Latymer Upper School 11 Plus Guide: Entrance Exam & Preparation
Key Takeaways
- Latymer Upper tests English and mathematics in a two-paper exam held in January of Year 6
- Shortlisted candidates attend a 15-20 minute interview that assesses curiosity and communication skills
- Registration opens in autumn of Year 5 with a late November or early December deadline
- Bursaries covering a significant proportion of fees are available through means-tested applications
Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith is one of the most prestigious independent schools in west London, attracting families from across the capital and beyond. Founded in 1624, the school offers an academically rigorous education with outstanding results and a rich programme of extracurricular activities. Entry at 11+ is fiercely competitive, with several hundred children applying for approximately 100 places each year. The admissions process involves a two-stage selection: an initial written examination followed by an interview for shortlisted candidates. Parents need to understand both stages thoroughly to give their child the best possible chance. The written papers test English and mathematics, while the interview assesses curiosity, communication skills, and a child's enthusiasm for learning. This guide covers everything you need to know about the Latymer Upper School 11 Plus process, from registration deadlines and exam format to interview preparation and what the school looks for in successful candidates. Whether your child is in Year 4 and you are planning ahead, or Year 5 and actively preparing, this article provides the practical detail you need to navigate the process with confidence.
Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith selects at 11+ through written papers in English and mathematics followed by interviews for shortlisted candidates. Registration opens in autumn of Year 5, with exams in January and offers in late February. Bursaries and scholarships are available.
Registration and Key Dates for Latymer Upper School
Registration for the Latymer Upper School 11 Plus typically opens in the autumn term of Year 5, with the deadline falling in late November or early December. Parents must complete the online application form on the school's website and pay a non-refundable registration fee. It is essential to register early because the school does not accept late applications, and the process closes promptly at the stated deadline.
The entrance examination is held in January of Year 6, usually across a single morning. The school communicates the exact date, time, and location to registered candidates in December. Children sit the exam at the school's Hammersmith campus, which means families who live some distance away should plan their travel carefully to avoid delays on the day.
Shortlisted candidates are invited back for interviews, which take place in late January or early February. The school notifies parents of shortlisting within a few weeks of the exam, and offers are made in late February or early March, ahead of the national offer day for maintained schools. Families who receive an offer must confirm acceptance by the date specified in the offer letter.
Bursaries and scholarships are available at Latymer Upper, and families who wish to be considered for financial support must indicate this on the registration form. The school's bursary programme is means-tested and can cover a significant proportion of fees. Academic scholarships are awarded based on performance in the entrance exam and interview, and the school also offers music, art, and sports scholarships at 11+.
Parents should also be aware that Latymer Upper participates in the London 11+ Consortium, which coordinates exam dates with several other independent schools to reduce the number of clashes. Checking the consortium calendar before registering for multiple schools helps families plan a realistic schedule without overloading their child with back-to-back exams in January.
Latymer Upper Entrance Exam Format and Content
The Latymer Upper School entrance exam at 11+ consists of two written papers: English and mathematics. Each paper lasts approximately 45 to 60 minutes, and both are sat on the same morning with a break between them. The school does not test verbal or non-verbal reasoning separately, though both papers require strong logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
The English paper typically includes a comprehension passage with questions testing literal understanding, inference, and personal response. Children are expected to read carefully, support their answers with evidence from the text, and express themselves clearly in full sentences. There is also a creative writing component, where children write a short story, description, or continuation of a given scenario. The school values originality, vocabulary, and the ability to engage the reader, so practising varied writing styles is important.
The mathematics paper covers the full Year 5 curriculum and extends into Year 6 topics. Expect questions on arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, algebra, geometry, and multi-step word problems. The paper increases in difficulty, so the early questions are accessible to most prepared candidates while the later questions are genuinely challenging. Children need strong number fluency and the ability to apply their knowledge to unfamiliar problem types.
The school marks both papers holistically, looking not just at correct answers but at the quality of working and reasoning shown. In mathematics, children who show their method can earn partial marks even if the final answer is incorrect. In English, the quality of expression and the depth of engagement with the text matter as much as accuracy.
EdifyPod Nexus provides structured practice across both English and mathematics, with Eddy, the learning coach, adjusting the difficulty to match your child's current level. This targeted approach ensures your child builds fluency in areas they find challenging while maintaining confidence in their strengths. Regular timed practice sessions build the exam stamina needed to perform well under pressure.
The Interview Process at Latymer Upper School
The interview is a distinctive feature of the Latymer Upper admissions process and carries significant weight in the final decision. Only children who perform well in the written exam are invited to interview, so reaching this stage is already an achievement. The interview lasts approximately 15 to 20 minutes and is conducted by a senior member of staff, often a head of department or a housemaster.
Latymer Upper uses the interview to assess qualities that cannot be captured in a written exam: intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm for learning, the ability to think on the spot, and a child's personality and character. The interviewer will typically ask about the child's interests, favourite books, hobbies, and what subjects they enjoy most at school. There are no trick questions, but children who can speak confidently about their passions and ask thoughtful questions of their own tend to make the strongest impression.
Preparation for the interview should focus on building your child's confidence in conversation rather than rehearsing scripted answers. Encourage them to read widely and be ready to discuss what they have read recently, including what they liked about it and why. Practise discussing current events at an age-appropriate level, and help your child articulate why they are interested in attending Latymer Upper specifically.
Some families find it helpful to run practice interviews at home, with a family friend or tutor playing the role of the interviewer. This helps children become comfortable with the format and reduces anxiety on the day. Remind your child that the interview is a conversation, not a test, and that the interviewer genuinely wants to get to know them.
On the day of the interview, children should dress smartly, arrive in good time, and remember to make eye contact and speak clearly. A warm, genuine manner goes further than rehearsed responses. The school is looking for children who will thrive in their community, contribute to school life, and embrace the breadth of opportunities on offer.
Preparation Strategy for the Latymer Upper 11 Plus
A well-structured preparation plan for Latymer Upper School should begin in Year 4 or early Year 5, giving your child 12 to 18 months of steady practice before the January exam. Starting early avoids the pressure of last-minute cramming and allows skills to develop naturally over time.
For English, the most important habit is daily reading. Children who read widely across fiction, non-fiction, and poetry develop the vocabulary, comprehension skills, and writing flair that Latymer Upper values. Supplement reading with regular comprehension exercises that require inference and personal response, and practise creative writing every week. Focus on story structure, vivid description, varied sentence openings, and a strong ending.
For mathematics, build fluency in core arithmetic first. A child who can add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and accurately has the mental capacity to tackle the more complex problems that appear later in the paper. Once fluency is solid, work through fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, and geometry systematically. Practise multi-step word problems regularly, as these require children to identify the relevant information and apply multiple operations.
EdifyPod Nexus supports this preparation by adapting to your child's specific strengths and weaknesses. The platform identifies gaps in knowledge and provides targeted exercises to address them, while Eddy keeps motivation high by celebrating progress and adjusting the challenge level. For families who want additional support, edifypod.com/11plus offers Group and 1-to-1 Tutoring with experienced tutors who understand the Latymer Upper exam inside out.
Finally, practise under timed conditions regularly in the months before the exam. Sitting full-length mock papers in a quiet room with no interruptions builds the stamina and focus your child will need on exam day. Review completed papers together, focusing on mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures. This reflective approach builds resilience and a growth mindset that serves children well beyond the 11 Plus.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many places are available at Latymer Upper School at 11+?
Latymer Upper typically offers approximately 100 places at 11+, though the exact number varies slightly each year. Competition is strong, with several hundred children applying for these places.
Does Latymer Upper School offer bursaries at 11+?
Yes. Latymer Upper has a generous means-tested bursary programme that can cover a significant proportion of fees. Families must indicate their interest in financial support on the registration form.
What subjects are tested in the Latymer Upper 11+ exam?
The entrance exam consists of two papers: English (comprehension and creative writing) and mathematics. There is no separate reasoning paper, though both papers require strong logical thinking.