Colfe's School
Independent Day · Est. 1652
Colfe's is energetic, delightfully normal, and fiercely upward-moving academically. Entirely devoid of the stuffy arrogance found in some older London day schools, it perfectly suits a well-rounded, naturally curious child who wants top academic outcomes without the pressure-cooker intensity — and who also wants to climb a mountain on a school trip, perform in a play, or join a sports team.
National Rank 17 at A-Level from a co-educational South East London day school built on a 360-year history. Leathersellers' bursaries fund up to 100% of fees. The Assessment Day is a full day — and the taster lessons are more closely monitored than any parent realises.
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Lee, South East London
Entry
11+
Main external entry point
Places
~80–90
External Year 7 places
Fees
£6,820
Per term (2025/26)
A-Level Rank
#17=
National (2024)
GCSE Rank
#107
National (2024)
Sources
82
13 official
Best For
A bright, well-rounded child who wants exceptional academic outcomes in a genuinely warm, co-educational environment with outstanding outdoor education and a fierce sense of community.
Watch Out For
Do not underestimate the taster lessons — they are heavily monitored by staff assessing kindness, listening, and enthusiasm. A brilliant exam score can be derailed by poor social behaviour in the 'unassessed' portions of the day.
Entry Points
- 3+ (EYFS)
- 7+ (Junior)
- 11+ (Senior — main external entry)
- 13+
- 16+ (Sixth Form)
The Complete Admissions Timeline
Every key date, deadline and decision point — with insider intelligence you won't find on the school website. Click any item to reveal verified insider knowledge.
The critical window: Colfe's uses a full Assessment Day in early January combining a 45-minute online Maths exam, a 90-minute paper-based English exam (SPaG, comprehension, 30-minute creative writing), a group interview, and interactive taster lessons. The taster lessons are unassessed on paper — but are closely observed by staff. Registration closes mid-November.
Academic Performance vs National Average
Colfe's consistently outperforms national averages across both GCSE and A-Level examinations. These animated comparisons show where the school excels and how this translates to university placement opportunities.
A-Level Results Comparison
Camp Hill Girls vs. National Average — Higher percentages indicate stronger performance
What this means: Camp Hill Girls consistently exceeds national averages across all A-Level performance bands. With 65% A*/A compared to the national 38%, girls achieve top-tier results that support progression to leading universities, including Oxbridge, Russell Group institutions, and specialist programs in Medicine, Law, and STEM.
GCSE Grade Distribution Comparison
Cumulative percentage achieving each grade threshold — Camp Hill Girls vs. National Average
Grade Distribution Insight: Over 90% of Camp Hill Girls achieve grades 9-7 at GCSE, compared to 31% nationally. This exceptional spread demonstrates consistent high achievement across the cohort, with girls well-prepared for rigorous A-Level study.
Grade 9-8
52%
vs 18% national
Grade 9-7
90%
vs 31% national
Grade 9-6
98%
vs 64% national
Grade 9-5
99.5%
vs 82% national
University Placement Implications
- •
Oxbridge Eligibility
Strong A-Level performance (65% A*/A) makes girls competitive for Oxford and Cambridge, particularly in STEM and humanities.
- •
Russell Group Admission
90% GCSE 9-7 achievement provides strong foundation for Russell Group universities including Imperial, UCL, Durham, and Warwick.
- •
Competitive Edge
Results place girls in top 5% of UK cohort, giving advantage in Medicine, Law, and competitive STEM programs.
Supporting Strong Achievement
- •
No Pressure-Cooker Culture
Excellence achieved through supportive teaching, strong pastoral care, and girls' intrinsic motivation rather than relentless pressure.
- •
Well-Rounded Development
Balanced commitment to academics, co-curricular activities (sports, music, drama), and character formation.
- •
Resilience & Confidence
Girls develop confidence to tackle challenging subjects and university applications without anxiety-driven perfectionism.
GCSE Excellence
90%
Grade 9-7 achievement (vs 31% national)
A-Level Top Grades
65%
A*/A grades (vs 38% national)
Top Achievers
42%
A* grades at A-Level
University Ready
99.5%
Grade 5+ across GCSE
Insider Intel: What Other Parents Don't Know
These are the verified insights you will not find on the school website, in Good Schools Guide, or from any single tutoring agency. Each insight is compiled and cross-referenced from 82+ sources including official documents, parent reports, and tutoring industry data.This is the intelligence that gives ClassAce families an edge.
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- Timing windows other applicants don't know about
- Exam-day patterns and trap questions verified across 82+ sources
- Interview cues that decide marginal offers
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Common Mistakes Parents Make
The errors we see most often from families preparing for Colfe's School. Avoid these and you're already ahead of the majority of applicants.
4 costly mistakes — and the fix for each
Most parents make at least three of these without realising. Subscribe to read every mistake and the corrective action.
- What to stop doing in the final 6 weeks
- The myth about practice papers that hurts most candidates
- Interview-day briefings that backfire
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Colfe's vs Competitor Schools
How does Colfe's School compare to the schools your child is most likely also applying to? This analysis covers the key factors that actually matter to families.
Important context: Colfe's sits in an unusual position: National Rank 17 at A-Level but with broadly co-educational, community-focused admissions. Families often apply alongside Alleyn's, Eltham College, JAGS, and Dulwich College.
| Factor | FeaturedColfe's | Alleyn's | Eltham College | Dulwich College | JAGS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | Independent | Independent | Independent | Independent | Independent |
| Co-educational | |||||
| VR in Exam | |||||
| Annual Fee | ~£20,460 | ~£26,000 | ~£29,997 | ~£30,492 | ~£24,000 |
| 11+ Difficulty | Competitive | Hard | Competitive | Hard | Hard |
| Interview Style | Group interview (same day) | Assessment + interview | Individual interview | 1:1 shortlisted only | Shortlisted only |
Why Parents Choose Colfe's
- National Rank 17= at A-LevelOne of the highest-performing co-educational day schools in England
- Full Assessment Day formatGroup interview and taster lessons mean no child is reduced to a single exam score
- Leathersellers' bursariesUp to 100% of fees — one of the most generous programmes in London
- Outdoor Education programmeResidential trips and expeditions are a cornerstone of the lower school years
- Co-educational, community-feelWarm and unpretentious — a real-world school without the elitism of some peers
Points to Consider
- Entry bar is risingNational Rank 17 means Colfe's is no longer a 'safe' fallback — competition is intensifying
- Junior School to Senior School is not automaticJunior pupils must sit the 11+ — this surprises many families
- No published pass mark or ratioColfe's does not publish competitive data — impossible to precisely gauge difficulty
- The taster lessons are observedBehaviour outside the formal exam is actively assessed — most parents don't realise this
Scholarships & Financial Support
Colfe's offers academic, art, drama, music, and sport scholarships. The Leathersellers' Company bursary programme is means-tested and can cover up to 100% of fees — one of the most substantial fee-support schemes at any independent school in London.
| Scholarship Type | Value | Available Places | Selection Method | Stackable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Scholarship | Fee remission (discretionary) | Multiple | Premium | Yes |
| Art Scholarship | Fee remission | Limited | Premium | Yes |
| Drama Scholarship | Fee remission | Limited | Premium | Yes |
| Music Scholarship | Fee remission + tuition | Limited | Premium | Yes |
| Sport Scholarship | Fee remission | Limited | Premium | Yes |
| Leathersellers' Bursary | Up to 100% of fees | Substantial — see note | Premium | Yes |
* Scholarship assessments typically take place in November. Bursary applications require a financial assessment. Contact admissions@colfes.com for current deadlines.
The Preparation Roadmap
Everything here is built around Colfe's School's specific exam format, interview style, and selection criteria. This is not generic 11+ advice. Every recommendation is calibrated to this school.
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Updated April 2026 · 82 sources