About City of London School
City of London School (CLS) is an independent day school for boys aged 10–18 on the banks of the River Thames in the City of London, beside the Millennium Bridge. Its history dates back to 1442 and it opened on its first site in 1837; today around 950 boys attend. As an independent school it charges fees — around £24,500 a year (confirm the current figure with the school).
Entry to Year 7 is highly competitive. CLS runs its own computerised assessment — English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, plus Creative Comprehension and Puzzles — with a short handwritten creative-writing task, sat in late November; successful candidates attend an interview in January, and a school reference is reviewed.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for City of London School
CLS runs its own admissions. Register online directly with the school by the early-November deadline (a non-refundable registration fee applies). All registered candidates sit a computerised assessment in late November — English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, Creative Comprehension and Puzzles — together with a short handwritten creative-writing task. Successful candidates are invited to an interview and group activity in January, and a report from the current school is reviewed before offers are made.
Catchment Area for City of London School
As an independent City school, CLS has no catchment area; boys travel in from across London. Places are awarded on the assessment, interview and school report.
CLS offers extensive means-tested ('transformational') bursaries; indicate your interest when you register and check the school's bursary pages for details.
Subjects Tested at City of London School
The CLS entrance assessment is the school's own, taken on a computer (about 95 minutes) — Mathematics, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, plus Puzzles & Problem-solving and Creative Comprehension — followed by a short handwritten creative-writing task and, for successful candidates, an interview.
Academic Performance at City of London School
City of London School is an academically selective independent day school for boys on the bank of the Thames in central London. It has a strong academic record at GCSE and A‑Level, with the large majority of grades at the top end and many leavers progressing to highly competitive universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.
- ✓Strong, broad academic curriculum with a wide range of A‑Level options.
- ✓High rates of progression to leading universities and competitive courses.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Co‑curricular at City of London School
Alongside academic work, the school offers an extensive co‑curricular programme and a strong pastoral structure, helped by its central London riverside location.
- ✓Pastoral: a house and tutor system focused on wellbeing and personal development.
- ✓Co‑curricular: music, drama, debating and a wide range of clubs and societies.
- ✓Sport: a broad sporting programme using on‑site and nearby facilities.
How to Prepare for the City of London School (CLS) 11+ Exam
The CLS assessment rewards secure English and maths and confident verbal/non-verbal reasoning at speed, plus lively creative writing. Build broad Year 6 skills and practise the online format. The steps below help.
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.
Independent 11+ Practice Papers and Quest Software for City of London School (CLS)
Which test this school sets. City of London School uses Quest Assessments for its first-round 11+ assessment — an online test covering English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with a puzzles and comprehension section, usually followed by a written task and an interview. The four subjects are exactly what the practice papers and the Quest software below cover. Checked September 2026 — always confirm with the school.
City of London School (CLS) uses the Independent 11+ 11+ format. Our practice papers mirror that exact format, with a short tutor video explaining every question. Quest, our interactive practice software, comes in a Independent 11+ edition too: 4,600 questions across English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning in short tests with medals to win, an Exam Hall of timed mocks, official-format sitting papers, flashcards, a daily five, a Weekly Challenge set by a friendly Guardian and a hero your child unlocks by learning, with a working-out board under every question and My Corrections — plus a Skills Report and a week-by-week plan for parents. Start with the free samples, then choose a pack when you're ready.
When you're readyPractice-paper packs from £19 · all papers £69 · Quest £59 a year · Quest + all papers £89. One-off purchases with 12 months' access — no subscription, nothing renews.
View Independent 11+ practice papers →City of London School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to CLS for Year 7?
Register online directly with the school by the early-November deadline (a non-refundable registration fee applies). Your son sits the computerised assessment in late November, with interviews for successful candidates in January.
What is the CLS entrance exam?
The school's own computerised assessment — English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, Creative Comprehension and Puzzles — plus a short handwritten creative-writing task and, for those who do well, an interview.
Is CLS selective, and does it charge fees?
Yes — it is a highly selective independent day school for boys, so it charges fees (around £24,500 a year; confirm the current figure with the school).
When is the entrance exam?
In late November of Year 6 (late November 2026 for September 2027 entry), with interviews in January 2027.
Does CLS have a catchment area?
No. As an independent City school it admits boys from any area; its Thames-side location is exceptionally well connected.
Are bursaries available?
Yes — CLS offers extensive means-tested 'transformational' bursaries; indicate your interest when you register.
Is the exam taken on a computer?
Yes — most of the assessment is computerised (around 95 minutes), with a short handwritten creative-writing task as well.
How many boys join at 11+?
CLS admits a competitive cohort into Year 7 each year (alongside boys entering at 10+); demand greatly exceeds places.
How can my son prepare?
Build confident Year 6 English and maths, practise timed verbal and non-verbal reasoning, and develop lively creative writing. ExamTutor offers Independent-style practice papers with full video explanations.
Start preparing for the City of London School (CLS) 11+
Try the free Independent 11+ samples first — a real paper, a tutor video and the Quest demo, no sign-up. Then choose a pack when you're ready.