Top London Private Schools with 7+ Entry (2025 Guide for Parents)
Choosing whether to prepare your child for entry to London private schools at 7+ can feel overwhelming. The 7+ (Year 3 entry) is one of the most competitive points of admission for top independent schools, with limited places available. Many parents begin researching well over a year in advance, trying to understand the process, the level of preparation required, and which 7+ school will best suit their child. We’re here to help with that!
How to Choose the Right 7+ School
Selecting a school is not just about academics; it's also about the overall experience. The best fit comes from aligning your child’s strengths, learning style, and personality with the school’s ethos.
There are multiple factors to consider, these include:
Academic vs. nurturing environment? How much pressure is appropriate for your child? Of course, most schools claim to be both, but some are more relaxed than others.
Single-sex or co-educational? Each comes with its own benefits, and much of this comes down to personal preference and personality.
School culture and values. Does your child thrive in a structured or more creative setting?
Commute and logistics. An often overlooked but crucial factor. Many schools offer a coach service, but it’s essential to verify whether your home is included in the service area.
Unsure whether to apply at 7+ or 8+?
Most leading prep schools offer 7+ entry as their central intake, but some schools also open places at 8+, although this is becoming increasingly rare.
For example, King’s College Junior School Wimbledon, Dulwich College Junior School, and several others run multiple entry points.
Always check each school’s admissions timeline early, as deadlines vary and places at later entry points can be even more competitive.
Learn more about our 8+ support here
It’s crucial to create a realistic and well-researched shortlist of schools based on competitiveness and fit. This is where U2 Tuition comes in.
We have nearly a decade of experience supporting families in the competitive 7+ process, which means we are well-versed in the schools and their admissions processes. Many of our tutors not only support students in their applications, but have attended themselves, offering first-hand insight into the variety of 7+ schools on offer. Let us help you choose the right 7+ school for your child and book a complimentary 20-minute consultation today:
Full List of London Schools with 7+ Entry (By Region)
We’ve broken down the top London private schools that offer entry at 7+ by region.
Other notable mentions that didn’t make the list:
Thomas’s, e.g. Thomas’ Battersea, Kensington, and Clapham
North London 7+ Schools
Highgate School
Location: Highgate Village, N6, close to Hampstead Heath
Entry Points: 4+, 7+, 11+, 16+
7+ Places: 50 new children join 60 pupils moving up from Pre-Prep
Exam Format: Written English and Maths test; selected applicants are welcomed back for a taster lesson and a group interview
School Type: Co-ed
Age Range: 4–18
Destinations: Many move on to Highgate Senior School
Wraparound Care: 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fees: From £9,600 per term
Bursaries: Available
University College School Junior Branch (UCS Hampstead)
Location: Hampstead, NW3
Entry Points: 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+, 16+
7+ Places: 60 total, around half from Pre-Prep
Exam Format: Listening/discussion tasks and reading assessment; English and Maths tests; observed play
School Type: Boys (girls at 16+)
Age Range: 4–18
Destinations: Most move on to UCS Senior School
Wraparound Care: 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fees: From £9,500 per term
Bursaries: Only at 11+ and 16+
Learn more about U2 Tuitions 7+ services here or via our Comprehensive Guide for 7+ Parents.
Habs Boys Prep (Haberdashers’ Boys’ School)
Location: Elstree, Hertfordshire
Entry Points: 4+, 7+, 11+, 13+, 16+
7+ Places: 66 total, including 26 new students
Exam Format: Reasoning, Maths and English; half the applicants are invited back for second-stage English and STEM assessments plus individual and group activities
School Type: Boys (co-ed campus in sixth form for some lessons)
Age Range: 4–18
Destinations: Most progress to Habs Boys Senior
Wraparound Care: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fees: From £9,800 per term
Bursaries: Senior School only
Habs Girls Junior School (Haberdashers’ Girls’ School)
Location: Elstree, Hertfordshire
Entry Points: 4+, 7+, 11+, 16+
7+ Places: 44 students, approx. 4 new
Exam Format: Maths and English assessments plus group activities; half invited back for the second stage
School Type: Girls (co-ed campus with some sixth-form co-ed lessons)
Age Range: 4–18
Destinations: Most progress to Habs Girls Senior
Wraparound Care: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fees: From £9,200 per term
Bursaries: Senior School only
North London Collegiate Junior School (NLCS)
Location: Edgware (HA8)
Entry Points: 4+, 7+, 11+, 16+
7+ Places: 8–10 new pupils joining 40 from Lower School
Exam Format: Literacy and numeracy tests; selected students attend a full “day at school”
School Type: Girls
Age Range: 4–18
Destinations: Most progress to the NLCS Senior School
Wraparound Care: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Fees: From £8,500 per term
Bursaries: Senior School only
South London 7+ Schools
Dulwich College Junior School – Dulwich College
Location: Dulwich, SE21
Entry Points: Kindergarten, 3+, 4+, 7+, 8+, 9+, 11+, 13+, 16+
7+ Places: 50–54, with 18–22 new students
Exam Format:
Stage 1: Online assessments in English, Maths, VR (verbal reasoning), NVR (non-verbal reasoning), short writing/maths tasks
Stage 2: Selected applicants are welcomed back for one-to-one literacy and numeracy assessments, and collaborative activities
School Type: Boys (Ducks co-ed)
Age Range: 6 months–18
Destinations: Dulwich College Senior School
Wraparound Care: Until 6 p.m.
Fees: From £10,000 per term
Bursaries: Yes
Alleyn’s Junior School
Location: Dulwich, SE22
Entry Points: 4+, 7+, 9+, 11+, 16+
7+ Places: 8–10 (plus Alleyn’s Oakfield 8–10)
Exam Format:
Stage 1: Assessments in English (comprehension + creative writing), Maths, Reasoning
Stage 2: NVR, a reading test, group tasks, and an individual interview
School Type: Co-ed
Age Range: 4–18
Destinations: Alleyn’s Senior School
Wraparound Care: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fees: From £9,200 per term
Bursaries: Senior School only
JAGS Prep School (James Allen’s Girls’ School)
Location: Dulwich, SE22
Entry Points: 4+, 7+, 11+, 16+
7+ Places: ~20
Exam Format: Maths, English (reading comprehension and writing), computer-based reasoning; selected students return for one-to-one oral reading and Maths tests
School Type: Girls
Age Range: 4–18
Destinations: JAGS Senior School
Wraparound Care: 7:40 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fees: £8,600 per term
Bursaries: Senior School only
West London 7+ Schools
St Paul’s Junior School (St Paul’s School)
Location: Hammersmith, W6
Entry Points: 7/8+, 11+, 13+, 16+
7+ Places: 50 (rising to 72 from 2026)
Exam Format: English (including dictation), Maths, Reasoning; strong applicants are invited back for group assessments consisting of English and Maths lessons and a problem-solving task
School Type: Boys
Age Range: 7–18
Destinations: St Paul’s Senior School
Wraparound Care: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fees: From £9,500 per term
Bursaries: Available
Latymer Prep (Latymer Upper School)
Location: Hammersmith, W6
Entry Points: 7+, 11+, 16+
7+ Places: 22 girls and 22 boys
Exam Format: English comprehension, creative writing, Maths; selected students return for an interactive group activity and interview
School Type: Co-ed
Age Range: 7–18
Destinations: Latymer Upper School
Wraparound Care: 8:10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fees: From £9,400 per term
Bursaries: Yes
Notting Hill Prep
Location: Notting Hill, W11
Entry Points: 4+ (occasional later places)
7+ Places: As available
Exam Format: Assessments in English, Maths, problem-solving, VR/NVR; an interview with the Head
School Type: Co-ed
Age Range: 4–13
Destinations: Broad range, including Harrodian, Francis Holland, City, Westminster, SHHS, KCS, Harrow, Brighton, Marlborough, Wellington; 13 scholarships in 2025
Wraparound Care: 7:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Fees: Over £10,000 per term
Bursaries: Available at 8+ and 11+
East London 7+ Schools
Forest School
Location: Wanstead, E17
Entry Points: 4+, 7+, 11+, 13+, 16+
7+ Places: 8–10
Exam Format: Computer-based standardised tests; reading comprehension, writing, Maths; a group activity
School Type: Co-ed
Age Range: 4–18
Destinations: Mostly internal progression
Wraparound Care: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fees: From £8,000 per term
Bursaries: From Year 6 onwards
Chigwell Prep School (Chigwell School)
Location: Chigwell, Essex
Entry Points: 4+, 7+, 11+, 13+, 16+
7+ Places: Not published
Exam Format: 90-minute group assessment; English and Maths entrance exams
School Type: Co-ed
Age Range: 4–18
Destinations: Chigwell Senior School
Wraparound Care: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Fees: From £7,600 per term
Bursaries: Senior School only
Central London 7+ Schools
Westminster Under School (Westminster School)
Location: Westminster, SW1
Entry Points: 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, 16+
7+ Places: 60
Exam Format: Exams in Maths, English, VR, and NVR; 50–100 students return for classroom tasks and interviews
School Type: Co-ed from 2026
Age Range: 4–18
Destinations: Westminster School; some to Eton/Winchester
Wraparound Care: Arrival from 8 a.m.; clubs until 4–5:45 p.m.
Fees: From £10,800 per term
Bursaries: Not available for Under School
City Junior School
Location: Holborn, Gray’s Inn
Entry Points: 7+
7+ Places: 72
Exam Format: Assessments in Maths, reading comprehension, and creative writing; selected pupils return for group tasks and individual conversations
School Type: Co-ed
Age Range: 7–11
Destinations: City of London School or City of London School for Girls
Wraparound Care: 7:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Fees: From £9,800 per term
Bursaries: Not available
7+ Exam Format, Preparation Strategy & Free Resources
What does the 7+ assessment involve?
Stage 1: Academic Assessment. Typically includes:
English
Maths
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning
Stage 2: Interviews & Group Activities. If successful in Round 1, children are invited back for:
Group tasks assessing communication and teamwork
1:1 or small-group interviews
In some cases, there are also additional English/Maths tasks
A reference from the child’s current school
In some cases, a short meeting with the Headteacher or senior staff for parents
What Knowledge Schools Expect at 7+
Strong command of National Curriculum Year 1 and 2 knowledge and skills:
The level of ability is dependent on the school. For many, children who perform at the Expected Level can be successful with adequate preparation.
Certain schools (e.g., Dulwich College Junior School) note that many successful applicants are working at Greater Depth by the end of Key Stage 1 or achieving standardised scores above 120
English
Demonstrate comprehension beyond surface meaning
Write imaginative stories using complete sentences, clear structure, and creative, ambitious vocabulary.
Read fluently with understanding (including aloud), demonstrating the ability to answer written comprehension questions accurately.
Write answers in complete, well-formed sentences, showing a secure grasp of meaning and accurate punctuation.
Maths
Understand and apply the four operations — addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division — to solve age-appropriate word problems.
Recall the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 times tables with growing confidence.
Show a basic understanding of shape, time, and money, and use this knowledge in simple problem-solving contexts.
Interpret simple tables and charts, explaining what the information shows.
What Schools Really Look For
Common buzz words, abilities, and qualities that top private schools state they seek include:
Intellectual curiosity and love of learning
Enthusiasm, spark, and genuine interests
Resilience and willingness to try challenging tasks
Strong problem-solving skills
Ability to work collaboratively
Suitability for the school’s environment
How to Prepare for the 7+ (Free Resources)
For the strongest chance of success, preparation should ideally begin in Year 1, especially as 7+ assessments take place in the Autumn Term of Year 2.
A longer preparation window allows children to:
Build foundational English and Maths skills
Develop resilience and confidence
Avoid unnecessary pressure or burnout
Daily Reading across fiction and non-fiction helps vocabulary, comprehension, and creativity.
Many schools provide suggested reading lists. See St Paul’s 7+ reading list as an example.
Developing Exam Technique
Many children find:
Timing challenging
Non-verbal reasoning unfamiliar
Multi-step word problems are tricky
Consistent practice with feedback is the most effective way to build speed, accuracy, and confidence.
Helpful 7+ Past Paper Resources:
St Paul’s Junior School English and Maths Guidance
Westminster Under School 7+ Guidance
Even if your target school does not publish past papers, practising with papers from similar selective schools is highly beneficial.
Check our U2 Tuition’s Comprehensive 7+ Guide for Parents.
Utilising a specialist 7+ tutor from U2 Tuition ensures your child uses appropriate practice materials and benefits from detailed feedback, personalised development strategies, interview preparation, and ongoing progress tracking.
How U2 Tuition’s Expert 7+ Tutors Support Families
Our tutors provide specialist guidance at every stage of the 7+ journey:
School selection: We help families understand the landscape of top 7+ private schools in London and match school ethos to the child’s personality and strengths.
Personalised tutor matching: After a complimentary consultation, we match you with a 7+ specialist tutor experienced with your target schools.
Curated 7+ preparation plan:
Tailored mock exams
Reading lists
VR/NVR sample questions
Past paper strategies
Detailed written feedback after every session
Interview preparation: Individual and group-based support to help your child speak confidently about their interests and engage naturally with unfamiliar tasks.
Confidence-building, supportive teaching: We focus on creating a positive learning relationship, helping children develop independence, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning.
Flexible tuition in London with one-to-one online, in-person, or hybrid tuition.
Don’t delay, book your 7+ consultation today!