As parents, you would certainly want the best for your daughter's education, even as they approach secondary level education, sit for the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education), and even their A-Level at Sixth Form later. If you are setting your sights on a school in London that ticks all the boxes with its reputation for top-notch education and a lively learning environment, we highly recommend considering the City of London School for Girls and reviewing its admission details.
Overview of the City of London School for Girls
- Overall reviews in terms of academic and co-curricular offerings
- Admission openings for 11+ and 16+ applicants
- Information on different entrance assessments
- Details on application dates
- Availability of bursaries and scholarships
💡 City of London School for Girls: What To Know
The City of London School for Girls (CLSG) is a prestigious independent school, which means it is a selective private institution. You may also take some reassurance in knowing that this isn’t some school that has sprung up overnight; in fact, it has a history of producing high-achieving students since its founding in 1894. The curriculum of the school caters to students of these three main age levels:
📌Lower School
- Year 7
- Year 8
📌Senior School
- Year 9
- Year 10 and 11 (GCSE)
📌Sixth Form
- Year 12 and 13
(A-Level)
Aside from being one of the highest-achieving schools year in and year out, the school also prides itself on its diverse student body from all backgrounds, cultures, and faiths. This is one of the most attractive incentives for parents as it ensures that your child will be engaging with other students from all walks of life each school day, making them culturally aware and accustomed to collaborating with diverse teams, a crucial skill in today’s working world.
📍Location
Location is one of the factors that parents are most concerned about, and rightfully so!
Let’s face it: It’s quite likely that you’re going to be driving to and from the school each morning.
The City of London School for Girls is located in the heart of London City’s financial district, so if you’re working full time, then you can rest assured that there are plenty of alternative transport options that service the area.
You’ll find it at the Barbican Estate, a more than ideal location that attracts students from all over Greater London and beyond. It also means that your child will have access to all of the resources and facilities that come with being at the centre of everything, as well as some valuable learning opportunities!
The school takes full advantage of their central London location. Teachers routinely take learning out of the classroom and into the city's world-class museums, art galleries and theatres around town
⭐ City of London School of Girls Reviews
Given that the main purpose of any school is to prepare students for whatever careers lie ahead of them, you’ll be glad to hear that academic excellence is at the core of CLSG's ethos.
🏆Academic Excellence
The school has consistently ranked among the top independent schools in the UK, with The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide 2024 placing it in the top five. It really is a testament to not only the students' outstanding results but also the inspiring teaching provided by the school’s faculty.
2024 GCSE level A & A* grades
2024 A Level A & A* grades
It is a testament to not only the students' outstanding results but also the inspiring teaching provided by the school’s faculty.
🧗Co-Curricular Offerings and Facilities
If your child participates in a particular activity outside of the classroom, the school likely offers it, given its extensive list of on-site sports facilities. We all know how important it is for students to have an outlet to relieve stress and bond with others as a means of improving their well-being while studying. You’ll find everything from netball and tennis courts to an all-weather pitch, a swimming pool and even a climbing wall.
👩🎓Notable Alumni
To get a real sense of some of the accomplished graduates to have made it out the other end of the school, it can also be helpful to take a look at some of the notable alumni to have walked the halls of this school.
Tin-Tin Ho, who you might know better for being England’s women’s number one in table tennis, speaks volumes about the sporting culture at the school.
The current executive editor of the British Medical Journal, Theodora Bloom, is another high-achieving alumna who leaves plenty for students to aspire towards.
When you consider that Dame Margaret Turner-Warwick, the first female president of the Royal College of Physicians, also came out of GLSG, you should begin to realise that you’re daughter will be joining some elite company that will encourage them to aim high and make their mark on the world.
📝 The Admissions Procedure
Given the results that the school produces and the successful alumnae that we’ve touched on, it’s no wonder that The City of London School for Girls attracts applications from some of the most academically inclined girls across London and beyond.
While it isn’t a mandatory step in the admissions procedure, tagging along for one of the open days will give you a real sense of the environment as well as a chance to converse directly with the faculty.
🎓 Application
📚 Entrance Exams
🗣️ Interviews
It is important to note that girls applying for placement at the City of London Girls' School will no longer be considered a part of the North London Independent Girls’ Schools’ Consortium. This will affect their application to certain schools. Fortunately, Guildford High School does not count among their number; you may still apply there regardless of how your City application turns out.
Female pupils seeking admission at age 7+ (Year 3) are now admitted through City Junior School, a co-educational institution that combines the junior sections of City of London School and City of London School for Girls. This change centralises 7+ admissions for both boys and girls under one school.
✍️ Entrance Exams
Okay, so you’ve got your child's application in the door on time; now what? Well, the next step is to move on to the entrance exams, which will assess your child's aptitude across core subjects, in the form of multiple-choice questions or written tests.
This is a key part of the process that you’ll want to have your daughter prepare well in advance for, as CLSG is an academically selective school, with these exams playing a significant role in determining successful candidates.
11+ Admission Test
16+ Admission Test
🤝Interviews
For 11+ applicants, they will still have to complete a second assessment. If your daughter does well on her entrance exams, she will be scheduled for an interview.
For 16+ applicants, there is only one assessment. If they perform well, they will proceed to the next level, which is a 10-minute-long interview. Unlike Haberdashers' School for Girls, City advises parents and students against running mock interviews.
Important note: Successful applicants will receive their offer letters via email, which will notify them of the acceptance terms and conditions, as well as the details of the acceptance deposit (which is non-refundable).
Prepare for your tests and interview by familiarising yourself with the template of City’s specimen papers, which are made available on the school's official website. The school further recommends reading lots of books and getting used to talking at length about your interests and skills in a candid and open manner.
📆 Application Timeline: Key Dates To Take Note Of
To rid yourself of any unnecessary stress with the application process, you might want to make a note of some of the key dates for the 2025/2026 academic year.
By staying on track with the various deadlines, you will put your child's best foot forward when it comes to securing a spot at the esteemed institution.
2025 Key Dates for 11+ application
Jun to Oct 2025
Registration officially begins, students and parents can visit an open event for more details
18 Sept 2025
Webinar on bursary information
31 Oct 2025
Closing date of registration
13 Nov 2025
First stage bursary application deadline
14-19 Nov 2025
First assessment (CEM test)
11 Dec 2025
Invitations sent out to second assessment and interview
2026 Key Dates for 11+ application
6 Jan 2026
Second assessment
7 Jan 2026
Second stage of bursary deadlines
12-22 Jan 2026
Interviews
13 Feb 2026
Offers of places
Early March 2026
Deadline for acceptances
Just make sure to double-check that the dates you are marking in your calendar align with the year your child is seeking to enrol in. You’ll notice that the application process follows a different timeline depending on whether the student will be studying for 11+ entry or 16+ entry. That's why we have another timeline set for those who are aiming for the 16+ entry.
2025 Key Dates for 16+ application
10 Sept 2025
Open event and registration
18 Sept 2025
Webinar on bursary information
3 Oct 2025
Closing date of registration
15 Oct 2025
Entrance Exams
15 Oct 2025
Bursary application deadline (first stage)
2025 Key Dates for 16+ application
3 Nov 2025
Deadline for scholarship application
12 Nov 2025
Invitation for interviews
17 Nov 2025
Second stage of bursary deadlines
25 Nov 2025
Interviews
1 Dec 2025
Offers of places
10 Dec 2025
Deadline for acceptances
To find out if the City of London School for Girls is right for you and your daughter, plan on attending one of their Open events. Like James Allen's Girls' School, City hosts them several times each year, from June through October.
You can always book ahead of the open events and tour the school grounds, chat with staff and students, and ask as many questions as you’d like, together with your daughter, whether you're planning to enrol during the 11+ or 16+ entry.
💸 City of London School for Girls Fees for 2025/2026
Of course, this quality of education doesn’t come without a price. It is considerably more expensive than some other public and private schools across the UK, so you’ll have to consider whether the exemplary results and facilities justify the expense for you and your daughter.
✅Tuition fee per term
- £10,082.40 (including VAT)
✅Registration Fees
- £192 for UK students
- £300 for overseas students
- £300 for occasional place applicants
✅Optional Expenses
- £6.30 per day for lunch
- £444 for individual music lessons, 10 lessons including VAT
While tuition fees are of course the major expense associated with education, you’ll also have to consider and budget for some of the hidden costs, such as school lunches, transport, uniforms, books, as well as any school trips that might be organised throughout the year.
Now, if you are punching all of these figures into a calculator and starting to get a little stressed, you should note that the school offers a range of financial assistance options.
Over 20% of Senior School girls receive some form of financial aid, from small scholarships to full-fee bursaries. Bursary awards are means-tested and can cover anywhere from 20% to 100% of the fees. While CLSG doesn't offer academic scholarships, they do provide scholarships in the following areas:
| Type of scholarship | Eligibility | Age Range |
|---|---|---|
| Music | Must have Grade 6 qualification in an instrument and passed first CEM assessment | 11+ students |
| Music | Must have Grade 8 qualification in an instrument | 16+ students |
| Drama | Students who have chosen to take drama and theatre studies at A level. | 16+ students |
| Arts | Students who have chosen to take art studies at A level | 16+ students |
| Sports | Students must show participation of a sport through club or a high representation level | 16+ students |
Important note: Students need to submit their records of achievement and submit videos of audition pieces, and only shortlisted candidates will be called for the next round of interviews. So it's best to prepare ahead, whether it's drawings portfolios, clear recordings of monologue performances or a violin recital.
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All the best with your application!
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