The Hammond
11+ Admissions Guide 2026

The Hammond is an independent co-educational day and boarding school near Chester, welcoming pupils aged 11 to 19 with a passion for the performing arts. Founded in 1917 and established on its current site in 1983, the school is overseen by a charitable trust and run by a board of directors. Dance, drama and music sit at the heart of school life, alongside a full academic curriculum, and financial support is available for talented performers through national funding schemes. The school has two boarding houses, one for male and one for female pupils, and values a close partnership with parents and guardians in supporting every young person. Pupils are encouraged to pursue their goals with commitment while developing their self-knowledge and confidence. Co-operation, tolerance and friendship are central to the community the school seeks to build. All pupils are considered talented in the performing arts, and the curriculum is shaped with that in mind. The school supports pupils with a range of additional needs, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, and provision is made for those for whom English is an additional language. Ability across the school is broadly in line with the national average.