Lower School Admissions
Burntwood School is a popular and reputable school for girls in Wandsworth, known for its academic success, excellent pastoral care and abundance of leadership and extra-curricular opportunities. We welcome applications from families both within Wandsworth and from surrounding boroughs who are seeking a high-quality, all-girls education which encourages ambition, confidence, and achievement.
To apply for a place at Burntwood, parents and carers must complete their home local authority’s Application Form, listing Burntwood School as a preference. For entry into Year 7, applicants are also required to take the Wandsworth Year 6 Test, which forms part of our admissions process.
For full details on how to apply, including key dates, admissions criteria, and information about the Wandsworth Test, please see the information below or contact the school directly. We look forward to welcoming your daughter to Burntwood School.
Admissions Criteria
Burntwood School has 240 places available in Year 7. Each year, 60 places are offered to girls who receive the highest scores in the Wandsworth Year 6 Test (Category 1). A further 180 places are offered to children in the order detailed in our Admissions Policy (Category 2); these places are offered irrespective of Wandsworth Year 6 Test Score.
To apply for a place at Burntwood School, please complete the Secondary Application Form in your home borough. Places are allocated in line with the preference order detailed on the form, so selecting Burntwood School as a first or second preference will increase your child’s chances of being allocated a place. Application Forms should be completed by 31 October 2025. Secondary offers will not be shared with schools or families until March 2026.
As an all-girls school, our catchment is larger than that of other, local mixed schools and we regularly accept students from Lambeth, Merton, Croydon and Southwark.
Wandsworth Year 6 Test
Burntwood School is one of 4 schools in Wandsworth which requires applicants to take the Wandsworth Year 6 Test. This consists of two papers - Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning - and 60 places are offered at Burntwood to those applicants scoring the highest aggregate score in these papers. Applicants with an equal score will be prioritised by distance order with applicants living nearest the school given higher priority. We are committed to being a truly comprehensive school and offer our further 180 places irrespective of test scores.
Registration for the Wandsworth Year 6 Test must be completed by early September, and the test is sat at one of the 4 secondary schools in late September. Families receive test results in mid-late October, prior to the secondary schools application deadline. Whilst some families choose to prepare their child for the Wandsworth Year 6 Test, this is not an expectation. At Burntwood School, we do not operate a system of streaming and outcomes in the test will not affect your child’s point of entry.
Admission arrangements for pupils with SEND
Burntwood School is an inclusive school with excellent provision for students with SEND. We work closely with a range of external professionals, and host a Resource Base specifically for girls with complex Social & Emotional Mental Health Needs.
Families attending our Open Events will have an opportunity to visit the Learning Support Department and speak with our specialist staff. We are also happy to provide families with a private tour of the school to explore the suitability of the environment, and discuss their child’s provision, in greater depth.
As part of our Admissions and Transition Programme, we work closely with primary schools to share relevant SEND information, guidance and support. We also ask that families provide us with as much information as possible as part of this process. There are specific opportunities for this, but families are also welcome to contact our SENCo prior to, or during, the application process - senco@burntwoodschool.com.
If your child has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), you should consult with your allocated Local Authority advisor to discuss the suitability of Burntwood in advance of applying. Applications for admission of EHCP students do not come through the usual admissions process, and should be named by the Local Authority. Once this has been arranged, we will meet with you and your child and provide additional support through the admissions process.
Waiting list & Appeal Arrangements
Further to Secondary Offer Day in March 2026, Burntwood School operates a waiting list. Applicants are ranked according to the school’s oversubscription criteria as outlined in our Admissions Policy. This means that students can move up and down the waiting list, depending on whether a new application is received or a child on the list moves closer to the school. If you have queries about your child’s place on the waiting list, wish for your child to be added, or wish to change your school preference order - please contact your Local Authority and Burntwood Admissions - admissions@burntwoodschool.com.
Applicants refused a place at the school have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel. Parents wising to appeal should be visit the Wandsworth School Admission Appeals Service for further information or call the Appeals Service on 020 8871 7554 for a paper form to be posted. The timetable for 2025's Year 7 appeals process will be available on the Admissions Appeal page.
In the meantime, please 2025 timetable below, for an understanding of the timeframes involved.
In Year Admissions
Outside of the secondary admissions process, families can apply for a place at Burntwood School via the In-year admissions and transfer system. This may include families who:
- Recently have moved into the area
- Recently have moved into the country, e.g. previously educated abroad
- Wish to transfer from another secondary school
To apply for a place at Burntwood School, you must complete the Secondary Transfer Application in the borough in which you live - e.g. if you live in Wandsworth, complete a Wandsworth Secondary Transfer Form. This is available via the Pupil Services department which operates as part of your local borough council. The Secondary Application Form allows families to apply to schools within and beyond their home borough.
If you are considering applying for an in-year place at, or transfer to, Burntwood School, and would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us - admissions@burntwoodschool.com.
For further details of our Admissions arrangements, please see our Admissions Policy
