13+ · Year 9 entry
Some independent schools use ISEB Pre-Tests in Year 6 or 7, followed by school-specific interviews, assessments and/or Common Entrance. Requirements vary by school.
13+ & 16+ Independent School Entrance Preparation
Academic confidence for senior school and Sixth Form entry
Programmes are tailored to each pupil’s current level and target-school requirements, combining advanced reading, academic writing, mathematics, subject foundations and interview preparation.
Core learning priorities
13+ preparation
Advanced comprehension, writing, mathematics, reasoning and school-specific assessment practice.
16+ Sixth Form entry
Preparation aligned with proposed A Level subjects, academic assessments and interviews.
School choice and interviews
Support for confident reasoning, communication and school-specific expectations.
London school 13+ and 16+ admissions: requirements and timelines
Examples from official school admissions guidance. Deadlines and assessments vary by entry year; always confirm on the school website.
13+ entry
| School | Application / test timing | Subjects / assessment | Official admissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster School | Year 5–6 registration; Year 6 ISEB pre-test in Oct–Nov; further tests/interview Jan–Feb | ISEB English, Mathematics and Reasoning; further English and Mathematics; interview | Admissions ↗ |
| St Paul’s School | Registration in Year 5 / early Year 6; pre-test and further selection before Year 9 entry | ISEB pre-test; selected applicants take written assessments and interview | Admissions ↗ |
| King’s College School, Wimbledon | Year 6 assessment in December; interviews in January; offers in February. 2029 entry test: 5 Dec 2026 | English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning; interview | Admissions ↗ |
16+ entry
| School | Application / test timing | Subjects / assessment | Official admissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster School | 2027 entry: exams 7 Nov 2026; interviews 28 Nov 2026 | Four selected A Level subjects (45 minutes each); subject and general interviews | Admissions ↗ |
| St Paul’s Girls’ School | 2027 entry: application deadline 25 Sep 2026; baseline 1–2 Oct; written tests 9 Oct | Adaptive baseline assessment; written papers in four intended A Level subjects | Admissions ↗ |
| King’s College School, Wimbledon | 2027 entry: registration deadline 5 Oct 2026; tests 7 Nov; interviews 20–21 Nov | Sixth Form entry assessments and shortlisted-candidate interviews; check subject details with school | Admissions ↗ |
Important: Some schools do not sponsor Child Student visas. Check eligibility, boarding and visa conditions before applying.
Our programmes
Individual guidance
Contact our team to discuss schools, assessment and suitable lessons.
Latest course advertisements
Course posters are organised by year group on our Advertisements page. View the latest course information there.
View 13+/16+ adverts →North and North-West London school entrance pathways
13+ and 16+ requirements vary substantially: schools may request school reports, interviews, subject papers, reasoning tests, predicted GCSE grades or sixth-form subject prerequisites. Confirm entry year and available places with each school.
| School | Pathway to investigate | Official school website |
|---|---|---|
| North London Collegiate School | 16+; also 7+ and 11+ | Official admissions information ↗ |
| Haberdashers’ Boys’ School | Senior school and sixth form | Official admissions information ↗ |
| Haberdashers’ Girls’ School | Senior school and sixth form | Official admissions information ↗ |
| Merchant Taylors’ School | Senior school entry | Official admissions information ↗ |
| University College School | Senior school and sixth form | Official admissions information ↗ |
The schools listed are examples in north and north-west London, not a claim that every school offers both 13+ and 16+ entry. Check individual admissions pages for current entry points.
Different pathways for 13+ and 16+
Practical guidance for families · course arrangements are confirmed individually.
16+ · Sixth Form entry
Schools commonly review predicted GCSE grades, subject suitability, references and sometimes entrance assessments or interviews. Check each school’s Sixth Form subject thresholds.
Preparation with a target-school plan
Support may include English, mathematics, reasoning, academic interview practice and chosen A Level subject foundations, tailored to each school’s published criteria.
Official guidance and useful links: ISEB Common Entrance at 13+ISEB Pre-Tests family information
School admissions criteria, dates and exam specifications may change. Always check the official source for your application year.
London 13+ / 16+ school admissions
Selected London schools with official admissions links. 13+ usually means Year 9 entry; 16+ means Year 12. Dates relate to different entry cohorts and must not be interchanged.
13+ · Year 9
| School & official admissions | Assessment & key dates |
|---|---|
| Westminster School ↗ | ISEB Common Pre-Tests (English, Maths, VR/NVR), followed by interviews and school assessments; register in Y5–Y6. |
| King’s College School, Wimbledon ↗ | English, Maths and reasoning, then interviews; 2029 entry deadline 2 Nov 2026, test 5 Dec 2026, interviews 14–16 Jan 2027. |
| St Paul’s School ↗ | Boys’ 13+ pathway with early registration, pre-assessment and later selection; 2029 registration closed; 2030 opens April 2027. |
16+ · Sixth Form
| School & official admissions | Assessment & key dates |
|---|---|
| Westminster School ↗ | Four chosen A Level subject papers (45 minutes each); 2027 entry exam 7 Nov 2026, interviews 28 Nov 2026; registration closed. |
| St Paul’s Girls’ School ↗ | Baseline assessment 1–2 Oct 2026, four A Level subject papers 9 Oct 2026; 2027 deadline 25 Sep 2026. |
| Godolphin and Latymer ↗ | Entrance test 3 Nov 2026, additional maths assessment for maths applicants, interview 14 Nov; 2027 deadline 13 Oct 2026. |
| St Paul’s School ↗ | Boys’ Sixth Form: selection linked to four proposed A Level subjects; 2027 registration closed. |
Kew Learning preparation modules
13+ English & writing
Extended reading, inference, vocabulary, grammar, timed composition and structured arguments.
13+ Maths & reasoning
Multi-step problem solving, algebra and geometry foundations, VR/NVR and timed ISEB-style practice.
13+ pre-tests & interviews
Year 5–6 foundations, practice assessments, school interviews and academic communication.
16+ subject preparation
Deeper study and entrance-paper practice matched to proposed A Level subjects; subject availability confirmed individually.
16+ academic interviews
Subject discussions, explaining solutions, academic interests and confident communication.
Assessment & feedback
Identify gaps in knowledge, time management and exam technique; adapt the preparation plan to target schools.
Suggested preparation timeline
13+: research and build foundations in Y5, sit pre-tests/interviews in Y6, and prepare for Common Entrance or scholarships in Y7–Y8 where required. 16+: shortlist schools and A Level subjects in Y10, then apply, test and interview typically in Y11 autumn while maintaining GCSE performance.
Important: some 2027 entry applications are already closed. Check each official admissions page for the latest eligibility, dates and assessment details. Modules describe preparation areas, not guaranteed standalone class availability.