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Dauntsey's School
Dauntsey's School is a co-educational independent school that assesses Year 7 entry through a two-stage 11+ entrance exam. The school uses the Independents and Quest Admissions exam boards, and an interview stage is part of the admissions process. Specific pass marks and selectivity ratios are not provided.
If your child is an outgoing all-rounder who would say yes to almost everything on offer, Dauntsey's is the kind of country school where that instinct gets rewarded. It is co-educational, takes both boarders and day pupils from 11 to 18, and sits in more than 100 acres of countryside on the northern edge of Salisbury Plain near Devizes. The Good Schools Guide calls it 'a big-hearted, unpretentious country school that manages to be traditional yet forward thinking at the same time', which is no small thing for a place this old.
Life here is full, and the Good Schools Guide singles out the extracurricular programme as exceptional. Few teenagers would turn down the chance to crew Jolie Brise, the school's own tall ship, a 1913 pilot cutter that has won the Fastnet Race; every pupil spends 24 hours aboard her in the Fourth Form and can join the sailing club afterwards. In Year 9 they take on Moonrakers, the school's long-running adventurous-training programme, learning everything from kayaking and navigation to survival skills. Music and drama are taken seriously, with a quarter of pupils playing an instrument, and games and Saturday matches run through the week. Pastoral care is what staff are proudest of, with a wellbeing centre open around the clock and a generous bursary scheme that includes fully funded places.
The school was founded in 1542 through the bequest of William Dauntsey, master of the Worshipful Company of Mercers, and moved to its present site in 1895. Led since September 2024 by head master John Davies, Dauntsey's suits a child who will take up what is in front of them, whether boarding or coming in by day on the school bus, and go home tired and happy.
Key facts
Admissions
What this school tests
Online Assessments
English17 question types
Maths21 question types
Verbal Reasoning23 question types
Puzzles and Problem Solving6 question types
Written Assessment: Creative Writing
English3 question types
Previous exam results
GCSE results
Most pupils at this school sit IGCSE and Pre-U qualifications, which are not reflected in DfE's published GCSE measures. See the school's own website for full results. Reference: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/
A-level results
In 2025 students achieved a B+ average grade per A-Level entry. 21.6% gained AAB or better including two facilitating subjects. Reference: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/
Frequently asked questions
What exam board does Dauntsey's School use for the 11+?
Dauntsey's School uses the Independents and Quest Admissions exam boards for its 11+ entry.
What is the 11+ pass mark for Dauntsey's School?
The specific 11+ pass mark for Dauntsey's School is not provided in the available information.
Does Dauntsey's School interview as part of the 11+ admissions process?
Yes, an interview stage is part of the 11+ admissions process at Dauntsey's School.
Is Dauntsey's School co-educational or single-sex?
Dauntsey's School is a co-educational independent school, taking both boys and girls.
What is the website for Dauntsey's School 11+ admissions?
The website for Dauntsey's School 11+ admissions is https://www.dauntseys.org/admissions/entry-at-11.
How many stages are there in the Dauntsey's School 11+ entrance exam?
The Dauntsey's School 11+ entrance exam consists of two distinct stages.
Does Dauntsey's School offer bursaries or help with fees?
Yes. Dauntsey's offers means-tested bursaries at 11+ for bright children who would benefit from the school but whose families cannot meet the full fees. Awards range from partial support up to covering all of the fees. Families applying for a full bursary start with the Bursary Enquiry Form; those seeking partial help contact the Admissions Team. All applications must be made by the registration deadline, and an independent company reviews each family's circumstances in confidence.
What scholarships does Dauntsey's School offer?
At 11+, Dauntsey's offers academic scholarships for entry into the First Form. They are awarded on the results of the entrance assessment and interviews, held in mid-January, so there is no separate scholarship exam to sit. You can register your interest when you apply. A scholarship recognises a child's ability and potential to contribute to school life. Sport, music and other awards become available later, at 13+ and 16+ entry.
What is the Dauntsey's School 11+ interview like?
Every child is interviewed, usually in the same week as the written and online assessments in mid-January. Families travelling a long way can ask to be interviewed on the same day as the assessments; others come back later that week. The interview is a chance for the school to get to know your child as an individual, alongside their work in English, maths, reasoning and a creative writing task. Children sitting it from overseas are interviewed online.
Location
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