Northwood College for Girls: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Type: Independent day school for girls
• Age Range: 3-18 years (Year 7 entry at age 11)
• Location: Maxwell Road, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 2YE
• Current Enrollment: Approximately 880 pupils
• Trust: Girls' Day School Trust (GDST)
• Headmistress: Mrs Rebecca Brown
• Founded: 1870
• Scholarships: Available for eligible students

About Northwood College for Girls

Northwood College for Girls has been providing exceptional education to young women in North West London since 1870. As part of the prestigious Girls' Day School Trust, the school combines a rich heritage with modern educational excellence, serving families across Northwood, Ruislip, Harrow, and surrounding areas.

The school's ethos centres on nurturing individual potential whilst maintaining the highest academic standards. With state-of-the-art facilities including a modern sports hall, purpose-built performing arts centre, and the impressive Centenary Library, Northwood College provides an environment where girls can excel academically and develop their talents across a broad range of disciplines.

The school's commitment to personalised education ensures that each of the 880 pupils receives individual attention and support. This approach has established Northwood College as a leading choice for families seeking a transformative educational experience that prepares young women for leadership roles in their chosen fields.

Fees and key dates for 2026/27

Northwood College for Girls publishes day fees of £8,722 per term for 2026/27, taken from the school's own fees page in October 2026. Registration dates for the next 11+ round are published by the school's admissions office. Candidates sit a standardised written entrance examination via The London 11+ Consortium, followed by an interview for shortlisted applicants. Fees and dates change each year, so the school's website remains the reference for the current round.

The 11+ Assessment Process at Northwood College

Northwood College employs a comprehensive assessment process designed to identify academically capable students who will thrive in their rigorous academic environment. The entrance assessment takes place during the autumn term for September entry the following year.

Assessment Components

The 11+ assessment at Northwood College includes:

• Mathematics: Problem-solving exercises that evaluate numerical reasoning, mathematical application, and logical thinking skills
• English: Comprehension passages and written exercises assessing reading comprehension, vocabulary, and written expression
• Verbal Reasoning: Tests measuring logical thinking abilities and understanding of language patterns and relationships
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Visual-spatial assessments focusing on pattern recognition and abstract thinking skills

The assessment is designed to evaluate not just academic ability, but also a candidate's potential to succeed in Northwood College's collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. The school seeks students who demonstrate curiosity, resilience, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning.

How to Apply

The application process for Year 7 entry at Northwood College requires careful planning and attention to detail:

Application Timeline

• Registration: Complete the online registration form via the school's website by the specified deadline
• Assessment Day: Attend the entrance assessment during the autumn term
• Interviews: Selected candidates participate in individual interviews with senior staff
• Offers: Successful applicants receive formal offers, which must be accepted by the stated deadline

Required Documentation

Families must provide current school reports, completed application forms, and any relevant supporting documentation. The school also requests a school reference from the candidate's current headteacher.

Early registration is strongly recommended as places are highly competitive. Families should visit the school's admissions section online for detailed timelines and specific requirements for their entry year.

Preparing for the Northwood College for Girls 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Families preparing for the Northwood College for Girls 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.