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- Deferred Entry: Securing a Year 9 Place While Your Child Is in Year 6
Deferred Entry: Securing a Year 9 Place While Your Child Is in Year 6
Plan Ahead With Deferred Entry at Mill Hill School
As your child reaches Year 6, you may begin thinking about their next educational journey and how to secure the right senior school place. For families considering an independent school, deferred entry can provide valuable reassurance by allowing pupils to gain a place at their chosen senior school well in advance.
At Mill Hill School, our deferred entry process enables pupils to sit the 11+ assessment during Year 6 while deferring their entry until Year 9. This offers families certainty about their child's future education while allowing pupils to continue enjoying their prep school years before joining Mill Hill School.
What Is Deferred Entry?
Deferred entry is an admissions route that allows children to apply for and secure a Year 9 place several years before they join the School.Rather than waiting until Year 8 to begin the admissions process, pupils can complete the assessment process in Year 6 and receive an offer for entry into Year 9. For many families, this provides peace of mind and removes the uncertainty often associated with later admissions rounds.
The deferred entry route is particularly popular among pupils attending prep schools, as it enables them to benefit from the final years of their current school while already having a senior school destination secured.
Changes to the Deferred Entry Process for September 2026
From September 2026, we have introduced important changes to our deferred entry admissions process.
Previously, the assessment and admissions timeline extended over a longer period. Under the new approach, assessments, interviews and admissions decisions will be completed by October half term of Year 6.
This revised timetable has been designed with families and pupils in mind. By bringing the process forward and concluding it earlier, we aim to reduce the stress often associated with the 11+ admissions process and allow children to focus on enjoying their final years at prep school.
Early outcomes also provide families with greater clarity, enabling them to make informed decisions about their child's educational future sooner.
Why Choose Deferred Entry ?
Securing a Year 9 place through deferred entry offers a number of advantages for both pupils and their families. By completing the admissions process in Year 6, families gain the reassurance of knowing their child's next educational destination well in advance, allowing them to plan for the future with confidence.
The revised timeline also helps to reduce pressure on pupils. With assessments, interviews and admissions decisions completed by October half term, children can focus on making the most of their Year 6 experience, concentrating on their studies, friendships and extracurricular interests without the uncertainty of ongoing senior school applications.
Deferred entry also enables pupils to continue enjoying all the benefits of their current prep school during Years 7 and 8, while having the security of a confirmed place at Mill Hill School. This approach allows children to develop academically, socially and personally during these important years before moving on to senior school.
Throughout the deferred entry period, our Admissions team remains in contact with families, providing guidance and support to ensure a smooth and positive transition. As a result, pupils can look forward to joining Mill Hill School feeling confident, prepared and excited for the opportunities ahead.
The 11+ Assessment Process
Pupils applying through the deferred entry route sit the Mill Hill School 11+ assessment during Year 6. The assessment process is designed to identify children who will thrive within our academic environment and make a positive contribution to the wider School community.
In addition to assessment performance, we consider information from a pupil's current school and other elements of their application to build a holistic understanding of each candidate. By completing the admissions process before October half term, families receive a clear outcome early in the academic year, providing certainty and allowing pupils to enjoy the remainder of their prep school journey with confidence.
We encourage families considering deferred entry to book a visit and attend one of our Open Mornings or book a place on a midweek Talk and Tour.
These events provide an opportunity to experience life at Mill Hill firsthand, meet our staff and pupils, explore our outstanding facilities and gain a deeper understanding of our academic and co-curricular offering. Whether you are at the beginning of your senior school search or ready to register your child, a visit is the perfect way to see what makes a Mill Hill education so distinctive.
