ISEB was created in 1903 to run Britain’s oldest exam, the Common Entrance (CE). For 120 years, we have been the examination board that has sat at the heart of the UK’s independent and international schools. Our long and respected heritage means we are trusted by schools, teachers, pupils and families, and our independence means we are able to continue to innovate in assessment design.
Building on the trusted foundation of our CE exams, we offer a growing range of diverse and flexible assessment options for schools located all over the world, whether independent, maintained or state-funded. All our assessments and qualifications are developed in collaboration with schools, teachers, pupils and families, through pilots and trials, and in response to feedback and consultation. With an unrivalled reputation for robust and bespoke assessments, we work with all the major UK education associations and the UK government to continually innovate, always putting pupil outcomes at the centre of what we do. ISEB is committed to evolving assessments for future generations.
Examination papers taken by candidates in the last 5 years.
Prep, junior and senior schools who have used our examinations.
Countries around the world in which pupils have sat our examinations.
We place a set of four core principles at the centre of all our assessments. All our assessments are:
Our proven and trust-worthy expert assessment design is based on the highest quality academic research and data.
Our assessments are accessible to all pupils, regardless of their background, culture and individual needs.
We provide a wide range of free information, advice and support, tailored to the communities we work within.
Our user-friendly assessments and qualifications put pupils, families, teachers and schools first, and are informed by meaningful dialogue, feedback and consultation.
ISEB is led by CEO Julia Martin and Chair Wendy Griffiths, supported by three Vice-Chairs, one from each of our Patron Associations: HMC, IAPS and GSA. An ever-growing team of passionate and dedicated staff also drive us forward, supported by a wide range of education experts and consultants. Meet some of our customer-facing colleagues here.
Julia leads ISEB and brings extensive experience in the education sector and assessment design, as well as specialist skills in product innovation and digital transformation to the role.
Carolyn leads on all marketing and communications activities. Having joined ISEB at the beginning of 2022, Carolyn brings a wealth of experience in the education and technology sectors.
As Head of Qualifications & Delivery, Hayden is responsible for the operation of all ISEB assessments and qualifications, including managing customer experience and working with our team of setters and
Sophie is responsible for the introduction and development of new digital products and qualifications and is Acting Product Manager for the ISEB Common Pre-Tests.
As the Acting Product Manager for CE and CASE, Tamra supports the production, publishing and distribution of printed exam papers and works closely alongside our item authors and contributors.
Pilvi supports all aspects of our product, assessment and qualification portfolio as the Acting Qualifications and Delivery Manager, including responding to customer enquiries through our support portals.
Lisa supports ISEB’s accounts and finance processes, as well as the administration and operations of our exam sessions.
Tulio works as part of the Marketing & Communications team and closely with our schools and customers providing bespoke account management and leading our international engagement strategy.
Sophie supports all marketing, publishing, and communications activities across ISEB, as well as the development and maintenance of our website and online shop.
Zoe supports marketing and communication activities across promotional channels and coordinates ISEB involvement in external events and conferences, organising CPD webinars and training.
We are guided by a supportive Board, made up of highly respected and experienced members from across the independent sector. The Board meets with our senior team regularly to assist and advise on our qualifications, products, and growth plans.
The Board is made up of Heads from ISEB's three Patron Associations:
The Board is led by a Chair, supported by three Vice-Chairs, one from each of our Patron Associations.
Wendy Griffiths brings a wealth of experience in the independent school sector to ISEB, having served on five prep school governing bodies and, most recently, as Head of Tudor Hall School in Oxfordshire. Wendy has been a member of the Executive of the Girls Schools Association, a team inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate and spent many years on the Executive Committee of the Boarding Schools Association (BSA). As BSA Chair, Wendy oversaw the appointment of the first CEO from outside of education, and a period of considerable development, diversification, and expansion. Wendy’s experience makes her uniquely placed to support ISEB’s vision to support schools, teachers, and families through impactful, equitable assessments, services, and resources.
Jane Gandee is the Headmistress of St Swithun’s School in Winchester. Prior to that she was Director of Studies at The City of London School for Girls and Head of Modern Languages at Queenswood School. Jane served on ISEB’s Academic Committee for Languages and Classics before being elected to her current post as Vice-Chair representing GSA.
Alex Peterken is Vice-Chair of ISEB representing HMC, a Governor at Lambrook School, a former Governor at Pinewood and Brambletye Schools, and a former member of the Guildford Diocesan Board of Education. Educated at Eton College, Alex read Theology at the University of Durham, and was also a Choral Scholar at Durham Cathedral. He holds an MA in Educational Management and a Doctorate in Education. Alex’s first teaching post was at Charterhouse where he spent 11 years in several posts including Head of Theology, Head of Higher Education & Careers Guidance and Housemaster of Saunderites. He joined Cheltenham College as Deputy Headmaster in 2008 and became Headmaster in September 2010. Alex returned to Charterhouse as Headmaster in January 2018.
Ben Beardmore-Gray is Vice-Chair of ISEB representing IAPS, an alumnus of Ludgrove School and Ampleforth College; Ben went on to qualify as a lawyer at Newcastle University. After spending time in the city, Ben chose to return to Ludgrove School, becoming a fully qualified teacher and progressing to take on the Deputy Headship at Farleigh School in Hampshire. Following this, Ben was Headmaster of Mowden Hall in Northumberland for just under 7 years and became Headmaster at Moulsford School, his current position, in September 2014.
Our team is growing rapidly — visit our recruitment page to be kept up to date with employment opportunities. We are also always looking for examination setters to join our team. If you would like to find out more about this please email us at recruitment@iseb.co.uk with information about your background, expertise and experience.
The team at ISEB are on hand to support all schools in introducing, developing and delivering high-quality, academically robust qualifications and assessments for every school year. Whether your school currently uses ISEB or is interested in our exceptional products, please get in touch with the team who will be happy to help support your school in achieving excellence.
ISEB is among a growing collection of assessment and awarding bodies to sign the Federation of Awarding Bodies Equity, Diversity & Inclusion pledge signalling an organisational commitment to embedding the principles of EDI at all levels of practice.
The pledge comes at a particularly exciting time for ISEB as CEO Julia Martin highlights; “We have commissioned research that has already had an impact on the access and outcomes of many pupils’ assessments this year and have a number of really exciting projects ongoing as we speak, to ensure our provision for neurodiverse pupils grows substantially in line with our pledge.”
Following its success in 2024, our Time to Write creative writing competition is back for the 2025 edition! This exciting contest, open to pupils aged 7-16 across the UK, offers
We are excited to announce the release of the winners’ books from the Time to Write 2024 competition! This year’s first-place winners were awarded the opportunity to see their stories
ISEB proudly sponsors the GSA’s Go Bold 2024 Photography Competition, a major highlight of the GSA’s inspiring event series celebrating young women’s talents. This year’s theme, ‘Time’, encouraged students nationwide
With senior school admissions approaching, parents are increasingly focused on understanding the ISEB Pre-Tests and how to support their children’s preparation. For a comprehensive breakdown of these adaptive assessments and
Join ISEB in celebrating National Poetry Day and embrace poetry’s power as a tool for verbal reasoning preparation. Engaging with poetry is a powerful way to develop and consolidate linguistic
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