Applying to prep schools from overseas

[oureas]

We currently live overseas in Singapore but are planning to move back to London in July / August 2026. Our son (born May 2019) will be starting in Year 3 and our daughter (born Feb 2021) will be starting in Year 1 in September 2026.

How do admissions work for overseas applicants in independent schools? Particularly for our son who will be going in Year 3 and would be expected to sit 7+. It's obviously difficult to attend open days and assessment days.

I'm reaching out directly to the schools we're interested in. But thought there may be others who have gone through a similar application process. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. In case it's relevant, we're returning to south east London.

Totally depends on the school. Lots of independent schools don’t have 7+ exams so you won’t necessarily have to go down that route unless you’re targeting St Paul’s/ Westminster etc which you probably won’t be from SE London.

Reach out directly to the schools and they will often organise things around your schedule - I remember a few months before my family moved to the UK, my DBro and I had a jam-packed week visiting schools and sitting entrance exams and interviews. All of it was organised with the schools to fit into that particular week that we were going to be here, as it was a 15h+ flight to get here.

It also makes sense if your location is more flexible to sort schools out first (obv can only do this in the independent sector) - we interviewed with schools all over/near London, and then my parents chose where we were going to live based on where we got school places.

@oureas like it has been said, it differs from school to school. I recently left my school, but we did have applicants from overseas during my time there. The expectation was that the families come over for assessments (which they all managed to do) and we assessed them at the same time as everyone else. It isn't usually possible to assess a child outside this window as places would have been offered and, depending on the age, some assessments have a group element so you need other children there too. The best advice to to make contact with the admissions team of the schools you are keen on and see what they can offer. There is a small chance that they would so an online assessment depending on how keen they are to have applicants. Some schools are super over subscribed whilst others are not.

We do Zoom interviews/tours then offer places based on that and current school records. But then we are neither selective nor full so probably a different ball game to S E London!

Unless you are looking at St Pauls, Westminster Under School, King’s College and a handful of other v competitive schools you will find it is a buyers market for those year groups. Many families who would have gone private for pre prep in the past are putting off the decision until Y4 or Y7 because of the huge recent increase in cost.

If you are looking at the v competitive boys preps you will need to keeep an eye on the admissions tests dates - and however bright your DS - get a tutor to tutor for the specific tests. All quite challenging from abroad.

Best bet is to target a not so competitive school with a good record of sending children to the secondary school (s) you have in mind. Will be much more relaxed for all concerned.