Dauntsey's School
11+ Admissions Guide 2026

Dauntsey's is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in the Wiltshire village of West Lavington. Founded in 1542 by a member of the Mercers' Company, the school is a charitable trust whose governing body includes members nominated by the Mercers' Company. There are five boarding houses: Evans and Jeanne for girls in Years 10 to 13; Fitzmaurice and Mercers' for boys in Years 10 to 13; and the Manor, a house for boys and girls in Years 7 to 9. The school aims to provide a balanced, progressive and innovative academic curriculum, complemented by a wide range of extra-curricular activities. It has a strong commitment to boarding and to outstanding pastoral care, and seeks to foster self-confidence, self-worth and emotional resilience in its pupils, helping them to grow into adventurous, articulate and responsible individuals. Pupils come from a range of professional, business, and service backgrounds, with a small number of boarders from overseas. The school supports 158 pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism, and provides additional learning support for pupils for whom English is an additional language. Pupils who display particular gifts or talents are offered additional challenge both within the curriculum and through the extra-curricular programme.

Lower and middle school pupils do not have access to their phones during the school day. In the sixth form, invisible phone policy whereby they are allowed to have their phones with them and use them in specified areas, but should not be seen using them when walking around the school.