Autumn admissions with ATOM Learning

From autumn 2023, all candidates for the independent boys’ school in London will undertake Wetherby Senior’s new adaptive entrance assessment. This online test will include English, maths, and reasoning, as well as innovative content designed to assess a candidate’s ability to form connections, synthesise unfamiliar information, and think creatively.

Joe Silvester, Wetherby Senior’s Headmaster, explains: “We are delighted to be working with ATOM Learning – who have a proven track record of success – to provide a fair and fun assessment for our applicants. We are conscious that many pupils sit a number of entrance exams, including multi-stage exams for some schools, so wish to avoid unnecessary stress with just one online assessment for Wetherby Senior. Our new assessment, which will be slightly shorter than our current test, will provide high quality data, as we examine verbal and mathematical skills, plus creativity and problem-solving abilities through inventive and original challenges. The aim is that our applicants feel more relaxed and can even enjoy the assessment, whilst demonstrating their knowledge and aptitude across a range of subjects.

“Since opening our School in Marylebone in 2015, application and enrolment numbers have continued to grow, and this assessment should give our prospective pupils a chance to shine. At Wetherby Senior, we’re looking for boys with an independence of mind, who want to engage with our School community, and who are keen to learn and grow. Our pupils are encouraged to thrive – academically and socially – during their years at Wetherby Senior, which provides an excellent basis for their future success at university and in employment.”

Alex Hatvany, co-founder of ATOM Learning, added: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Wetherby Senior and look forward to working with their hugely talented staff to develop a suite of entry assessments that not only improves on the status quo but actually broadens the scope of what’s being assessed. Our tests will be designed so that candidates leave the assessment feeling even more excited about potentially joining Wetherby Senior, whilst also ensuring the School’s admissions staff have the robust data needed to make an informed decision.”

Founded in 2018, ATOM Learning currently provides entry assessments for a number of leading UK schools, as well as groups including the London 11+ Consortium – a group of 14 independent girls’ schools based in and around the capital.

Wetherby Senior’s main entry points are at Year 7 (11+) and Year 9 (13+), with assessments undertaken by applicants during their autumn term of Year 6. This new online assessment can be undertaken in a child’s current school, although Wetherby Senior will host boys who cannot sit the assessment in their school.

More information about applying to Wetherby Senior is on our School’s website. Familiarisation materials, from ATOM Learning, will shortly be available there too.