St Michael's Catholic Grammar School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 128
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School
St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School is a high-performing girls’ grammar school located in Finchley, North London. Founded in 1908, the school has a long-standing reputation for academic success combined with a strong Catholic ethos. Boys are accepted into the Sixth Form, but Years 7–11 remain girls only.
The school aims to develop both intellectual potential and moral integrity, fostering a close-knit and supportive learning environment. Its academic curriculum is rigorous, and there is a strong focus on developing spiritual values alongside academic achievements.
Competition for entry is intense, with over 2,000 applicants each year for just 180 Year 7 places. Admission through the 11 Plus is awarded solely on academic performance.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School’s Key Information
St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School’s key information is found below.
School Address
Full Address:
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School, Nether StNorth Finchley
Greater London
N12 7NJ
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is parking within the school as well as on-street parking nearby.
Additional parking off site
- Car Park: 7 Stanhope Rd, London, N12 9QG, 0.4 miles from the school.
- Car Park: 34 Woodhouse Rd, London, N12 0RG, 0.4 miles from the school.
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Outstanding
Academic strength: Leaders have very high expectations of pupils.
Teaching and curriculum: Pupils feel safe and happy. They know that staff will help them if they need support.
Behaviour and culture: Pupils also take practical steps to change things, such as creating a Peace Garden as a calm space to support the mental health of others.
Leadership and safeguarding: The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School Exam Format
The 11 Plus entry exam for St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School is highly competitive with many more applicants than places available.
The St Michael's Catholic Grammar School Entry Exam: Overview
The entry exam involves English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning questions from GL Assessment. This exam will take place on a single day, the questions are all multiple choice.
GL 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
There is no pass mark, instead applicants will be awarded places by rank of score achieved in the entrance exam.
Catchment Area
St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School, Finchley does not use a catchment area in determining the allocation of places.
Additional Eligibility
To apply, children must sit the school’s entrance exam. However, performance alone does not guarantee a place. St Michael’s uses the following oversubscription criteria if more candidates qualify than there are available spaces:
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Catholic Girls with Priority:
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Baptised Catholic girls with a Certificate of Catholic Practice
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Ranked by exam performance
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Other Faith-Based Applications:
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Practising Christians of other denominations or faiths
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Ranked by exam performance
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Non-Faith Applications:
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Limited number of places may be available for girls of no stated faith
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Ranked by exam performance
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Each applicant must submit a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to confirm their religious affiliation. Distance from the school is not a major factor, but may be considered as a tiebreaker.
Click to read St Michael’s full admissions policy for 2025/26.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School
Supporting your child through the St Michael’s School admissions process can greatly boost their confidence and performance. Take full advantage of the resources below, including tips, exam papers, recommended tuition agencies, and more.
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparations in Year 4 or early Year 5 to ensure steady progress without creating unnecessary pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers together to get comfortable with the question format and improve exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Track their progress and focus extra time on topics or question types they find difficult.
Encourage Daily Reading
Consistent reading expands vocabulary, improves comprehension, and develops analytical thinking—key skills for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools provide personalized practice and clear feedback, helping make study time more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Consistent, well-organized, and supportive preparation will help your child feel confident and prepared for exam day.
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re creating a network of local test centres to provide in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely mirror the format used by St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School. These sessions will give your child valuable experience under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available yet, you can register your interest using the form below, and we’ll notify you as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School’s Key Dates and Application Information
The original copy of the Certification of Catholic Practice and evidence of First Holy Communion must arrive at the school by 4pm on 5th July 2022. These criteria should be treated as mandatory and applicants who do not have them will probably not be accepted.
Entrance Exam Registration Opens
Open Evening
Registration Deadline
Entrance Exam
Exam Results Sent to Parents
Common Application Form Deadline
The Queen Elizabeth's School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at St Michael's Catholic Grammar School, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the school's Admissions Policy to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicySupplementary Information Form (SIF)
This form must be downloaded from the school website, filled in, and submitted by the July deadline. It includes details about your daughter’s baptism, religious practice and parish involvement. A Certificate of Catholic Practice is also required for priority applicants.
Visit School WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with St Michael's Catholic Grammar School listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed – failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School FAQs
No. According to St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School there hasn’t been a time in living memory where an applicant who was not from a practising Catholic family was admitted.
St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School does not use a pass mark, instead the places are awarded based on the highest number of marks achieved in the entrance exam.
St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School 11 plus entrance test involves a written test with questions on English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
GL Assessment papers can be purchased online from sites such as Amazon.