Latymer Upper is one of the leading co-ed day schools in the country. Founded in 1624, the Latymer Foundation celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2024. With a proud history of social inclusivity, Latymer Upper educates 1400 girls and boys from a diverse range of backgrounds, offering a rigorous and stimulating education. It prides itself on being a ‘learning school’, with a strong emphasis on innovation and combining the best of the traditional and the modern.
Latymer Upper School has two points of entry: Year 7 and Sixth Form.
Entering Latymer Upper School in Year 7 (11+ entry):
Approximately 125 students join Latymer Upper in Year 7 each year. When combined with around 44 students moving from Year 6 in Latymer Prep School, the total intake is typically 169 students.
11+ Entrance Process for Latymer Upper School:
For entry to Year 7 in September, children take an entrance exam in the December of Year 6. This exam takes place on site at Latymer Upper School.
The entrance exam covers English and Mathematics. These papers are specific to Latymer Upper School. There is one paper for Maths, lasting 60 minutes, and two papers for English, lasting 35 and 45 minutes respectively. The first paper involves a comprehension and multiple-choice questions; the second paper focuses on creative writing.
Those candidates who are selected will be invited to attend an interview in January following the entrance examinations. The interview session comprises half a day of immersive learning activities within a classroom environment, followed by a face-to-face interview. The interview session is designed to assess candidates’ potential character, curiosity and teachability.
Entering in Year 12 (Sixth Form Entry):
Around 30 new students are accepted at 16+ each year to Latymer Upper.
16 Plus Entrance Process:
The entrance process to the Sixth Form is through examinations, followed by interviews for selected candidates. This exam usually takes place in early November. Applicants will also need to submit a copy of their Year 10 school report.
The entrance exam consists of three papers: Mathematics; Writing; General Problem Solving and Critical Thinking. Although candidates are assessed on their overall performance across the three tests, more weight is given to those most relevant to their proposed A level subjects.
All sixth form candidates are expected to achieve a minimum of 9 GCSEs, including Mathematics and English, with grades 9/8/7 in their proposed A level subjects.
Sixth Form students at Latymer Upper follow a curriculum towards the Latymer Diploma. This is a specialised curriculum comprising three elements: the core academic programme, elective courses, and co-curricular and leadership activities. It is designed to offer students increased depth and breadth of education, demanding intellectual and social rigour. The core academic programme constitutes the standard A level course of study. Please look here for more information about the Sixth Form curriculum: Sixth Form Choices Booklet.
View sample papers for the sixth form entrance examination.
Scholarships at Latymer Upper
Latymer Upper School offers academic scholarships as well as awards for Music, Drama, Sport, and Art.
Academic scholarships
Academic scholarships are offered at 11+. These normally consist of a one-off payment of £1,000 at the time of entry. At the Head’s discretion, a larger financial element may be awarded. No separate application is required for a scholarship and there is no separate scholarship examination or interview.
Music Scholarships
Music scholarships are available every year at 11+ and 16+.
These are awarded based on ability and potential, following an audition with the Director of Music. These scholarships usually consist of a 10% fee reduction alongside free tuition in two instruments. Some candidates may be offered a Music award comprising free tuition in two instruments, without the fee reduction.
Art, Drama and Sport Scholarships
Art, Drama and Sport scholarships are only available at 16+.
Art scholarships are awarded based on a portfolio of work, reflecting the candidate’s artistic achievement. These are assessed at the time of interview (mid-November) and scholarships are awarded at the recommendation of the Head of Art.
Potential Drama Scholars are required to attend a competitive audition and a separate improvisation workshop. They will also be interviewed to discuss their previous theatrical experience and future ambitions. Auditions take place in mid to late November. For the audition, candidates are asked to prepare two short pieces, one from a play by Shakespeare and one from any 20th or 21st century text of their choice. Scholarships are also available to talented theatre design candidates, assessed by a portfolio of previous work and an interview with the Director of Drama.
Sports scholarships are awarded upon the recommendation of the Director of Sport. Applicants must demonstrate a high level of representation (County Level or higher) in a major sport (rugby, hockey, football, cricket, rowing, netball, tennis, athletics, swimming, fencing). They must also exhibit the potential and ability to develop to a high level in a second sport, as well as prove their leadership qualities and outstanding commitment.
Further information regarding scholarships to Latymer Upper can be found on their website.
What questions does Latymer Upper School ask at interview?
Like many school interviews, the Latymer Upper 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?)
- Latymer Upper School (e.g. Why would you like to come to Latymer Upper School?)
Why is Latymer Upper School so popular?
In 2023, students achieved 77% A*/A grades at A level. At GCSE, 94% of grades were 9/8/7.
89% of students who applied to university secured their first choice, with many receiving offers from international universities, including Brown, Bocconi, Carnegie Mellon, Dartmouth, Duke, McGill, Notre Dame, NYU, UChicago, UPenn and Yale.
21 students secured places at Oxbridge.
Is Latymer Upper School hard to get into?
Due to its very high academic standards and emphasis on all round performers, Latymer Upper remains an incredibly competitive and selective school. Their admissions process focuses not only on intellectual potential but also the character, interests, and personality of its candidates. It offers a generous, wide-reaching, and means-tested bursary scheme and seeks to recognise exceptional talent and potential through its scholarship programme.
Latymer Upper School Famous Alumni
- Lily Cole
- Hugh Grant
- Alan Rickman
Tutors for Latymer Upper School Admissions
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 Latymer Upper School.
The tutors we work with are experienced in the intricacies of the 11 plus and 16 plus entrance to Latymer Upper School.
For more details on how Keystone can help with preparation for entry to Latymer Upper School, please call the office for a chat with one of our client managers, or contact us via our request a tutor form.