About Notre Dame School
Notre Dame School is a girls independent day school in Cobham, Surrey. 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.
Notre Dame School 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.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Notre Dame School
Notre Dame School Admissions Criteria
Notre Dame School is a girls independent day school in Cobham, Surrey. 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 Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. 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 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 Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame School
Step 1 — Visit Notre Dame School
Visit Notre Dame School — arrange a personal tour or attend an Open Event
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 child's current school
Step 5 — Your child sits the entrance assessment at Notre Dame
Your child sits the entrance assessment at Notre Dame
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 Notre Dame School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Notre Dame School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Notre Dame School is an independent Catholic school. Multiple schools share this name across the UK — visit the school website for specific details.
Independent Practice Papers for Notre Dame School
Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame 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.
Academic Performance at Notre Dame School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Notre Dame is an academically strong girls’ school, combining excellent results with outstanding pastoral care.
- GCSE: a strong record across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level: strong results, with girls progressing to a range of universities.
- Progression: pupils progress to a range of universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Notre Dame School
Notre Dame School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a girls’ day school (with a co-educational Nursery and Pre-Prep for younger children), places are open to families from across Cobham, Esher, Weybridge and the surrounding Surrey area, with entry by assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school sits in 26 acres of Surrey countryside at Burwood House, Cobham (about 20 minutes from south-west London); entry runs from the Nursery through 11+, 13+ and into the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1937 by sisters of the Company of Mary Our Lady — a religious order established in Bordeaux in 1607 to educate girls, now with around 300 foundations worldwide — Notre Dame School is an independent Catholic day school in Cobham, Surrey, for girls aged 2–18 (with a co-educational Nursery and Pre-Prep for boys and girls aged 2–7). Set in 26 acres and welcoming families of all faiths and none, it is built on more than 400 years of educational experience with pastoral care ‘at the heart’ of its approach, alongside academic rigour, and was rated ‘excellent’ across the board at its most recent ISI inspection.
Its facilities and co-curricular life are strong — including a swimming pool, all-weather pitch, theatre, a STEM space (‘ND Innovate’) and Forest School, with scholarships in academics, art, drama, music, sport and STEM. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Notre Dame School
How do I get into Notre Dame School?
To gain entry to Notre Dame School Year 7, parents register their child with the Admissions Team, submit a registration fee and arrange for the child to sit the 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. A reference from the current school is required. Following the assessment and any interview, parents are notified in writing of the outcome.
What entrance exam does Notre Dame School use?
Notre Dame School sets its own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. The papers are designed by the school's academic staff and may differ from national exam boards. Practice papers in the relevant 11+ format (such as the ones ExamTutor provides) are excellent preparation for the school's own assessment.
What is the 11+ exam at Notre Dame School?
Notre Dame School uses its own 11+ entrance assessment for Year 7 entry. The assessment covers English and Mathematics, designed to identify both current ability and future academic potential. An interview with the Head or Deputy Head may also form part of the selection process.
Are there scholarships at Notre Dame School?
Yes. Notre Dame School offers Academic, Music, Art, Drama and Sport scholarships. Means-tested Bursary Awards are also available to support families requiring financial assistance with school fees. Contact the Admissions Office for current scholarship and bursary information.
When should I apply to Notre Dame School?
Most independent schools including Notre Dame School accept applications throughout the year, but Year 7 places are often offered 12-18 months in advance. Register early — ideally by Year 5 (age 9-10) — to secure assessment slots and avoid disappointment.
Are there free Independent 11+ practice papers for Notre Dame School?
Yes. ExamTutor offers a free Independent 11+ Practice Test Paper and free Tutor Video Explanations. The practice paper matches the format of independent school 11+ entrance exams covering English and Mathematics — the subjects typically tested at Notre Dame School. No registration required.
When is the Notre Dame School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Notre Dame School is See school website for current deadlines. The registration fee is Payable at registration. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Notre Dame School 11+ results announced?
At Notre Dame School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.