London, Hampstead schools – 7+ / 11+ advice (Highgate, UCS, Mill Hill? Or something else?)

[Freshofftheboat14]

Hi all,

I’m a mum of two boys (currently in the US) who will be sitting 7+ and 11+ in 2027. They both have British citizenship and we’re planning a move to London, ideally Hampstead.

At the moment they attend a very progressive, almost “hippie” farm school – lots of creativity and outdoor learning but very little in terms of formal academics or structured lessons. I do think they’re bright and quick learners, but I’m conscious they may be behind in terms of exam technique and expectations for UK selective schools.

Our top choice would be Highgate as we’d love to live nearby, but I understand it’s incredibly competitive. I’m slightly worried that coming from such an unstructured background might put them at a disadvantage.

We’re also looking at Mill Hill, Belmont which I like for the campus and slightly less intense feel – though I may be wrong on how competitive it is. UCS is also on my list.

I’m not interested in grammar schools or American schools – ideally something academic but still relatively well-rounded.

We’ll be in London this May and I’d love advice on:

• Which schools are realistic given our background
• Whether Highgate is a stretch without a traditional prep background
• Other schools in/around Hampstead we should definitely visit
• How much catching up is typically needed for children coming from non-traditional schools

Any thoughts or experiences (especially from those who’ve come from abroad or more progressive schools) would be hugely appreciated!

Thank you 😊

For your little one you will probably need Hampstead Hill School to aim for 11+. I don't know if they have any vacancies but definitely worth contacting them and discussing options. Be prepared for a shock though as N London 11+ is brutal but HHS is a feeder for your target schools and they know what they're doing.

For your older DS, you've probably missed the boat for top schools 11+ prep unless you are prepared to sacrifice everything for a super intense prep until January (again, would be a shock after a hippie school) and would need to look at 13+ (I don't know much about 13+ entry).

Lots of children from the area travel to City Boys or Habs but they are also super selective so unrealistic to get into with no prep.

Northbridge House is not super selective.

King Alfred would be a more smooth transition from a relaxed lifestyle into the jungle of London superselectives. You could do 11+ with tutors outside of school.

Firstly use an educational consultant to get your ds assessed in May so you have a realistic idea of where they will sit in the London school scene. Secondly look at the Kings Wimbledon school website in admissions section at the specimen papers for 11 plus to give an idea of the level needed for Highgate.

Just to be clear - would they be sitting exams in autumn 2027 for 2028 entry? Or sitting later this year with a view to starting in 2027? Obviously the longer the run-up the more work you can do to prepare them.

Either way, Highgate is an absolute bunfight, even for those who have been planning for years to get their children in. You would be wise to regard it as a very long shot indeed. UCS is also competitive, but being single-sex until 16 there are more places available for boys.

Don’t rely on places being available at 13+. Highgate and UCS have both discontinued their regular 13+ entry points, though occasional places can and do obviously come up to be competed for. My son is at one of these schools having got in on an occasional place; he too came from a “relaxed” overseas primary school and when we arrived in Hampstead his maths in particular was nowhere near the required standard for a competitive 11+. So he went to a non-selective school from age 10-12 and I tutored him in maths myself. He’s thriving now, winning academic prizes etc, so if they have the requisite ability there is scope to catch up and indeed excel. Be under no illusions though - vast amounts of paid-for tutoring goes on even for those at excellent local prep schools.

PP mentioned North Bridge House - it is now known as Alleyn’s Hampstead, having recently joined the “brand” of the well-known Alleyn’s School in Dulwich. It is non-selective and has a different vibe from the others you have mentioned. Perhaps have a look round and form your own view.

I would suggest you get an assessment of each boy from an experienced local tutor who prepares children for the competitive private schools. Can this be fitted into your May visit, perhaps?

Happy to discuss by PM if you like.

Thank you so much—this is incredibly helpful and I really appreciate you taking the time.

We’ll be applying this year for 2027 entry. My older one has been gently prepping—his maths is quite strong, but we’re working on reading, writing, and vocabulary.

I’d love to ask—would you recommend any good non-selective “Plan B” schools locally? I’m leaning toward a softer landing so he can build confidence and get comfortable in the system before aiming higher.

Also, I’m very curious about occasional places—how often do they realistically come up, how competitive are they, and what does that process actually look like?

I’ve sent you a PM as well—thank you again, I really appreciate your insight.

Check Londonpreprep.com and goodschoolsguide.co.uk.
London day schools you mentioned are working about 2 years ahead of UK national curriculum. Check each school websites and entry level and process, also there are free exam papers so worth seeing the standard they are asking.
Since you haven’t move to the area, are you fix for North London or would you do SW London? Single sex or coed?
Education consultants is worth cutting through the data overload, unless you have family and close friends to give input.
Atom learning online another resource, as some exams are ISEB and they know the schools you applying.
CGP worksheets books.
examninja.co.uk, the bundles are to the school year group. Do convert since UK year group is different to US.
Even if Maths is strong, the English worded maths problems can be challenging since it may not be clear which maths formulas to use. So worth reviewing this and of course being ok with metric measurements and knowing cm to m to km conversion, decimal points.

Sad but true- most children sitting Highgate entrance will be having tutoring aimed specifically at getting them through the test. It would be worth finding a tutor who could do this online for you.