Grey Coat Hospital School – 11+ Practice Papers with Video Explanations
Church of England Academy | All-Girls School (Co-ed Sixth Form) | Westminster, London | Ages 11–18
📚 History of Grey Coat Hospital School
The Grey Coat Hospital School was founded in 1698, making it one of the oldest Church of England girls’ schools in London. It was originally established as a charity school for orphaned and poor girls and has grown into a highly sought-after state-funded secondary school with academy status.
Located in central Westminster, Grey Coat Hospital (often abbreviated as GCH) is steeped in tradition but combines its historic Christian foundation with a modern, inclusive, and academically ambitious ethos. The name “hospital” refers to its original meaning – a place of care and learning.
👨🎓 Pupil Numbers & Structure
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Total Pupils: ~1,150
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Year 7 Intake: 150 girls
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Sixth Form: ~300 (co-educational)
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Gender: Girls (Years 7–11), Co-ed (Years 12–13)
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Age Range: 11–18
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School Type: Voluntary-aided Church of England comprehensive with selective elements
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Location: St. Michael’s Street, Westminster (Main site), with a separate Sixth Form site on Rochester Row
🎓 Academic Reputation
Grey Coat Hospital is one of the top-performing non-selective state schools in London, with outstanding exam results, a strong focus on languages, and an international reputation for excellence.
✅ Academic Strengths:
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Specialism in Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)
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High-achieving in Maths, Science, English, and Humanities
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Emphasis on character education, leadership, and service
📊 Academic Results (Typical Year):
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GCSEs:
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~95–98% achieve Grade 5+ in English & Maths
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~70–80% of grades at 7–9 (A–A*)
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A-Levels (Sixth Form):
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~80% of grades at A–B*
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High university progression, including Oxbridge, Russell Group, and international universities
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🏆 Awards & Recognition
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Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
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Recognised in:
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Sunday Times Top 100 State Schools
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London Mayor’s Schools for Success programme
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British Council International School Award (for language and cultural exchange work)
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Achievements:
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Award-winning MFL department – partnerships with schools abroad in France, Germany, and Spain
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National success in:
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UKMT Maths Challenge
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Young Enterprise and Debating Competitions
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Model United Nations (MUN) and public speaking
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Music and drama awards at borough and national level
📝 Exam Board: School’s own test
✏️ Year 7 Admissions Criteria & How to Apply
✅ Admissions Overview
Grey Coat Hospital admits 150 girls into Year 7 each year. It is not fully selective, but uses a fair banding test, church commitment, and distance criteria.
📋 Year 7 Places Allocation Breakdown (Typical)
| Category | Approx. Places |
|---|---|
| Foundation (Church commitment) | ~60 places |
| Language Aptitude | Up to 15 places |
| Banding (fair allocation across ability bands) | All applicants take banding test |
| Sibling Priority | Variable |
| Open Places (distance/proximity) | Remaining places |
🧪 Tests Required for Entry
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Fair Banding Test
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All applicants must sit this to ensure a mixed-ability intake
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Usually held in late September/early October
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Determines which ability band a student is placed in
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Language Aptitude Test (Optional)
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For those applying for one of up to 15 language aptitude places
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Tests linguistic reasoning and pattern recognition (not prior knowledge)
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Usually taken alongside banding test
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📝 Supplementary Information Form (SIF)
Parents applying under faith or language aptitude criteria must submit a SIF directly to the school.
The SIF includes:
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Church attendance form (completed by vicar or priest)
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Sibling information
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Language test request (if applicable)
📅 Admissions Timeline
| Stage | Date (Indicative) |
|---|---|
| Open Day | September |
| SIF Deadline | Mid-September |
| Banding & Language Test | Late September/Early October |
| CAF Deadline (via local authority) | 31 October |
| National Offer Day | 1 March |
📌 CAF (Common Application Form) must list Grey Coat Hospital as one of the preferences
📌 SIF must be submitted directly to the school by their deadline
🏫 The Grey Coat Hospital – Contact Information
School Name: The Grey Coat Hospital
Type: Church of England Voluntary Aided Secondary School for Girls (Co-ed Sixth Form)
Ages: 11–18
Location: Westminster, London
📍 Address:
Sixth Form Centre:
St. Michael’s Building
98 Regency Street
London
SW1P 4GH
United Kingdom
☎️ Telephone:
+44 (0)20 7969 1998
📧 Email:
🌐 Website:
📱 Social Media:
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Twitter/X: @GreyCoatHosp
