Notre Dame Senior School Entrance Guide

Open events at Notre Dame School are held throughout the year, with specific events for specific age groups. These are generally open to both current and prospective families, meaning parents who are considering the school for their child will have the opportunity to meet both staff and parents. Families interested in Notre Dame School can also arrange an individual visit directly with the admissions team at the school. 

Following registration in the Autumn Term of Year 6, girls who wish to start at Notre Dame School at 11+ (Year 7) are invited for an assessment day in the latter half of that term. A full-day experience, this will involve assessments in English, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The English paper consists of both creative writing and comprehension, and both the English and Maths papers are matched to the appropriate National Curriculum Levels. Girls will also have an interview with a member of staff, and be invited to join in some group activities. Offers are sent out before Christmas.

Girls who wish to start at Notre Dame School at 13+ (Year 9) can apply for a deferred entry place using the 11+ exam in Year 6, as described above. They can also apply for an occasional place; if a place is available they will sit assessment tests specifically for 13+ entry and attend a taster day in the year before entry.

Girls interested in starting in the Sixth Form (16+ entry) at Notre Dame school should ideally attend the Sixth Form Open Evening, which takes place in the Autumn Term when they are in Year 11. Offers are made following application on the basis of an informal interview and on predicted grades for GCSEs; places will be confirmed following the publication of these results in the summer.

Scholarships and Bursaries at Notre Dame School

Scholarships and bursaries are available at Notre Dame School. Academic, Music, Art, Drama and Sport Scholarships are available at 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry points only. Academic scholarships at 11+ are offered following the assessment day to girls who have performed particularly well. At 13+, potential academic scholarship candidates sit three paper in the Spring Term of Year 8: Maths, English and Non-Verbal Reasoning. At 16+, academic scholarships are awarded following a subject-specific scholarship exam, which is taken in the Autumn Term prior to entry. 

Art, Music, Drama and Sports Scholarships are also available. Assessments for these are carried out in the Spring Term prior to the entry point and involve submission of relevant documentation alongside an audition/ interview/ assessment process. The school publishes detailed brochures for each of the scholarships on its website. 

Bursaries are available for entry at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Applications should be made directly to the school. Assessments involve both an application form and a home visit to establish financial circumstances. 

Below, you can find our tutors who have experience supporting applicants to Notre Dame Senior School.