City of London School for Girls Interview Questions and Key Information
Overall Guide to the City of London School for Girls
The City of London School for Girls is a day school in the centre of London. It has 711 pupils, of whom 693 are in the sixth form. Fees are £21,894 per year. It’s a non-denominational school and a member of the Girls Schools Association, known for its high academic standards. According to the school, it is a ‘place of brave academic enquiry, intellectual wonder and fiercely independent thinkers.’ There is a ‘scholarly energy’ according to the head teacher, as well as a focus on kindness, compassion and respect. The school is located next to the Barbican, an exciting place to learn. The school was founded in 1894 by William Ward with the intention of delivering a liberal education to girls.
City of London School for Girls Ranking & Results
In 2018 results the school was rated the second best in the UK based on GCSE and A Level results. 2019 saw 94% of grades at GCSE and 77% of grades at A Level ranked at A or A*, ranking it 11th and 22nd in the UK for GCSE and A Level.
City of London School for Girls Curriculum
In the lower school (years 7 and 8), pupils will study a broad range of arts, humanities, languages, sciences and technology. All pupils will also have PSHCEE (personal, social, health, citizenship and economic education) as well as PE. There are no exams in year 7. In the senior school (years 9,10,11), pupils will shift from this range towards their GCSE subjects, being able to drop one subject in Year 9 if they wish. As they begin GCSEs in Year 10, pupils will narrow their focus. GCSE subjects available (beyond the core sciences and English Literature, Language and Maths) are:
          Â
           • French
           • Germany
           • Spanish
           • Chinese
           • geography
           • history
           • religion, philosophy and ethics (RPE)
- art
- drama
- design and technology (product design)
- Latin
- music
- PE
- computer science
• Classical Greek
Â
At A Level, the choice broadens further. It includes the following subjects:
- art
- biology
- chemistry
- Chinese
- classical civilisation
- classics: Greek and/or Latin
- computer science
- design and technology
- drama and theatre studies
- economics
- English literature
- French
- geography
- German
- history (16th century)
- history (20th century)
- mathematics
- mathematics (further)
- music
- religious studies
- physics
- politics
- Spanish
- extended project qualification
- general studies
- GCSE Italian in year 12
What is the admission process at the City of London School for Girls?
The admission process is divided into two stages. First is a one hour computer based test, which is run by CEM. It assesses numerical, verbal and non-verbal skills. The tests are run in mid to late November. There are no practice materials available, although CEM familiarisation material is of use. Pupils that are successful in this first round, and who have positive references from their school, will be invited to the school for a second round of assessment that takes place in mid-December. Roughly 380 pupils are invited to the second stage of the assessment. This consists of a 45-minute English paper, testing creative writing and analytical skills, as well as a 45-minute maths paper, which tests problem-solving. Interviews then take place afterwards, normally in mid-January.
What kind of questions are asked at interview at the City of London School for Girls?
Interests:
What sports do you play?
Do you play any musical instruments? If so, what is your favourite?
Who is your favourite author?
What books are you reading at the moment?
What do you do in your spare time?
Academic ability
What are your grades like at your school?
What subjects do you find difficult at your current school?
What is your favourite subject at your current school?
What subjects are you most excited to study here?
What do you know about AI?
Please can you explain this poem to me? [Provide a particular poem]
What do you know about climate change?
What do you think about animal testing?
Do you think that free speech is important?
Aptitude and Reasoning
What is the difference between an area and a volume?
What is 2 squared + 3 squared + 4 squared?
What makes an object important to someone?
How would you calculate the probability of not getting a six on a six sided die?