City of London School is set within the iconic City landscape, surrounded by instantly recognisable institutions. The buzz of the school exudes enthusiasm for the opportunities that the school provides. One of the school’s main visions is to encourage boys to be the best version of themselves, in order to make progress and flourish in the modern world. The City of London School (CLS) is one of London's leading academic day schools, with over 950 boys between the ages of 10 and 18.
How to get into City of London School
Entering in Year 7 (11+)
Year 7 (or First Form) is the standard and largest point of entry for boys wishing to go to CLS. The admissions process involves both online and written assessments and an interview.
Beyond registration, the deadline usually being very early November, all candidates sit entrance exams in person at CLS. These take place late November and involves an online assessment – in English, Mathematics, Reasoning (verbal and non-verbal), Creative Comprehension and Puzzles - and a creative writing task. If your child scores well then they will be invited to return to CLS in January and attend a short interview, and take part in a group activity. Offers are then sent by mid-February.
Are City of London School’s own tests difficult?
As with all entrance tests, the City of London tests are designed to challenge and stretch applicants. All the tests are computerised and have two parts:
Part 1: online assessment (95 minutes)
Part 2: creative writing (30 minutes)
Candidates should expect to sit both Part 1 and Part 2 on the same day. There will be breaks at various points throughout the assessments, so we expect them to be with us for about 2.5 hours.
Part 1 assessment is online and covers the following subject components:
- Maths 20 minutes
- English 20 minutes
- Non-verbal Reasoning 10 minutes
- Verbal Reasoning 10 minutes
- Puzzles & Problem Solving 15 minutes
- Creative Comprehension 20 minutes
The majority of questions in Part 1 are multiple-choice, with only a few questions requiring a candidate to type one word or number at most.
Part 2:
Candidates will write a short story, based on a prompt, and with an image as inspiration. They will be free to write from any perspective (first person, third person or any other), and may invent something entirely new or base their story on their own or someone else’s experience.
It must be written in paragraphs, and they will be tested on the following criteria:
- Creativity – how interesting, imaginative and descriptive is it?
- Vocabulary – can they use interesting words and techniques for effect?
- Accuracy – can they spell and punctuate accurately?
Candidates are advised to prepare by reading widely and practising creative writing, including describing sensory details and convincing character behaviour, making sure they understand and can use punctuation conventions will also help them write with clarity.
The Part 2 assessment is usually hand-written (unless appropriate access arrangements for typing are in place).
Content for Part 2 will be unrelated to Part 1.
Entry at Year 9 (13+):
Candidates for occasional places to join the Third Form and Fourth Form (Year 9 and Year 10) are sometimes considered by the school, but are by no means guaranteed. You must contact the school directly to be considered as a late applicant, registering your interest no later than the Summer Term of Year 7. Candidates are invited to sit written papers in English and Maths, with only shortlisted candidates invited back for interview.
What questions do City of London School ask at interview?
Like many school interviews the City of London interview seeks to explore the following about each student:
- Family (e.g. What do you like to do on the weekend as a family?)
- School (e.g. What do you most enjoy about your current school?)
- Academic Learning (e.g. What is your favourite subject and why?)
- Reading (e.g. Do you enjoy reading?)
- Extracurricular (e.g. What activities do you get involved in at school outside of the classroom?)
- Hobbies (e.g. What do you do in your spare time at outside of school?)
- City of London (e.g. Why would you like to come to City of London?)
Over and above these more ‘standard’ types of interview questions, City of London do routinely incorporate more challenging academic and problem-solving questions for boys to answer on the spot. These could be mathematical, but they may also be a moral or ethical conundrum.
Entering City of London School in Year 12 (Sixth Form Entry):
Registration must be complete by the deadline for Sixth Form entry – which is usually in October of Year 11. The selection process will then take place during November of Year 11, i.e. the year proceeding a students proposed entry to the school.
16 Plus Entrance Process:
The 16+ entrance process has two stages, with applicants being selected to move to the next stage based on their relative performance.
The minimum standard for boys to gain admission into the Sixth Form is six full course (I)GCSE passes at grade A* or 8/9, including their chosen Sixth Form subjects. The minimum requirement for English Language and Maths is (I)GCSE passes at grade A or 9-7 (unless these subjects are part of your Sixth Form choices).
In early November, boys are invited to an assessment day at the school. They are required to sit written assessments in three of their chosen A Level subjects as well as the CAT4 cognitive ability test. (Read our blog to find out more about the CAT4 Test.)
Guidance on the school’s written assessments can be found in this advice sheet.
Candidates who perform well at Stage 1 will be invited to an interview at the school in late November: no offer is made without a school reference and interview. Offers are sent out by the school in early December, with an acceptance deadline later in the month.
Entering City of London School via a Scholarship
Is there an 11+ scholarship?
The school uses all relevant funds to give means-tested bursaries to those who may not otherwise be able to afford a place at the school. The school aims to maintain as diverse a cohort as possible and as such no ‘traditional’ scholarships are now available. Small academic and musical prizes are however awarded to those who perform exceptionally well in entrance assessments and auditions.
Is there a 16+ scholarship?
Similar to the above, all funds go into means-tested bursaries and as such there is no real scholarship. Small prizes are however given to students on the basis (I)GCSE grades. Standards are high: generally, ‘scholarships' (worth £35) are awarded to boys who has achieved a mean grade of 8.75 averaged over their best nine GCSE results taken in Year 11.
Why is City of London School so popular?
City of London has a very strong track record for their students’ achievements in both A Levels and University applications. CLS is currently ranked as the second highest performing independent boys' school in the UK. In 2024, 94% of all GCSE grades awarded were 9- 7. Similarly, at A Level/Pre-U in 2023, 95% of pupils awarded A* - B. Consequently, it attracts parents and students with high academic expectations. In our experience, prospective applicants with the following qualities have been competitive candidates in the school’s admissions process:
- an excellent academic record to date
- an enquiring mind and genuine passion for learning
- an ability to think critically about their learning
- an academic confidence and ability to work independently
Is City of London School hard to get into?
Owing to its academic reputation and success City of London attracts a lot of applications and a such the entrance process at 13+ and 16+ are very competitive. Consequently, the school can afford to be highly selective, and we have known of instances where strong applicants do not win places. It is important to go into the entrance process with an open and realistic frame of mind.
Tutors for City of London School Entrance
Keystone has over a decade of experience providing tuition to families who wish to send their children to some of the leading UK independent schools including City of London School.
The tutors we work with are experienced in the intricacies of the 13 plus common entrance, the ISEB pre-test and 16 plus entrance to City of London.
Read more about our City of London admissions tutors
For more details on how Keystone can help with preparation for entry to City of London school, please call the office for a chat with one of our client managers, or contact us via our request a tutor form.