Year 7 (11+) - Notre Dame School

Year 7 entry

Year 7 is the main entry point for our Senior School. We work hard to make our admissions process as stress-free and welcoming as possible for everyone involved because we appreciate that the 11+ and choosing a senior school can be a daunting prospect for girls and parents alike. We endeavour to provide you with as much information and insight as we can to support your decision making. Our 7/25 Programme exemplifies this approach.

Our 7/25 Programme is designed for families applying for a place in our Senior School for entry in September 2025. It offers key information and invites to events which guide you and your daughter through each stage of the process.

Visiting us

Our Open Events are a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our school and the opportunities it offers.

You may prefer to schedule a private tour with our Headmistress, Mrs King and her Senior Leadership Team, who are each passionate about education and can provide you with valuable insights into our school’s ethos, teaching methods, and the unique advantages Notre Dame and an all-girls education have to offer.

11+ Assessment Day

The 11+ Assessment Day takes place on our School site and is supported by our specialist staff team. We work hard to ensure that the 11+ Assessment Day is as informal and stress-free as possible, so that it is an enjoyable day for your child.

The day consists of the following :

The 11+ Online Entrance Test (approximately 60 minutes)

This includes maths, non-verbal reasoning, verbal reasoning/comprehension. Familiarisation materials specific to our test can be found using the button below. Familiarisation Materials

Creative writing task (approximately 30 minutes)

The written task will consist of a choice of two tasks. Candidates only need to complete one. Download Writing Task

Informal interview (approximately 15 minutes)

This consists of an informal chat with our friendly staff who are keen to find out more about the candidates.

Leisure activity (approximately 15 minutes)

A fun activity to release any stresses and to help ease any nerves.

Refreshments and breaks will be provided throughout the Assessment Day. Your child will also be given a personalised timetable for the day detailing times and locations for the above tasks. Our staff will be on hand to answer any questions and to assist your daughter throughout the day.

7/25 key dates

The key dates for your diary are below. Be sure to register via this form by 31st October 2024.

Welcome to 7/25 Key Dates and Information – available from 26th February 2024
Senior School Open Day & Art Exhibition – date to be confirmed in June 2024
Scholarship Applications Open – 1st September 2024
Whole School Open Day – 12th October 2024 (Saturday)
Whole School Open Day – 17th October 2024 (Thursday)
Exam Registration and Scholarship Application Deadline – 31st October 2024
Exam Day Information – 8th November 2024
11+ Exam Day – 22nd November 2024 (Friday)
Art Scholarship Assessment – Tuesday, 26th November 2024
Drama Scholarships Assessment – Wednesday, 27th November 2024
Music Scholarships Assessment – Thursday, 28th November 2024
Sport Scholarships Assessment – Friday, 29th November 2024
Year 7 Offers and Scholarship Offers (via email) – December 2024
Offer and Scholarship Acceptance Deadline – 7th March 2025

For internal Notre Dame candidates, progression to the Senior School is subject to assessment of progress over Years 4 and 5. Formal offers will be made at the end of Year 5, after which girls will not be required to sit the entrance exam unless they would like to apply for an Academic Scholarship. For all scholarship applications, the process for internal girls is the same as that for external girls.

Feedback from Parents on our 11+ Admissions Procedure

“You have put a lot of thought into [the 11+ process] and made it fun, inviting and pleasurable for the girls, at a really stressful time for them. For us we were looking for a school that was approachable, welcoming, and one that looks at [our daughter] as an individual, rather than just being another child coming through the door."

“I wanted to email you to say that the admissions process you run is streets ahead of the experience we have had with other schools. Your warm letters to the girls explaining the process and exams has been lovely and very reassuring. It really does make a huge difference to parents and girls who are going through the very stressful process of applying for secondary schools.”

“Thank you so much for all your time and your kindness with a far less stressful 11+ experience than some schools. You have been so wonderful.“