How Do Entrance Requirements Compare at St Paul’s Girls’ School and North London Collegiate School?

St Paul’s Girls’ School in Hammersmith and North London Collegiate School in Edgware are both highly selective independent girls’ schools. Each attracts large numbers of applicants and uses a competitive admissions process designed to identify academically strong pupils who will thrive in a demanding environment. While both schools select primarily on academic ability, their entrance processes are structured slightly differently.

Main entry points

Both schools admit pupils mainly at 11+ (Year 7) and 16+ (Sixth Form).

At St Paul’s Girls’ School the principal entry points are 11+ and 16+, although there are also some junior school entry points at younger ages.

North London Collegiate School similarly admits most pupils at 11+, with additional entry into the Sixth Form at 16+.

Entrance exams at 11+

The 11+ assessment process is academically demanding at both schools, but the structure differs slightly.

At St Paul’s Girls’ School, the process typically begins with an online cognitive ability test that assesses verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and mathematical thinking. Successful candidates are then invited to sit further written examinations, usually including English comprehension and mathematics papers.

At North London Collegiate School, applicants sit written entrance examinations in English and mathematics. These papers test reading comprehension, creative writing, problem solving and numeracy skills at roughly Year 6 level.

The key difference is that St Paul’s uses a two-stage testing process beginning with an online reasoning assessment, while North London Collegiate relies primarily on traditional written papers in English and mathematics.

Interviews

Both schools include interviews as an important part of the selection process.

At St Paul’s Girls’ School, shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview where staff explore the pupil’s interests, academic curiosity and suitability for the school community.

North London Collegiate School also invites successful candidates from the written exam stage for interviews. These discussions help staff assess personality, enthusiasm for learning and communication skills.

The interview stage is important because both schools look for pupils who show intellectual curiosity and a genuine interest in learning rather than simply strong examination performance.

Competition for places

Both schools are extremely competitive.

North London Collegiate School admits roughly seventy pupils at 11+, but receives many more applications each year.

St Paul’s Girls’ School also receives a very large number of applications annually, which allows the school to select from a highly academically able group of candidates.

As a result, entrance examinations at both schools are regarded as among the most challenging in the independent school sector.

Scholarships and bursaries

Both schools offer financial support and scholarships.

St Paul’s Girls’ School offers bursaries and specialist awards such as music scholarships.

North London Collegiate School offers academic scholarships, music scholarships and means-tested bursaries designed to support talented applicants.

Sixth form entry (16+)

At age 16 both schools admit a smaller number of pupils into the Sixth Form.

Candidates normally sit subject-specific entrance examinations in the subjects they intend to study at A level or within the school’s Sixth Form programme. Interviews and strong GCSE results are also required.

Overall comparison

The entrance requirements at St Paul’s Girls’ School and North London Collegiate School are very similar in that both schools select pupils primarily through demanding academic tests followed by interviews.

St Paul’s Girls’ School tends to use a more multi-stage process beginning with an online reasoning test before written examinations, while North London Collegiate School relies mainly on written English and mathematics papers followed by interviews.

In practice, both schools are among the most academically selective in the country. Success in the entrance process normally requires strong ability in English and mathematics, excellent reasoning skills and a genuine enthusiasm for learning.