Admissions - Entry requirements

Entry Policy

Subject to attaining the required standards in tests, interview and reports, St James is committed to the policy of admitting any pupil who is willing and able to make good use of the education it can offer and does not seek to select candidates solely for the academic results they can achieve. This policy is subject to the physical and emotional needs of the pupil being within the present scope of the school. Equally, a pupil would not be admitted to the school if her presence is likely to impair the education of other pupils.

The school must feel reasonably sure that it will be able to educate and develop the prospective pupil to the best of her potential and in line with the general standards achieved by the pupil’s peers. This is to ensure that the pupil has every chance to have a complete, happy and successful school career and emerge a confident, well-educated and well-rounded adult with a good prospect of a satisfying life. These criteria must continue to be met throughout the pupil’s time at the school.

The school’s policy is to apply these criteria to all pupils and potential pupils regardless of any known disability. The school will make reasonable adjustments to ensure that any disabled pupil is not put at a substantial disadvantage compared to any able-bodied pupil.

It should be noted that if additional services need to be provided, such as tuition, the cost of these may be passed on to the parents.

The school asks parents to complete a Confidential Pupil Information Form (if applicable) in respect of a prospective pupil at the time of application. In assessing any pupil or prospective pupil the school may take such advice and require such assessments as it regards appropriate. Subject to this, the school will be sensitive to any requests for confidentiality.

St James Senior Girls' School takes pupils from 10/11 to 18. Pupils may apply at 10, 11, 12 or 16 years of age. All applicants are required to sit entrance tests, attend an interview and show past school reports. St James Junior School girls transfer to our Senior School at 10.

11+ examination: St James is a member of the North London Independent Girls Schools Consortium, Group 2. The NLIGS Consortium Agreed Code of Practice gives more information about how this is administered.

An applicant will sit the London Consortium examinations in English and Mathematics at a Group 2 consortium school of their choice.  A verbal Reasoning test will have to be taken at St James School. See Open Events for dates and times. Sample questions are available on these links: English, Mathematics.

Entry at 16 for Sixth Form: 5 good GCSE passes are the minimum requirement. It is necessary to have attained an A or B grade at GCSE in those subjects which a pupil wishes to study at 'A' level. Applicants are required to submit GCSE predicted grades.