Francis Holland School, Sloane Square
Independent Day School for Girls (11–18) · Est. 1881
Founded in 1881 by Canon Francis Holland, a Chaplain to Queen Victoria, this is one of two Francis Holland schools in central London — the Sloane Square sister, tucked into a tight Belgravia site on Graham Terrace a few minutes' walk from the King's Road. It is a Church of England girls' day school of around 600, known for warm, family-feeling pastoral care, a much-praised neo-gothic Sixth Form centre, and an unmistakably Chelsea-and-Belgravia community. Sport happens up at Battersea Park; ballet is a genuine on-site speciality.
Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year 2023 — a warm, central-London girls' day school posting its best-ever A-level results in 2025 (72% A*–A, 31% A*) and 87% grade 9–7 at GCSE, without a hothouse reputation.
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39 Graham Terrace, Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8JF
Day Fees
£11,058
per term, Years 7–13 (from Sept 2026, inc. lunches & Personal Accident Insurance)
Exam Format
London 11+ Consortium
shared ~100-min assessment + interview & group exercise
Total Pupils
608
girls 11–18, day only (ISI Oct 2024)
Founded
1881
by Canon Francis Holland, Chaplain to Queen Victoria
A-level Results 2025
72% A*–A
31% A*, 89% A*–B, 100% pass — school's best ever outside Covid years
GCSE Results 2025
87% 9–7
44% of grades at grade 9; 71% at 9–8
Best For
Central-London families — especially in Chelsea, Belgravia and Pimlico — who want a warm, relatively small girls' day school with strong and rising academic results, genuinely well-regarded pastoral care, an excellent Sixth Form centre, and a real strength in music, drama and classical ballet. It suits a girl who would flourish being 'known' rather than one chasing the most pressured academic environment.
Watch Out For
It is a tight central-London site — parents on forums consistently call it 'cramped' and short on facilities, with sport off at Battersea Park. The community is unmistakably affluent Chelsea/Belgravia ('a bit of a bubble'). It has become markedly harder to get into, so it is risky to treat as a 'back-up'. The October 2024 ISI report flagged one area for development: making teaching in Years 7–9 consistently effective.
Entry Points
- Main intake at 11+ (Year 7) via the London 11+ Consortium assessment plus interview and group exercise; 16+ (Sixth Form) entry by subject papers and interview; occasional places in Years 8–10. There is a separate Francis Holland prep/junior school with its own admissions.
The Complete Admissions Timeline
Every key date, deadline and decision point — with insider intelligence you won't find on the school website. Click any item to reveal verified insider knowledge.
The critical window: Francis Holland Sloane Square is a member of the London 11+ Consortium — an association of independent London day schools for girls that share a single entrance assessment. For 2027 entry, registration closes on Friday 6 November 2026 (apply via the school's OpenApply admissions portal). The Consortium assessment is sat on Tuesday 1 December 2026, usually at the candidate's current school — a roughly 100-minute test in two halves (the first half adaptive, the second non-adaptive) covering maths, comprehension and verbal/non-verbal reasoning, plus problem-solving and a 'creative comprehension'/analysis paper. The school explicitly says the assessment 'looks beyond academic ability' to potential in problem-solving, critical thinking and creativity. Candidates are then invited to a one-to-one interview and a group exercise on Friday 8 January 2027. A reference is requested from the current school. Offers are issued on Friday 12 February 2027, with acceptances due by Wednesday 3 March 2027.
Attend Open Mornings
Visit FHS Sloane Square and at least one Consortium peer (the Consortium has many girls' day schools). The Sloane Square site is compact and central — see it in person to judge whether the scale and the Chelsea/Belgravia community suit your family.
Build Consortium-style fluency
Begin practice across maths (to Year 5 National Curriculum level), English comprehension, verbal and non-verbal reasoning — on screen, since the Consortium assessment is online and partly adaptive. Wide reading and discussion build the 'creative comprehension'/analysis skills that drilling alone won't.
Apply via OpenApply
Register on the school's OpenApply portal by 6 November 2026 and pay the registration fee. Arrange the current-school reference. Flag any scholarship interest so you can book the relevant January assessment day.
Interview and group exercise at FHS
A one-to-one interview plus a group exercise at the school on 8 January 2027. Scholarship candidates also attend their strand's assessment day in mid-January.
Offers and acceptance
Offers issued 12 February 2027; acceptances and deposit due by 3 March 2027.
Key Dates — 11+ Entry 2027 (Year 7 from Sep 2027)
Registration deadline (via OpenApply portal)
Friday 6 November 2026
London 11+ Consortium assessment
Tuesday 1 December 2026
Interview + group exercise
Friday 8 January 2027
Scholarship assessments (Y7)
Classical Ballet 10 Jan, Art 12 Jan, Music 13 Jan, Sport 14 Jan, Drama 15 Jan 2027
Offers issued
Friday 12 February 2027
Acceptance deadline
Wednesday 3 March 2027
Inside the FHS Sloane Square 11+ (London Consortium)
Francis Holland Sloane Square does not set its own 11+ papers — it is a member of the London 11+ Consortium, a group of independent London girls' day schools that share a single entrance assessment. A girl sits the assessment once and it counts for every Consortium school she applies to. The test runs roughly 100 minutes in two halves: an adaptive first half (maths, non-verbal reasoning, English comprehension, verbal reasoning), then, after a break, a non-adaptive second half of problem-solving puzzles and a 'creative comprehension'/analysis paper. It is explicitly designed to assess cognitive potential — problem-solving, critical thinking and creativity — rather than curriculum recall. Candidates who progress attend a one-to-one interview and a group exercise.
Adaptive First Half
~70 minutes for the adaptive half (within a ~100-minute assessment plus a break) · Online, adaptive, multiple-choice — sat once for all Consortium schools, usually at the current school
Children who only practise on paper, or who expect Year 6 maths, are wrong-footed: the maths deliberately stays at Year 5 level, and the adaptive on-screen format punishes the 'skip and come back' habit. Pacing and on-screen familiarity matter as much as content.
Problem-Solving & Creative Comprehension
~40 minutes for the non-adaptive half · Online, non-adaptive — same questions for all candidates
This section is deliberately resistant to drilling. Children trained only on standard comprehension and arithmetic find the multi-source synthesis and lateral problem-solving unfamiliar — it rewards wide reading, curiosity and flexible thinking built over time.
Interview & Group Exercise
Short 1:1 interview plus a group exercise, on a single January day · In-person at the school — one-to-one interview + observed group exercise
Over-rehearsed answers read as inauthentic, and in the group exercise a girl who dominates reads worse than one who contributes warmly and listens. The school's culture prizes kindness — bossiness is a poor fit signal.
Topic Difficulty & Weight
Difficulty (%) and exam weight by topic area
Key takeaway: Premium
Topic Breakdown
Known Exam Traps — Adaptive First Half
The pattern: Children who only practise on paper, or who expect Year 6 maths, are wrong-footed: the maths deliberately stays at Year 5 level, and the adaptive on-screen format punishes the 'skip and come back' habit. Pacing and on-screen familiarity matter as much as content.
If you can only improve in one area, make it
Adaptive on-screen practice; Year 5 maths mastery; reasoning fluency
What this means in practice:
Dedicate 60%+ of prep time to this area
Practice under timed conditions regularly
Review mistakes immediately after each session
Track progress weekly to spot patterns
All focus areas ranked by impact:
#1
Adaptive on-screen practice; Year 5 maths mastery; reasoning fluency
Adaptive First Half
#2
Multi-source synthesis, lateral problem-solving, wide reading
Problem-Solving & Creative Comprehension
#3
Authentic conversation + warm, collaborative group work
Interview & Group Exercise
Academic Performance vs National Average
FHS Sloane Square consistently outperforms national averages across both GCSE and A-Level examinations. These animated comparisons show where the school excels and how this translates to university placement opportunities.
A-Level Results Comparison
Camp Hill Girls vs. National Average — Higher percentages indicate stronger performance
What this means: Camp Hill Girls consistently exceeds national averages across all A-Level performance bands. With 65% A*/A compared to the national 38%, girls achieve top-tier results that support progression to leading universities, including Oxbridge, Russell Group institutions, and specialist programs in Medicine, Law, and STEM.
GCSE Grade Distribution Comparison
Cumulative percentage achieving each grade threshold — Camp Hill Girls vs. National Average
Grade Distribution Insight: Over 90% of Camp Hill Girls achieve grades 9-7 at GCSE, compared to 31% nationally. This exceptional spread demonstrates consistent high achievement across the cohort, with girls well-prepared for rigorous A-Level study.
Grade 9-8
52%
vs 18% national
Grade 9-7
90%
vs 31% national
Grade 9-6
98%
vs 64% national
Grade 9-5
99.5%
vs 82% national
University Placement Implications
- •
Oxbridge Eligibility
Strong A-Level performance (65% A*/A) makes girls competitive for Oxford and Cambridge, particularly in STEM and humanities.
- •
Russell Group Admission
90% GCSE 9-7 achievement provides strong foundation for Russell Group universities including Imperial, UCL, Durham, and Warwick.
- •
Competitive Edge
Results place girls in top 5% of UK cohort, giving advantage in Medicine, Law, and competitive STEM programs.
Supporting Strong Achievement
- •
No Pressure-Cooker Culture
Excellence achieved through supportive teaching, strong pastoral care, and girls' intrinsic motivation rather than relentless pressure.
- •
Well-Rounded Development
Balanced commitment to academics, co-curricular activities (sports, music, drama), and character formation.
- •
Resilience & Confidence
Girls develop confidence to tackle challenging subjects and university applications without anxiety-driven perfectionism.
GCSE Excellence
90%
Grade 9-7 achievement (vs 31% national)
A-Level Top Grades
65%
A*/A grades (vs 38% national)
Top Achievers
42%
A* grades at A-Level
University Ready
99.5%
Grade 5+ across GCSE
The Interview
Candidates who progress past the London 11+ Consortium assessment are invited in for a one-to-one interview AND a group exercise — held, for 2027 entry, on 8 January. The school is clear that it 'does not value one part of the application process over another': the reference, the assessment and the interview/group stage all count. The tone is warm — parents repeatedly describe FHS Sloane Square as a 'kind' school focused on knowing each girl — but it is genuine selection, and FHS has become notably harder to get into.
Contact Admissions
Francis Holland School, Sloane Square Admissions Team
Insider Intel: What Other Parents Don't Know
These are the verified insights you will not find on the school website, in Good Schools Guide, or from any single tutoring agency. Each insight is compiled and cross-referenced from 22+ sources including official documents, parent reports, and tutoring industry data.This is the intelligence that gives ClassAce families an edge.
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- Timing windows other applicants don't know about
- Exam-day patterns and trap questions verified across 22+ sources
- Interview cues that decide marginal offers
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Common Mistakes Parents Make
The errors we see most often from families preparing for Francis Holland School, Sloane Square. Avoid these and you're already ahead of the majority of applicants.
5 costly mistakes — and the fix for each
Most parents make at least three of these without realising. Subscribe to read every mistake and the corrective action.
- What to stop doing in the final 6 weeks
- The myth about practice papers that hurts most candidates
- Interview-day briefings that backfire
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FHS Sloane Square vs Competitor Schools
How does Francis Holland School, Sloane Square compare to the schools your child is most likely also applying to? This analysis covers the key factors that actually matter to families.
Important context: On academic intensity, FHS Sloane Square sits below the very top London girls' day schools (St Paul's Girls', G&L) but its results are strong and rising — and parents consistently describe outcomes achieved 'without hothouse pressure'. On pastoral warmth and 'every girl is known', it is a recognised strength. On facilities and site, it is constrained — a small central-London footprint with off-site sport.
| Factor | FeaturedFrancis Holland Sloane Square | Francis Holland Regent's Park | Queen's Gate School | Godolphin & Latymer School | Wimbledon High School (GDST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | Independent Girls Day (11–18) — CofE, central London | Independent Girls Day (4–18) — sister school, Marylebone | Independent Girls Day (4–18) — South Kensington | Independent Girls Day (11–18) — Hammersmith | Independent Girls Day (4–18) — SW London |
| Co-educational | |||||
| VR in Exam | |||||
| Annual Fee | |||||
| 11+ Difficulty | High | High | Medium-High | Very High | High |
| Interview Style | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Why Parents Choose FHS Sloane Square
- Warm, 'known' pastoral cultureParents repeatedly describe a kind, personalised school where 'my daughter feels known and understood'. The ISI October 2024 report puts pupil wellbeing 'at the forefront' of the school's practice. For a girl who would thrive being known rather than being one of a very large cohort, this is a core draw.
- Strong and rising results without a hothouse reputationBest-ever A-level results outside Covid years in 2025 (72% A*–A, 31% A*) and 87% 9–7 at GCSE — combined with the consistent parent refrain of 'really good results but without hothouse pressure'.
- Performing arts, especially classical balletClassical Ballet is a scholarship strand in its own right and ballet is a genuine on-site speciality, alongside high-standard music and drama. A performing-arts-inclined girl finds real provision here.
- An exceptional Sixth Form centre, in the heart of ChelseaThe neo-gothic 'Old School House' Sixth Form centre is praised by inspectors and credited by parents with retaining high-achieving girls — in a location minutes from Sloane Square and the King's Road.
Points to Consider
- Compact site, limited facilities, off-site sportA small central-London footprint that forums call 'cramped'; sport is off at Battersea Park. Families wanting expansive on-site facilities should weigh this carefully.
- An affluent Chelsea/Belgravia 'bubble'The community is unmistakably affluent and central-London — 'a bit of a bubble'. Parents balance this against genuine warmth, but it is worth going in clear-eyed about the social context.
- Hard to get into — not a back-upRising popularity and selectivity mean it cannot be relied on as a safety net. Bright girls have been reported wait-listed.
- ISI Oct 2024 flagged Years 7–9 teaching consistencyThe one recommended next step from an otherwise-strong inspection — worth a direct question at an Open Morning.
Scholarships & Financial Support
Francis Holland Sloane Square offers scholarships at 11+ (Year 7) and 16+ (Year 12) entry across six strands: Academic, Art, Classical Ballet, Drama, Music and Sport. Academic scholarship is assessed through the main London 11+ Consortium process; each non-academic strand has its own assessment day in mid-January. Detailed criteria and values are set out in the school's 11+ and 16+ Scholarships Booklets.
| Scholarship Type | Value | Available Places | Selection Method | Stackable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Scholarship (11+ and 16+) | Honorific recognition; modest fee value (~5% at 11+, up to ~25% at 16+ per Keystone Tutors — confirm with school) | Not publicly disclosed | Premium | Yes |
| Music Scholarship (11+ and 16+) | Honorific; may include instrumental tuition support — confirm value with the school | Not publicly disclosed | Premium | Yes |
| Classical Ballet Scholarship (11+ and 16+) | Honorific; up to ~£2,000 per Keystone Tutors — confirm with the school | Not publicly disclosed | Premium | Yes |
| Drama Scholarship (11+ and 16+) | Honorific — confirm value with the school | Not publicly disclosed | Premium | Yes |
| Art Scholarship (11+ and 16+) | Honorific — confirm value with the school | Not publicly disclosed | Premium | Yes |
| Sport Scholarship (11+ and 16+) | Honorific — confirm value with the school | Not publicly disclosed | Premium | Yes |
| Bursary (means-tested) | Means-tested fee remission; maximum value not publicly disclosed. One-third fee remission for daughters of the clergy. | Offered at Year 7 and Sixth Form entry | Premium | Yes |
* Scholarship value figures (11+ awards around 5% of fees, 16+ awards up to ~25%, Classical Ballet up to ~£2,000) are sourced from Keystone Tutors, not the school's own published page — confirm current values directly with admissions. Means-tested bursaries are entirely separate and confidential, assessed on full family circumstances; the school is a member of the London Fee Assistance Consortium and offers one-third fee remission for daughters of the clergy.
The Preparation Roadmap
Everything here is built around Francis Holland School, Sloane Square's specific exam format, interview style, and selection criteria. This is not generic 11+ advice. Every recommendation is calibrated to this school.
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Intelligence Score
Updated May 2026 (incl. ISI Oct 2024 report fully extracted + 2025 results + Sept 2026 fees) · 22 sources