Tell me about the test for St Mary Magdalene Academy (London, Islington)!

[lizzietaylorreynolds]

That's it! I can't find much about it besides that it's just Verbal Reasoning? (I think they have scrapped Creative Writing but I may be wrong.).

Any other thoughts on this school? Backup is Highbury Fields (girls) so I'd love to hear about that too.

Thanks!

anyone?

They usually put a useful summary of the test requirements on the website. Looks like this year’s one is due up next month:

http://www.smmacademy.org/1667/aptitude-test-for-y7-entry-information

It is purely a verbal reasoning test now - see the link above. Lasts about an hour and a half. You can buy past papers online to practise them, and being familiar with the format is crucial. The cutoff for applying is the summer of Y5, I think, so make sure you don’t miss the date. There are technically 21 places but a lot of people who pass the test are also trying for Latymer, Dame Alice Owen, private schools etc and turn down their places, so realistically if you are top 50 you should be ok. Can’t comment on what the school is like though

The GL verbal reasoning packs are good. My daughter used them to prepare for 11+ and sat the Mary Mags test.

See what their website says but I think now it's only 18 places. It's 10% of their intake and they used to take 210 each year but now they only take 180, hence the reduction.

I have DDs at both schools & there’s very little in it imo. DD1 went to HF as she is autistic & the smaller all girls environment suited her. DD2 is at SMMA because it is closer!
HF has a lot more accessible/affordable enrichment activities & trips but SMMA has a great drama/music curriculum & better communication.
Both of my DDs are happy with the schools they’re at & DD1 will be staying on at HF for sixth form.

Sign up for the test is very early. Well before the end of Y5. And only open for a short period. Check their website carefully!

This year registration (for Sept 2026 entry) is between Monday 12 May - 12pm on Monday 30 June.

I’m clearly late to the convo, however I’ve just come across this school for my child’s entry 2026. Do they HAVE to sit this test when applying? Because my child didn’t. Wondering if it’s worth going to see if they don’t consider children whom haven’t sat the tests.

Also wondering about other schools around Islington

They don't have to sit the test if you live near enough to get in on the distance criteria, or are eligible under other criteria.

Could anyone shed any light on how far down they got for governors places in 2025? Was it 50s/60s? thanks