How To Get Into Ampleforth College
AN Overview of Ampleforth
Originally founded by Benedictine monks in 1802 as a boys’ school together with Ampleforth Abbey, Ampleforth College is now an independent, co-educational day and boarding school located in a picturesque valley in Ampleforth, North Yorkshire.
The school keeps to its commitment of providing boys and girls with a ‘Compass for Life’ by empowering pupils with a moral ethos stemming from its Benedictine roots. Pupils are taught with first-class teaching and an all-around education but are also imparted with lifelong values such as compassion, inclusion, and generosity.
Today, Ampleforth College is a Catholic boarding school for boys and girls (since 2002) aged 11 to 18. The school is sometimes referred to as the ‘Catholic Eton’ for its remarkable results and pupils’ academic achievements, with about 5 per cent of pupils obtaining a placement at Oxbridge and over 90 per cent pursuing a university education.
Some notable Amplefordians include Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, historian & writer William Dalrymple, and Angel of the North (located in Gateshead near Newcastle upon Tyne) sculptor Sir Antony Gormley.
What You Should Know About Ampleforth College
Ampleforth College accepts both boys and girls at various entry points, including Year 7 & 8 Entry, Year 9 Entry, Year 10 & 11 Entry, and Year 12 (Sixth Form) Entry. The school claims to be broadly non-selective and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, although overseas applicants and applicants from China do have separate applications procedures from UK-based applicants.
Current enrolment at Ampleforth as of 2021 is around 671 pupils (457 pupils and 214 Sixth Form students). Since the school ranks considerably higher in academic results for A-Levels and GCSE scores than the national average, there may be some competition for each placement.
Results from 2021 show that 85 per cent of pupils achieved A*-B in A-Levels and 80 per cent of pupils achieved 9-6 (A*-B) in GCSE scores, the former of which is an excellent rate that facilitates entry to top UK universities and Russell Group universities that often require ABB or higher.
It is important to note that Ampleforth College does not strictly follow Common Entrance, therefore giving teachers and pupils alike greater freedom and variety to explore topics in greater depth than with exam-led syllabus didactics in Common Entrance curricula.
Term dates vary year by year, but to give a general impression the 2022-2023 term dates are scheduled as follows:
Autumn term: 5 September - 16 December
Spring term: 9 January - 30 March
Summer term: 17 April - 1 July
Each term is broken into two halves with a one week break in between.
How to Get into Ampleforth
Applications to Ampleforth College are broadly non-selective and applicants can apply from within the UK or overseas. In light of the pandemic, remote testing is available for all pupils.
Depending on the desired entry point, application and testing criteria differ:
Year 7 & 8: online testing for the 2022-2023 academic year will take place on Saturday 22 January 2022. The test is the ISEB Common Pre-Test and includes English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning according to the National Curriculum for the end of Year 5. More information can be found here. The online test normally takes two and a half hours to complete.
Year 9: all applicants must sit a pre-test which requires no prior preparation. Prep school students that desire to apply will have normally taken Common Entrance and Ampleforth College asks for no less than a 50% score.
Year 10 & 11: applicants must attend an interview with Ampleforth College and provide a reference from their current school to apply. A maths assessment will also be undertaken prior to any offers being made.
Year 12 (Sixth Form): applicants normally must apply by Christmas during the pupil’s Year 10. Ampleforth College also requires an interview (in-person or remote) as well as successful completion of GCSEs, including 3 Grade 5s and 2 Grade 6s. Around 30 students are admitted every year to the Sixth Form programme.
Should Any Boy or Girl Apply?
If your son or daughter is of the right age to apply, they are welcome to apply to Ampleforth College. One of the school’s foundational principles is inclusion, so any applicant from any background can apply.
Overseas applicants do not need to present themselves for an interview since, during the pandemic, the school has moved to remote testing and interviews which benefits overseas applicants. It is still a good idea, however, to visit the beautiful valley in the North Yorkshire Moors and to meet with teaching staff during the school’s Open Days (e-Open Days are also available).
Although Ampleforth College is, for the most part, non-selective and they claim that prior preparation is not necessary for many of their online tests, your son or daughter should nevertheless be adequately prepared not only for sitting the examination but also for empowering them to succeed whilst attending Ampleforth.
The ISEB Common Pre-test has multiple examination syllabuses covering various topics, including English, mathematics, and many more. Ensure that your child has a robust and solid grasp on these topics as well as others which they intend to pursue at Ampleforth College and perhaps even beyond.
Ampleforth College Scholarships and Funding
In recognition of the academic achievement or talent shown by promising pupils’, Ampleforth College awards many various types of scholarships and bursaries across different age levels.
It is important to note that Ampleforth College awards scholarships solely on the basis of merit and in open competition with peers. They expect academic scholars to remain in the top 20% of grades as well as within the top 10% of their cohort for their desired areas of study. Moreover, senior academic scholars are expected to behave as role models for junior pupils whilst also demonstrating leadership through involvement in societies at the school.
The total number of scholarships and bursaries awarded each year varies upon the discretion of the Head. It is advised that parents review Ampleforth College’s awards & scholarships webpage frequently to see application dates and deadlines for specific awards.
Ampleforth also provides bursaries to pupils in need of financial assistance. All bursaries are means-tested and the school strongly favours pupils that show great promise of success whilst at Ampleforth College.
How to Prepare for the Online Pre-Test at Ampleforth College
In order to prepare your son or daughter for the ISEB Common Pre-Test (for Year 7 & 8 Entry), for the online pre-test (for Year 9 Entry), or for the maths assessment (for Year 10 & 11 Entry), it is imperative that you put them on a path to success and prepare well in advance.
English, maths verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning will be core elements of the ISEB Common Pre-Test, whilst maths will be critical for Year 10 & 11 Entry. Although Ampleforth College does not provide any sample tests for parents to access and they do mention that no prior preparation is necessary, some preparation will surely go a long way.
Parents can assist their son or daughter with additional teaching tools online, hiring a tutor, or taking advantage of modern and engaging exercises designed to facilitate their success. To view a sample of a Year 11 maths syllabus, click here.
We specialise in preparing children for the ISEB and independent school entrance exams. To apply for our flagship independent school preparation programme, click here.