Key Facts
| School | Northampton High School |
|---|---|
| Type | Independent Girls' School (GDST) |
| Location | Hardingstone, Northampton, NN4 6UU |
| Founded | 1878 |
| Age Range | 2-18 years |
| Pupils | Approximately 490 |
| Fees | £5,874 per term (Years 7-13) (at time of writing) |
Figures correct at the time of writing — always confirm current fees and deadlines with the school directly.
Key Information Summary
School: Northampton High School
Type: Independent Girls' School (GDST)
Location: Hardingstone, Northampton, NN4 6UU
Founded: 1878
Age Range: 2-18 years
Pupils: Approximately 490
Fees: £5,874 per term (Years 7-13)
About Northampton High School
Northampton High School has been nurturing confident, capable young women since 1878 as part of the prestigious Girls' Day School Trust network. Located in the historic village of Hardingstone, this independent day school offers a distinctive educational experience designed specifically for girls from nursery through to sixth form.
The school's philosophy centres on developing each girl's individual potential within a supportive, academically rigorous environment. With modern facilities including specialist science laboratories, a dedicated sixth form centre, and comprehensive sports facilities, Northampton High provides an exceptional foundation for academic and personal growth.
As a GDST school, Northampton High benefits from the network's reputation for educational innovation and excellence, whilst maintaining its own unique character and strong community connections within Northamptonshire.
The 11+ Assessment Process
Northampton High School's 11+ entrance assessment is designed to identify girls who will thrive in their academic environment. The assessment typically takes place in the January preceding September entry and consists of:
- Mathematics: Problem-solving, numerical reasoning, and mathematical concepts appropriate to Year 6 level
- English: Reading comprehension, creative writing, and language skills
- Verbal Reasoning: Logic and reasoning using language-based problems
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Pattern recognition and spatial awareness
The school looks for academic potential rather than just current attainment, recognising that girls develop at different rates. Assessment results are considered alongside school reports and, where appropriate, informal interviews to gain a complete picture of each candidate.
How to Apply
The application process for Year 7 entry follows a structured timeline:
- Registration: Complete the online application form by the October deadline
- School Reports: Current school provides academic references
- Assessment Day: Attend the January assessment session
- Interviews: Selected candidates may be invited for informal discussions
- Offers: Places confirmed by early February
The school strongly encourages prospective families to attend open events, which provide valuable insights into the school's ethos and facilities. These events typically include tours led by current pupils, presentations from teaching staff, and opportunities to ask questions about the admissions process.
Preparing for the Northampton High School 11+ with Taylor Tuition
Families preparing for the Northampton High School 11+ usually come to us a year or so before the assessment, though shorter runs work where the foundations are already sound. Having prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools, with placements including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, our tutors build each programme around the format the school actually uses, whether a written paper, an online pre-test, an interview or a combination of them.
More than half of our tutors hold Qualified Teacher Status and around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and the pool includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools, so the preparation is led by people who know how selective schools assess. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.
Families work with us online from anywhere in the UK or abroad, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation to talk through your child's current level and the timeline to the 11+. Families receive progress reports after sessions and have a dedicated point of contact, and we reply to enquiries within one working day with tutor recommendations.
Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
- How much are the fees at Northampton High School?
- Fees: £5,874 per term (Years 7-13) (correct at the time of writing). Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
- What type of school is Northampton High School?
- Northampton High School is an independent Girls' School (GDST).
- How should my child prepare for the Northampton High School 11+?
- Start structured preparation 12–18 months before the assessment: secure core English and maths beyond curriculum pace, introduce verbal and non-verbal reasoning question types systematically (these are rarely taught at primary school), and build up to timed practice in the final months.
Enquire about 11+ preparation
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Free 11+ familiarisation pack
English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with mark schemes.
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