Nottingham Girls' High School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School: Nottingham Girls' High School (NGHS)
• Location: 9 Arboretum Street, Nottingham, NG1 4JB
• Type: Independent day school for girls
• Age Range: 3-18 years
• Pupil Numbers: Approximately 672 students
• Headteacher: Mrs Julie Keller
• Fees: £1,863 to £5,243 per term
• Part of: Girls' Day School Trust (GDST)

About Nottingham Girls' High School

Founded in 1875, Nottingham Girls' High School exemplifies the finest traditions of girls' education whilst embracing progressive teaching methods. As a member of the prestigious Girls' Day School Trust, NGHS has cultivated a reputation for academic excellence and personal development across nearly 150 years of educational leadership.

Located in the heart of Nottingham on Arboretum Street, the school occupies a prime position that combines historical significance with modern accessibility. The school's ethos centres on empowering young women to become confident, articulate leaders who contribute meaningfully to society.

NGHS has earned recognition as a finalist in the Independent Schools of the Year awards, reflecting its commitment to innovative education. The school's approach balances rigorous academic standards with creative learning opportunities, ensuring students develop both intellectual curiosity and practical life skills.

The school's curriculum extends beyond traditional academics to include extensive extracurricular programmes, fostering well-rounded development. From early years through to sixth form, students benefit from small class sizes and personalised attention that enables each girl to maximise her potential.

Fees and key dates for 2026/27

Nottingham Girls' High School publishes day fees of £6,761 per term for 2026/27, and the figures above come from the school's own fees page as checked in September 2026. Registration for the next 11+ round: Fee-paying Year 7 applications: no later than 2 January 2027 (early submission advised); bursary applications: 31 October 2026. The assessment takes place on Friday 15 January 2027. Written English and Maths papers plus an online cognitive (reasoning) assessment, broadly based on Year 6 KS2 SATs preparation, alongside a school reference and a Head's interview. Fees and dates change each year, so the school's website remains the reference for the current round.

The 11+ Assessment Process at Nottingham Girls' High School

Entry to Year 7 at NGHS requires successful completion of a comprehensive assessment process designed to identify students who will thrive in the school's academically demanding environment.

Assessment Components

• English: Testing comprehension, creative writing, and analytical skills
• Mathematics: Covering numerical reasoning, problem-solving, and mathematical concepts
• Verbal Reasoning: Evaluating logical thinking and language comprehension
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Assessing spatial awareness and pattern recognition
• Interview: Personal discussion focusing on motivation, interests, and potential contribution to school life

Assessment Criteria

The school seeks students who demonstrate:

• Strong academic potential across core subjects
• Intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for learning
• Ability to contribute positively to the school community
• Resilience and adaptability in challenging academic situations

NGHS values diversity and seeks to admit students from various backgrounds who will benefit from and contribute to the school's vibrant community.

How to Apply

The admissions process for Nottingham Girls' High School follows a structured timeline to ensure thorough consideration of each application.

Application Steps

1. Initial Enquiry: Contact the admissions office or visit the school website to request information and application materials.

2. School Visit: Attend an open event or arrange a private tour to experience the school's atmosphere and facilities firsthand.

3. Application Submission: Complete the comprehensive application form, including academic records and references from current school.

4. Assessment Day: Attend the scheduled assessment session, typically held in January for September entry.

5. Interview Process: Participate in an individual interview with senior staff members.

6. Decision Notification: Receive admission decision and, if successful, complete registration process.

Financial Support

NGHS offers various bursaries and scholarships to ensure talented students can access the school's exceptional education regardless of financial circumstances. Awards are available for:

• Academic excellence
• Musical talent
• Dramatic arts
• All-round achievement

Preparing for the Nottingham Girls' High School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Families preparing for the Nottingham Girls' 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.