City Junior School is an independent co-educational prep school for children aged 7–11, located in Gray’s Inn in Central London. Since opening in September 2022, it has quickly become a highly sought-after school at 7+, forming the first stage of the City of London Schools’ educational pathway and offering families a seamless transition to City of London School or City of London School for Girls, without the need to sit competitive 11+ entrance exams.
At City Junior School, “curiosity is celebrated, kindness expected, and learning joyful,” setting the tone for an environment in which children feel inspired to take risks and discover their interests. This ethos is reflected in a rich and well-rounded curriculum, designed to develop creative, independent thinkers. Pupils benefit from modern on-site facilities and, through the school’s close links with City of London School and City of London School for Girls, additional shared resources such as theatres and swimming pools. Its central London location is also used to enrich learning beyond the classroom, reinforcing the school’s core values of Community, Joy, and Scholarship in both academic and pastoral life.
Demand for places at 7+ is high and competition is strong. The admissions process is carefully designed to identify children who will thrive within the City Junior School community. With a relatively small cohort and a single main entry point at 7+, the school typically admits around 36 boys and 36 girls each year, with approximately four to five applicants competing for each place.
Step One: Open Events
Held in the summer and autumn prior to the year of entry, City Junior School’s open days give families a chance to tour the school’s facilities and meet the staff. It is an excellent opportunity to gain a first-hand sense of the school’s day-to-day life and community, and to ask any practical questions before registering. Attending an open event is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged – it will help you and your child understand what makes City Junior School unique and whether it’s the right fit.
Step Two: Registration
Registration for 7+ entry typically opens about a year in advance and closes in the autumn, shortly after the open days. Applications are submitted through an online form on the school’s website during this window. Once registration is complete and the fee has been paid, your child will be scheduled to sit the entrance assessments. Overseas applicants should note that all candidates are required to attend the assessments in person at City Junior School in London.
Step Three: First Round Assessment
The First Round Assessment is an exam-based evaluation of your child’s core skills and is held in late November in the year prior to entry. On assessment day, children come to City Junior School to sit three papers: mathematics, reading comprehension, and creative writing. The school makes a conscious effort to ensure the environment feels welcoming and free from the pressures typically associated with formal exams. While the assessments draw on the standard school curriculum and do not require formal test preparation, the reality of a highly competitive intake means that the majority of families do prepare. This preparation is usually focused on securing strong Year 2 maths and English fundamentals, ensuring children are able to perform at their best on the day.
The maths paper focuses on early primary topics, including a mix of straightforward calculations and simple problem-solving questions. The reading comprehension paper asks children to read a short passage and answer questions in various formats, including multiple-choice and short written responses. For the creative writing task, each child is shown an image and given an opening sentence, then prompted to continue the story in their own words. There is no expectation of advanced vocabulary or extended pieces of writing; instead, the school is looking at each child’s imagination, basic writing skills, and ability to express ideas clearly. Each paper typically lasts between 25 and 40 minutes, with short breaks in between, allowing children to work comfortably at their own pace.
After the first round, the admissions team reviews the papers and identifies which children will be invited back for the next stage. Parents are notified of the results before the Christmas holidays in December, after which selected applicants progress to the second round.
Step Four: Second Round Assessment
The Second Round Assessment takes place in early January for those candidates who passed the first round. This stage is quite different from the exams – it focuses on collaboration and problem-solving, enabling the school to build a fuller picture of each child and assess their suitability for admission. Children are invited to spend part of a day participating in a series of group activities and a one-on-one conversation with a teacher, allowing the staff to observe how they think and behave in a classroom-like setting: Do they persevere when challenged? Are they curious and eager to learn? How do they approach solving a new problem?
Before this second-round session, parents will be asked to complete a short online questionnaire about their child. This includes sharing more about your child’s interests, personality, and any additional information you want the school to know. The school uses this, along with what they observe during the activities, to build a well-rounded picture of each candidate.
For many families, the philosophical differences between Swiss schools and UK boarding schools are ultimately filtered through a pragmatic lens: what level of financial commitment feels proportionate to the education on offer.
One-to-One Conversation
Rather than a formal interview, this conversation is a relaxed, friendly chat designed to put the child at ease. The discussion is usually centred around the child’s interests, such as the books they enjoy or the hobbies they listed on the personal information form. Staff may also use a visual prompt, such as showing the child a picture and asking them to describe what they notice or imagine is happening in the scene. This creates space for the child to demonstrate their observation skills and creativity in a low-stakes setting. The key is to gain a sense of each child’s personality and how they express their ideas, rather than to quiz them on facts.
Group Task
At this stage, children work together in small groups on a shared activity. The exact task varies from year to year — it might be a problem-solving challenge, a creative project, or a discussion-based scenario — but the underlying purpose remains consistent: teachers want to see how children interact with one another, focusing on social skills and teamwork. They look at how children contribute ideas, listen to others, help move a discussion forward, and negotiate and reason thoughtfully within a group setting. It’s not about coming up with the “correct” outcome, but about understanding how children think and work together.
How to Help Your Child Prepare
Unlike formal exams, the best preparation for the second round is simple conversation, helping your child feel comfortable talking about themselves and exploring ideas. In the run-up to the assessment, the most helpful approach is to have relaxed, low-pressure conversations, with some families also choosing to seek guidance from someone experienced in 7+ entry and City Junior School admissions. Talking about books they enjoy is a good starting point: what they like or dislike, the storyline and characters, and what they might want to read next.
Similarly, casual conversations about hobbies and interests can be just as effective. Asking why they enjoy an activity, how often they take part, and what they have learned helps children reflect on their experiences and articulate them confidently. It can also be helpful to talk about favourite school subjects, light age-appropriate news or ideas about the world, and what they might like to do in the future. Throughout, answers should feel organic rather than practised, as this is easily noticeable at 7+. Ultimately, the staff at City Junior School are keen to meet the real child: a friendly, curious 6- or 7-year-old who can talk authentically about the things they enjoy.
Final Thoughts
Gaining admission to City Junior School at 7+ is a competitive but well-considered process. The school takes a holistic approach, looking beyond academics to identify children who will thrive in its environment and progress smoothly along the City Schools pathway. While the emphasis is on each child’s potential and natural ability rather than intensive drilling, most families recognise the value of gentle preparation to help children feel confident during the assessments.
For prospective parents and pupils, the key is to approach the process with ease and genuine enthusiasm. City Junior School seeks bright, kind, and engaged young learners who are well-suited to its community. By fostering your child’s sense of self and love of learning, you help them navigate the 7+ journey in a way that allows their strengths and individuality to come through.