About Brighton Girls
Brighton Girls is a girls independent day school in Surrey & Sussex. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the GDST 11+ entrance assessment, part of the Girls' Day School Trust family, covering English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Brighton Girls is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Brighton Girls
Brighton Girls Admissions Criteria
Brighton Girls is a girls independent day school in Surrey & Sussex. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the GDST 11+ entrance assessment, part of the Girls' Day School Trust family, covering English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at Brighton Girls to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at Brighton Girls. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — GDST entrance assessment: Your daughter will sit the GDST 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. The assessment is consistent across the GDST family of schools and designed to identify academic ability and potential.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about her interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether her child has been offered a place at Brighton Girls.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at Brighton Girls. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Brighton Girls Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending Brighton Girls.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Brighton Girls 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to Brighton Girls
Step 1 — Visit Brighton Girls (GDST)
Visit Brighton Girls (GDST) — arrange a personal tour or attend an Open Event
Step 2 — Use the 11+ toolkit on the school website for key dates
Use the 11+ toolkit on the school website for key dates and further information
Step 3 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the GDST admissions portal
Step 4 — Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Step 5 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your daughter's current school
Step 6 — Your daughter sits the 11+ entrance assessment at
Your daughter sits the 11+ entrance assessment at Brighton Girls
Step 7 — Attend an interview as part of the GDST shared assessment
Attend an interview as part of the GDST shared assessment approach
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the GDST acceptance deposit
On acceptance, pay the GDST acceptance deposit
Independent Subjects Tested at Brighton Girls
Scholarships & Bursaries at Brighton Girls
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries via GDST.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers — see 11+ toolkit for bursary information
Additional notes: Brighton Girls (formerly Brighton & Hove High School) is an independent day school for girls in Brighton, East Sussex (founded 1876). Member of the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST). Strong drama programme offering Speech and Drama, Devising and Acting grades.
Independent Practice Papers for Brighton Girls
Brighton Girls uses GDST 11+ Entrance Assessment format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Brighton Girls 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Brighton Girls (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Brighton Girls is a selective girls’ school with strong results at GCSE and A-Level.
- GCSE: a strong record, with around 75% of grades at 5 or above.
- A-Level: strong results, with girls progressing to a wide range of universities.
- Progression: pupils progress to a wide range of universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Brighton Girls
Brighton Girls is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a girls’ day school, places are open to families from across Brighton & Hove and the surrounding area, with selective entry by assessment (including the GDST 11+) rather than where a family lives.
The school’s High School and Sixth Form are at Montpelier Road in central Brighton, with the Prep opposite on Temple Gardens; entry runs from the Prep (from age 3) through 11+ and into the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1876 as one of the founding schools of what is now the Girls’ Day School Trust (and known until recently as Brighton and Hove High School), Brighton Girls is a selective independent day school for girls (ages 3–18) in the Montpelier area of central Brighton — the city’s only all-through girls’ school — with the motto ‘Veritas est via’. With ‘radical roots’ in its DNA, it pairs strong academics with excellent, well-known pastoral care, and was the first school in the UK to launch a skateboarding scholarship.
It offers a broad co-curricular programme across sport, music, drama and the arts, with sports facilities including an Astroturf pitch and dance studio. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Brighton Girls
How do I get into Brighton Girls?
To gain entry to Brighton Girls Year 7, parents register their child with the Admissions Team, submit a registration fee and arrange for the child to sit the 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. A reference from the current school is required. Following the assessment and any interview, parents are notified in writing of the outcome.
Is Brighton Girls a GDST school?
Yes. Brighton Girls is a member of the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST), a family of 23 independent girls' schools across the UK. GDST schools share an entrance assessment approach at 11+ covering English and Mathematics, with results used to determine offers of places at any of the GDST schools applied to.
What is the 11+ exam at Brighton Girls?
Brighton Girls uses its own 11+ entrance assessment for Year 7 entry. The assessment covers English and Mathematics, designed to identify both current ability and future academic potential. An interview with the Head or Deputy Head may also form part of the selection process.
Are there scholarships at Brighton Girls?
Yes. Brighton Girls offers Academic, Music, Art, Drama and Sport scholarships. Means-tested Bursary Awards are also available to support families requiring financial assistance with school fees. Contact the Admissions Office for current scholarship and bursary information.
When should I apply to Brighton Girls?
Most independent schools including Brighton Girls accept applications throughout the year, but Year 7 places are often offered 12-18 months in advance. Register early — ideally by Year 5 (age 9-10) — to secure assessment slots and avoid disappointment.
Are there free Independent 11+ practice papers for Brighton Girls?
Yes. ExamTutor offers a free Independent 11+ Practice Test Paper and free Tutor Video Explanations. The practice paper matches the format of independent school 11+ entrance exams covering English and Mathematics — the subjects typically tested at Brighton Girls. No registration required.
When is the Brighton Girls 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Brighton Girls is See 11+ toolkit on school website. The registration fee is Payable at registration. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Brighton Girls 11+ results announced?
At Brighton Girls, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.
What is the acceptance deposit at Brighton Girls?
The acceptance deposit at Brighton Girls is GDST acceptance deposit (refundable after pupil leaves, less any outstanding amounts). This is payable on acceptance of a place.