ADMISSION TO THE FIRST SCHOOL (SEPT 2026)
KEY DATES
Registration opens | Thursday 1 May 2025 |
Registration closes | Friday 31 October 2025 |
First Stage assessments | Early January 2026 |
Second Stage assessments | Mid January 2026 |
Offers notified | Late January 2026 |
Acceptance by | Early February 2026 |
First Stage Assessments
Play activities testing school readiness which lasts about an hour. Children are grouped by age and there are about 12-16 children per group. Activities usually include pre-school tasks such as colouring, cutting and sticking.
Second Stage Assessments
A smaller group are recalled for the second round, which includes a group activity followed by one to one puzzles and games with a member of our teaching staff.
We are looking for children with a curiosity for learning and the confidence to have a go at something they haven’t seen before. They need to be able to listen to and follow simple instructions as part of a group or one to one with an adult.
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The Admissions Process
STAGE 1 – ATTEND AN EVENT
The best way to find out about our school is to attend an event and there are a number to choose from. We offer both an Open Morning and School in Action Mornings throughout the Autumn and Summer Terms.
STAGE 2 – REGISTER
Registration for 4+ entry into the First School opens in May. You will need to complete the online registration form.
STAGE 3 – 4+ FIRST ROUND ASSESSMENTS
All applicants registered for entry by the closing date will be invited to NLCS for the first round of assessments. The assessment lasts for approximately one hour and the girls take part in a number of activities that are designed to assess their readiness for school.
STAGE 4 – 4+ SECOND ROUND ASSESSMENTS
Some candidates will be invited back for a second round of assessments. This will involve taking part in a group activity as well as individual puzzles and games with a member of staff.
STAGE 5 – OFFERS
Following assessments, successful candidates will receive offers in late January.
“We want to thank you for making the process manageable for our daughter. She was treated with kindness at every turn and this matters very much to me.”
— NLCS Parent
ADMISSION TO THE LOWER SCHOOL (SEPT 2026)
KEY DATES
Registration opens | Thursday 1 May 2025 |
Registration closes | Friday 31 October 2025 |
First Stage assessments | Mid November 2025 |
Second Stage assessments | Early December 2025 |
Offers notified | Late January 2026 |
Acceptance by | Early February 2026 |
First Stage Assessments
The first stage involves preliminary written tests which assess literacy and numeracy. We are looking to discover what the children can do, not what they can’t do. For the first stage tests, candidates will be expected to:
Write an imaginative story using full sentences and some interesting vocabulary.
Read fluently with understanding and give answers to written questions.
Write the answers to these questions in simple sentences.
Understand the concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication and ‘sharing’/division and be able to apply these rules in order to solve word problems.
Know the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 times tables.
Have a basic understanding of shape, time and money.
Interpret simple tables and charts.
Second Stage Assessments
Selected students are called back for the second stage of the process, which consists of a day at school where they will be taught as a class and experience the learning and excitement of a busy school day at North London.
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The Admissions Process
STAGE 1 – ATTEND AN EVENT
The best way to find out about our school is to attend an event and there are a number to choose from. We offer both an Open Morning and School in Action Mornings throughout the Autumn and Summer Terms.
STAGE 2 – REGISTER
Registration for 7+ entry into the Lower School opens in May. You will need to complete the online registration form.
STAGE 3 – 7+ FIRST ROUND ASSESSMENTS
All those who registered for entry into Year 3 will be invited to take part in the first stage of our assessment. This involves written tests in Maths and English.
STAGE 4 – 7+ SECOND ROUND ASSESSMENTS
Selected girls will be invited back to Canons to experience a school day with other candidates. They will be taught as a class and get a feel for what it would be like to be a North Londoner.
STAGE 5 – OFFERS
Following assessments, successful candidates will receive offers in late January.
A limited number of places occasionally become available in the Junior School.
To be added to the waiting list for a Junior School occasional place, please complete this form and you will be notified if a place becomes available.