Francis Holland School 11+ Preparation — Parent Guide

Francis Holland School has two campuses — one in Regent's Park (NW1) and one in Sloane Square (SW1) — and both are among London's most sought-after girls' independent schools. Both schools participate in the North London Independent Girls' Schools Consortium (NLIGSC), meaning the written assessment paper is shared with other leading schools including Channing, South Hampstead High, and others. This guide explains what the consortium test involves and how to prepare for a Francis Holland place.

The Consortium Test and What It Covers

The NLIGSC assessment typically includes an English paper (comprehension plus writing), a Mathematics paper (problem-solving and reasoning beyond Year 6 curriculum), and a verbal reasoning element. The test is sat at a consortium centre, with individual schools then inviting shortlisted girls to their own campus for interview. The two Francis Holland schools make separate admissions decisions, so applying to both means attending two separate interviews if shortlisted.

Francis Holland Regent's Park vs Sloane Square

Both schools have strong academic reputations and excellent results, but they have distinct characters. Regent's Park has a slightly larger intake and is known for a warm, engaged community feel alongside serious academic ambition. Sloane Square is smaller and intimate, with a strong emphasis on academic rigour and a close-knit school culture. Many families visit both and find that one feels like the better fit for their daughter's personality — which is worth taking seriously, since fit with a school's culture genuinely affects how well a child thrives.

Our 11+ specialists prepare students specifically for the Francis Holland assessment, working through the English and Maths components in the format the school uses. Our students have achieved a 95%+ offer rate across selective school entry, and we're rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot. Book a free consultation to discuss preparation.

Interview Preparation for Francis Holland

Both Francis Holland schools conduct interviews as a significant part of their admissions process. They are looking for girls who can engage thoughtfully with ideas, express opinions clearly, and show genuine curiosity. Preparation should focus on developing natural confidence in conversation rather than rehearsing specific answers. A girl who has read widely, has real interests she can discuss, and can listen carefully to questions tends to perform much better than one who has memorised talking points. The interview is not an obstacle — it is an opportunity to demonstrate who your daughter actually is.

Timeline and How to Structure Preparation

Families aiming for Francis Holland through the NLIGSC consortium should begin structured preparation in Year 5, with intensive work in the year leading up to the test. The consortium paper is sat in January of Year 6 for most schools. Priority areas are extended writing, inference-based comprehension, mathematical problem-solving, and verbal reasoning. Those also applying to schools outside the consortium (such as JAGS or Channing's Hampstead campus) should ensure format familiarity for each school's specific assessment style.

Frequently Asked Questions