How to get into Forest School London at 7+
July 31st, 2018Last updated: June 14th, 2025
Are you hoping for your child to win one of the places at Forest School at 7+? Read on! This guide tells you everything you need to know about the application process: from registering your child, to pre-tests, exams and the interview.
Introduction
Forest School London is an independent school for boys and girls aged 4-18 in Walthamstow,
North East London. Pupils are taught in co-educational classes from ages 7-11 in the Prep
school, then 11-18 in the Senior School. Children can enter the preparatory school via
admissions points at 4+ or 7+. The school welcomes 16 new pupils each year at 7+; 8 boys
and 8 girls.
Before you apply
At time of writing, the school’s next open day was scheduled for Saturday 20th September
2025. The open day includes a talk about the 7+ from the Head of the Prep School.
For the year 2025/26, the school’s fees were as follows:
Reception to Year 2: £7525 per term
Year 3: £8009 per term
Years 4 to 6: £8655 per term
Years 7 to 13: £10690 per term
A 5% discount applies to pupils who are the children of clergy, or for younger siblings of a
family member attending the school.
The school views applications of siblings from current pupils with due consideration.
However, a sibling must win a place at the school on the same basis as any other applicant.
Application
Registration is now open for September 2026 and the closing date for applications is Monday
17th November 2025. The application form can be completed online here:
A registration fee of £180 is payable online at the time of registration.
Assessment(s)
There are three stages to the Forest School London 7+ assessment procedure:
Stage one
Pupils are invited to the school to undertake some computer-based tasks in Reasoning, Maths
and Reading, as well as a literacy task. These are designed to give a general idea of the
child’s general abilities in English and Maths. The school does not recommend that parents
prepare their children specifically for this test. For admission in September 2026, these initial
tests will take place on Thursday 11th December 2025.
During the morning, the children will also read aloud a short text individually and undertake
a piece of creative writing. Children are required to write a story for which a title will be
given. They need to be able to write simple phrases in proper sentences, understand the basic
rules of grammar and punctuation (ie, a capital letter to begin a sentence, a full stop to end the
sentence), and demonstrate a good range of vocabulary – in particular, the use of adjectives in
descriptions.
In addition, there will be a relaxed group activity where children will meet and spend time
with others sitting for entrance to Forest Preparatory School.
Additionally, a report on the child’s academic progress and social development will be sought
from his/her current school.
Results
For admission in September 2026, offers will be posted by Thursday 12th February 2026.
Places must be accepted by Friday 6th March 2026, at which stage a deposit of £1400 is
required. A small number of candidates who met the entrance criteria but were not offered a
place will be offered a place on a short waiting list.
Many students who are not successful at the 7+ entry point go on to successfully re-apply at
11+, where the number of places offered is described by the school as “significantly greater”.
Destination schools
There is an expectation that children attending Forest School London Prep will progress to
Forest School London Senior School.
For further information on the destination universities of those leaving the Senior School
please refer to the school’s site here:
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