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North London 11+ 2026 entry

101 replies

Jos000 · 09/02/2026 19:59

I can't see any support thread for 2026 entry for North london, feeling anxious about the results coming out this Friday! Anyone feeling the same??

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ldw123 · 19/02/2026 17:31

EmeraldSakara · 19/02/2026 12:11

Our daughter is at NLCS, now in year 8. She commutes 50 mins each way to get there- leaves the house just after 7am each morning and isn’t home until 5.30pm- but loves it. I agree with the PP that a high level of self motivation is expected and the work is academically rigorous with a lot of homework- but it’s 100% the right school for her.
The headmistress is wonderful and the opportunities offered are second to none.

Just to add - I also have experience of NLCS as a parent and if you get an offer you should take it. Someone once told me it’s like a ‘golden ticket’ and it’s true. It’s superior to all other N London schools and is in a class of its own. Comparable perhaps to St Paul’s - but if you’re comparing it to STAHS it’s in a different league.

wisdomdreamer · 19/02/2026 17:36

Buru · 19/02/2026 12:14

Most people in our circle are actually turning down Highgate, as they’ve got offers from Westminster, SPSG and NLCS (mostly girls). Maybe it’s different with boys.

Coud this be area-specific? People we know are definietly choosing it over other North London (ish) schools such as UCS, SHHS, Habs, City and even NLCS. Highgate has moved beyond the usual NL school group and is now in direct competition with SPSG and Westminster though i know few people who declined those too, i think (very!) high fees and location may also play a key role there.

Buru · 19/02/2026 21:10

wisdomdreamer · 19/02/2026 17:36

Coud this be area-specific? People we know are definietly choosing it over other North London (ish) schools such as UCS, SHHS, Habs, City and even NLCS. Highgate has moved beyond the usual NL school group and is now in direct competition with SPSG and Westminster though i know few people who declined those too, i think (very!) high fees and location may also play a key role there.

It well may be the case. Each one of us lives in their own bubble. For some reason, in my bubble Highgate is mostly viewed as a backup option, although the senior school seems to be very good indeed (even if less academic than City, Westminster and NLCS).

getsetdad · 19/02/2026 21:29

Buru · 19/02/2026 21:10

It well may be the case. Each one of us lives in their own bubble. For some reason, in my bubble Highgate is mostly viewed as a backup option, although the senior school seems to be very good indeed (even if less academic than City, Westminster and NLCS).

Except it's not less academic than city. GCSEs are basically the same and A-levels are a bit better.

newmummycwharf1 · 19/02/2026 21:56

getsetdad · 19/02/2026 21:29

Except it's not less academic than city. GCSEs are basically the same and A-levels are a bit better.

Checked on the school websites - CLSG pips Highgate at Alevels and GCSEs by a very slim margin. ChatGPT summary over the past 5 years: CLSG: Slight edge academically; very scholarly, intense environment. Highgate: Still elite academically but more balanced and broad in feel.

midod · 20/02/2026 09:34

Buru · 19/02/2026 21:10

It well may be the case. Each one of us lives in their own bubble. For some reason, in my bubble Highgate is mostly viewed as a backup option, although the senior school seems to be very good indeed (even if less academic than City, Westminster and NLCS).

Do you know how many people turned down the offer?

newmummycwharf1 · 20/02/2026 10:20

midod · 20/02/2026 09:34

Do you know how many people turned down the offer?

I know at least 3 at our prep who have Highgate and will be turning it down for Westminster. And there will be others who will turn it down if they get their choice boarding school

Buru · 20/02/2026 11:01

midod · 20/02/2026 09:34

Do you know how many people turned down the offer?

No, I don’t know the exact number. But among the girls with an offer from Highgate, I think we’re the only ones seriously considering it. Everyone else is looking for smth more academic and not planning to accept Highgate (based on our initial discussions). Overall, it’s less than 10 people though, so not a huge number.

wisdomdreamer · 20/02/2026 11:20

Highgate feels like it’s pulled ahead in the recent years. It has broader and more well-rounded ciriculum in general and wider STEM domain, while City is of course is still excellent for straight maths subjects and yes City is a lovely school but its not better or worse than Highgate is terms of the quality of teaching and acedemic rigour.
When you look at GCSEs and A‑levels across the top schools the results are all pretty similar anyway, especially if you translate % in actual student numbers. Until around 2017, Highgate didn’t even have a formal 4+ entry (it was 3+), and it wasn’t overly competitive at 7+ either some time go. So it managed to push ahead a number of kids in the co-ed environment who came from the times when Highgate wasnt as selective.
City, SPGS. Westminster and similar schools didnt even have 4+ intake, have always had very selective 11+ intakes (and City only expanded its 7+ intake recently), so a chunk of their strong results reflects very selective cohort rather than more superior teaching.
For context, I have one in Highgate and one in another selective girls school (not going to name it here, we absoultely love the school, but i rate Highgate slightly above overall) and a number of relatives attending City and other selective London day schools, so i'm just bringing some comparative view here.

midod · 20/02/2026 11:54

Buru · 20/02/2026 11:01

No, I don’t know the exact number. But among the girls with an offer from Highgate, I think we’re the only ones seriously considering it. Everyone else is looking for smth more academic and not planning to accept Highgate (based on our initial discussions). Overall, it’s less than 10 people though, so not a huge number.

Thanks so much for the information, that’s really helpful. We’re just unsure how much they may have over-offered this year.

miffy999 · 24/02/2026 15:14

Has anyone heard who are on the waiting list heard from any school yet?

Reallyareyoukiddingme · 24/02/2026 18:23

@midod i was at the Highgate offer holders evening yesterday and spoke to three separate parents who were all holding onto offers they weren’t expecting to take, on the basis they were waiting to hear from grammar schools…

midod · 24/02/2026 19:30

Reallyareyoukiddingme · 24/02/2026 18:23

@midod i was at the Highgate offer holders evening yesterday and spoke to three separate parents who were all holding onto offers they weren’t expecting to take, on the basis they were waiting to hear from grammar schools…

Thank you so much for sharing this — really appreciate it. We’re just a little worried about potential over-offering, but keeping everything crossed for some good news.

NookAndCrannying · 27/02/2026 13:41

midod · 24/02/2026 19:30

Thank you so much for sharing this — really appreciate it. We’re just a little worried about potential over-offering, but keeping everything crossed for some good news.

we just got an offer from reserve list at city boys, so will go to offerholders on Monday and make decision on Tuesday.
just letting you know @midod as I’m sure we won’t be the only ones in this situation who are deciding so late in the day.
Got fingers crossed for you

miffy999 · 27/02/2026 13:43

NookAndCrannying · 27/02/2026 13:41

we just got an offer from reserve list at city boys, so will go to offerholders on Monday and make decision on Tuesday.
just letting you know @midod as I’m sure we won’t be the only ones in this situation who are deciding so late in the day.
Got fingers crossed for you

Congratulations! Did City email or call you?

Heronatemygoldfish · 27/02/2026 13:49

Jos000 · 14/02/2026 20:56

He got into MTS which is our first choice :)

Hope your DS enjoys it. My DS has just 1.5 terms to go and we'll be so sad when he leaves.

midod · 27/02/2026 16:22

NookAndCrannying · 27/02/2026 13:41

we just got an offer from reserve list at city boys, so will go to offerholders on Monday and make decision on Tuesday.
just letting you know @midod as I’m sure we won’t be the only ones in this situation who are deciding so late in the day.
Got fingers crossed for you

Congratulations, that’s wonderful news! @NookAndCrannyingSo pleased for you.
Would you mind me asking whether this was with a bursary as well? Totally understand if you’d rather not say.

midod · 27/02/2026 17:38

Just received a school tour invite from Highgate for next week. They said the reserve list should start moving on Monday or Tuesday.@NookAndCrannying@Reallyareyoukiddingme

mjuww · 27/02/2026 18:01

We've attended several offer days this past week.

We found the Godolphin offer day quite relaxed, there was no hard sell, the head teacher and another teacher gave short speeches while the girls went off on an activity and we're happy to let the school speak for itself.

SHHS we found to be quite hectic, possibly because this was the only offer day, whereas Godolphin I think held offer days on several different days. I felt SHHS went heavy into the hard sell, we're quite keen to tell you why SHHS is really great. The girls also went off by themselves.

Notting Hill & Ealing was kind of in-between the two. They had some speeches about the process, how the transition works, but there wasn't a sense of hard sell to convince you. We were split into groups and the girls stayed with you for this one and we had a taster class with different subjects. It was quite interesting and engaging.

At the start of this process when we were applying for schools, we leaning SHHS because it's academic results are good while also being probably the most convenient location for us.

I would say at the moment though, after going through this process we're leaning Godolphin (still deciding if we can stretch the additional cost) which we've probably found the most impressive in most aspects or Notting Hill which has come across really well and I've been more impressed with the atmosphere, facilities here than I did at SHHS, which while it looks a really good school, we've found our interactions here the coldest and the school itself, while bigger than you realise due to being over quite a lot of floors, it still feels super cramped at times and the outdoor space is almost non-existent.

Reallyareyoukiddingme · 27/02/2026 18:31

midod · 27/02/2026 17:38

Just received a school tour invite from Highgate for next week. They said the reserve list should start moving on Monday or Tuesday.@NookAndCrannying@Reallyareyoukiddingme

I have been thinking about you @midod and keeping everything crossed! We had a wonderful time at the tour this week - it is the most fantastic school. But so so many people were holding multiple offers - I spoke to one mum who also had UCS and lived in Hampstead so seemed to be leaning very much that way for logistics reasons. Really hope you get good news next week.

midod · 27/02/2026 18:43

Reallyareyoukiddingme · 27/02/2026 18:31

I have been thinking about you @midod and keeping everything crossed! We had a wonderful time at the tour this week - it is the most fantastic school. But so so many people were holding multiple offers - I spoke to one mum who also had UCS and lived in Hampstead so seemed to be leaning very much that way for logistics reasons. Really hope you get good news next week.

Do you know how long the tour normally takes? I work in a school, so getting time off isn’t always easy.

Reallyareyoukiddingme · 27/02/2026 19:13

It was 8.40 - 10 ish I think?

midod · 27/02/2026 19:18

Reallyareyoukiddingme · 27/02/2026 19:13

It was 8.40 - 10 ish I think?

Thank you so much!

Dahlagain · 27/02/2026 20:08

mjuww · 27/02/2026 18:01

We've attended several offer days this past week.

We found the Godolphin offer day quite relaxed, there was no hard sell, the head teacher and another teacher gave short speeches while the girls went off on an activity and we're happy to let the school speak for itself.

SHHS we found to be quite hectic, possibly because this was the only offer day, whereas Godolphin I think held offer days on several different days. I felt SHHS went heavy into the hard sell, we're quite keen to tell you why SHHS is really great. The girls also went off by themselves.

Notting Hill & Ealing was kind of in-between the two. They had some speeches about the process, how the transition works, but there wasn't a sense of hard sell to convince you. We were split into groups and the girls stayed with you for this one and we had a taster class with different subjects. It was quite interesting and engaging.

At the start of this process when we were applying for schools, we leaning SHHS because it's academic results are good while also being probably the most convenient location for us.

I would say at the moment though, after going through this process we're leaning Godolphin (still deciding if we can stretch the additional cost) which we've probably found the most impressive in most aspects or Notting Hill which has come across really well and I've been more impressed with the atmosphere, facilities here than I did at SHHS, which while it looks a really good school, we've found our interactions here the coldest and the school itself, while bigger than you realise due to being over quite a lot of floors, it still feels super cramped at times and the outdoor space is almost non-existent.

Edited

Really helpful as considering applying here next year (SHHS)

London3WingPrayer · 27/02/2026 21:37

Interesting posts! Our experience of the SHHS offer day was quite different. The thoughtful organisation of varied taster classes and structured presentation was quite welcome vs the hectic approach at some other high performing schools we have visited this week. We found it very warm in comparison. Just goes to show it's all in the eyes of the beholder and a good idea to visit oneself and not take these forums as gospel. Good luck everyone with your decisions.