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Did you happen to read The Guardian's Christmas Eve (2022) edition? It featured a shocking tale of grading malpractice that allegedly took place during the COVID lockdowns. Apparently, nearly every student received A* or A marks on their A-Levels. A rather extraordinary feat, wouldn't you say?
This scandal notwithstanding, North London Collegiate School is one of the most prestigious private schools in London. So renowned is this school that South Korea, Singapore and Dubai have established sister campuses in their countries. Why wouldn't they? North London Collegiate School offers students the chance to take part in:
- the national charity Young Enterprise
- Model United Nations
- the Duke of Edinburgh Award
- World Challenge expeditions
To be sure, for all the good that this school brings and does, that grade inflation scandal is unsettling. And let's not overlook the fact that North London Collegiate School charges a higher tuition than comparable schools in and around London. But there's good news on both fronts. Ofqual's investigation into the grades matter is complete and the school suffered little harm. Also, your daughter might qualify for a bursary. So let's let go of our shock and find out how to get into North London Collegiate School.
About North London Collegiate School
North London Collegiate School is an independent day school for girls aged four to 18. It was established in 1850 in the family home of Frances Mary Buss. You might be interested to know that this school is widely considered to be the first girls' school to offer the same curriculum taught at boys' academies. Also, Mrs Buss is, quite literally, the UK's first headmistress. She insisted her students address her in that manner.
As the top school in the country for both IB and GCSE, North London expects much from their girls and provides much in return. The school boasts 30 acres of sports fields, a 350-seat Performing Arts Centre, and an international perspective through over 30 annual foreign school trips. And let's not forget those overseas campuses! Not even the renowned Henrietta Barnett School could make such a claim, though that facility is also involved in the same ventures as North London.
“At North London Collegiate School we believe that happy students are successful students. All our teachers have specific pastoral responsibilities to make sure that every girl flourishes socially and academically. We celebrate both academic and non-academic achievement and our students emerge as well-rounded, happy and balanced individuals.”
How to Know if North London Collegiate School is Right for You
Like most schools, North London Collegiate School hosts several Taster mornings and Open Events throughout the autumn term. Open events are unique to each school. For instance, the Lady Eleanor Holles School events are run much the same way - and for the same reasons as this school does. These events will allow you and your daughter to experience for yourselves what the school has to offer.
The Taster for students entering at 7+ runs in tandem with the School in Action mornings. These parallel events allow parents to tour the school and speak with staff and students while their daughters are immersed in NLCS lessons and games. Bookings for both 7+ Taster and School in Action mornings will open early in the autumn term. The first Taster Morning for students entering at 11+ will be held in September. Attendance at that event requires registration.
If you are looking for a more broad-scope visit for both you and your daughter, consider attending a North London Collegiate School Open Event. The Open Events are generally held towards the end of September for the Junior school. Senior school Open Events take place during the first part of October. For enquiries or to register your interest, please contact 7+ Admissions or 16+ Admissions.
North London Collegiate School Admissions Policy
Regardless of which entry point your daughter stands close to, 7+, 11+ or 16+, you should begin the registration process one year ahead of their projected entry date. For the two younger entry points, the registration deadline is usually around the middle of November. Girls entering at 16+ must contact the school registrar's office and register before October.
North London Collegiate School Interviews and Examinations
Entrance Tests for girls entering 7+ will begin in January the same year as their entry year. The test is divided into two sections that are taken separately. The first section will be a written test and will focus on assessing your daughter’s literacy and numeracy skills.
If she is successful, she will be invited back to the school for the second section. At that time, she will participate in a classroom environment to fully experience NLCS. Please feel free to read through NLCS’s sample English paper or sample Maths paper with your daughter. This will help her get familiar with what to expect and boost her confidence before her assessment day. You can find these papers available on the school's website.
As with admissions at Francis Holland Regent's Park, girls entering 11+ at North London Collegiate will write their Entrance Examination in English and Maths the January preceding entry. If your daughter does well on her exam, she will be called back to sit for an informal interview before mid-February. It should be noted that NLCS is not part of the North London Independent Girls’ Schools’ Consortium. Therefore, your daughter will write separate exams. To prepare, take a look at NCLS’s sample Maths and English papers, or English script.
Lastly, 16+ candidates will sit their Entrance Tests beginning in mid-November, the year preceding entry. The subjects by which girls are assessed are based on their subject choices for Sixth Form and the common core of the GCSE syllabuses. Selected girls will then interview with the relevant Heads of Department later that month.
Their performance on the Entrance Test and in the interview, as well as a positive reference and GCSE predictions from their current school, will decide whether she is accepted to NCLS. Usually, offers are unconditional. To prepare for their exams, girls are encouraged to revise with the abundance of resource centres available online. While interviews are a little more tricky to prep for, remember that schools are simply interested in getting to know their future students. Interview candidates should try to relax and let their passions speak for themselves. Good luck!
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