St Michael's Catholic Grammar School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

​St Michael's Catholic Grammar School is a leading selective grammar school for girls located in North Finchley, Barnet. Founded in 1908, this Catholic school educates approximately 800+ pupils aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

As a high-achieving institution, it is widely recognised as one of the best grammar schools in the UK, noted for its supportive ethos and academic excellence. The school consistently achieves exceptional results, and its current Ofsted Rating is "Outstanding".

The school was established by the Sisters of the Poor Child Jesus to provide education to girls in North London. It continues to maintain a distinct charism that focuses heavily on spiritual and personal development. The institution fosters a unique heritage rooted in the mission and values of its founding religious order.

In this guide, I've distilled 18+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate St Michael's Catholic Grammar School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with ease.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar / Academy (Voluntary Aided)
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Girls (Co-educational in Sixth Form)
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Age Range: 11-18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 800+
• St Michael's Catholic Grammar School GCSE Results (2025): 81% achieved Grades 9-7
• St Michael's Catholic Grammar School A-Level Results (2025): 87% achieved Grades A*-B

Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 128
• Exam Board: GL Assessment
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

Planning your child’s journey starts with attending the St Michael's Catholic Grammar School open day and meticulously tracking the St Michael's Catholic Grammar School 11 plus exam dates.

I have compiled the definitive calendar for St Michael's Catholic Grammar School to ensure you navigate the admissions process with confidence. From the strict Supplementary Information Form (SIF) submission to the specific 11+ Exam date, this schedule clarifies every deadline.

These 11 plus exam dates are critical, so I recommend marking them in your diary immediately to avoid any last-minute stress.

St Michael's Catholic Grammar School operates a rigorous admissions timeline for Year 7 entry. While the school is part of an academy trust, it is officially known as a selective grammar school; parents must strictly adhere to the 11 plus exam process and the early July registration deadline.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

The application procedure consists of two mandatory steps: registering with the school and applying through your local authority. Completing both is essential for your daughter's 11+ Exam eligibility.

The Supplementary Information Form (SIF)

• Parents must complete the Supplementary Information Form to register for the entrance tests.
• This form is available on the school website and must be returned typically by early July 2025.
• Applicants must also provide the Certificate of Catholic Practice by this deadline if applying under faith criteria.
• Consult the St Michael's Catholic Grammar School Admissions Policy for specific document requirements.

​

The Common Application Form (CAF)

• You must name St Michael's as a preference on your Local Authority’s CAF.
• Residents should apply via the Pan London eAdmissions System or their local council portal.
• The national deadline for submitting the CAF is 31^st October 2025.
  

St Michael's Catholic Grammar School does not have a Catchment Area.

As stated in the St Michael's Catholic Grammar School Admissions Policy, the entrance exam is a crucial step for September 2026 entry. Unlike London consortium schools or the Slough consortium of grammar schools which may share tests, this school holds its own specific testing day. 

The St Michael's Catholic Grammar School 11 Plus Test comprises four separate papers covering Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, 11+ English, and 11+ Mathematics. 

The questions are provided by the GL assessment 11 plus board and are entirely multiple-choice. Your child’s final position is determined by the aggregate of the age-standardised scores from all four disciplines.

Check out our blog on Free 11 Plus Papers with Answers pdf to familiarise yourself with the 11+ Exam Format of Best Grammar Schools in UK.

Entrance Test Details​

Parent’s Top 4 Queries

When is the entrance assessment scheduled?

The entrance assessment is scheduled for Friday 11th September 2026.

​​What is the format of the entrance assessment?

The test consists of four multiple-choice papers set by GL Assessment.

What exam board does St Michael's Catholic Grammar School follow?

GL Assessment

How long is the 11+ Exam for St Michael's Catholic Grammar School?

​Four papers taken in a single sitting.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

​The school utilises Optical Mark Reader (OMR) sheets for all papers. It is vital that your daughter marks her answers clearly with a horizontal line on the separate answer sheet, as any workings in the question booklet will not be assessed.

There is no pre-set pass mark; admission is based on rank order from the 11 plus exam results. Please refer to the St Michael's Catholic Grammar School Admissions Policy for ranking criteria.

While the school lacks an official cut-off, achieving a 95%+ score in PiAcademy’s practice papers ensures your child is prepared to rank highly and ace the eleven plus exam.

St Michael's Catholic Grammar School is the "Gold Standard" for Catholic girls' education in North London. However, with approximately 700 to 800 applicants competing for just 128 places, reliance on a single school is risky. The strict religious criteria further narrow the odds.

As an education consultant with 18 years of experience, I strongly advise a diversified approach. You should prepare a portfolio of 3 Grammar options and 2 Private options. This strategy ensures your daughter secures an academically challenging placement, regardless of the outcome at St Michael's.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Families targeting St Michael's often look towards the Barnet academic corridor and private schools in Elstree or Canons Park. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives

• Henrietta Barnett School (HBS): Located in Hampstead Garden Suburb, HBS is often the primary academic rival to St Michael's. It offers a purely secular, merit-based entry route. The competition is intense, but the academic outcomes are among the highest in the country.
  
• Dame Alice Owen’s (DAO): Situated in Potters Bar, DAO is an excellent co-educational alternative. While it has a catchment area, it reserves 65 places specifically for high-scoring academic entrants. It shares the GL Assessment format, making exam preparation consistent.
  
• The Latymer School: Based in Edmonton, this co-educational grammar school is accessible for many North London families. It focuses heavily on Maths and Verbal Reasoning in the entrance test. It provides a balanced, high-achieving environment similar to St Michael's.
  
• North London Collegiate School (NLCS): For families willing to consider the independent sector, NLCS in Canons Park is the premier choice. It offers world-class facilities and an inquiry-based curriculum. It serves as an ultimate academic backup for high-potential girls.
  
• Haberdashers’ Girls’ School: Located in Elstree, "Habs Girls" is another elite private option. It shares a coach network with many Barnet schools, ensuring easy transport. The school offers a nurturing yet academically rigorous environment comparable to St Michael's.
  

According to the National School Census, competition for places at St Michael's Catholic Grammar School remains consistently high. Each year, approximately 800 students compete for just 128 places, ensuring the eleven plus exam process remains exceptionally rigorous.

Recent data shows approximately two applications for every single available place over the last three years. This clearly indicates that comprehensive, targeted preparation is mandatory to ensure your daughter is competitive enough to succeed.

St Michael's Catholic Grammar School remains significantly oversubscribed, with a 53% oversubscription rate in 2025.

Source: National School Census.

How hard is it to get into St Michael's Catholic Grammar School?

​​Parents often come to me and ask, “Is St Michael's Catholic Grammar School hard to get into?” Based on my experience, I assure you this is a predictable, winnable challenge with the right strategy.

Success requires navigating the St Michael's Catholic Grammar School Admissions Policy to ensure all religious evidence is submitted on time. You must prepare thoroughly for the single-stage entrance test, which covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Keep reading to uncover the 11+ Exam Format and the preparation strategy you need to secure your daughter’s place!

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of the St Michael's Catholic Grammar School 11 plus exam papers reveals a distinct topic weighting. This breakdown clearly shows that Numbers and Geometry account for a significant portion of the questions in the 11+ maths papers.

Try our 11+ Maths topic-wise Questions with more than 15,000+ Questions. Used by 20,000+ Students.

Best 11+ Practice Papers for St Michael's Catholic Grammar School - Maths

We recommend the GL assessment practice papers for St Michael's Catholic Grammar School. This pack consists of GL-Style MCQs with detailed solutions to help you score top marks.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

Based on the exam analysis, Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary are critical topics. Accuracy is vital when attempting these 11+ english past papers.

Best 11+ Practice Papers for St Michael's Catholic Grammar School - English

Our targeted 11 plus practice papers help students familiarise themselves with the exam pattern well before time.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11 plus verbal reasoning past papers for St Michael's Catholic Grammar School shows that Making Words and Codes are primary focus areas.

Best 11+ Practice Papers for St Michael's Catholic Grammar School - Verbal Reasoning

Elevate your score with our 11 plus exam papers resources, featuring topic-wise questions. This pack includes a complete VR exam planner.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11 plus non verbal reasoning papers shows that Spatial Reasoning and Analogies are critical focus areas.

Best 11+ Practice Papers for St Michael's Catholic Grammar School - Non-Verbal Reasoning

Prepare for success with targeted questions across expert-designed 11 plus practice papers.

St Michael's Catholic Grammar School is highly selective, making rigorous preparation essential for success. Sitting a St Michael's Catholic Grammar School 11 plus mock exam helps students master the specific GL Assessment format used here. Regular 11 plus mock tests identify weak areas and refine speed under strict conditions.

We recommend the following resources to mirror the school's exam board:

Parents can try our free 11 plus mock test to assess their child's current ability level. Booking an 11 plus mock test Barnet helps your daughter prepare for this competitive St Michael's Catholic Academy entrance exam.​​

• Autumn Half Term 1: Wednesday 2^nd September 2026 to Friday 23^rd October 2026
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 2^nd November 2026 to Friday 18^th December 2026
• Spring Half Term 1: Monday 4^th January 2027 to Friday 12^th February 2027
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 22^nd February 2027 to Thursday 25^th March 2027
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 12th April 2027 to Friday 28^th May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 7^th June 2027 to Wednesday 21^st July 2027

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and St Michael's Catholic Grammar School Official Website.