11+ support thread for year 7 starting 2026

[NookAndCrannying]

Just wandering if anyone else is in the final throws of indie prep for 11+ with their dcs? Last furlong now it seems on what feels like an incredibly long race!

@Seasaltlady Putney email says we'll hear in January re: the Athena stage, but the website suggests before Christmas. I believe this is exactly what happened last year, and I think interview offers/outcome emails went out around 10th/11th December. G&L next steps email said they'll let us know outcomes 'on or by Monday 12th January' with interviews on 16th January. I'm afraid I don't know for LEH.

Thank you! Thats very helpful! LEH had said early Jan outcome email for an end of Jan interview but that was when I looked in the summer and have since heard that it’s unlikely to be that late from other parents. But again nothing definite!

Good luck with results coming through all. Hope everyone gets what they want!

Hi, does anyone know when families will hear about the 11+ first round assessment results for Highgate and Merchant Taylors’ School?
Thank you.

Someone on here said they emailed and were told 13th/14th dec for Highgate. Don’t know about merchant Taylor.
good luck!

That was me - have rechecked email and he said ‘week of 15th, likely Thursday or Friday’ - seems crazy late especially as 7+ results were yesterday but maybe managing expectations?!

Thank you.

Habs out today

@SunshineMum3 @Reallyareyoukiddingme
am guessing you received an email today from Highgate?
just saying they will have results out by 18th?

Yes! Seems so late … so close to Christmas too. 😫

Merchant Taylor is the 7th Jan

Highgate results out!

Yes I saw. How did you get on?
Hope well!
We got interview.
How’s everyone doing?

My son has been invited to interview at Dulwich. So surprised as I only applied because his teachers suggested it.

So what’s next? We’re poor state school folks 😂 and the school don’t have much experience with this either.

Any advice or suggestions? Library books? Tutoring is not in our budget.

We got interview too! V relieved. Glad you also had good news. Do you know numbers of how many are called back vs places?

@Reallyareyoukiddingme honestly im the last person to know. I’m so far removed from this universe as I’m also not from the UK. So I’ve been mad googling since Wednesday trying to find info on what to expect.

And only just read the full email last night to see that parents get gently interviewed too. made for some very vivid and intense dreams last night.

Re Highgate - we got interview as well. They said “ around half” so I would assume 300-350? They say on their website 80 and usually it s 50/50 boys and girls

How do u know around half?

I think it s what they said during open day - I might be now mixing with other school!

I never realised there was a indie support group, very welcome. We're in N London, and son was invited back to Highgate for an interview yesterday - congrats if your child is also still in the running. I'll be glad when this is all over.

We also have a few scholarship things outstanding at other schools we applied to, but otherwise all major assessment days now all done. Thank god, as it's been such a slog for everyone. My son is at a v good state primary in North London.

For interview, if you can find out what format (alone, or in groups) and broadly what it will cover, do a bit of prep at home. I've been told its not great to overdo it though as interview-drilled kids may not come across as authentic.

I might wrong I heard somewhere said Highgate roughly invite around 200 in the past year, even when application around over 800

My DS got interview from highgate as well. and today they informed me the music first round will delay 1 day.

Thank you for your reply. It sounds like it’s individual interviews - although I’m not certain. But also like I’ll be interviewed too?

The interview will be with a member of our teaching staff and is an opportunity for your son to talk about his academic interests and what he enjoys doing outside school.

The interview, along with the exam results and the school report, is an important part of our assessment process but should be an enjoyable experience too.

Whilst the boys are having their interview, parents will meet senior members of staff as a group. This is an ideal opportunity for you to ask about life at Dulwich. Some current Dulwich College parents will also be here to answer any questions you have.

i don’t think we’ll be guilty of overpreparing based on what I’ve read now and been told. We only did the free trial of atom for the test which someone on another board told me was irresponsible. But I couldn’t afford the monthly cost.

What will they want to know from me? All the staff we’ve talked to on tours have been lovely and supportive but have to admit some of the other parents have been a bit off putting so the group meeting is a bit daunting.

Congrats to all getting interviews, and very aware, there will be many who are disappointed as well so commiserations and hope it does work out. This truly is an awful process.

Yes, the interviews feel very hard to prep for. Feels mental to do an insane level of prep for the exams and then just down tools for the next stage!