,000 award on winning their scholarship and are eligible for a Foundation Award (bursary) of any amount up to the full School fee, if assessment of the parents' means indicates a need.
Sixth Form Academic Scholarships may be awarded based on performance in the entrance exams. These exams are highly competitive, with only the strongest candidates receiving an Unconditional Offer.
Sixth Form Sports and Music Scholarships may be awarded to any boy who performs well in the entrance examinations (but not necessarily at a scholarship standard), and shows exceptional talent in either a major Tonbridge Sport or in Music. Candidates should approach the Lower Sixth Admissions Officer by 1 September and will be assessed by the Director of Sport or Director of Music in the Michaelmas term.
Entry Exams and Interviews
The Director of Admissions will review all applications once complete, with shortlisted applicants being invited to examination and interview. Examinations will be set by Tonbridge and completed by each candidate in their FOUR chosen Sixth Form subjects in November; it should be noted that these exams are highly competitive, with only the strongest candidates receiving an UNCONDITIONAL OFFER. ALL candidates, including those who are British and native English speakers, will also be required to sit an English Language paper in addition to their four chosen subjects.
Specimen papers can be viewed on our exam papers page. Papers can be taken either at Tonbridge or at a British Council office around the world or possibly at another approved international location.
Once exams have been marked in mid November, the top 50% of boys will be interviewed by a subject specialist via Teams.
Offers of unconditional places
UNCONDITIONAL OFFERS will be issued to the best performing applicants by1st December (nine months prior to arrival at Tonbridge). Parents accept the UNCONDITIONAL OFFER by returning the Final Entry Form and paying an admission fee of £2,000. Applicants living overseas will also be required to pay the first term’s fees in advance.
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