The aim of our Entrance Assessments is to ascertain, as far as possible, a pupil’s real academic potential. We want to ensure your daughter has the range of abilities to be happy, successful and to thrive at the High School. We would like to reassure potential applicants that we are positive in our pupil recruitment and welcome all applications.
We do not expect girls to have received special preparation or coaching to take the assessments.
We do expect applicants to be familiar with the material of the National Curriculum, but not necessarily to have followed it.
We request a report from your daughter’s current school, although she will not be penalised if this is not provided.
We invite parents of candidates with additional needs or disabilities which may need to be considered to discuss these needs with the School as early as possible so that appropriate adjustments can be considered. A recent expert report, for example, an educational psychologist’s report confirming dyslexia or a medical report confirming a disability would need to be submitted to the School for consideration by the November preceding the Entrance Assessment, if applicable. Please notify us of any relevant English language needs too.
We also assess girls for entry throughout the year, subject to places being available.
Please note that we do not publish past or sample assessment papers.
If you have any questions regarding any of the above information and dates, please contact our Registrar, Alison Anderson on 01509 283800 or high.admissions@lsf.org, she will be pleased to help and advise.
Girls are assessed in Mathematics, English, and an on-screen computer assessment analysing a range of subjects and skills.
English
Year 7
The English paper includes comprehension and writing and lasts for 60 minutes.
The ability to understand written passages is tested by means of comprehension questions. Candidates read a passage and answer questions on what they have read. The answers expected will range from brief to lengthier responses.
Some indication of the length of the answer required is given by the number of marks allocated to it and the space available on the paper for the answer.
These will require, for example, the explanation of the writer’s meaning, the drawing of reasonable inferences and understanding and explaining the meanings of words.
The ability to write well is tested by means of a composition. Qualities looked for are the ability to convey meaning clearly, to write in an interesting manner, and to show evidence of liveliness, originality, imagination and thoughtfulness. The use of a wide vocabulary, a variety of sentence structure and a reasonable standard of spelling and punctuation will be expected.
Year 8, 9 and 10
For entry into Years 8, 9 and 10 the format of the papers is identical, although the papers themselves are different according to age group. There are two main components of the assessment in English: comprehension (reading) and composition (writing). The assessment lasts 75 minutes, with the comprehension followed by the composition.
Candidates read a passage and answer questions on what they have read. The answers expected will range from brief to lengthier responses.
Some indication of the length of the answer required is given by the number of marks allocated to it and the space available on the paper for the answer.
Candidates select one title from several on offer.
There will be a variety of tasks set, for example a story, a description, an essay in which an opinion is invited.
Candidates should write in a lively, imaginative way, selecting words with care, and paying attention to punctuation and spelling. We are looking for quality rather than quantity, and therefore, excessively long answers to the composition should be avoided.
Mathematics
The questions are intended to test the candidates’ powers of reasoning and their ability to apply mathematical concepts. The mathematics paper lasts for 60 minutes.
Candidates for Years 7,8 and 9 do not use a calculator.
For Year 10 the majority of questions will require the use of a calculator.
Computer Assessment
Girls undertake a computer-based assessment assessing English, Maths and reasoning. There is no need to prepare for this assessment.
Interview
Girls entering year 8, 9 and 10 will have a short, informal interview. This is usually with the Head of Year.
For Year 10 entry only, there is a short discussion with the Heads of English, Maths and Science to ascertain girl’s previous study and suitability for joining the beginning of GCSE courses at Loughborough High School.