Educational Choices

Tag: St George’s Weybridge

  • St George’s College vs St John’s School Leatherhead: A Comparison of Entrance Exams

    Choosing between St George’s College, Weybridge and St John’s School, Leatherhead often comes down to the type of academic environment a child will thrive in. One of the clearest differences between the two schools can be seen in their entrance exams, which reflect slightly different expectations and philosophies.

    St George’s College, Weybridge offers a well-balanced and accessible entrance process. For Year 7 entry, candidates typically sit papers in English and mathematics, alongside an interview and a reference from their current school. The assessments focus largely on core curriculum knowledge, ensuring pupils have a solid grounding in reading, writing and numeracy. While the school expects good academic ability, the papers are generally not designed to be overly abstract or intimidating. Instead, St George’s places significant value on the whole child, looking at attitude, character and how a pupil will contribute to school life as well as their academic performance. You can find more details about their admissions process here: https://www.stgeorgesweybridge.com/admissions/

    St John’s School, Leatherhead is academically strong and slightly more selective in its approach. The entrance process for Year 7 usually includes English and mathematics assessments, but these tend to be more stretching, particularly in maths where problem-solving and logical thinking are tested more deeply. English tasks may require more developed comprehension skills and more sophisticated writing. In addition to the written exams, there is typically an interview stage and input from the candidate’s current school. St John’s is looking for pupils who are not only capable but also intellectually curious and able to cope with a more demanding academic pace. Further details can be found here: https://www.stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk/admissions/

    The key difference between the two schools lies in the level of academic stretch within the entrance exam. St George’s provides a solid and fair assessment of core skills, with a strong emphasis on pastoral fit and overall character. St John’s, while still holistic in its approach, places slightly greater weight on academic performance and uses its assessments to identify pupils who are ready for a more rigorous academic environment.

    In simple terms, St George’s offers a more balanced and accessible entrance process, while St John’s School Leatherhead introduces a higher level of academic challenge from the outset. Both schools are excellent, but they suit slightly different types of learners, depending on confidence, academic strength and preferred pace of learning.

  • Hampton School vs St George’s College: A Comparison of Entrance Exams

    Choosing between Hampton School and St George’s College, Weybridge often comes down to fit, but one of the biggest differences parents notice early on is the style and difficulty of the entrance exam. While both schools assess academic ability, they approach it in quite different ways.

    Hampton School is one of the most academically selective independent schools in the UK, and its entrance process reflects that. The exam is typically taken at 11+ for Year 7 entry and is known for being highly competitive. Candidates are usually assessed in English, mathematics, and verbal and/or non-verbal reasoning. What stands out about Hampton’s exam is the level of challenge. The maths papers often go beyond standard curriculum knowledge and test how well pupils can think, apply and problem-solve under pressure. English tasks also expect strong comprehension and well-structured written responses. There is usually an interview stage for shortlisted candidates, where the school looks for curiosity, confidence and potential as well as academic performance. In essence, Hampton is looking for pupils with very high academic ability, and the exam is designed to stretch even the strongest candidates. You can find more details on the school’s admissions process here: https://www.hamptonschool.org.uk/admissions/

    St George’s College, Weybridge is also academically strong, but its entrance process is generally considered less intense and more holistic. For Year 7 entry, candidates typically sit papers in English and mathematics, alongside an interview and a reference from their current school. The exam tends to focus more on core curriculum knowledge and understanding rather than highly abstract or demanding problem-solving. While able students are still expected, the school is not trying to filter for only the very top academic percentile. Greater emphasis is placed on the whole child, including attitude, interests and how they will contribute to school life. More information about admissions can be found here: https://www.stgeorgesweybridge.com/admissions/

    The key difference between the two schools is not simply the level of difficulty, but the underlying philosophy. Hampton’s exam is designed to identify academic high achievers and tends to push pupils well beyond the standard curriculum. St George’s, by contrast, is looking for well-rounded pupils who will thrive in a balanced and supportive environment, where academic success sits alongside wider development.

    In simple terms, Hampton offers a more selective and academically demanding entrance process, while St George’s provides a strong but more accessible route that considers the broader qualities of each applicant. Both approaches can lead to excellent outcomes, but they suit slightly different types of pupils and learning styles.