Year 7 (11+)

Year 7 entry

Year 7 is the main entry point for our Senior School. We work hard to make our admissions process as stress-free and welcoming as possible for everyone involved because we appreciate that the 11+ process and choosing a Senior School, can be a daunting prospect for girls and parents alike. We endeavour to provide you with as much information and insight as we can to support your decision making.

Our dedicated Year 7 Programme is designed specifically for families applying for a place in our Senior School. It offers key information and invites to events which guide you and your daughter through each stage of the process.

The deadline for Year 7 entry for 2026 has now passed. However, please contact us should you have any questions about the 11+ process.

Progression Pathways Programme
(Early Offers)

9+ and 10+ Entry to the Prep School

Joining Notre Dame Prep School in Year 5 or Year 6 is a popular and exciting pathway for many families. This is what we call our ‘Progression Pathways’ Programme and this maps the curriculum from Years 5 to 8, ensuring a seamless transition from Prep to Senior School.
9+ and 10+ entry ensures a guaranteed offer of a place in our Senior School for Year 7.

Year 7 Admissions Programme

Our Y7/27 Programme ensures a seamless and stress-free experience, designed for families applying for a place in our Senior School for entry in September 2027. Our Y7/27 Programme offers key information and invitations to events which guide you and your daughter through each stage of the process.

Step 1: enquire & visit

Our Open Events are a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our School and everything we offer to inspire our students. Why not visit our Events Page?

You may prefer to schedule a private tour with our Headmistress, Mrs King and her Senior Leadership Team, who are each passionate about education and can provide you with valuable insights into our school’s ethos, teaching methods, and the unique advantages Notre Dame and an all-girls education have to offer.

Alternatively, if you would just like to chat to our friendly Admissions Team about our School or the process, please call us on 01932 869993 or email us at admissions@notredame.co.uk.

Or you can fill in the enquiry form below to tell us a bit more about your application.

Step 2: Register

Once you have visited us and made the decision to apply for a place in our Senior School, we will need some further details from you.

Registration for our 11+ Assessment Day is quick and easy. Click on the link below, which will take you to our online admissions portal, where you can set up an account and fill in the Registration Form. At this stage, you will be asked to pay the £150 non-refundable registration fee.

Please do not hesitate to contact our friendly Admissions Team if you have any questions about signing up to our Year 7 Admissions Programme.

Step 3: 11+ Assessment Day

The 11+ Assessment Day takes place on our School site and is supported by our specialist staff team. We work hard to ensure that the 11+ Assessment Day is as informal and stress-free as possible, so that it is an enjoyable day for your child.

Assessment Day for Year 7 for entry in September 2027 will be held on Friday 20th November 2026.

The day consists of the following :

The 11+ Online Entrance Test (60 minutes)

This includes maths, non-verbal reasoning,
verbal reasoning/comprehension.
Familiarisation materials specific to our test can be found using the button below.

Familiarisation Materials

Creative writing task (30 minutes)

The written task will consist of a choice of two tasks. Candidates only need to complete one.

Download Writing Task

Informal interview (10 minutes)

This consists of an informal chat with our friendly staff who are keen to find out more about the candidates.

Leisure activity (approximately 15 minutes)

A fun activity to release any stresses and to help ease any nerves.

Refreshments and breaks will be provided throughout the Assessment Day. Your child will also be given a personalised timetable for the day detailing times and locations for the above tasks. Our staff will be on hand to answer any questions and to assist your daughter throughout the day.

key dates for 2027 Entry

For internal Notre Dame candidates, progression to the Senior School is subject to assessment of progress over Years 4 and 5. Formal offers will be made at the end of Year 5, after which girls will not be required to sit the entrance exam unless they would like to apply for an Academic Scholarship. For all scholarship applications, the process for internal girls is the same as that for external girls.

Myths, Mysteries & Monarchs: Year 7 Taster Session (for current Years 4 & 5): Book Now

Senior School Art Exhibition & Tours: June 2026

Scholarship Applications Open: 1st September 2026

Senior School Discovery Day: Saturday 26th September 2026

Open Events: Friday 9th October & Saturday 10th October 2026

11+ Registration Deadline: Friday 2nd November 2026

Scholarship Assessments: w/c Monday 23rd November 2026

Year 7 & Scholarship Offers: January 2027

Offer Holder ‘Head Space’ Event for Prospective 2026 Offer Holders: End of January 2027

Offer and Scholarship Acceptance Deadline: March 2027

Welcome to Year 7 for September 2026 starters: June 2027

Feedback from Parents on our 11+ Admissions Procedure

“You have put a lot of thought into [the 11+ process] and made it fun, inviting and pleasurable for the girls, at a really stressful time for them. For us we were looking for a school that was approachable, welcoming, and one that looks at [our daughter] as an individual, rather than just being another child coming through the door."

“I wanted to email you to say that the admissions process you run is streets ahead of the experience we have had with other schools. Your warm letters to the girls explaining the process and exams has been lovely and very reassuring. It really does make a huge difference to parents and girls who are going through the very stressful process of applying for secondary schools.”

“Thank you so much for all your time and your kindness with a far less stressful 11+ experience than some schools. You have been so wonderful.“