Haileybury
Independent Co-educational Day & Boarding School · Est. 1862
Haileybury is a classic all-rounder boarding school on a breathtaking 500-acre estate with East India Company heritage. The unique 'Show and Tell' interview values genuine passion over rehearsed perfection. Offers both A-Levels AND IB Diploma — rare dual pathway. Lower School (Years 7-8) provides prep-style pastoral care as a soft landing. Perfect for well-rounded pupils who will thrive in nurturing yet academically selective environment.
Historic 500-acre boarding school (founded 1862) offering both A-Levels and IB Diploma. CAT4 + written papers + unique 'Show and Tell' interview. Dedicated Lower School with prep-style pastoral care. School reference carries MASSIVE weight.
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Hertford, Hertfordshire SG13 7NU
Day fees
~£9,535
per term
Boarding fees
~£12,575
per term
Total pupils
920
ages 11-18
Campus
500
acres
Boarders
550+
pupils
Sixth Form
A-Level + IB
dual pathway
Best For
Families seeking a traditional all-rounder boarding/day school with exceptional facilities, dual A-Level/IB pathways, and nurturing Lower School transition. The unique 'Show and Tell' interview rewards genuine passion.
Watch Out For
School reference carries MASSIVE weight — attitude to learning assessed beyond exam day. CAT4 + written papers require split preparation (digital MC + handwritten extended answers).
Entry Points
- Primary entry at 11+ (Year 7 Lower School 1) via CAT4 + written papers + Show and Tell interview. Also 13+ and 16+ entry. ~60 places at 11+.
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: Registration closes early November Year 6. Exams and interviews in late November. Offers mid-December. Acceptance deadline 1st March.
Open Mornings
Visit the stunning 500-acre estate and learn about the Show and Tell interview
Registration deadline
Complete online registration with £240 fee
Exam days
CAT4 + written papers + Show and Tell interview
Offers made
Approximately 3 weeks after assessment day
Experience days
Taster days for offer holders
Acceptance deadline
Accept or decline offer
Key Dates at a Glance — September 2027 Entry
- 1
Open Mornings
Summer/Autumn (Yr 5/6)
- 2
Registration deadline
Early November (Yr 6)
- 3
Exam days
Late November (Yr 6)
- 4
Offers made
Mid-December (Yr 6)
- 5
Experience days
Spring/Summer Terms
- 6
Acceptance deadline
1st March
CAT4 + Written Papers: Blended Assessment
Haileybury uses CAT4 (GL Assessment) for digital testing plus bespoke handwritten English and Maths papers. The unique 'Show and Tell' interview allows candidates to demonstrate genuine passion beyond exam scores.
CAT4 Digital
~2 hours · Computer-adaptive (GL Assessment)
The CAT4 is age-standardised so younger candidates in the year are not disadvantaged. Practice the specific CAT4 format.
Written Papers
English + Maths papers · Handwritten bespoke papers
Students who excel at MC but struggle with extended writing will be exposed here. Handwriting quality matters.
Show and Tell
~20 minutes · Interview with senior staff member
Over-tutored, generic answers fail. The school wants to see what genuinely excites your child.
Topic Difficulty & Weight
Difficulty (%) and exam weight by topic area
Key takeaway: CAT4 tests Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. Computer-adaptive format — questions adjust to ability level.
Topic Breakdown
Known Exam Traps — CAT4 Digital
Practice official CAT4 materials. Questions get harder as you answer correctly.
Each section is timed separately. Manage time within each battery.
The pattern: The CAT4 is age-standardised so younger candidates in the year are not disadvantaged. Practice the specific CAT4 format.
If you can only improve in one area, make it
Digital Fluency
For example:
- →Practice CAT4-specific question types
- →Build speed in pattern recognition and spatial reasoning
- →Quantitative Reasoning directly tests mathematical aptitude
All focus areas ranked by impact:
#1
Digital Fluency
CAT4 Digital
#2
Handwritten Skills
Written Papers
#3
Genuine Passion
Show and Tell
Academic Results
Selected academic results for Haileybury. Figures relate to the reporting years shown; check the school for its latest published results.
A-Level A* Rate
25%
Reporting year: 2024
A-Level A*/A Rate
58%
Reporting year: 2024
GCSE Grade 9-7
78%
National rank #180.
A-Level A*-B Rate
82%
Reporting year: 2024
A-Level Results
Reporting year: 2024
Haileybury consistently achieves excellent A-Level results with strong progression to Oxbridge and Russell Group universities. The dual A-Level/IB pathway allows students to choose the curriculum that suits their learning style.
A*
25%
A*/A
58%
A*-B
82%
What this means: Haileybury consistently achieves excellent A-Level results with strong progression to Oxbridge and Russell Group universities. The dual A-Level/IB pathway allows students to choose the curriculum that suits their learning style.
GCSE Results
Reporting year: 2024
GCSE results reflect the school's balanced approach — academic excellence alongside breadth of opportunity in sport, arts, and co-curricular activities.
Grade 9-7
78%
Attainment 8
Not published
What this means: GCSE results reflect the school's balanced approach — academic excellence alongside breadth of opportunity in sport, arts, and co-curricular activities.
University Destinations
Where Haileybury leavers go: % of cohort
Notable Academic Achievements
500-acre historic estate
East India Company heritage (1806), Grade I listed chapel
A-Levels AND IB Diploma
Rare dual sixth form pathway — choose in Year 11
Dedicated Lower School
Years 7-8 with prep-style pastoral care and junior boarding house
Elite sports facilities
25m pool, golf course, 22 tennis courts, extensive playing fields
Unique Show and Tell interview
Bring work from last 3 months — child leads the conversation
Strong Oxbridge progression
Consistent placements at Oxford, Cambridge, and Russell Group
League Table Position: Haileybury represents the classic 'all-rounder' boarding school: selective but not pressure-cooker, valuing well-rounded development alongside academic achievement.
The Unique 'Show and Tell' Interview
Format
One-to-one interview with senior staff member, centred around submitted work
Duration
~20 minutes
Role in Admissions
Part of a holistic assessment, not a pass/fail gate
What Makes a Strong Impression
Compiled from parent reports (2023-2025)
The pattern:
Contact Admissions
Haileybury Admissions Team
Insider Intel: What Other Parents Don't Know
These are the insights you will not find on the school website, in Good Schools Guide, or from any single tutoring agency. Each insight is compiled from official documents, parent reports, and tutoring industry data.This is the intelligence that gives ClassAce families an edge.
School Reference is MASSIVE
Your child's current school reference carries MASSIVE weight. Haileybury looks for attitude to learning, behaviour, and 'have-a-go' spirit — not just academic performance. Engage positively with your prep/primary school.
Show and Tell is Your Secret Weapon
The Show and Tell format is unique. Choose work that genuinely reflects your child's passion — a creative writing story, art piece, coding project. The interview becomes a conversation about something they care about, not a test.
Lower School is a Soft Landing
Years 7-8 are in the 'Lower School' with dedicated pastoral care — like a prep school within the senior school. Junior boarding house has intimate, family-style environment. Great for first-time boarders.
A-Levels OR IB — Choose Later
Haileybury offers BOTH A-Levels AND IB Diploma. This is rare and valuable — you don't need to choose at 11. Students decide in Year 11 based on their strengths and university goals. IB suits broader learners; A-Levels suit specialists.
CAT4 Plus Written — Two Different Skills
CAT4 is computer-adaptive MC. Written papers are handwritten extended answers. Students who excel at one may struggle with the other. Practice BOTH formats — the blended assessment catches one-dimensional candidates.
Common Mistakes Parents Make
The errors we see most often from families preparing for Haileybury. Avoid these and you're already ahead of the majority of applicants.
Focusing only on CAT4 and neglecting handwritten skills
Written papers require extended creative writing and showing Maths workings — skills not tested by CAT4 MC. Practice both digital CAT4 format AND handwritten extended answers.
Over-rehearsing for the Show and Tell interview
Staff can instantly spot scripted responses. The interview is designed to be conversational. Choose work your child genuinely cares about and practice discussing it naturally.
Ignoring the importance of school reference
Haileybury explicitly values attitude to learning and 'have-a-go' spirit. School reference carries MASSIVE weight. Engage positively with your prep/primary school.
Assuming 11+ vs 13+ entry are equivalent
11+ enters Lower School with dedicated pastoral care and junior boarding house. 13+ is main boarding entry point. Research both entry points carefully.
Haileybury vs Competitor Schools
How does Haileybury compare to the schools your child is most likely also applying to? This analysis covers the key factors that actually matter to families.
| Factor | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | ||||
| Co-educational | ||||
| VR in Exam | ||||
| Annual Fee | ||||
| 11+ Difficulty | ||||
| Interview Style |
Why Parents Choose Haileybury
Points to Consider
Scholarships & Financial Support
| Scholarship Type | Value | Available Places | Selection Method | Stackable? |
|---|
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