About Leicester High School for Girls
Leicester High School for Girls is a girls independent day school in Leicestershire & East Midlands. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Leicester High School for 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. Ranked #454 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 80.6%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Leicester High School for Girls
Leicester High School for Girls Admissions Criteria
Leicester High School for Girls is a girls independent day school in Leicestershire & East Midlands. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning, 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 Leicester High School for 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 Leicester High School for 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 — ISEB Common Pre-Test: Your child will sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test online — the standardised, adaptive assessment used by Leicester High School for Girls and over 90 other UK independent senior schools. The test covers English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes in total. It is age-standardised to allow fair comparison across applicants.
- ✓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 Leicester High School for 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 Leicester High School for Girls. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Leicester High School for 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 Leicester High School for Girls.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Leicester High School for 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 Leicester High School for Girls
Step 1 — Visit Leicester High School for Girls (founded 1906)
Visit Leicester High School for Girls (founded 1906) — arrange a personal tour
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's admissions portal
Step 3 — Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Step 4 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your daughter's current school
Step 5 — Your daughter sits the 11+ entrance assessment at
Your daughter sits the 11+ entrance assessment at Leicester High
Step 6 — Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
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
Independent Subjects Tested at Leicester High School for Girls
Scholarships & Bursaries at Leicester High School for Girls
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Leicester High School for Girls is an independent day school in Leicester (founded 1906). Times rank #454.
Academic Results at Leicester High School for Girls
Leicester High School for Girls is an academically selective independent day school with a strong record of GCSE and A-Level results and university progression.
- Academic outcomes: small classes and individual attention support consistently strong GCSE and A-Level performance.
- Destinations: leavers progress to a wide range of universities, including Russell Group institutions, across diverse degree subjects.
- Support: academic and other scholarships, together with means-tested bursaries, help widen access.
The school publishes its latest results each summer; confirm current figures on its website.
Catchment Area for Leicester High School for Girls
Leicester High School for Girls is not part of a consortium and has no formal catchment area — places are offered on the basis of the entrance examination rather than where a family lives.
- Where pupils come from: the school draws girls from across Leicester and Leicestershire and the surrounding area.
- Admission basis: entry is by performance in the school's own entrance assessment and interview.
Pastoral Care & Co-curricular Life at Leicester High School for Girls
Leicester High School for Girls places a strong emphasis on pastoral care and personal development within a small, supportive school community.
- Pastoral care: small class sizes and a close tutor system mean each girl is well known and supported.
- Co-curricular: a broad programme of sport, music, drama, clubs and enrichment activities complements the academic curriculum.
- Access: scholarships and means-tested bursaries are available to support families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leicester High School for Girls a state grammar school?
No. It is an independent (fee-paying) day school for girls; entry is by the school's own assessment rather than the state 11-plus.
What does the entrance exam involve?
The main entrance examination is held in January and lasts around two hours: an online assessment covering Maths and English (verbal and non-verbal) reasoning, plus a separate creative-writing piece. Results are usually issued within two weeks.
Is there a catchment area?
No. The school is not part of a consortium and has no catchment area; girls join from across Leicester and Leicestershire.
How do I apply?
Applications are made on the school website, with a registration fee payable when you register to sit the entrance examination.
Independent Practice Papers for Leicester High School for Girls
Leicester High School for Girls uses ISEB Common Pre-Test 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 Leicester High School for 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.