A Guide to Latymer Upper
Latymer Upper School, nestled in Hammersmith, London, traces its origins to the 1624 bequest of Edward Latymer, who sought to educate and clothe “eight poore boyes” of the area. Officially established on its current King Street site in 1895, the school evolved from its charitable roots into a leading independent day school with exceptional academic outcomes and a rich co-educational environment. Over the years, Latymer Upper has become renowned for its robust curriculum, strong arts and sporting provisions, and state-of-the-art facilities that support a full, well-rounded education.
The 11+ Entrance
Entry into Year 7 via the 11+ is highly competitive. Latymer Upper typically admits around 168 children, of whom 44 transfer internally from Latymer Prep, and approximately 124 new entrants join from various primary and prep schools each year. While exact applicant numbers aren’t published, it is widely known that up to 1,000 boys and girls may sit the test for around 160-plus places—making the admissions ratio approximately 6 to 1.
The 11+ exam is held in early December of year 6. Shortly thereafter—typically in January—successful candidates are invited to interview, with offer letters arriving in February and acceptances due by early March.
The Exams
The Latymer Upper 11+ assessment consists of English and Mathematics papers, set internally by the school. These typically include:
- English Comprehension (~35 minutes)
- English Descriptive Writing (~45 minutes)
- Mathematics Problem-Solving (~60 minutes)
These exams evaluate reading comprehension, creative writing ability, numerical reasoning, and problem-solving skills. The school looks for students who demonstrate strong academic potential, intellectual curiosity, clarity of thought, and creative expression, both in writing and mathematics.
For real insight into the exam style, sample past papers are available here:
How Best to Prepare
Preparation for Latymer Upper’s 11+ should be strategic, confident, and consistently high-quality. Here’s how Clarendon Tutors make the difference:
- Expert Tutors, Proven Track Record: Clarendon Tutors deliver the very best specialist tuition, honed from years of guiding candidates to success at Latymer Upper. Our students benefit from the best tutoring agency, with a consistently outstanding record in 11+ success.
- Targeted Practice with Past Papers: Regularly working through the official sample papers gives pupils invaluable familiarity with Latymer’s expectations—enhancing timing, reading strategy, and accuracy.
- Structured Timed Practice: Simulate real exam conditions with timed tests across comprehension, creative writing, and maths. This builds exam confidence and fluency.
- Sharpen Thinking & Communication: Tutors help students develop clear articulation of ideas, strong written expression, and logical reasoning—all qualities Latymer see as essential.
- Holistic Strength-Building: Beyond academics, Clarendon Tutors nurture intellectual curiosity, resilience, and self-belief—traits that shine in interviews and beyond.
In summary, Latymer Upper is a prestigious school with deep historical roots and exceptional modern achievements. Its 11+ admissions is fiercely competitive—up to 1,000 applicants vie for roughly 160 places. The exam tests English and maths skills, and successful preparation means mastering both technique and mindset. With the best tutors, the best preparation strategies, and the best success rates, Clarendon Tutors stands unmatched in guiding students to thrive at Latymer Upper 11+.