Overview of St Paul's Girls' School
Founded in 1904, St Paul’s Girls’ School is widely regarded as the leading academic girls’ school in England, a day school in Hammersmith, west London, for girls aged 11 to 18. Consistently at or near the top of the national results tables, it combines exceptional academic ambition with a distinctive, liberal culture, no uniform, first names, and a deep commitment to music and independent thought. Its alumnae lead in the arts, sciences, public life and beyond.
Entry Points & Age Requirements
St Paul’s Girls’ School has two main entry points, at 11 and 16. It is a day school, with no boarding.
11+ into Year 7 is the principal entry point, with around 110 girls admitted each year. Candidates sit an initial online cognitive test, followed by written papers in English, mathematics and comprehension at the school, and an interview with a senior member of staff.
16+ entry into the Sixth Form is offered to girls with outstanding GCSE results who wish to study A-Levels. Candidates sit subject assessments and attend an interview, and competition for the limited places is intense.
Important: St Paul’s Girls’ is one of the most selective schools in the country, so thorough, early preparation for the 11+ assessment is essential.
Registration & Deadlines
The St Paul’s Girls’ admissions process is designed to identify girls of real academic curiosity and ability. Families register in advance and pay a registration fee, after which the school arranges its assessments. A reference from the current school forms part of the picture alongside the girl’s own performance.
Stage
Timing
Details
Registration
By June, Year 6
Submit registration form and registration fee
ISEB Pre-Test
Autumn, Year 6
Computer-based reasoning assessment
Shortlisting
Year 6 / Year 7
Candidates selected based on pre-test results and school reference
St Paul's Girls' Entrance Assessments
Year 8
Written examinations and academic evaluations
Interview
Year 8
Interview with St Paul's Girls' housemistress or admissions staff
Final Offer
Year 8
Confirmation of admission
Planning ahead: because competition is so strong, families are encouraged to register early and to help their daughter prepare thoughtfully rather than through heavy coaching, which the school is skilled at seeing through.
Need Help With Your Application?
The Assessment Process
St Paul’s Girls’ looks for girls with genuine intellectual curiosity and the ability to think for themselves, not simply well-drilled candidates.
Stage 1: Registration and Cognitive Test
After registering, applicants sit an initial online cognitive ability test, which gives the school an early, coaching-resistant measure of reasoning and potential.
Stage 2: Written Papers
Shortlisted girls sit written papers at the school in English, mathematics and comprehension, designed to assess genuine understanding, clarity of thought and written expression rather than memorised knowledge.
Stage 3: Visit and Preparation
Families are encouraged to visit and attend an open event. Seeing the school in person, and understanding its distinctive culture, is the best way to judge whether it is the right fit for your daughter.
Stage 4: The Interview
Successful candidates attend an interview with a senior member of staff, a searching but friendly conversation about the girl’s interests, reading and ideas, which carries real weight in the decision.
Insider insight: St Paul’s Girls’ values students who demonstrate authentic curiosity, enthusiasm for learning, and a willingness to engage with the school community.
Interview Preparation
For many families, the interview stage can feel like the most daunting aspect of the admissions process. However, thoughtful preparation can significantly improve a pupil’s confidence and performance.
Practice Discussing Interests
Students should be able to talk enthusiastically about their hobbies, whether that is sport, music, art, science, or history. Interviewers often explore these topics to understand how a pupil thinks and what motivates them.
Engage With Current Affairs
Reading newspapers or discussing global events helps students form thoughtful opinions and demonstrate awareness of the wider world.
Encourage Broad Reading
Students who read widely often stand out during interviews. Being able to discuss books they have enjoyed — and explain why — can demonstrate intellectual curiosity.
Conduct Mock Interviews
Practice interviews help students refine their responses, develop confidence, and learn to manage nerves in a formal setting.
Academic Expectations
St Paul’s Girls’ is one of the most academically successful schools in the country. Girls study a broad range of subjects at GCSE before progressing to A-Levels, achieving results that place the school consistently among the very top nationally. Leavers progress to the most selective universities in the world, including Oxford, Cambridge and the leading United States institutions.
Fees & Financial Information
As a leading day school, St Paul’s Girls’ fees cover tuition, lunch and the breadth of its co-curricular and musical life. The figures below are a guide for 2025 to 2026 and include VAT; always confirm the current fees directly with the school.
St Paul’s Girls’ offers music scholarships at 11+ and 16+ and art and drama scholarships at 16+, which are honorific rather than financial. Generous means-tested bursaries, up to full fee remission, are available for families who need support.
Need Help With Your Application?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Through years of guiding families through competitive school admissions, several recurring mistakes frequently appear in St Paul’s Girls’ applications.
Leaving registration too late
Registration deadlines are strict. Missing them may prevent participation in the full admissions process.
Underestimating the ISEB Pre-test
The pre-test is academically demanding. Strategic preparation can significantly improve performance.
Neglecting interview preparation
While academics matter, personality and curiosity are also important factors during the interview.
Over-coaching and inauthenticity
Interviewers value authenticity rather than memorised answers.
Ignoring extracurricular breadth
St Paul’s Girls’ values well-rounded individuals. Students who demonstrate passion for sport, music, drama, or leadership often stand out.
How Elite British Admissions Can Help
Applying to leading UK boarding schools can be complex, particularly for families unfamiliar with the British education system. Specialist admissions support can help families navigate each stage of the process with confidence.
Personalised Assessment
Evaluating a student’s academic strengths, interests, and readiness for the St Paul’s Girls’ admissions process.
ISEB Pre-Test Preparation
Targeted preparation across all four sections of the pre-test, focusing on both skills and exam technique.
Interview Coaching
Mock interviews help students refine their answers and develop confidence when speaking with admissions staff.
Ongoing Family Support
Strategic advice and practical support from registration through to offer day. With careful preparation and expert guidance, students can approach the St Paul’s Girls’ School admissions process with confidence.
Our track record speaks for itself: a A strong track record with competitive UK admissions managed by our team, and a network of satisfied families across the United Kingdom and internationally. We understand what St Paul’s Girls’ is looking for, and we know how to bring out the best in every candidate.
Begin Your St Paul's Girls' Journey Today
Related Content
Continue your research with our other guides to UK school admissions. Each is written by our admissions specialists to give you clear, current and practical information.
Best Private Schools in London 2026
Our independent ranking of the leading private schools in London.
Best Private Schools in the UK 2026
Our independent ranking of the leading private schools across Britain.
Guide to the ISEB Common Pre-Test
How the 11+ and 13+ pre-test works, and how to prepare.
How 11+ entry works, by region and school, with preparation guidance.
Best Prep Schools in London 2026
The leading prep schools feeding London’s top senior schools.
