About Latymer Upper School
Latymer Upper School is a leading co-educational independent day school on King Street in Hammersmith, west London, founded in 1624 by Edward Latymer. It educates pupils aged 11–18 (with a prep school from age 7) and is known for outstanding academic results and one of the most generous bursary programmes in the country. As an independent school it charges fees — around £27,000 a year (confirm the current figure with the school).
Entry to Year 7 is highly competitive (around 170 places, with seven or more applicants per place). Latymer sets its own papers in English and Mathematics — one Maths paper (60 minutes) and two English papers (comprehension and descriptive writing) — sat in January, followed by an interview for shortlisted candidates and a school reference.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Latymer Upper School
Latymer Upper School Admissions Criteria
Latymer Upper 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 Latymer Upper 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 Latymer Upper 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 Latymer Upper 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 Latymer Upper 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 Latymer Upper School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Latymer Upper 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 Latymer Upper School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Latymer Upper 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 Latymer Upper School
Step 1 — Attend an Open Day at Latymer Upper School (Hammersmith, West London)
Attend an Open Day at Latymer Upper School (Hammersmith, West London) — book via school website
Step 2 — Registration opens in May of your child's Year 5
Registration opens in May of your child's Year 5 and closes in Autumn of Year 6 — deadline noon 13 October 2025 (for 2026 entry)
Step 3 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form — tick fee assistance box if applying for full or partial bursary (up to 100%)
Step 4 — Pay the £220 (inc VAT
Pay the £220 (inc VAT) non-refundable registration fee for 11+ (£300 inc VAT for 16+)
Step 5 — Your child sits the entrance exam in December
Your child sits the entrance exam in December — 2 English papers (comprehension multiple-choice 35 mins; descriptive writing) + Maths
Step 6 — Shortlisted candidates invited back for interview in
Shortlisted candidates invited back for interview in early January 2026
Step 7 — Offer letters sent via email mid-February
Offer letters sent via email mid-February; acceptance deadline March
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the £2,400 (inc VAT
On acceptance, pay the £2,400 (inc VAT) acceptance deposit (held until pupil leaves)
Subjects Tested at Latymer Upper School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Latymer Upper School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Means-tested bursaries up to 100% discount on tuition fees. Additional financial support may be available for school trips and uniform. Apply via tick box on registration form.
Outcome announced: Means-tested bursaries up to 100% of fees. ~25% (a quarter) of students receive means-tested bursary worth 25-100% of fees.
Additional notes: Latymer Upper School is a fully co-educational independent day school in Hammersmith, West London (founded 1624 by Edward Latymer). Times rank #12. 168-170 places in Year 7 (~40 move up from Prep). Boasts highest Oxford/Cambridge acceptance rates of any UK secondary school. Highly competitive: 7+ applications per place. Termly fees ~£8,637.50. 2022 results: 95% GCSE grades 9-7, 94% A-Level A*-B, 19 Oxbridge offers. Only accepts British/Irish citizens or those with right to remain.
Catchment Area for Latymer Upper School
As an independent London school, Latymer Upper has no catchment area; pupils travel in from across west and central London. Places are awarded on the entrance exam and interview, supported by an exceptionally generous bursary scheme.
Latymer offers one of the UK's most generous bursary programmes (up to full fees); apply for financial assistance alongside your entry application.
Academic Results at Latymer Upper School
Latymer Upper is one of the most academically successful co-educational independent schools in the country, with a long record of strong public-exam results and university destinations.
- A-Level (2025): results averaged around an A grade across entries, with the large majority of grades at A*–B.
- GCSE: a very high proportion of grades at 9–7 (A*/A equivalent).
- Destinations: Latymer is consistently among the UK's strongest schools for Oxbridge and Russell Group offers, with many pupils also progressing to leading US universities.
The school publishes its latest results each summer; the figures above are indicative and should be confirmed on the school's website.
Pastoral Care & Co-curricular Life at Latymer Upper School
Latymer Upper combines academic challenge with a strong pastoral framework and an unusually wide co-curricular programme.
- Pastoral care: a form-tutor and house system supports each pupil's wellbeing and progress through the school.
- Access and bursaries: Latymer runs one of the UK's most generous, fully means-tested bursary schemes — supporting a large minority of pupils (around one in five) with help up to full fees — to keep the school socio-economically diverse.
- Co-curricular: a rich programme spanning music, a strong drama and theatre tradition, debating and clubs, plus sport including rowing on the River Thames from its Hammersmith riverside site.
Independent Practice Papers for Latymer Upper School
Latymer Upper 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
How to Prepare for the Latymer Upper 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.
Latymer Upper School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Latymer Upper at 11+?
Register online directly with the school (registrations for September 2027 entry open in May 2026; a £220 registration fee applies). Your child sits the January entrance exam, with interviews for shortlisted candidates and offers in mid-February.
What is on the Latymer Upper 11+ exam?
The school's own papers — one Maths paper (60 minutes) and two English papers (comprehension/multiple-choice and descriptive writing) — followed by an interview and a school reference. There is no verbal or non-verbal reasoning.
Is Latymer Upper selective, and does it charge fees?
Yes — it is a highly selective co-educational independent day school, so it charges fees (around £27,000 a year; confirm the current figure with the school).
How many Year 7 places are there?
Around 170, with seven or more applicants per place, so entry is very competitive.
Does Latymer Upper have a catchment area?
No. As an independent school it admits pupils from any area; the Hammersmith site is very well connected.
When is the entrance exam?
In January (January 2027 for September 2027 entry); registrations open in May 2026 and offers are sent in mid-February.
Are bursaries available?
Yes — Latymer has one of the most generous bursary programmes in the UK, with over 1 in 5 pupils on a means-tested bursary (up to full fees).
Does the exam include reasoning?
No — Latymer tests English and Maths only, with no separate verbal or non-verbal reasoning paper.
How can my child prepare?
Build confident Year 5/6 English and maths and practise timed comprehension and descriptive writing. ExamTutor offers Independent-style practice papers with full video explanations.