Introduction
Derby High School is an independent, co-educational day school in the suburb of Littleover in Derby. Open since 1892, the school performs exceptionally well, with students achieving a 100% pass rate in recent GCSE and A Level exams.
The Year 7 curriculum comprises English, mathematics, history, geography, French, physics, chemistry and biology, along with art, music, drama, design technology, home economics, religious studies, PE, ICT and PSHE.
After classes, Derby High students take part in a wide range of activities, such as Netball, Drama, Hockey, Music, Badminton, Debating, Dance and Trampolining.
Through the provision of a first-class education, the school ensures that success and excitement for learning are prevalent amongst pupils. The supportive community allows students to make the most of the many opportunities on offer, whilst improving academically and acquiring key skills for life outside the classroom.
Derby High School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2024
Address: Hillsway, Littleover, Derby, DE23 3DT
County: Derbyshire
Admissions info: admissions@derbyhigh.derby.sch.uk or 01332 514267
School type: Independent co-ed day school
Open day: May
11+ Exam date: January of Year 6
11+ Exam type / Board: School’s own
Open Events for Derby High School 11 Plus (11+) Entry
Open Morning at Derby High includes tours and meetings with staff and current students. The Head will address all prospective families prior to the tour, and there may also be a Q&A session. To book a spot, you should complete the form available on the school’s website. Derby High’s exact location can be viewed on the map below:
Derby High School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
The first step of the admissions process includes a visit to the school. You can then proceed to register your child by completing an application form and paying a fee of £100.
The entrance examinations take place in January. Successful performance in the exams and interview, coupled with a positive current-school reference, may secure your child’s place at Derby High.
Please note that offers are accepted with a payment of a £500 deposit. The deposit is refundable, or can be used to augment the bursaries fund, depending on your preference.
Derby High School 11 Plus (11+) Scholarships and Bursaries
At 11+, the school offers Academic, Music, Art & Design, Drama and Sport Scholarships. The Academic Scholarship is awarded on the basis of performance in the entrance exam.
Scholarships in all the other categories require a written application and further assessment. The school also awards the Head’s Scholarship to a child who demonstrates outstanding all-round ability.
The Senior School runs its own Assisted Places scheme, providing financial assistance to families who can’t afford to pay the full fees. Please note that a scholarship, coupled with an assisted place, will not exceed 50% off the full fee.
Derby High School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
The Derby High School 11+ entrance examination consists of standardised (multiple-choice) tests in the following subjects:
- English (multiple-choice)
- Mathematics (multiple-choice)
- Non-Verbal Reasoning (multiple-choice)
The English paper examines comprehension and Technical English skills, including inference, spelling and punctuation.
The maths exam assesses your child’s problem-solving abilities and arithmetic skills. The paper may include questions on number, measurement, geometry, algebra and statistics.
The Non-Verbal Reasoning test measures their ability to understand, interpret and problem-solve, assessing logic and intelligence rather than knowledge.
Please see below for further details and recommendations on how to prepare for the Derby High School 11+ entrance examinations.
How to Prepare for the Derby High School 11 Plus (11+) Exam
To successfully prepare your child for the selective Derby High School 11+ entrance exam, we recommend using practice tests. Our resources fully reflect the actual 11+ exam by covering all the question types that could come up, whilst helping your child become familiar with the exam layout.
Coupled with a structured study plan, our practice tests will help you define any weak areas that require additional work at the earliest. They will also help you recognise your child’s strengths, resulting in a significant boost of their confidence in the lead up to the big day.
Furthermore, your child will get used to answering questions quickly and effectively, under time pressure. Our recommendations to help your child prepare for the Derby High School 11 plus entrance examination can be found below.
Derby High School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Practice Papers
Recommendations for each section of the Derby High School 11 Plus exam can be found below:
English: multiple-choice comprehension
We highly recommend the following packs to prepare successfully for the Derby High School 11+ English paper. They will help improve your child’s comprehension and Technical English skills:
Full Practice Tests
Technical English + Skill Specific Practice
Masterclasses
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended 11+ resources for the Derby High School English exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ English Bundle - Save 30%
Mathematics: multiple-choice format
We highly recommend the use of the following packs to help develop your child’s arithmetic and problem-solving skills within the examination context of the Derby High School 11+ maths test:
Full Practice Tests
Skill Specific Practice
11+ Fractions, Decimals & Percentages
11+ Reflection, Rotation & Symmetry
Masterclasses
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended 11+ resources for the Derby High School mathematics exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ Mathematics Bundle - Save 30%
Non-Verbal Reasoning
To develop your child’s Non-Verbal Reasoning abilities ahead of the Derby High School 11+ entrance examination, we suggest that you make use of the following packs of practice tests that cover all of the key question types:
Full Practice Tests
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Pack 1
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Pack 2
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Pack 3
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Pack 4
Skill Specific Practice
Masterclasses
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Masterclass
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended 11+ resources for the Derby High School Non-Verbal Reasoning exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Bundle - Save 30%
Don’t forget to use the code eppdiscount at checkout to get 10% off orders over £70 and 20% off orders over £250 if you don’t buy a bundle.
Interviews
This guide covers all the key concepts your child needs to be aware of for the 11+ interview:
11+ Interviews – The Complete Guide
Why do some of the recommendations above show me grammar school papers?
The main difference between independent and grammar school papers is the question format. Independent schools usually assess with standard format questions, which means students need to write out full answers. Grammar schools usually use multiple-choice format questions.
Whilst Derby High School is an independent school, they actually use the grammar school (multiple-choice) format for some of their exams, which is why they are included in the recommendations above.
Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions were included in Derby High School 11+ past papers. The information provided about Derby High School was believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the post.
Other entry points for Derby High School:
Click here to learn about Year 3 entry via the 7 Plus (7+) Exam