About Newcastle High School for Girls
Newcastle High School for Girls (NHSG) is an independent day school for girls aged 3–18 on Tankerville Terrace in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, with its Junior School at Sandyford Park. It is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST).
Formed in 2014 from the merger of Central Newcastle High School (a GDST school dating from 1876) and Church High School (1885), NHSG is recognised for an all-girl ethos, exceptional pastoral care and a balanced curriculum spanning STEM and the arts.
About the Newcastle High School for Girls Entrance Assessment
Newcastle High School for Girls is an independent day school for girls (part of the Girls' Day School Trust) that sets its own entrance assessment for Year 7 admission. (The school historically used the CEM 11+ test, retired in 2022; confirm the current format on the school's website.) The school admits approximately a limited number of Year 7 pupils each September, and applications are made directly to Newcastle High School for Girls (registration fee payable).
The CEM-style 11+ format traditionally consists of one or two papers covering English (comprehension, cloze passages, vocabulary), Mathematics (numerical reasoning, problem-solving), Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. CEM scores are age-standardised so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. The CEM-style is the established alternative reference format to GL Assessment.
For 2026 entry, the Newcastle High School for Girls entrance exam is held in January of Year 6, with results and offers issued in February-March (varies by school).
Newcastle High School for Girls is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (available places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Newcastle High School for Girls
- Type: Independent (fee-paying) GDST day school for girls, ages 3–18*
- Main 11+ entry: Year 7, by the school’s own entrance examination held in January of Year 6
- Assessment: papers including English and Mathematics, with a current school report considered
- Awards: academic scholarships at Year 7 (non-means-tested) and means-tested bursaries via the GDST
Applications are made directly to NHSG. Families register through the school’s website (newcastlehigh.gdst.net), are encouraged to attend an open event or tour, and the child sits the January entrance assessment; offers are based on performance together with the school reference. Award and bursary applications are usually due by the end of November for the following September.
Fees are charged per term and reviewed annually, with sibling support available; around one in five GDST pupils receives some financial assistance. Confirm current fees, dates and awards with the school.
CEM Select Practice Papers for Newcastle High School for Girls
Newcastle High School for Girls uses the CEM Select 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning tests
- 450 video explanations
- 24 hours of video content
- 3 × Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning tests
- 450 video explanations
- 22.5 hours of video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 8.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 8.0 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 7.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 7.0 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 6.5 hrs video content
- 3 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × Maths, Verbal & NVR
- 150 video explanations
- 6.0 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Newcastle 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.
Academic Performance at Newcastle High School for Girls (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Newcastle High School for Girls is a leading GDST day school with consistently strong outcomes at GCSE and A-Level.
- GCSE: a high proportion of strong GCSE grades across STEM and the arts.
- A-Level: a broad sixth form with nearly all leavers progressing to university.
- Progression: recent leavers have gone on to universities including Leeds, Glasgow, UCL, Sheffield and York.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Newcastle High School for Girls
Newcastle High School for Girls is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. Places are open to families from across Newcastle and the wider North East and beyond, and are allocated on the basis of the entrance assessment rather than where a family lives.
The Senior School is on Tankerville Terrace in Jesmond (with the Junior School at Sandyford Park), accessible from across Newcastle by bus and Metro, with school transport for those further afield.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
NHSG is noted by inspectors for its exceptional pastoral care, with heads of year and form tutors, a full-time school nurse and counsellor and strong peer-support structures. The all-girl ethos is designed to help every girl learn ‘without limits’.
The school offers a wide co-curriculum across sport, music, drama and clubs, alongside extensive careers and university guidance. For the full list of activities, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Newcastle High School for Girls
How do I apply to Newcastle High School for Girls for Year 7?
Applications to Newcastle High School for Girls are made directly to the school. Register on the school's website (registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies)), pay the registration fee, sit the entrance exam, and attend an interview if shortlisted.
Does Newcastle High School for Girls use the CEM 11+ test?
Newcastle High School for Girls historically used the CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) 11+ entrance test. Since CEM 11+ was retired in 2022, many schools have transitioned to GL Assessment or developed bespoke entrance tests. Practice papers in the CEM-style format remain valuable preparation as the topic areas (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) are still tested in most formats.
What's the difference between CEM and GL Assessment?
Both test similar subjects (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) but differ in style: CEM was designed to be less coachable with broader vocabulary and varied question types per paper; GL Assessment has more structured, predictable papers per subject area. Many former CEM schools now use GL Assessment after CEM 11+ was retired in 2022.
How many Year 7 places does Newcastle High School for Girls have?
Newcastle High School for Girls admits a limited number of Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly.
When is the 11+ test for Newcastle High School for Girls?
For 2026 entry, Newcastle High School for Girls's 11+ entrance assessment is held in January of Year 6 (Independent school entrance exam, CEM-style format). Registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies).
What's the pass mark / qualifying score for Newcastle High School for Girls?
Newcastle High School for Girls sets its own qualifying mark each year based on the standardised score distribution of applicants. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) according to performance in the entrance assessment.
Is Newcastle High School for Girls a state school or fee-paying?
Newcastle High School for Girls is an independent fee-paying school. Registration fees, entrance exam fees, and tuition fees apply. Bursaries and scholarships are typically available for academically able pupils from lower-income families — check the school's website for details.
How can my child prepare for the Newcastle High School for Girls 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete CEM-style 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question, and downloadable resources covering English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the test for best results.
Where can I find Newcastle High School for Girls's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Newcastle High School for Girls 2026 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, current test format, qualifying mark, supplementary forms, and any school-specific application requirements.