Nottingham High School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Type: Independent co-educational day school
• Age Range: 4-18 years (Infant & Junior School, Senior School, Sixth Form)
• Location: Waverley Mount, Nottingham NG7 4ED
• Headmaster: Mr Kevin Fear
• Student Numbers: Approximately 1,177 pupils
• Contact: 0115 978 6056
• Entry Points: Year 7 (age 11+)
• Assessment Date: January annually

About Nottingham High School

Nottingham High School has established itself as one of the Midlands' most respected independent schools, providing exceptional educational opportunities for students from ages 4 to 18. Located in the heart of Nottingham on Waverley Mount, the school combines academic rigour with a nurturing environment that encourages each pupil to reach their full potential.

The school's holistic approach to education extends far beyond the classroom, emphasising personal development alongside academic achievement. With modern facilities including state-of-the-art science laboratories, dedicated art and design centres, comprehensive sports facilities, and an extensive library, Nottingham High School provides an environment where students can explore their interests and develop their talents.

The school's commitment to individual excellence is reflected in its diverse curriculum offering, which includes a wide range of GCSE and A-Level subjects spanning the sciences, humanities, arts, and modern languages. This breadth ensures that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for success at university and beyond.

Nottingham High School also recognises the importance of accessibility to quality education, offering scholarships and bursaries for new entrants. These means-tested options can cover up to full fees, ensuring that talented students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to benefit from the school's outstanding educational provision.

Fees and key dates for 2026/27

Nottingham High School publishes day fees of £7,718 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. The assessment takes place on 16 January 2027. Fees and dates change each year, so the school's website remains the reference for the current round.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Nottingham High School's 11+ assessment is carefully designed to identify students who will thrive in the school's academically challenging environment. The entrance examination takes place annually in January and comprises several key components:

Assessment Components

• English: Testing comprehension, creative writing, and language skills
• Mathematics: Evaluating numerical reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and mathematical understanding
• Verbal Reasoning: Assessing logical thinking and language comprehension
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Testing spatial awareness and pattern recognition

The assessment process may also include a personal statement or interview component for certain applicants, allowing the school to gain a fuller understanding of each candidate's personality, interests, and potential contribution to the school community.

This comprehensive approach ensures that Nottingham High School selects students who not only demonstrate academic ability but also align with the school's values and educational philosophy. The assessment is designed to identify pupils who will benefit from and contribute to the school's vibrant learning environment.

How to Apply

The application process for Year 7 entry at Nottingham High School follows a structured timeline that families should plan for well in advance:

Application Timeline

• Registration: Complete the registration form available on the school's website
• Bursary Applications: Submit by early November (if applicable)
• Application Deadline: Early December
• Entrance Assessment: January
• Results Notification: Shortly following assessment completion

Families considering bursary support should note the earlier deadline for these applications, ensuring all necessary financial documentation is submitted by early November. The school's bursary programme is means-tested and can provide significant support for families who would benefit from fee assistance.

Following the January assessment, parents will receive notification of both the admission outcome and any bursary award decisions. This allows families sufficient time to make informed decisions about their child's secondary education.

Preparing for the Nottingham High School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Families preparing for the Nottingham 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.