The Old School
11+ Admissions Guide 2026

The Old School Henstead is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged two and a half to eleven, situated in the village of Henstead. Opened by a group of parents in 1979, the school is an educational trust and a registered charity, governed by a board of governors. It is organised into two sections: the Early Years Foundation Stage for children aged two and a half to five, and the junior school for pupils aged five to eleven. The school aims to realise the potential of every pupil by offering a challenging academic curriculum alongside opportunities for adventure, personal development, and investigative experiences in its rural setting. It encourages children to be mindful of the needs of others and to develop a sound moral framework, with the hope that they will become resilient, lifelong learners ready to make their own contribution to the wider world. Pupils come from a range of professional and farming backgrounds, mostly from white British families living within the Waveney Valley area of north Suffolk. The school's own assessments indicate that the ability of pupils is above average, and the curriculum is adapted to meet a range of individual needs accordingly.