Admissions











Cobham Free School is a state-funded, independent and co-educational school for pupils aged between 4 and 18. We opened in September 2012 with Reception, Years 1 and 2. We have since grown steadily and at September 2020 we catered for Reception and Years 1 - 6 in the Junior Department, Years 7 - 11 in the Senior Department and Year 12 - 13 in the Sixth Form Department. 

Methods of Admission into Cobham Free School

There are 4 methods of admission to enter into Cobham Free School:

Our Published Admissions Number (PAN) for entry in September 2024, is 48 pupils for admission into Reception, 56 pupils for admission into Year 7 and 60 into Year 12.

We offer a limited number of pupils the opportunity of a Music Award scholarship priority at the time of normal admission into Reception,  Year 7 and Year 12. Details of how the scheme works can be found on the Music Award Scheme page >.

Pupil Premium priority applications must be accompanied by a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) which will need to be completed on our website (or via paper copy which can be requested from our Admissions Team).

1. Admissions into Reception (for entry at the start of the next academic year)

For admissions at the normal entry point into Reception at age 4 in the September of the next academic year, admissions will be coordinated by Surrey County Council. To apply for a Reception place via this admissions process, please apply via Surrey County Council School Admissions website (see link below). The closing date for applications is normally mid January and 'offer date' around mid April in the calendar year of entry (for example, for entry into Reception in September 2024 the closing date for applications will be 15 January 2024 and applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application on 15 April 2024). If you miss the deadline see Surrey County Council - Late Primary Applications for guidance. Please check the Surrey County Council School Admissions website for their published dates.

Music award applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application before 15 January. If you receive and accept an offer of a music scholarship, you will be ranked according to criteria number 5 in the over-subscription criteria within our Admissions Policy.  If you are placed on the reserve list for the Music Award, you will be notified if/when we are able to offer you a music scholarship. 

If you are applying for Pupil Premium priority, in addition to filling in the Surrey website form you will also need to complete our on-line Supplementary Information Form (SIF) via the link below on this website. If you need a paper copy of the SIF form please contact the Admissions Team.

2. Admissions into Year 7 (for entry at the start of the next academic year)

For admissions at the normal entry point into Year 7 at age 11 in the September of the next academic year, admissions will be coordinated by Surrey County Council. To apply for a Year 7 place via this admissions process, please apply via Surrey County Council School Admissions website (see link below). The closing date for applications is normally the end of October of the year prior to entry (for example, for entry in September 2024 the closing date will be 31 October 2023). If you miss the deadline please see Surrey County Council - Late Secondary Applications for guidance. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application on 1 March in the calendar year of entry (for example 1 March 2024 for entry in September 2024). Please check the Surrey County Council School Admissions website for their published dates.

Music award applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application before the end of October. If you receive and accept an offer of a music scholarship, you will be ranked according to criteria number 5 in the over-subscription criteria within our Admissions Policy.  If you are placed on the reserve list for the Music Award, you will be notified if/when we are able to offer you a music scholarship. 

Applicants applying for Pupil Premium priority must also complete our on-line Supplementary Information Form (SIF) on this website via the link below in addition to filling in the Surrey County Council application form. If you need a paper copy of the SIF form please contact the Admissions Team.

3. Sixth Form Admissions (Year 12) for entry at the start of the next academic year

Cobham Free School welcomes applications for Sixth Form entry from pupils currently at other schools and expecting to achieve a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including both English Language and Mathematics.

The minimum subject grade which must be achieved at GCSE in order to continue to study that subject at A Level will be a grade 5 or 6. For some subjects, these minimum expectations are higher. 

We would like to invite all interested students and parents to our open evening held in the Autumn Term. Please  see the link to Open Days & Notices below for details of how to register for an upcoming information event. Please also see Policies & Documents for further details of our admissions policies.

The school manages its own admissions process for Sixth Form entries. Please complete the online application form in the link below to apply for a place. Applicants may be invited for interview to discuss subject choices. 

We offer a limited number of pupils the opportunity of a Music Award scholarship priority at the time of normal admission into Year 12.

4. In-Year Admissions (at any time)

In-Year Applications for Junior (Reception to Year 6)

If you would like to apply for a place, please apply directly to Cobham Free School using the online Junior In-Year Admissions Application Form >. If you need a paper copy please contact the Admissions Team.  Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within 10 school days. 

Please note waiting lists are ranked according to our over-subscription criteria, details of which are available in our admissions policy which can be found in Policies & Documents. 

In-Year Applications for Senior (Years 7, 8, 9 and 10)

If you would like to apply for a place, please apply directly to Cobham Free School using the online Senior In-Year Admissions Application Form >. If you need a paper copy please contact the Admissions Team.  Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within 10 school days. 

Please note waiting lists are ranked according to our over-subscription criteria, details of which are available in our Admissions Policy which can be found in Policies & Documents.

Open Days and Further Information

Open Days

Cobham Free School holds a number of open day events in the autumn and summer terms where prospective applicants are able to find out more information about the school and our admissions arrangements. More information can be found in Open Days & Notices.

Admissions Team

If you have any queries or wish to obtain paper copies of our application forms, please contact the admissions team by phone on 0330 330 0237 (option 3) or by email at: admissions@cobhamfreeschool.org.uk 

Further Information

Details of our Admissions Arrangements, Admissions Policy and Admissions Appeals Timetable can be found in Policies & Documents. Further information about Cobham Free School (for example; term dates, pupil premium, music award scheme, curriculum, exams / assessment, pastoral care, extended day, school sites, policies and documents) can be found in other sections on this website in About, Junior, Senior, Sixth Form and School Info.

Admissions Appeals

Parents who are unsuccessful in their application for a place for their child have a right of appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel. Please contact the admissions team by email at admissions@cobhamfreeschool.org.uk or telephone 0330 330 0237 (option 3) for further details. The Appeals Timetable which contains details on this process can be found in Policies & Documents >