About West London Free School
The West London Free School (WLFS) is a non-selective, co-educational state secondary school and sixth form for pupils aged 11–18 in Hammersmith, west London. It is a state-funded free school — not an independent, fee-paying school — opened in 2011 (the first free school of its kind to sign a funding agreement), with the motto ‘Sapere Aude’ (dare to know) and a classical liberal curriculum.
It is state-funded, so there are no fees and no academic entrance exam — admission is non-selective, with most places allocated by distance and a small number offered on music aptitude. A music specialist school, it is among the highest-performing comprehensives in the country.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for The West London Free School
The West London Free School Admissions Criteria
WLFS is a non-selective, all-ability state free school, so there is no academic entrance exam and no fees. Year 7 admission is coordinated by your home Local Authority; most places are offered on the basis of distance from the school, with a small number (around 12 a year) offered on music aptitude. You apply through your Local Authority’s Common Application Form; for a music place you also register for the school’s music aptitude assessment.
- ✓Step 1 — Visit: Look round at an Open Day or arranged tour to get a feel for the school. This is not part of any selection process.
- ✓Step 2 — Apply through your Local Authority: List the school on your child’s secondary Common Application Form (CAF) through your home Local Authority by the national deadline of 31 October in Year 6. You do not register or pay a fee directly to the school.
- ✓Step 3 — Register for a music place (optional): If you would like your child considered for one of the school’s music places, register for its music aptitude assessment as set out in the admission arrangements. This is in addition to applying through your Local Authority.
- ✓Step 4 — Offers: Your Local Authority sends offers on National Offer Day (1 March of Year 6). Places are allocated against the published oversubscription criteria below.
- ✓Step 5 — Accept your place: Accept the offer through your Local Authority by the date given. There is no acceptance deposit — it is a state-funded school.
As a state-funded school there are no tuition fees. Support such as free school meals and pupil premium funding is available to eligible families — contact the school for details.
How Places Are Allocated at The West London Free School
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children, and children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that names the school.
- A number of places (around 12 a year) for children who demonstrate musical aptitude in the school’s assessment.
- Children of members of staff (under the usual conditions), and children with a sibling at the school on entry.
- All other children, ranked by straight-line distance from the school gate (the tie-breaker), with places set aside for pupil-premium pupils.
- The school does not operate a fixed catchment, so qualifying distances vary each year — check the current admission arrangements.
Admissions & Catchment for The West London Free School
WLFS is a non-selective state free school, so admission is by the published criteria rather than an academic test — most places go by distance, with a small music-aptitude route.
Because there is no fixed catchment, qualifying distances vary each year; check the school’s admission arrangements and the Hammersmith & Fulham admissions booklet before applying.
Academic Performance at The West London Free School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
WLFS is one of the highest-performing comprehensive schools in the country, named London’s Comprehensive Secondary School of the Year in 2025.
- GCSE: excellent — in recent years among the top 1% of comprehensive schools nationally.
- A-Level: strong results in the Sixth Form, with most leavers progressing to university.
- Music & arts: a music specialist school where more than half of pupils learn an instrument, with a thriving drama and arts programme.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Opened in 2011, The West London Free School is a non-selective, co-educational state free school for pupils aged 11–18 in Hammersmith, west London, founded on a classical liberal vision (motto ‘Sapere Aude’) of an academic, knowledge-rich education for children of all backgrounds and abilities. A music specialist school with a strong emphasis on Latin, the humanities and the arts, it has a structured, supportive ethos.
Co-curricular life is wide-ranging, with music at its heart — more than half of pupils learn an instrument — alongside drama (including productions staged at professional theatres), sport, art and many clubs. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about The West London Free School
How do I apply to The West London Free School for Year 7?
Apply through your home Local Authority, naming the school on your child’s Common Application Form by 31 October. For a music place, also register for the school’s music aptitude assessment. There is no fee.
Is there an entrance exam at WLFS?
There is no academic entrance exam — the school is non-selective. A small number of places (around 12 a year) are offered on music aptitude, which involves a music assessment.
Is WLFS selective?
No. It is an all-ability comprehensive free school; most places are allocated by distance, with a small music-aptitude route.
How are places allocated if the school is oversubscribed?
After looked-after children, music-aptitude places, staff children and siblings, the remaining places go by straight-line distance from the school gate — and there is no fixed catchment.
Does WLFS have a Sixth Form?
Yes — an 11–18 school with a sixth form, with most students progressing to university.
Are there fees at WLFS?
No. It is a state-funded free school, so there are no tuition fees.
Independent Practice Papers for West London Free School
West London Free School is non-selective and does not set an 11+ entrance exam. Many families still use 11+ practice to strengthen core English and maths skills before secondary school — our Independent 11+ format papers are a useful general resource, 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
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- 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
Building 11+ Skills for West London Free School (General Practice)
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