City Junior 7 Plus Preparation
City Junior 7 Plus exam is designed to identify boys and girls who have an excellent academic foundation and display creativity, curiosity, and confidence. As the official junior feeder for City of London School and City of London School for Girls, it provides an exceptional pathway to these prestigious senior schools. Entry at 7 Plus is selective, with approximately 36 places for girls and 36 places for boys available each year—considerably more than most 7 Plus entry points. We have a strong track record helping children to prepare for these exams through our comprehensive 7 Plus programme.
About City Junior School
City Junior School is relatively new but has already established a strong reputation for academic excellence and a supportive, ambitious school community. Unlike some equally competitive London schools, City Junior prioritises well-rounded children, valuing emotional intelligence, creativity, and enthusiasm for learning alongside academic strength.
City Junior 7 Plus Exam Format
The entrance assessment for City Junior School includes a first round assessment (usually in November of Year 2) and a second round assessment (in early January). The first round consists of three written papers, each 25-40 minutes long: Comprehension (a reading comprehension requiring both multiple-choice and full-sentence answers), Mathematics (a balance of arithmetic and problem-solving questions covering the entire Year 1 and Year 2 syllabuses), and Creative Writing (candidates are given a picture and opening sentence and asked to continue the story). The second round assessment includes Group Activities (children complete collaborative tasks requiring communication and teamwork skills) and an Individual Interview (a conversation with a member of the senior leadership team).
Balanced and Well-Rounded Approach
Unlike some schools that heavily emphasise specific subjects, City Junior School values well-rounded children. While academic strength is crucial, the school also values emotional intelligence, creativity, and willingness to explore ideas. Pupils who demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for learning and the ability to collaborate with peers are well-positioned for success. The school looks for children who will contribute positively to the school community, not just those who can score highly on tests.
Academic Expectations
The City Junior School 7 Plus is designed to assess children working above the expected Year 2 level. To be well-prepared, pupils should demonstrate confident reading comprehension with the ability to extract key information and infer meaning from texts, well-structured creative writing showing imagination and clear narrative sense, and solid arithmetic skills including number bonds, times tables, and the ability to solve word-based problems. However, the emphasis is on potential and enthusiasm as much as current attainment.
The Challenge for State School Applicants
Families from state schools may find the expectations at City Junior School beyond the standard national curriculum. Many independent school applicants will have been exposed to advanced Maths and English concepts from an early age. We recommend structured preparation and additional support to bridge any gaps, though City Junior’s relatively larger intake and balanced approach makes it somewhat more accessible than schools with only 8-12 places. In particular, it is important that state school applicants take the full suite of mock exams that we offer as they are often not given the opportunity to take these in school.
How to Prepare for the City Junior 7 Plus
An optimal preparation approach for City Junior School should involve structured academic preparation alongside development of broader skills. Key strategies include developing daily reading habits to enhance comprehension and vocabulary, practising creative writing in a structured yet expressive manner, strengthening problem-solving abilities through regular Mathematics exercises, and encouraging curiosity and discussion-based learning to prepare for the interview stage. The focus should be on building genuine understanding and enthusiasm, not just exam technique.
How Hermes Education Can Support Your Child with the City Junior 7 Plus
At Hermes Education, we specialise in preparing children for the City Junior School 7 Plus entry assessments. As City Junior applicants come from all over London, we see people at our Hampstead or Dulwich sites. Our team of experienced tutors provides tailored one-to-one tuition, practice exams, interview coaching, and structured learning plans designed to develop both academic strength and confidence. We ensure children are working at the appropriate level (Year 2 and some early Year 3 material by Year 1) while maintaining the creativity and enthusiasm that City Junior values. Everyone teaching on our 7 Plus programme is a qualified teacher who has also completed our comprehensive CPD course.