Overview of City of London School
Founded in 1834, City of London School is one of the most academically distinguished independent day schools in the United Kingdom. Located on the north bank of the River Thames near St Paul’s Cathedral, the school has built a reputation for exceptional academic outcomes and intellectual ambition.
City of London School is an independent day school for boys aged 10–18, attracting students from across London and the surrounding regions. The school combines a rigorous academic culture with a vibrant co-curricular programme encompassing sport, music, drama, debating, and leadership activities.
The school is particularly well known for its strong academic tradition. Many pupils progress to leading universities in the UK and internationally, with a significant proportion gaining places at Oxford, Cambridge, and other Russell Group universities.
Admission to City of London School is highly competitive. Each year the school receives a large number of applications for a relatively small number of places, particularly for the 11+ and 13+ entry points. Understanding the admissions process and preparing early is essential for families hoping to secure a place.
Entry Points & Age Requirements
City of London School offers several entry points throughout a student’s educational journey, although the two most common are 11+ entry (Year 7) and 13+ entry (Year 9).
This is one of the main entry points into the school. Pupils applying for 11+ entry typically sit the school’s entrance assessments during Year 6, followed by interviews for shortlisted candidates.
Successful applicants join the school in Year 7.
Another major admissions route occurs at Year 9, when pupils join the senior school after completing preparatory education elsewhere.
Applicants usually sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test in the autumn of Year 6, which serves as the first stage of the admissions process.
Students who perform strongly are invited to take part in further assessments and interviews conducted by the school.
A small number of places are also available for Year 12 entry . Applicants are assessed based on:
This pathway is competitive due to the limited number of available places.
Important: Families are typically encouraged to register during Year 5 or early Year 6 to ensure participation in the full admissions process.
Registration & Deadlines
The admissions process begins with formal registration through the school’s admissions office. After registration, candidates progress through several stages designed to evaluate academic ability, reasoning skills, and intellectual potential.
For 13+ entry, candidates first complete the ISEB Common Pre-Test, a computer-adaptive assessment used by many leading UK independent schools to measure academic potential.
Candidates who perform well then proceed to the school’s own assessments and interview process.
Below is a typical timeline for the admissions process.
Stage Timing Details Registration Year 5 / early Year 6 Submit registration form and fee ISEB Pre-Test Autumn, Year 6 Computer-based reasoning and academic assessment School Assessments Late Year 6 Online assessments and written tasks Creative Writing Task Late Year 6 Short written story based on a visual prompt Interview January Interview with senior admissions staff Final Offer February Offer of admission issued to successful candidates
Planning ahead: Many families begin thinking about City of London School when their child is 8–9 years old, allowing time to build the academic foundation needed for competitive assessments.
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The Assessment Process
The City of London School admissions process is designed to identify pupils with strong academic potential, intellectual curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning.
The school uses a combination of standardised tests, written assessments, and interviews to evaluate applicants.
Stage 1: The ISEB Common Pre-Test
Applicants for 13+ entry sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test during the autumn term of Year 6.
This computer-adaptive test evaluates ability across four areas:
English
Mathematics
Verbal reasoning
Non-verbal reasoning
The results provide the admissions team with a reliable measure of academic ability and potential.
Stage 2: Entrance Assessments
Shortlisted candidates are invited to complete the school’s own assessments. These typically include a series of online tests covering:
Candidates may also complete a creative writing task , often based on an image prompt, designed to assess imagination, vocabulary, and written expression.
Stage 3: The Interview
Candidates who perform well in the assessments are invited for an interview with senior staff.
The interview typically lasts around 15–20 minutes and allows the admissions team to get to know the candidate beyond exam results.
Interviewers often explore topics such as:
Academic interests
Books and subjects the student enjoys
Hobbies and extracurricular activities
Curiosity about the wider world
Insider insight: The school values students who show intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm for ideas, and the ability to communicate thoughtfully.
Interview Preparation
The interview stage can be one of the most challenging aspects of the admissions process. However, thoughtful preparation can help students present themselves with confidence.
Encourage Intellectual Curiosity
Students should be able to talk confidently about subjects they enjoy and explain why those topics interest them.
Stay Engaged With Current Affairs
Reading age-appropriate newspapers or discussing global issues helps pupils develop informed opinions.
Read Widely
Well-read pupils often stand out in interviews. Candidates should be able to discuss books thoughtfully.
Practise Mock Interviews
Mock interviews help pupils become comfortable speaking confidently and expressing ideas clearly.
Academic Expectations
City of London School maintains extremely high academic standards and attracts intellectually ambitious pupils.
Students are expected to demonstrate strong foundations in core subjects, particularly mathematics and English .
The curriculum provides a broad range of academic opportunities, including:
At GCSE level , pupils typically study a wide range of subjects before specialising during A-Levels , where the school offers an extensive selection of academic disciplines.
Many graduates progress to leading universities including Oxford, Cambridge, and top international institutions .
Fees & Financial Information
As a leading independent day school in central London, City of London School’s fees reflect the quality of education and facilities provided.
City of London School offers a generous bursary programme , enabling talented students from a wide range of backgrounds to attend the school. Means-tested bursaries may cover a significant proportion of fees depending on family circumstances.
Scholarships and prizes may also be awarded in areas such as:
Academic achievement
Music
Sport
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
Through years of guiding families through competitive school admissions, several recurring mistakes frequently appear in City of London School applications.
Leaving registration too late
Late registration can limit participation in the full admissions process.
Underestimating the ISEB Pre-test
The school’s academic assessments are challenging and require careful preparation.
Neglecting interview preparation
While academic performance is important, personality and curiosity also play a key role.
Over-coaching and inauthenticity
Interviewers value natural responses and genuine enthusiasm rather than scripted answers.
Ignoring extracurricular breadth
City of London School seeks students who demonstrate a genuine passion for learning.
How Elite British Admissions Can Help
At Elite British Admissions, we have spent over fifteen years helping families navigate the admissions process at City of London School and other leading independent schools. Our approach is tailored, discreet, and grounded in deep expertise.
Personalised Assessment
We evaluate your kids’s strengths, areas for development, and readiness for the admissions process through a comprehensive initial consultation.
ISEB Pre-Test Preparation
Our specialist tutors provide targeted preparation across all four areas of the ISEB pre-test, building both skill and exam technique.
Interview Coaching
Through a series of mock interviews with experienced consultants, including former Sevenoaks housemasters, your son will be thoroughly prepared for the interview.
Ongoing Family Support
We guide the entire family through the process, providing reassurance, strategic advice, and practical support from registration through to offer day.
Our track record speaks for itself: a 93% success rate for Sevenoaks applications managed by our team, and a network of satisfied families across the United Kingdom and internationally. We understand what Sevenoaks is looking for, and we know how to bring out the best in every candidate.
Begin Your Kid's City of London School Journey Today
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