Thank you for your interest in Cranford School. Our Admissions Team is here to ensure that both you and your child feel genuinely welcomed and fully supported throughout every stage of the admissions journey.
We are committed to offering an open, friendly and informative service to all families considering Cranford. Our goal is to provide you with everything you need to make the best decision for your son or daughter.
Equally important to us is making the admissions process a positive and enjoyable experience for your child. From their very first visit, we aim to create a warm and inviting atmosphere – giving them a true sense of the unique and nurturing environment that defines our school.
Here, you will find everything you need to know about Cranford School, our admissions process and how to apply.
Choosing the right school for your child is an important decision, and we believe that nothing compares to visiting in person.
We would be delighted to arrange a personal tour for you. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore our exceptional facilities and discover what sets Cranford apart as one of Oxfordshire’s leading co-educational through-schools.
Tours are conducted during a normal school day by a member of our Admissions Team or Senior Leadership Team, giving you a genuine insight into the vibrant teaching and learning that takes place across all areas of the school.
We have four main entry points:
If you are considering starting at a different year group, we welcome applications where space permits, To arrange a personal tour, please contact our Admissions Team directly on [email protected] or call 01491 651218.
Ready to take the next step?
Once you have decided that Cranford is the right school for your child, the next step is to register your interest by completing our Registration Form and paying the non-refundable £75 registration fee.
Please note that registration does not guarantee a place, as all offers are subject to availability and our admissions assessment process. Your child will then be entered into the admissions process for the appropriate point of entry.
For more detailed information, please visit our dedicated pages for Pre-School, Reception, Year 7 and Sixth Form entry. Entry into other year groups is considered based on availability.
For pupils seeking entry into Year 1 and above, we offer Taster and Assessment Days throughout the year. These days are thoughtfully tailored to suit the age and stage of each child, ensuring a welcoming and age-appropriate experience.
During the visit, pupils will spend the day with their current year group, participating in regular lessons and activities to gain a genuine feel for life at Cranford. From Year 2 onwards, children will also complete an online assessment. The aim of the day is not to test what your child knows, but to understand their potential and how we can best support their learning journey.
Where possible, we also invite parents to join us for an informal tea or coffee with a member of our Senior Leadership Team. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Cranford and meet key members of our community. At this stage, we will also request a reference from your child’s current school.
For entry into Year 7 (Senior School) and Year 12 (Sixth Form), Taster and Assessment Days take place in November of the year preceding entry. Please refer to our Senior School Admissions and Sixth Form Admissions pages for further details.
Places at Cranford are offered following the successful completion of a Taster and Assessment Day. Offer letters, along with our Terms and Conditions, Acceptance Form, and Medical Form, will be sent via email and/or post.
Your child’s place will be confirmed once we have received the completed Acceptance Form, Medical Form, and the £1,000 deposit.
Please note that once a place has been accepted, the school’s Terms and Conditions will apply.
Our Admissions Team is always available to answer any questions you may have about your son or daughter starting at Cranford. Ahead of this, you will be given a link to a portal where all the information you require regarding your child's start at school will be accessible. This includes information about uniform, equipment, clubs, transport, term dates and much more.
To help your child feel confident and excited about starting at Cranford, we host a series of Transition Events during the Summer Term, typically at the end of June. These events bring together all pupils who will be joining us in September for a full day of activities and introductions.
For those entering Pre-School and Reception, we also offer an additional transition day in early September, just before the start of the new academic year, to help ease the youngest pupils into school life.
At the beginning of the academic year:
We understand that starting a new school can feel daunting — for both children and parents — and our Admissions Team is here to support you every step of the way. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions at any time.
Chosing the right school for your child is an important decision. Our admissions team are here to help you and your family throughout your admissions process.
Once you have established that Cranford is the school you would like your child to attend, you will need to Register your interest by completing our Registration Form (link) and paying the non-refundable £75 registration fee (please note the registration fee does not guarantee your child’s place, which is subject to availability and an assessment process). Your child will be entered into the admissions process for the relevant point of entry. Please see our pages on entry for Pre-School, Reception, Year 7 and Sixth Form for more specific information. Entry into other Year groups is considered depending on space.
Pupils looking for a place in Year 1 and above will be invited to a Taster and Assessment Day. We run these days throughout the year and the day is adapted depending on the point of entry to ensure it is appropriate for the age of the child. Pupils will spend the day with their current year group, taking part in normal activities to ensure they get a good feel for life at Cranford. Pupils in Year 2 and above will also sit an online test. The purpose of this day is to provide your child with the opportunity to show us their potential; we are not interested in testing children on what they know but want to understand how we can help them achieve! Where possible, these days also provide parents with an opportunity for an informal tea and coffee with a member of the Senior Leadership Team, to find out more about life at Cranford and meet key members of the Cranford team. At this point, we will also apply for a reference from your child’s current school.
Admission into Year 7 (Senior School entry) and Year 12 (Sixth Form) also involves a Taster and Assessment Day, which takes place in the November of the year preceding entry. Please see Senior School Admission and Sixth Form Admission for more information.
For further information about the admissions process, please contact [email protected] or call 01491 651218.
