About City of London Freemen's School
City of London Freemen's School (CLFS) is a co-educational independent day and boarding school set in 57 acres of Ashtead Park, Surrey, founded in 1854 by the City of London Corporation (a sibling of City of London School and City of London School for Girls). It educates around 840 girls and boys aged 7–18, the large majority as day pupils with just under 10% boarding. As an independent school it charges fees — around £7,400 a term for day pupils (confirm the current figure), with boarding higher.
Entry to Year 7 (Upper 3) is by the school's own entrance exam, sat in the autumn term of Year 6 — papers in English (comprehension and writing), Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning — with scholarship auditions alongside; decisions are made by the end of the calendar year.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for City of London Freemen's School
City of London Freemen's School Admissions Criteria
City of London Freemen's School is a co-educational independent day school in London. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in 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 City of London Freemen's School 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 City of London Freemen's School. 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 — Entrance assessment: Your child will sit City of London Freemen's School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning. The assessment is designed by the school's academic staff to identify both current ability and future academic 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 their interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether them child has been offered a place at City of London Freemen's School.
- ✓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 City of London Freemen's School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
City of London Freemen's School 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 City of London Freemen's School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — City of London Freemen's School 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 City of London Freemen's School
Step 1 — Visit City of London Freemen's School in Ashtead Park, Surrey Hills
Visit City of London Freemen's School in Ashtead Park, Surrey Hills — arrange a personal visit or attend an Open Event
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's admissions portal
Step 3 — Pay the £200 non-refundable registration fee
Pay the £200 non-refundable registration fee
Step 4 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your child's current school
Step 5 — Your child sits the 11+ entrance exam at Freemen's
Your child sits the 11+ entrance exam at Freemen's
Step 6 — Attend an interview designed to find out about your
Attend an interview designed to find out about your character and interests
Step 7 — Following assessment, offers are communicated
Following assessment, offers are communicated
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
Subjects Tested at City of London Freemen's School
Scholarships & Bursaries at City of London Freemen's School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: City of London Freemen's School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Ashtead Park, Surrey Hills (owned by City of London Corporation; founded 1854 in Brixton, moved to current home 1926). Times rank #67. Fully co-educational since founding 160+ years ago. Just under 10% boarders. Recent developments: purpose-built boarding house, new music school, award-winning swimming pool.
Catchment Area for City of London Freemen's School
As an independent school, CLFS has no catchment area; pupils travel in from across Surrey and south-west London, and boarding is available from Year 7. Places are awarded on the entrance exam.
CLFS offers Freemen's Scholarships (academic and music, including a 'Women in STEM' maths award) plus means-tested bursaries and historic Foundationer places; apply alongside your entry application.
Independent Practice Papers for City of London Freemen's School
City of London Freemen's School uses School's own bespoke 11+ 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
Academic Performance at City of London Freemen’s School
City of London Freemen’s School is an academically strong co‑educational independent school (day and boarding) set in a large parkland campus at Ashtead in Surrey. It has a consistently strong record at GCSE and A‑Level, with most leavers progressing to leading universities.
- ✓Broad academic curriculum across the senior school and sixth form.
- ✓Strong progression to competitive universities and courses.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Co‑curricular at City of London Freemen’s School
As a day and boarding school on an extensive green campus, Freemen’s offers a wide co‑curricular programme and a strong pastoral framework through its house system.
- ✓Pastoral: day and boarding houses with a focus on wellbeing.
- ✓Co‑curricular: extensive music, drama, sport and outdoor activities on a large site.
- ✓Sport: a wide range of sports with substantial on‑campus facilities.
How to Prepare for the City of London Freemen's School 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.
City of London Freemen's School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to CLFS at 11+?
Register online directly with the school at the start of Year 6. Your child sits the entrance exam in the autumn term, with scholarship auditions alongside, and decisions are made by the end of the calendar year.
What is on the CLFS 11+ exam?
The school's own papers — English (comprehension and writing), Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Past papers are not published; the assessments follow National-Curriculum standards.
Is CLFS selective, and does it charge fees?
Yes — it is a selective co-educational independent day and boarding school, so it charges fees (around £7,400 a term for day pupils; confirm the current figure, with boarding higher).
Does CLFS offer boarding?
Yes — it is a day and boarding school (boarding available from Year 7); just under 10% of pupils board.
Does CLFS have a catchment area?
No. As an independent school it admits pupils from any area; it is near Ashtead station with direct trains from London Victoria and Waterloo.
When is the entrance exam?
In the autumn term of Year 6 (autumn 2026 for September 2027 entry), with decisions by the end of the calendar year.
Are scholarships and bursaries available?
Yes — Freemen's academic and music scholarships (including a 'Women in STEM' maths award) and means-tested bursaries; apply alongside your entry application.
Is CLFS linked to the other City of London schools?
Yes — it is one of the schools supported by the City of London Corporation, alongside City of London School and City of London School for Girls.
How can my child prepare?
Build confident Year 5/6 English and maths and practise non-verbal reasoning. ExamTutor offers Independent-style practice papers with full video explanations.