How to get into Forest School London at 7+

Introduction

Forest School London is an independent school for boys and girls aged 4-18 in Walthamstow, North East London. Pupils are taught in single sex classes from ages 7-11 in the Prep school, then 11-16 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 22nd September 2018. The open day includes a talk about the 7+ from the head of the Prep School.

For the year 2018/19, the school’s fees were as follows:

Reception to Year 2: £4,365 per term
Year 3: £4,656 per term
Years 4 to 6: £5,009 per term
Years 7 to 13: £6,227 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 sympathetically. 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 2019 and the closing date for applications is Monday 5th November 2018. The application form can be completed online here:

Preparatory Registration

A registration fee of £95 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 2019, these initial tests will take place on a date between Monday 12th November – Friday 23rd November 2018.

Stage two

If applicants are successful in stage one of the application process, they will be invited to an entrance exam on Saturday 12th January 2019. During the morning, the children will 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.

Following the initial assessments and before examination day, a report on the child’s academic progress and social development will be sought from his/her current school.

Stage three

Once the school have looked at the child’s results from the first two stages of assessment and the report sent from their current school, they will select successful candidates and invite them to meet with the Head of the preparatory school. This will be an opportunity for families to hear what the school has to offer them.

Results

For admission in September 2019, offers will be posted by Thursday 21st February 2019. Places must be accepted by Tuesday 12th March 2019, at which stage a deposit of £950 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:

2017 A-Level Results