7+ Exam Tutors - Hampstead and Frognal Tutors

The 7+ Exam

As a parent, you want to give your child the best start in life. Part of this involves sending your child to a school where they will thrive. Many independent junior and preparatory schools ask children to sit assessments and to attend an interview before they offer places. At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, we make the application process as stress-free and rewarding as possible, for children and parents alike.

School entry at 7+ (year 3) and 8+ (year 4) is as much about identifying potential as it is about testing current academic ability. Children are often asked to sit a Maths test and an English test, where basic numeracy and literacy skills are assessed. Typically, pupils have to display a grasp of shape, time and money, know certain times tables and understand addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. English tests usually involve writing, reading and comprehension. Your child may be asked to write an imaginative story, read fluently and use simple sentences with confidence. Children will be expected to write full sentences using interesting vocabulary. Some schools also require children to sit short reasoning tests.

If your child performs well in the tests, the school may invite them back for a short interview and a morning (or even a full day) of observed group activities. Teachers will use this opportunity to learn more about your child, and to assess whether they will suit the school environment. For 7+ entry, entrance exams and interviews usually take place in either the December or January of Year 2.

Our 7+ Tutors

Our 7+ tutors have years of experience helping children shine in the exam and interview process. Friendly, knowledgable and patient, our London tutors nurture an enthusiasm for learning in all of their young pupils. Our team ranges from qualified teachers who have taught at leading preparatory schools, to full time professional tutors. Each one is very well-acquainted with the different application procedures and will inform families of what to expect. What’s more, each one is passionate about education, and never fails to create a happy, relaxed learning environment.

At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, we will assign you a specialist tutor with a successful track record, who has experience preparing students for the schools you are interested in. You can be confident, therefore, that your child is receiving carefully targeted, tailor-made tuition.

Our recruitment process is rigorous and we only hire the best. All of our tutors have DBS certificates and all have been interviewed in person. Candidates are also required to provide proof of their qualifications and experience, as well as to supply at least two references. The continual training and development opportunities we offer our London tutors mean they remain up-to-date with any changes to the 7+ curriculum.

How our Tutors Teach 7+

Our 7+ tutors make Maths and English fun and engaging. We know that children learn best when they are attentive and curious, and ensure that lessons are always enjoyable as well as educational. What’s more, our tutors quickly identify their pupils’ strengths and weaknesses. Whether your child struggles with multiplication or spelling, our 7+ tutors will help them to tackle problem areas.

As well as developing young students’ literacy and numeracy skills, our 7+ tutors build their confidence. We know that entrance exams and interviews can seem daunting, and we strive to make children feel as happy and comfortable as possible. Our tutors prepare pupils for what to expect and fill them with the confidence they need to succeed.

Results

100% of parents agreed that our tutors had a very positive impact on their children’s learning.
Over 80% of children sitting 7+ assessments received offers for their first and second choice schools.
85% of students who sat 8+ assessments received offers from their first or second choice schools.

Testimonial

As you know following the early departure of another tutor we approached you on recommendation from a neighbour. Your 7+ tutor Harriet was a god send. Not only was she super reliable, the rapport she built up with my daughter was phenomenal. An intensive regime of cramming was made very manageable for my daughter by Harriet’s calm and subtle tutoring approach. We were delighted to get an offer for our first choice school. Thank you again. We will be in touch again if we need help with our other children.

Matilda, SW1X

7+ Schools we Cover

Different schools assess children in different ways. To help you know what to expect, we have set out a list of some of the schools we cover, along with their admissions procedures.

Admissions criteria in detail.

Dulwich College

Admissions	Year 3 is the main point of entry. 45 boys are accepted in Year 3, with 15 or 16 boys in each of the three forms. There are roughly 10 places available in Year 4.
Tests	Boys are required to sit papers in Maths, English (writing, reading and comprehension) and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Most successful candidates are working at National Curriculum Level 3 by the time they apply. This is above the national average for the age group.
Interview	Boys who perform well in the tests will be invited for a morning of group activities, as well as for a short one-to-one interview.
Key Dates	The entrance exam is sat in early January. Your child’s school will be contacted directly for a confidential report in November.
Scholarships	Boys who sit the 7+ entrance exam will automatically be considered for an academic scholarship. Scholarships range in value from 10% to one third of school fees.

Kensington Preparatory School

Admissions	There are only a small number of places available for 7+ entry (most girls join the school earlier). Numbers vary significantly and places in Year 3 cannot be guaranteed.
Tests	Girls are invited to a morning in school, where they are assessed in maths, reading, reasoning and writing.
Interview	There is no interview.
Key Dates	You will be contacted in the autumn in the year prior to entry to confirm the availability of places. Parents are invited to an Open Afternoon during the Autumn Term.
Scholarships	No scholarships are available at 7+ entry.

Highgate School

Admissions	In Year 3, there are places for approximately 70 boys and girls to join 30 children from Highgate Pre-Preparatory School.
Tests	Children are required to sit tests in English, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Interview	A large proportion of candidates will be interviewed in groups. Interviews take place in mid-January.
Key Dates	The entrance exam takes place in mid-December. The school requests a confidential report from your child’s current Head teacher.
Scholarships	No scholarships are available at 7+ entry.

North London Collegiate School

Admissions	There are 8 -10 places for girls entering the school in Year 3.
Tests	Girls are required to sit papers in English and Maths. These are based on the curriculum taught in all schools in Year 2.
Interview	Girls who show promise in the tests are invited in smaller groups for a day of observed activities and an interview.
Key Dates	The assessment takes place mid November and early December. Offers are made end of January.
Scholarships	No scholarships are available at 7+ entry.

South Hampstead High School (Junior School)

Admissions	They welcome 24 new girls into the school at 7+ (Year 3).
Tests	Girls are required to sit three papers in English, Maths and Reasoning. These are based on the curriculum taught in all schools in Year 2.
Interview	Girls who show promise in the tests are invited in smaller groups for observed activities and an interview.
Key Dates	The assessments take place in October and January. Offers are made end of January.
Scholarships	No scholarships are available at 7+ entry.

St Paul’s School

Admissions	54 boys are admitted at the 7+ entry point. Boys can also enter the school at 8+.
Tests	Boys sit tests in English, Maths and Reasoning. The reasoning test is weighted according to age.
Interview	Boys who perform well in the tests are invited for a short one-to-one interview and assessment tasks.
Key Dates	The entrance exam takes place in November. Interviews take place within two weeks of the tests.
Scholarships	No scholarships are available at 7+ entry.

Wetherby Preparatory School

Admissions	20 boys are accepted in Year 3 (one class) and a further 60 boys (four classes) are accepted at Year 4. Wetherby Pre-Prep boys automatically feed into the school at Year 4.
Tests	Boys sit short tests in English and Maths and take part in group based activities.
Interview	There is no interview procedure.
Key Dates	Boys sit the 7+ tests in January.
Scholarships	No scholarships are available at 7+ entry.

Is 7+ tuition right for your child?

Choosing a school for your child is a big decision. At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, we prepare our young pupils for the schools that are right for them. Our 7+ tutors are highly experienced and know how to unlock every child’s academic potential. They have supported hundreds of families worldwide with care, patience and enthusiasm, and have helped a host of youngsters excel in entrance exams and interviews.

This is not to say that parents cannot contribute to their child’s learning. Many parents manage well without professional help. However, time is precious and specialist knowledge is valuable. Our 7+ tutors know admissions procedures inside out and how to prepare pupils for the assessments they face. Our tutors work closely with parents, and are committed to giving children the best possible start in life.