How to Secure a Place for Your Child at Eaton House The Manor at 8+

Eaton House The Manor, a prestigious boys’ school in London, offers a specific 8+ entry point for external candidates looking to join Year 4. While the prospect of moving your child to a new school at age 8 can seem daunting, it’s a natural and common transition within the independent sector. Here’s everything you need to know about the Eaton House 8+ entry process, including how to register, the assessment day, and what to expect.

Eaton House The Manor 8+ Entry Overview

The 8+ entry to Eaton House The Manor is only available for boys. If you’re seeking a place for a girl, please refer to the Occasional Places page for information about admissions. Entry at 8+ is a well-established transition, particularly for boys ready to take their next academic and social step.

Places are awarded based on the results of the 8+ assessment day and are subject to availability. The school is committed to a fair admissions process, ensuring all candidates are treated equally, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, disability, or social background.

Steps for 8+ Entry at Eaton House The Manor

1. Attend an Open House Event

Before registering your son, it’s highly recommended to attend an open house event. These events are typically held in the autumn of the year before entry and include a talk from the Head teacher about the school and the 8+ entry process. The Head of Admissions will also provide information on what to expect during the admissions process.

2. Registration

To apply for the 8+ entry, you must first register your son using the online registration form. Once the form is submitted, you’ll receive an email confirming your registration within 7 days. Please note there is a non-refundable registration fee of £125 per child.

Upon registration, your son will be added to the waiting list for the 8+ assessment.

3. Assessment Day

The 8+ assessment takes place in January of the year your child is due to join. During this assessment, your son will participate in a series of activities designed to evaluate his readiness for Year 4. These activities are designed to simulate a normal school day, allowing the school to assess your son’s academic skills and social abilities.

The assessment day includes:

• English, Maths, and Reasoning Assessments: These assessments will test your son’s proficiency in core subjects.
• Interview with the Head Teacher: An opportunity for the Head teacher to meet with your son and gauge his character, interests, and potential.

The assessment sessions usually run from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, and the school aims to make the morning as relaxed and enjoyable as possible for all candidates.

4. Offers and Acceptance

After the 8+ assessment, successful candidates will be notified of their place by February. To secure the offer, a deposit and a parental acceptance form must be submitted.

What Happens During the 8+ Assessment Day?

On the 8+ assessment day, your son will be assessed in several key areas to determine his readiness for Year 4. The school creates an atmosphere that’s as enjoyable and relaxed as possible to allow the boys to perform at their best.

The assessment day activities are structured to ensure a comprehensive understanding of your son’s abilities, including:

• English: Writing and reading comprehension exercises.
• Maths: Problem-solving tasks designed to assess their understanding of mathematical concepts.
• Reasoning: A reasoning test that evaluates their logical thinking.
• Interview: A friendly discussion with the Head teacher to assess your son’s social and communication skills.

Sibling Policy

Eaton House Schools has a sibling policy that prioritises siblings of current students for entry, subject to availability. If your son has an older sibling already attending one of the Eaton House Schools, this policy may increase his chances of securing a place.

Important Dates to Remember for Eaton House 8+ Entry

• Open House Event: Autumn (before registration).
• Registration: Complete online registration by the specified deadline.
• 8+ Assessment: January of the year in which your child is due to start.
• Offer Notification: February.
• Acceptance Deadline: Following the offer, a deposit and parental acceptance form must be submitted to confirm the place.

Destinations After Eaton House The Manor:

The majority of leavers move on to highly regarded boarding and day schools at 13+. These destinations reflect the strong academic grounding and personal development that children have received. Destinations in 2024 included Brighton College, Dulwich College, Eton, KCS, Marlborough, St Pauls and Westminster.

How can the Happy Scholar help your child prepare for the Eaton House 8+ Exam?

We are proud to have a remarkable track record of helping 7 + candidates secure places at Eaton House The Manor (boys and girls). It is a school we know extremely well and have personal links with, giving us invaluable insight into the admissions process and what to expect in the exam.

Our 7+ tutors are experienced Key Stage 1 specialists who understand that every child learns at a different pace and will have various levels of maturity. With plenty of patience and care, they will create a supportive and encouraging environment for your child to thrive and explore topics. Our tutors will nurture a positive “can-do” attitude, helping your child feel confident and wanting to give their best. Each lesson is tailored to your child’s needs, building good learning habits, while also focusing on the specific entrance requirements of your target schools. At this age it is so important to make the 8+ journey an enlightening and stress-free experience.

Sample 8+ Papers

Maths:

Dulwich College 8+ Maths Paper

KCS 8+ Maths Paper

St Mary’s Cambridge 8+ Maths Paper

Westminster Cathedral Choir School 8+ Maths

English:

Westminster Cathedral Choir School 8+ English Paper

Dulwich College 8+ English Paper

KCS 8+ English Paper

St Mary’s Cambridge 8+ English Paper