Putney High School Overseas Applicants: 11+ Entry 2027

Putney High School is a selective independent school for girls in the Girls’ Day School Trust. For Year 7 (11+) entry in September 2027, the application deadline is 12 noon on 3 November 2026 and the first-stage assessment is on Friday 20 November 2026; a footnote on the school’s senior admissions page says “we can accommodate applicants sitting this exam overseas”. Shortlisted girls then sit the Athena Assessment on Wednesday 13 January 2027.

This page follows Putney’s own pages and policies, and labels each rule and date with the entry it serves: Year 7 (11+), September 2027. The wider rules for families abroad are in our 11+ from overseas guide; the other London schools sit on the London independent schools overseas hub; and Putney’s first-stage format and dates, and its scholarship assessments, are on its 11+ school page.

What does Putney’s Overseas policy require of a family abroad?

The rules for an applicant living abroad are in Putney’s Admissions Policy and Procedures. The edition linked from the school’s policies page is marked “Last Review Date: September 2026”. Each rule below is quoted as the policy writes it, under the heading it sits beneath: “Overseas”, “GDST Admissions Policy” or the registration paragraphs.

• An adult within reach. The section opens: “We welcome overseas applicants, provided they have a parent, an education guardian or a legal guardian living within a reasonable distance of the school with whom they can reside.”
• Where she lives. Under the GDST Admissions Policy heading: “A pupil (other than a boarder) must reside with her parent/s or legal guardian while attending the school, or with someone else approved by her parent/s or legal guardian and the Head. Pupils whose parents are overseas must have an educational guardian in the UK and parents must notify the school of the name and address of the guardian.” See also our guide to educational guardians.
• Immigration status. Under the Overseas heading: “Parents of overseas applicants will be asked to confirm the applicant’s immigration status. The school will comply with UK Visas and Immigration requirements for applicants that do not hold a UK passport or who do not have UK right of residence.”
• The right to study. Under the GDST Admissions Policy heading: “A pupil must have the right to study in the UK for the duration of her enrolment at the school. The school will request evidence of this during the admissions process, normally in the form of a British or Irish passport or valid visa documentation. The school reserves the right to rescind an offer where the right to study cannot be evidenced.” Our guide to the Child Student visa covers the visa route.
• English. Under the Overseas heading: “In order to cope with the high academic and social demands of the school, applicants must be fluent English speakers.”
• Age. In its registration paragraphs the policy says “At other entry points, applicants are unlikely to be considered for admission unless they are the normal age of admission on 1st September for their year group. Exceptions are occasionally made if there are strong reasons for believing this is in the pupil’s best interests.” Our guide to which year group a child joins sets out the birth dates for Year 7 in September 2027 and where classes abroad fall.

Putney’s EAL School Policy says, under “School Context”: “A competitive entrance exam and high academic standards applied across all subjects mean that the school does not cater for EAL beginners. All students who speak English as an additional language at Putney are advanced learners of EAL.” Its admissions paragraph reads: “All students applying for a place at Putney High School sit the same exam and are expected to meet the same entry criteria. The exam formally assesses candidates’ ability to read and write in English to a high standard. Students with a clear EAL need are offered a bilingual dictionary and extra time in line with the JCQ criteria for GCSE examinations.”

The questions these rules raise for a particular family — which adult counts, which documents, and by when — are in the written questions near the end of this page.

Which dates does Putney set for September 2027 entry?

The senior admissions page lists seven steps under “Key Dates for 11+ Entry September 2027”. The table gives each step in the school’s own words, with the page that carries it; the term dates page adds the first day of Year 7.

How does a family abroad register before 12 noon on 3 November 2026?

Registration runs through the school’s online system. The policy says: “Before an applicant can be considered for a place, an application form must be completed and submitted via the school’s online admission and enrolment system, Admissions+.” The senior admissions page gives the deadline as “The application deadline, including scholarship and bursary applications is 3 November 2026 (12 noon).” It adds: “Please email admissions@put.gdst.net should you have any questions about 11+ entry.”

The policy describes a reference from the applicant’s current school: “Candidates are selected for the second stage, The Athena Assessment, based on factors including their performance in the online entrance examination and their reference from their current school. The Head Teacher of the applicant’s current school will be asked to provide a written reference as to the applicant’s academic ability, attitude, talents and interests and any special circumstances.”

If the 12 noon deadline is UK time, the table below gives the hour elsewhere. On 3 November 2026 the UK is on Greenwich Mean Time. GOV.UK lists 25 October 2026 for the clocks going back and 28 March 2027 for them going forward, and says “When the clocks go back, the UK is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).” The gap in the second column is each zone’s standard offset in the IANA time zone database, including the links it records between zones.

Between those two clock changes the UK is on GMT, so the same gaps apply on Friday 20 November 2026 and Wednesday 13 January 2027. Our time zones guide shows the gaps for other cities.

Where can a girl abroad sit the first-stage assessment on Friday 20 November 2026?

The policy names the platform for the first stage: “All applicants are invited to sit a bespoke assessment hosted on the Quest platform.” Two of Putney’s pages describe where it is sat, and they are set side by side below as the school wrote them.

On the date, the senior admissions page says: “We regret that we cannot offer an alternative date for this assessment.”

On preparation, the policy says: “Preparation in advance for admissions assessments is not recommended, and the school never releases copies of sample or past papers.” Which test each London school sets is set out on our guide to the entrance test each London school sets.

For a girl who has extra time or other arrangements at her current school, the policy says: “For Senior School 11+ and Occasional Vacancy applications, you may be interested to know that it is not uncommon for candidates to qualify for extra time in assessments at other schools but not in the examination at Putney High School due to the nature of our online exam.” The Entrance Exam SEND Policy adds: “It is parents’ responsibility to provide the necessary documentation and evidence for the consideration of accommodations in the entrance exam.” The Admissions Policy also advises: “We advise parents of children with special educational needs or disabilities to discuss their requirements with Putney High School at the point of application so that we can ensure appropriate support is in place for the entrance assessments.”

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What does Putney say about the Athena Assessment on Wednesday 13 January 2027?

The senior admissions page describes the second stage: “Successful candidates will be asked to return for our second stage, the Athena Assessment which includes a one-to-one interview.” The morning is described as follows: “The morning involves a series of group activities and a fun, creative task designed to assess how your daughter thinks, rather than what she knows. There is no preparation necessary for the Athena Assessment and we are experienced at ensuring every pupil has an opportunity to shine.” “Candidates will be with us for approximately two hours.”

As with the first stage, “We regret that we cannot offer an alternative date for this assessment.” Our guide to video interviews from abroad sets out which schools interview a child abroad online and which ask the child to come.

What happens after the Athena Assessment, up to Friday 3 September 2027?

The policy says: “Decisions will be emailed in mid-February, with selection based upon academic merit and consideration of any information about the applicant that has been submitted by their parent(s) and current school.” “The outcome of the application will be sent to families via email.”

After an offer, the policy says: “In addition, families are required to complete all the requested documentation by the deadline specified in the email offer. These documents will be held on Admissions+ and accessed through the parent log in.” On the evidence of the right to study, the policy says: “A pupil must have the right to study in the UK for the duration of her enrolment at the school. The school will request evidence of this during the admissions process, normally in the form of a British or Irish passport or valid visa documentation.” The senior admissions page gives the acceptance step as “The deadline to accept your offer of a school place will be in early March 2027 – date to be confirmed.”

The senior admissions page says “Offers will be made mid-February 2027” and “School tours and taster events for offer holders will take place in the week commencing 22 February 2027.” Putney’s term dates for the 2027–2028 school year say: “Autumn term begins: Friday 3 September – Year 7, 12 and 13 plus Senior School new starters and ‘buddies’”

What residence rule does Putney set for bursary applicants?

The residence rule below is written for bursaries. Putney’s Scholarships & Bursaries page says in its Senior School Bursaries section: “A number of means-tested bursaries are available for pupils entering Year 7 or Year 12.” Under the question “GDST bursaries; who is eligible?”, the page gives the rule: “A family’s residency status also determines eligibility. At the time of application both the child and parent are required to have one of the following: a British passport, Indefinite Leave to Remain or Settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme.”

The page lists “Confirmation of your family’s residency status” and “Assessment of eligibility by the GDST Financial Assistance Department” among the steps in applying for a bursary. It also says: “Please note the deadline for bursary applications is the same day as the application for the school.”

Which questions should a family put to Putney admissions in writing?

Each question is about the family’s own case. The senior admissions page gives one address for 11+ questions: “Please email admissions@put.gdst.net should you have any questions about 11+ entry.” Keep the replies.

1. Our daughter is in Year 6 at her current school: for the first stage on Friday 20 November 2026, which venue should we use — an appropriate body such as the British Council, her current school or Putney High School — and who confirms the arrangement in writing?
2. What UK clock time does the first stage start on Friday 20 November 2026, and which clock does a sitting arranged in our time zone follow?
3. If she is shortlisted, can the one-to-one interview on Wednesday 13 January 2027 be held remotely, can the group activities be taken from abroad, and at what UK time does each part start?
4. Who at her current school should provide the Head Teacher’s written reference, and by what date should it reach Putney?
5. Which adult in our family or guardianship arrangements counts as a parent, education guardian or legal guardian “living within a reasonable distance of the school”, and what distance does the school mean?
6. Which documents will you ask for as evidence of her right to study, and at which stage of the process?
7. Her current school gives her extra time: which documents does Putney need, and by what date, for the assessment on Friday 20 November 2026?
8. The acceptance deadline is given as early March 2027, date to be confirmed: when will the date be confirmed?
9. Year 7 and new starters begin on Friday 3 September 2027: is there a later arrival date for a family travelling from abroad?
10. Given our passports and hers, can we apply for a bursary under the residency rule on the Scholarships & Bursaries page?
11. If a younger or older sister applies at another entry point, does the Overseas section of the policy apply to her entry point, and which dates apply to her?

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed Saturday 10 October 2026 against Putney High School’s senior admissions, scholarships and bursaries, term dates and policies pages, its Admissions Policy and Procedures, EAL School Policy and Entrance Exam SEND Policy PDFs, and the GOV.UK clock-change dates.