Latymer Upper School is a prestigious independent day school located in Hammersmith, London. It traces its origins to the Latymer Foundation, established in 1624 by Edward Latymer, who left a bequest to educate “poor boys” in Hammersmith. Over the centuries, the institution evolved, and the Upper School formally opened on its King Street site in 1895. The school remained single-sex (boys) for much of its history; sixth form admission for girls began earlier, and full co-education was eventually adopted.
Today, Latymer Upper is co-educational for Year 7 (age 11) to Year 13 (age 18). The school is known for strong academic results, a broad co-curricular programme, and a commitment to discovering not just academic potential but character, interests and personality in its admissions process. A generous means-tested bursary scheme is offered for families who would otherwise struggle with fees.
Latymer also maintains a Preparatory (Junior) component on the same site. The junior school admits younger children (typically from about age 7), and those who are in the junior school are generally assured a pathway into the senior school (aged 11), subject to appropriate standards and internal progression.
Entrance Points
Latymer Upper admits students in two major entry points: 11+ (entry into Year 7 / senior school) and 16+ (entry into Sixth Form).
11+ (Entry to Year 7)
- The 11+ exam is held in early December of Year 6.
- Successful candidates gain entry into Year 7 the following September.
- Registration typically opens in May of Year 5, and closes in mid-October of Year 6.
- Offers are usually communicated (by mid-February) and parents must accept by a deadline (March or similar) to secure the place
- Entry into the junior/Prep school is often viewed as effectively guaranteeing access to Year 7 (senior school), provided that the student meets the internal expectations and standards. This makes the Prep-to-senior pathway a very attractive route.
Regarding competition: Latymer Upper is highly oversubscribed at 11+. The ratio of applicants to places available is near 10:1 (1000 applicant to 100 places available)
16+ (Entry to Sixth Form)
- The entrance exam for entry into Sixth Form is held in early November (for example, in 2025 the exam is on 4 November
- Applicants must be in Year 11 at the time of the exam; for instance, for September 2026 entry, applicants must have been born between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010.
- If successful, your son would join the school’s Sixth Form starting Year 12 in September.
- Because existing Latymer pupils already in Year 11 often transition into the Sixth Form, the number of available external places is limited. One source cites that of about 400+ new applications, only about 50–60 new external students might be admitted.
- The competition is stiff, and achieving high GCSE (or equivalent) results is also a condition of acceptance.
Entrance Exams
11+ Entrance Exam
The Latymer Upper 11+ exam is composed of three papers: one mathematics paper and two English papers (one comprehension/multiple choice, and one descriptive writing). Mathematics (approx. 60 minutes): problem solving, arithmetic, numerical reasoning, multi-step questions.
- English comprehension / multiple choice (35 minutes): reading passages and answering inference, vocabulary, detail, and structure questions.
- English descriptive / creative writing (45 minutes): a composition or creative writing task assessing imagination, structure, expression and use of language.
After the written exam, a subset of candidates (those who perform well) are invited to an interview stage, usually in January. The interview allows the school to assess thinking, communication, personality, interests, and fit. The school also requests a reference or report from the current school for shortlisted candidates.
Sample papers are published by Latymer Upper to aid preparation which can be found here: https://www.latymer-upper.org/admissions/sample-11-papers/
Offers are made after review, and places are allocated based on exam + interview + overall profile.
16+ (Sixth Form) Entrance Exam
The Sixth Form entrance exam consists of three papers assessing mathematical ability, writing, and general problem solving / critical reasoning. More weight may be given to those parts relevant to the A-level subjects the student wishes to pursue.
After the exam, successful candidates are invited for an interview. Applicants must also submit their Year 10 report and specify A-level subject choices.
To qualify, students generally need strong GCSE results (or equivalent), such as grade 8 or 9 (or equivalent) in proposed A-level subjects, and strong overall performance across subjects (often six or more grade 8s). In cases of subject competition, some subjects may fill first and limit entry.
Latymer Upper’s Sixth Form curriculum expects all students to follow a core of three full A-levels, with the option for a fourth as an elective, and includes additional structured programmes such as a 10-week research skills course, a life-skills programme, community service, and their “Latymer Diploma” elements.
Final Thoughts & Tips
Getting into Latymer Upper is competitive, but with the right preparation your child can maximise their chances. Based on what works best, here are Clarendon’s recommendations:
- Start early. Preparation for both 11+ and 16+ should begin well in advance, focusing on sustained reading, problem solving, and timed practice.
- Familiarize with sample papers. Latymer publishes sample 11+ papers to get a sense of style and timing.
- Don’t neglect interview skills. The interview is a key differentiator. Encourage your son to talk confidently about interests, reading, current affairs, and reasoning.
- Target strong internal prep if in the junior school. The internal route via Latymer Prep gives both confidence and alignment with school expectations.
- GCSEs matter heavily for Sixth Form entry. Even a strong exam performance won’t override weak subject grades.
- Be realistic but ambitious. The level of competition is high. Many excellent candidates will not receive an offer. Use mock exams, feedback, and reflection to improve.
Photograph by Chiswick Chap / Wikimedia
