Burntwood School 11 Plus Guide
Introduction to Burntwood School
Burntwood School, established in 1986, is a girls’ secondary school located in Wandsworth, London. The school prides itself on fostering a disciplined environment for its students, helping them grow into confident and responsible adults. Burntwood has received recognition for its high architectural standards, winning the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2015 for its new buildings, which include modern teaching pavilions, a sports hall, and performing arts facilities.
Burntwood is a vibrant school community that values both academic success and personal growth. Its broad curriculum prepares students for the modern world, while a strong focus on character, creativity and community encourages respect and celebrates diversity. With Unicef Gold Rights Respecting status and a track record of excellent outcomes, the school provides outstanding education and enrichment opportunities that help students build confidence, resilience and ambition.
Key Information for Burntwood School
Ofsted Rating
Good
Assessment
GL Assessment
Boarding
Day School
Fees Type
State Grammar School
Admissions
Mixed
Places per Year
240 (60 ability based)
Total Pupils
1,539
11 Plus Exam Process for Burntwood School
Entry to Burntwood School in Year 7 is partially based on performance in the Wandsworth Year 6 entrance examination, which typically takes place in mid to late September of Year 6 at the school premises.
Round 1
Wandsworth Year 6 Exam
The entrance exam consists of two written papers:
Non-Verbal Reasoning: This paper tests a child’s ability to recognise patterns, understand spatial relationships, and solve problems using visual information. The total test time is 55 minutes, which includes introductory instructions from the invigilator and time for practice questions. The paper is divided into four sections: three sections of 10 minutes with 19 questions each, and one section of 9 minutes with 18 questions.
Verbal Reasoning: This paper evaluates a child’s ability to think logically and solve problems using words, letters, and numbers. The test lasts 50 minutes and includes 80 questions, excluding the introductory instructions.
There is no fixed pass mark, but places are awarded to those with the highest scores, in line with the school’s oversubscription criteria.
Admissions Criteria
Admissions Criteria
Burntwood School does not operate a specific catchment area, but it considers primary feeder schools when assessing applications, with distance from the school factored into its oversubscription criteria. There are 70 places available for those who get the best results in the Wandsworth 11 plus. Applicants with an equal score will be prioritised by distance order with those applicants living nearest the school given higher priority. The remaining places are then allocated via the following criteria:
- Girls in public care (children looked after) and those who ceased to be children looked after because they were adopted.
- Applicants with a professionally supported exceptional medical need or exceptional social need for a place at the school, as decided by the Governing Body.
- Girls not admitted under Category 1, who have a sibling attending the school at the time of application.
- Children of staff at the school.
- Girls who live nearest to the school, using a straight line measurement from home to school as calculated by the Wandsworth Council Geographical Information System.
Click to find out more about the Burntwood School Admissions Policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Burntwood School
Here are some helpful preparation tips:
- Read regularly: This improves vocabulary, comprehension and writing fluency.
- Practice writing: Encourage your child to plan and write stories or descriptive pieces to enhance structure and creativity.
- Revise Key Stage 2 maths: Ensure your child is confident with arithmetic, fractions, word problems and multi-step calculations.
- Use past paper-style questions: Practise with GL-style materials to familiarise your child with the exam format.
- Time management: Help your child develop the ability to plan and complete tasks within set time limits.
- Use online tools: Online platforms can offer tailored learning to address your child’s specific needs.
Consistent family support and ample preparation time are crucial for achieving the best results.
Key Dates for 2026 Entry
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Exact dates for 2026 entry will be confirmed by the school in due course. | |
| Test Registration Opens Test Registration Opens | Early 2025 |
| Registration Deadline Registration Deadline | Thursday 4 September 2025 |
| Year 6 Test Year 6 Test | Thursday 25th - Monday 29th September |
| Results Issued Results Issued | Friday 24th October 2025 |
| Common Application Form Deadline Common Application Form Deadline | Friday 31st October 2025 |
| Offer Day Offer Day | Sunday 1st March 2026 |
How to Apply to Burntwood School
To apply for a Year 7 place at Burntwood School, you’ll need to complete two key steps:
Register for the entrance test via the Wandsworth GOV website. Registration usually opens in the spring and closes shortly before the September test date.
Submit the Common Application Form (CAF) via the eAdmissions website, making sure to include Burntwood School among your preferences.
Both steps must be completed by their individual deadlines. If only one is submitted, your application will be considered incomplete.
Contact Information and More
School Address
Burntwood School
Burntwood Lane
London
SW17 0AQ
School Parking
There’s no dedicated on-site car park. However, public and private parking spaces are available nearby via services like JustPark, with hourly rates starting around £0.90–£2.00 and options for pre-booking