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Latymer Upper School: 11 plus entry guide

By Atom | May 24, 2023, 10:58 AM

Latymer Upper School, London

Are you considering Latymer Upper School for your child? We've collated everything you need to know about entry to Year 7, including key dates and what's covered on the entrance exam.

About Latymer Upper School

Latymer Upper School is one of London’s leading private schools for boys and girls. It was founded in the 17th century by lawyer Edward Latymer, who was committed to using his wealth to educate eight boys from disadvantaged backgrounds in the local area. This vision is still evident in the school’s ongoing campaign to raise enough funds to provide financial assistance for 25% of pupils, making Latymer Upper one of the most socially-inclusive schools in the country.

Pupils at Latymer School study a broad and stimulating curriculum in Years 7 and 8, including contemporary studies in Mandarin, computer coding and design. A tailor-made course on World Perspectives at GCSE draws on geography, politics and economics to give pupils a broader understanding of modern world issues. Exam results are exceptionally high, and students go on to study at top-ranking institutions such as Oxbridge, Ivy League and Russell Group universities.

In 2018, the educational publication TES awarded Latymer Upper School three prestigious awards: Best Independent School, Best Senior School and Best Independent-State Partnership. The school has strong mutually-beneficial relationships with organisations, charities and state schools in the local community and beyond. All students in the Lower Sixth participate in community service each week, and the school provides opportunities for local state school students, including debating workshops and a STEM academy.

  • Headteacher: Mr David Goodhew

  • Address: Latymer Upper School, 237 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9LR

  • London Borough: Hammersmith & Fulham

  • School type: private day school

  • Number of pupils: 1,400+

  • Age range and gender: 7–18, co-educational

  • National league table rank (Sunday Times Parent Power): 25

  • A level results: 94.5% A*–B

  • GCSE results: 95.1% 9–7

Key info for Year 7 admissions

  • Admissions contact: [email protected], 020 8148 4519

  • Open day: Saturday 16th September and Saturday 7th October 2023 – book a place online

  • Overview of selection process: written tests, interview and school reference

  • Registration opens: May 2023

  • Registration deadline: Friday 13th October 2023 at midday

  • Assessment date: Wednesday 6th December 2023

Latymer Upper School fees and financial assistance

The school fees at Latymer Upper School from September 2023 will be £8,074 per term. School lunch is optional and costs between £255–£365 per term (depending on the length of the term).

Financial assistance

Latymer Upper School is able to provide means-tested financial assistance, known as bursaries, to bright children whose families would not otherwise be able to afford the school fees. Bursaries can cover between 25% and 100% of the cost of fees.

The school will look at each case on an individual basis, taking into account factors such as income, outgoings, value of property (if owned), savings, and issues affecting the parent’s ability to work.

Further details, including case studies of the types of families who normally receive bursaries, are available on the school website.

Scholarships

Latymer Upper School is also able to award scholarships to children who accept places at 11 plus. Scholarships are not means-tested but are offered to children based on excellence in a particular subject or interest.

  • Academic scholarships: no separate application is required as all candidates are automatically considered. Those awarded a scholarship typically receive a one-off payment of £1,000 at the time of entry.

  • Music scholarships: awarded based on ability and potential, tested at an audition. Most consist of a fee reduction of 10% and free tuition in two instruments.

  • Walter Legge Scholarship: a music scholarship for exceptional candidates, providing up to 40% reduction in fees.

Latymer Upper School term dates

The term dates at Latymer Upper School for 2023–24 are:

  • Autumn term: 4th September – 15th December 2023

  • Half term: 23rd October – 3rd November 2023

  • Spring term: 10th January – 27th March 2024

  • Half term: 12th–16th February 2024

  • Summer term: 19th April – 5th July 2024

  • Half term: 27th–31st May 2024

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Latymer Upper School 11 plus admissions process

Every year, around 125 children join Year 7 at Latymer Upper School from a range of primary and prep schools. There is an even split of boys and girls, and between pupils who have come from private and state schools.

1. Visit the school

If you’re considering Latymer Upper School for your child, it’s important to visit first to get a feel for the school and decide whether it would be the right fit for your child.

Open days take place on Saturday mornings in the autumn term and provide the opportunity to meet staff and students, and explore the opportunities your child could get involved in.

Find out more and book a place at an open morning.


2. Register for 11 plus entry

To begin your child’s application to Latymer Upper School, complete the online registration form. The deadline for 2024 entry is Friday 13th October 2023 at midday.

As part of the registration, you will need to pay a non-refundable registration fee of £150. If you are applying for a full bursary, make sure to complete a separate 11+ full bursary registration form to avoid paying this fee.

After you have registered your child, Latymer Upper School will write to your child’s current school to request a supporting reference.

3. Entrance exam

The entrance exam for 11 plus entry to Latymer Upper School will take place on Wednesday 6th December 2023 and will be held on the school site. Your child will be invited to either a morning or afternoon session.

The exam consists of three written papers. There will be a 20-minute break after the maths paper.

  • Maths: 1 hour. Children will be tested on the content they have been taught on the Key Stage 2 maths curriculum.

  • English comprehension: 35 minutes. Children will need to read a passage of text and answer multiple-choice questions to demonstrate their understanding and ability to analyse what they have read.

  • Creative writing: 45 minutes. Children will have a prompt and will need to use their imagination and creativity to write an expressive response.

4. Interviews

You will find out if your child has been shortlisted for the next stage of the admissions process on Tuesday 12th December 2023. If your child has performed well in the entrance exam, they will be invited back to Latymer Upper School for an interview and further activities.

Interviews will take place on Tuesday 9th January 2024. The day will include:

  • A one-to-one interview with a member of staff

  • Immersive learning activities in a classroom

Staff will be looking to find out more about your child’s character, intellectual curiosity, and ‘teachability’. See the sorts of questions your child might be asked and find out how to prepare in our guide to private school interviews.


5. Offers

Results will be sent to parents by email on Friday 9th February 2024. Latymer Upper School will offer places on the basis of the child’s performance in the entrance exam and interview, and the strength of the supporting reference received from the child’s current school.

If your child is offered a place at Latymer Upper School, you will have until March to accept.

Top tips to prepare for entry to Latymer Upper School

Latymer Upper School is a popular choice for many families in London, so entry at 11 plus is competitive. If you are embarking on the admissions process for Latymer Upper, take a look at our top tips to help prepare your child for entry.

It can be tempting to jump straight into practice papers to prepare for school exams. However, this is not an effective way to learn and can cause children to feel demotivated.

Your child should have a good understanding of the content they’ve been taught on the school curriculum before testing their knowledge with practice papers. Using a ‘little and often’ approach when recapping content is key, as our brains encode new information more effectively when dealing with smaller ‘chunks’ of information. Experts recommend study sessions should last no longer than 30 minutes for children aged 10–11.

An online learning platform like Atom Home can help your child learn and revise Key Stage 2 content. The adaptive algorithm will ensure that your child is studying at a pace that’s just right for them.

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We understand how important this next step is for them, and for you. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions you may have about applying to Latymer Upper or other selective schools.

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