London is home to some of the UK's most competitive grammar schools—Tiffin, Latymer, Queen Elizabeth's, Wilson's. With acceptance rates as low as 5-10% for out-of-catchment applicants, many parents assume expensive tutoring is the only path to success. But is it?

The honest answer: Yes, app-based preparation can work—but only with the right app, the right strategy, and realistic expectations. This guide breaks down London's top grammar schools, their specific exam requirements, and shows you exactly how to prepare using KidSmart (with data from 400+ London students who passed in 2024).

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London's Top Grammar Schools: The Complete List

Key insight: All major London grammar schools use GL Assessment exams. This is great news for app-based preparation—GL is more predictable and practice-responsive than CEM.

The Reality Check: What Makes London 11+ So Competitive?

1. Population Density

London has 9 million people but only ~20 grammar schools. Compare this to Kent (1.5 million people, 35+ grammar schools). The ratio of applicants to places is brutal.

2. Affluent, Highly-Educated Parent Base

Many London applicants have:

• Parents with university degrees (often from Russell Group)
• Access to £60-100/hour tutors
• Siblings who've already passed
• Family resources for intensive preparation

3. Strategic Applications

Savvy London families apply to 4-6 grammar schools (some in neighboring counties like Kent or Surrey) to maximize chances. This increases competition at each school.

4. High Pass Thresholds

To get into Tiffin or Henrietta Barnett, your child typically needs:

• Standardized scores of 130+ (top 2% nationally)
• Near-perfect accuracy (95%+ correct answers)
• Strong performance across all four papers (no weak subjects allowed)

Can App-Based Preparation Work in London?

Short answer: Yes, but with caveats.

When App-Only Preparation Works

✅ Your child already tests at 115+ standardized score (top 15%)

App-based prep can push a naturally strong student from 115 → 130+. It's much harder to go from 100 → 130 without additional support.

✅ You have 9-12 months to prepare

App-based learning is highly effective but takes time. With 9+ months, a motivated child can cover all topics thoroughly.

✅ Your child is self-motivated

Apps require discipline. If your child needs constant pushing, a tutor (who provides accountability) may be more effective.

✅ You (parent) can provide guidance

Successful app users have parents who:

• Review practice test results weekly
• Help interpret analytics and adjust study plans
• Provide encouragement and structure

When to Add a Tutor

Consider supplementing app-based prep with tutoring if:

• Your child's starting score is below 110 (below top 25%)
• You have less than 6 months to prepare
• Your child struggles with a specific subject (e.g., verbal reasoning)
• You're targeting Tiffin/Henrietta Barnett (most competitive schools)

Hybrid approach works best: Use KidSmart for daily practice (£149/year) + monthly tutor sessions for targeted help (£200-300/year) = total £349-449/year vs. £3,000-5,000 for weekly tutoring.

School-Specific Preparation Strategies

Tiffin School & Tiffin Girls' School

Exam format: GL Assessment (VR, NVR, Maths, English)

Pass threshold: ~132 standardized score

What makes it hard: Extremely high competition (1,500+ applicants for 150 places)

KidSmart strategy:

1. Months 9-6: Complete all topic training modules. Aim for 90%+ mastery in each.
2. Months 6-3: Take 2 full mock exams per week. Target score: 128+ by Month 3.
3. Months 3-1: Increase to 3 mocks per week. Focus on weak areas identified by KidSmart's analytics.
4. Final month: Daily practice tests. Refine timing (finish with 5 minutes to spare on each paper).

"My daughter got into Tiffin Girls using only KidSmart. We started 11 months before the exam. The key was consistency—30-40 minutes daily, every single day. By exam day, she'd completed 25 full mock exams. She scored 134."

— Priya S., Kingston upon Thames

Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet

Exam format: GL Assessment

Pass threshold: ~128 standardized score (Barnet residents), ~132 (out-of-borough)

Advantage: Strong Barnet priority—if you live in-borough, chances improve significantly

KidSmart strategy:

• If in Barnet: Target 128+ (achievable with 6-9 months app-based prep)
• If out-of-borough: Target 132+ (may need 9-12 months or supplemental tutoring)
• Focus heavily on maths—QE values strong maths performance

Latymer School, Enfield

Exam format: GL Assessment

Pass threshold: ~125-130 standardized score

Catchment advantage: 5-mile radius gets priority

KidSmart strategy:

• Very practice-responsive exam (past papers closely match real tests)
• Complete all official Latymer past papers (available on their website)
• Use KidSmart to fill knowledge gaps identified in past papers
• Strong English focus—Latymer weights English heavily

Henrietta Barnett School

Exam format: GL Assessment

Pass threshold: ~134 standardized score (highest in London)

Catchment: Only 1.5-mile priority zone (very restrictive)

Reality check: This is London's hardest 11+ to pass. If using app-only prep:

• Your child should already test at 125+ before starting prep
• Plan for 12+ months of preparation
• Consider adding a tutor for the final 3 months to perfect weak spots
• Have backup schools (Latymer, QE) in case HB doesn't work out

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The 12-Month London Grammar School Preparation Timeline

Months 12-9: Foundation Building

Goal: Master fundamentals across all four subjects

Time commitment: 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week

KidSmart activities:

• Complete all topic training modules (VR, NVR, Maths, English)
• Aim for 85%+ accuracy in practice questions
• Take baseline mock exam in Month 9 to identify gaps

Months 9-6: Skill Development

Goal: Develop speed and accuracy

Time commitment: 40-45 minutes/day, 6 days/week

KidSmart activities:

• Weekly mock exams (alternate between individual papers and full tests)
• Target weak areas identified by analytics
• Gradually reduce time limits to build speed
• Target score by Month 6: 120-125 standardized score

Months 6-3: Intensive Practice

Goal: Push toward target score (128-132+)

Time commitment: 60 minutes/day, 6 days/week

KidSmart activities:

• 2-3 mock exams per week
• Review every wrong answer immediately
• Focus 70% of practice time on weakest subject
• Target score by Month 3: 125-128 standardized score

Months 3-0: Final Push

Goal: Peak performance + exam confidence

Time commitment: 60-90 minutes/day, 6 days/week

KidSmart activities:

• 3-4 mock exams per week
• Practice under strict exam conditions (full quiet, no breaks)
• Fine-tune timing (aim to finish each paper with 5-10 minutes spare)
• Final week: 1 last mock 3 days before exam, then rest

London-Specific Tips from Families Who Passed

1. Apply Strategically

"Don't put all your eggs in one basket. We applied to Tiffin (reach), QE (match), and Latymer (safety), plus two Kent schools. My son got into QE and two Kent schools. Having options reduced stress."

— David M., Barnet

2. Use the Distance Advantage

"We were 0.8 miles from Henrietta Barnett. Knowing we had catchment priority let us focus on hitting the threshold (134) rather than worrying about being perfect. App-based prep was enough because we didn't need to be the absolute top scorer."

— Leila H., Barnet

3. Start Early, Practice Daily

"I see so many parents start 4-6 months before the exam and panic. We started 14 months out. By exam day, my daughter had done 30+ full mock exams. She wasn't nervous—it felt like 'just another practice test.'"

— Anita P., Sutton

4. Don't Neglect English

"Everyone focuses on VR and NVR, but English tripped up my son initially. He was scoring 130+ on VR/NVR/Maths but only 118 on English. We spent 2 months focusing heavily on comprehension. His final score: 131 (balanced across all papers). Got into Latymer."

— James W., Enfield

Cost Comparison: App vs Tutor in London

Bottom line: For £149, KidSmart offers exceptional value. Even if you add occasional tutoring, you're still saving £2,000-4,000 vs. weekly tutors.

Common Questions from London Parents

My child attends a state primary in Zone 3. Can they compete with privately-educated applicants?

Yes. Many successful applicants come from state primaries. The key is structured preparation (which apps provide). Private school students often have a head start, but with 9-12 months of focused prep, state school students catch up and surpass them.

Should we move to be in-catchment for a school?

Calculate carefully. Moving closer to Henrietta Barnett (1.5-mile catchment) or Latymer (5-mile priority) can significantly improve chances. However, consider:

• Housing costs in catchment areas are inflated
• You need to live in-catchment for 2-3 years before exam (schools check)
• Your child still needs to hit the pass threshold (moving doesn't guarantee admission)

Which London schools are most "app-friendly" for preparation?

Most accessible (in order):

1. St Olave's & Newstead Wood (higher pass rates, London-wide catchment)
2. Wilson's & Wallington (strong but achievable thresholds)
3. Latymer (good catchment advantage if nearby)
4. Queen Elizabeth's (doable for Barnet residents)
5. Tiffin Schools (very competitive, but app-prep has worked for many)
6. Henrietta Barnett (hardest—consider app + tutor hybrid)

Can we use KidSmart if we're also applying to schools in Kent or Surrey?

Yes—this is one of KidSmart's biggest advantages. All London grammar schools use GL Assessment, as do most Kent and Surrey schools. One platform prepares your child for all of them. Just select all your target schools in KidSmart's school matcher.

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Key Takeaways

• London grammar schools are highly competitive (5-15% pass rates) but achievable with structured prep
• All major London schools use GL Assessment (practice-friendly format)
• App-based prep works best for students starting at 115+ with 9-12 months available
• Hybrid approach (app + occasional tutor) offers best value (£600-900 vs. £3,600+ for weekly tutoring)
• School-specific strategies matter—tailor your prep to your target school's priorities
• Catchment areas significantly improve chances at schools like HB, Latymer, QE
• Apply to 4-6 schools strategically (reach, match, safety mix)
• Start early, practice daily, use mock exams to identify and fix weak spots

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Ready to give your child the best shot at London's top grammar schools? KidSmart offers school-specific preparation plans, unlimited mock exams, and adaptive learning that identifies exactly what your child needs to work on. Start free for 7 days—no credit card required.