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.
Loading map…
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.
Results & League Table Position
Colfe's consistently ranks among the top co-educational schools in England. These figures are benchmarked against national averages so you can see the full picture.
A-Level A* Rate
24.7%
National rank #17
A-Level A*/A Rate
65.4%
Use the narrative summary below.
GCSE Grade 9-7
80.1%
National rank #107.
A-Level A*-B Rate
95.3%
National Rank 17= at A-Level and National Rank 107 at GCSE. Colfe's A-Level position is one of the highest of any co-educational independent day school in England.
A-Level Results vs National Average
Colfe's vs England average (%)
What this means: Colfe's A-Level results at National Rank 17= are extraordinary for a co-educational day school in South East London. The 95.3% A*/B rate is one of the highest in the country.
GCSE Grade Distribution
Colfe's vs National distribution (%)
What this means: GCSE results with 80.1% grades 9–7 place Colfe's at National Rank 107 — solid for a broadly co-educational intake without hyper-selective admissions.
University Destinations
Where Colfe's leavers go — % of cohort
Notable Academic Achievements
A-Level National Rank 17=
Top 20 school in England for A-Level results — extraordinary for a co-ed day school
95.3% A*/B at A-Level
One of the highest A*/B rates of any school in the country
Leathersellers' Bursaries
Up to 100% fee remission — one of London's most generous bursary programmes
360-Year History
Founded 1652, sustained by the Leathersellers' Company livery charity
League Table Position: National Rank 17= at A-Level and National Rank 107 at GCSE. Colfe's A-Level position is one of the highest of any co-educational independent day school in England.
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.
The taster lessons are far more observed than they appear
Staff actively assess how children behave during the 'unassessed' taster lessons and group interview — kindness to peers, willingness to listen, genuine enthusiasm. A child who switches off or becomes difficult during these sessions can lose an otherwise strong offer.
Junior School pupils must still pass the 11+
This surprises many families. Children in the Colfe's Junior School are NOT automatically guaranteed a Senior School place — they must pass the 11+ entrance exam like any external applicant.
The Headteacher's reference is a major factor
Because Colfe's values character highly, the primary school Headteacher's reference plays a significant role in final decisions. If the reference raises concerns about attitude or behaviour, it can override a strong exam score.
National Rank 17= — do not treat Colfe's as a fallback
Colfe's has quietly surged up league tables and is now among the top 20 schools nationally at A-Level. The entry bar is rising year-on-year. Families who treat it as a 'safe' second choice are frequently surprised by how competitive it has become.
Official sample papers are publicly available
Colfe's publishes official Maths and English sample papers on its website (colfes.com/admissions). These are the best preparation resource available — use them as the primary revision tool, not generic 11+ practice materials.
The 90-minute English paper requires real stamina
Three sections in 90 minutes — SPaG, comprehension, and a 30-minute creative writing piece — is significantly longer than most Year 6 children are used to. Build up to full 90-minute practice sessions well before January.
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.
Assuming the ISEB test is used
A Mumsnet post suggesting Colfe's uses ISEB is ambiguous and misinterpreted — it likely refers to St Dunstan's. Colfe's publishes its own bespoke sample papers on its website. Prepare for the school-set format, not ISEB.
Using the wrong fee figure
The £290/term figure appearing in some sources is the Nursery (EYFS) fee, not Senior School tuition. The correct Senior School fee is approximately £6,820/term. Do not base financial planning on the nursery rate.
Relaxing during the taster lessons
Taster lessons are unassessed on paper — but staff observe everything. How a child listens, collaborates, and engages during these sessions is a direct input into the final admissions decision.
Assuming Junior School entry guarantees a Senior School place
Junior School pupils must still pass the 11+ to progress to the Senior School. Families who enter the Junior School assuming automatic progression are sometimes caught off guard at Year 7.
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 | Outstanding entrance assessment performance | Yes |
| Art Scholarship | Fee remission | Limited | Portfolio and assessment | Yes |
| Drama Scholarship | Fee remission | Limited | Audition and assessment | Yes |
| Music Scholarship | Fee remission + tuition | Limited | Audition | Yes |
| Sport Scholarship | Fee remission | Limited | Trials | Yes |
| Leathersellers' Bursary | Up to 100% of fees | Substantial — see note | Means-tested financial assessment | 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.
January–April Year 5
- Build arithmetic fluency — mental calculations, times tables, rapid number work
- Read widely: quality novels, non-fiction, newspapers
- Practice 30-minute creative writing pieces regularly — build stamina
- Download Colfe's official sample papers from colfes.com for initial familiarity
May–August Year 5
- Timed SPaG + comprehension + 30-minute creative writing in a single 90-minute sitting
- Online/digital Maths practice — adapt to screen-based problem solving
- Multi-step word problems and non-routine problem solving
- Attend any available Colfe's taster events if offered
September–November Year 6
- Attend Colfe's Open Day (September/October) — essential for culture understanding
- Submit registration by mid-November deadline
- Full timed mock sittings of official sample papers
- Discuss the Assessment Day format — especially the observed taster lessons
November Year 6 → Assessment Day
- Full mock Assessment Day: 45-min online Maths + 90-min paper English
- Creative writing under timed conditions — 30 minutes unbroken
- Prepare child to behave naturally and warmly in group/taster settings
- Confirm: Horn Park Lane, Lee, London SE12 8AW — Assessment Day early January
You now know things about this school most applicant families never find out.
This is the Colfe's School profile. ClassAce gives you the same intelligence for every school on your shortlist, plus a personalised preparation plan built around your child.
Free while we build. No credit card required.
School guides included
Explore detailed profiles for your target schools while ClassAce is free to use
Personalised prep plans
AI-powered learning plans built around your child's specific targets, strengths and weak areas
Verified exam preparation
Practice papers, topic drills and timed tests aligned to the exact format of each school's exam
Parent community
Connect with other parents navigating the same admissions journey — share and learn
Everything included in ClassAce
Full access to every piece of intelligence we've gathered — organised to give you an unfair advantage in the admissions process.
- Full insider intelligence on all shortlisted schools
- Unlock pass mark data and score benchmarks
- Personalised gap analysis for your child
- Exam practice papers matched to school format
- Interview preparation guides
- Real-time admissions calendar with reminders
- Scholarship and bursary eligibility calculator
- Peer comparison data from ClassAce families
ClassAce Free Access
Browse every school profile for free. ClassAce helps you turn your target schools into a clearer preparation route, with practice and planning tools available while we build.
Create Free AccountNo card required.
Intelligence Score
Updated April 2026 · 82 sources
Coverage
Measures how much of the admissions picture is directly evidenced rather than inferred from comparable schools or legacy material.
Freshness
This edition was last checked April 2026. Recency scores fall when public evidence ages or current-cycle detail is sparse.
Use it well
Treat lower-scoring areas as prompts to verify with admissions, not as automatic red flags. The score is about evidence quality, not school quality.
Keep researching
More from ClassAce
School Match quiz
Answer a few questions and get a shortlist matched to your child and your area.
11+ exam formats
How entrance exams differ between schools — boards, papers, and timings compared.
Daily 11+ challenge
One free exam-style question a day. Build the habit before the mocks begin.