Tiffin Girls’ School is a highly sought-after grammar school in Kingston upon Thames. Here’s what you need to know about the admissions process for Year 7:

1. The Two-Stage Entrance Exam

Admission to Tiffin Girls’ School requires passing a two-stage 11+ entrance exam:

• Stage One: This is a multiple-choice test on English and Maths, conducted by GL Assessment, typically in early October.
• Stage Two: Students who perform well in Stage One are invited to take the more challenging written exams in English and Maths, which are set by the school and take place in November. The results of Stage Two determine final rankings.

2. Preparation and Exam Focus

The school does not conduct interviews, so a student’s success depends entirely on exam performance. The exams test a range of skills, including reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and advanced maths problem-solving. Preparation through practice papers and time management is crucial to succeed.

3. Priority and Catchment Area

Tiffin Girls’ School uses a catchment area system to allocate places. Priority is given to girls living in the inner area (a group of local wards) and the designated area (wider postal districts), with further preference for applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds (e.g., those eligible for Pupil Premium). Since 2014, all places have been filled by applicants within the designated area, making proximity to the school a key factor.

4. Offers Based on Rank

Only 180 places are available, and offers are based on ranking after the Stage Two exam. Girls are ranked by their scores, and the school applies a strict order of priority, including factors like distance from the school and whether they qualify for pupil premium funding.

5. Key Dates for Admission

The admissions process begins when parents register their child for the Stage One test during the summer of Year 5. Key dates include the Stage One test in early October, Stage Two in November, and offers made by the local authority in March of the following year.

For more details and key deadlines, you can visit the Tiffin Girls’ School admissions page.