Years 7 and 8 at Somerhill

Letter to Somerhill parents

Girls join Years 7 and 8 at Somerhill

From September 2028

From September 2028, girls at Somerhill will be able to remain with us until the end of Year 8, as our boys do now. This will allow every child to benefit from the full prep school journey, from age 2 to 13.

Children develop at different rates, and these additional years provide valuable time to grow and mature, both academically and personally, before moving on to senior school.

Somerhill has many years of experience in educating pupils through Years 7 and 8. We understand how to support them during this formative stage, as they grow in confidence, develop as leaders and take on meaningful responsibilities as the eldest pupils in the school. They leave Somerhill well prepared for the next stage of their education.

This is an exciting development for Somerhill, and we look forward to leading the school into this new phase and offering girls the same benefits our boys have enjoyed for many years.

Rhian Thornton

Head, Somerhill

Questions and answers

The decision

  • From September 2028, girls at Somerhill will be able to stay with us until the end of Year 8, just as our boys do today. We will also welcome girls joining Somerhill from other schools into Year 7. It means every child at Somerhill can now enjoy the complete prep school journey, from age 2 to 13.

  • Children develop at different rates, and these additional years provide valuable time to grow and mature, both academically and personally, before moving on to senior school.

    Somerhill has many years of experience in educating pupils through Years 7 and 8. We understand how to support them during this formative stage, as they grow in confidence, develop as leaders and take on meaningful responsibilities as the eldest pupils in the school. They leave Somerhill well prepared for the next stage of their education.

  • We are sharing the decision now to allow time for considered and collaborative planning.

    As part of this, we will undertake a consultative process with parents and pupils, listening to their views and keeping families informed throughout.

  • The decision was approved by our Board of Governors in November 2026, following careful work with our Head, Rhian Thornton, and the Senior Leadership Team.

  • We believe that these years give pupils more time to grow academically and personally in a safe, familiar environment, while building established relationships and taking on leadership roles.

    They also provide expert preparation for a wider range of senior schools at 13.

  • Nothing changes for them. Their Somerhill experience continues exactly as it is now, and they will have moved on to their senior schools before girls join Year 7 in September 2028.

  • The distinctive features of Years 7 and 8 will remain unchanged. All subjects will continue to be taught in single-sex classes, while girls and boys will share break times, assemblies and co-curricular activities, as they do throughout the prep school currently.

    A larger community will bring broader friendships, new perspectives and a greater range of voices to school life.

  • The structure for girls in Years 7 and 8 will mirror the rest of the prep school, with girls taught separately from boys. As in Years 3 to 6, girls and boys will come together for breaktimes, clubs, musical ensembles, cricket and residential trips.

    As with the boys, girls in Years 7 and 8 will train together for sport, with teams selected across the two year groups.

  • No. There will be no other changes to the rest of the school.

  • Girls currently in Year 5 will be the first who can continue into Year 7 in September 2028. We will be in touch with families in the coming months to explain the next steps.

    If your daughter is currently in Year 6 and you would like her to remain at Somerhill in September 2027, please email admissions@somerhill.org as this is certainly something we can consider if numbers allow.

  • In the short term, please contact our registrar, Hannah Kirsop, at admissions@somerhill.org if your daughter is currently in Year 5 and you are interested in her remaining at Somerhill for Years 7 and 8.

  • Of course. Somerhill achieves more grammar school places at the Kent Test than any other local prep school, and we will continue to prepare girls for the Kent Test and 11+ entry with the same care and ambition. Every family can choose the path that suits their daughter, and we will help you make that decision.

For current families

Learning and next schools

  • We will have a clearer idea of class sizes for Year 7 closer to September 2028. Classes will remain small, so that every pupil is known, stretched and supported.

  • Yes. Girls in Years 7 and 8 will follow the same ambitious programme as the boys do currently. We have an excellent record of preparing pupils for 13+ entry, with many securing scholarships to their senior schools.

  • Many leading girls' and co-educational senior schools admit girls at 13+. Our team will guide each family through the options and the application process.

    We believe the additional two years will be a real advantage, giving girls more time to mature, develop as leaders and broaden their horizons before beginning senior school confident and well prepared. Please come along to our ‘Talking Heads’ Senior Schools Fair on Tuesday 26th January 2027 to hear directly from the heads of neighbouring senior schools about the benefits of remaining at prep school for Years 7 and 8. Please see here for more information.

Pastoral care, sport and school life

  • Pastoral care is at the heart of everything we do at Somerhill. Every pupil in Years 7 and 8 has a form teacher who knows them well, and girls will be supported by our experienced staff and matrons. As the finer details are agreed, we will share more information about the pastoral approach, which will build on the support already provided in the junior years and for our senior boys.

  • As the eldest pupils in the school, Year 7 and 8 girls and boys will lead Somerhill together, taking on roles of real responsibility and acting as role models for our younger pupils.

  • Girls in Years 7 and 8 will enjoy a full competitive programme of games and fixtures, with expert coaching and the space of our 150-acre grounds.

For prospective families

  • If you are interested in a place in Year 7 2028 at Somerhill, please contact our registrar, Hannah Kirsop, at admissions@somerhill.org who will be able to advise.

  • We are happy to accept applications for all future academic years. Please contact our admissions team at admissions@somerhill.org and they will be in touch to discuss the next steps.

Next steps

  • We warmly invite you to our Years 7 and 8 Showcase on Thursday 14th January 2027, where you can ‘step inside’ Years 7 and 8 at Somerhill to find out about everything we offer.

    Current Somerhill parents will be sent information on this soon. If you are a prospective parent and keen to attend, please email admissions@somerhill.org.

  • Yes. We will provide opportunities for parents, pupils and staff to ask questions and share their views as plans develop.

  • Further details will be shared over the coming months as planning progresses.