The Pointer School 7 Plus (7+) Exam Guide

About The Pointer School

The Pointer School in Blackheath runs a dedicated 7+ Entry route into Year 3, with a limited number of places each year.

The process runs across the school year in stages: registration in September, the written assessment in March, then an interview in early April before offers go out.

Key information for 2027 entry to The Pointer School at 7 Plus (7+)

• School type: co-educational, Blackheath, London SE3
• A limited number of places is available at 7+ into Year 3; no fixed number is published
• Assessed: English (comprehension and writing, including spelling, punctuation and grammar, plus reading and oral fluency) and maths (problem-solving, arithmetic and times tables)
• Applications open in September; the exact registration date isn’t published
• Assessment: March (exact date not published)
• Interview: early April, with the Head, lasting 30 to 45 minutes; parents attend too
• Offers: mid-April (exact date not published)
• Higgins Scholarship: awarded each year to one Year 3 pupil joining from the state sector, based on a high entrance-exam score and a successful interview with the Head; means-tested, and can cover up to 100% of fees, guaranteed for four years
• Further scholarships are considered on an individual basis

Admissions information for 2027 entry to The Pointer School at 7 Plus (7+)

The shape of the year is clear even without exact dates: applications open in September, the written assessment falls in March, the interview with the Head happens in early April, and offers follow in mid-April. Treat this as a calendar to plan around rather than a set of fixed dates, and confirm the specifics with admissions once you’ve registered.

The standout fact for state-sector applicants is the Higgins Scholarship: one Year 3 place each year, awarded on a high entrance-exam score and a successful interview with the Head, means-tested and worth up to 100% of fees for four years. If your child is coming from a state primary and doing well, it is worth asking about directly rather than assuming scholarships here are only for existing independent-school pupils.

How can I register my child for the 7 Plus (7+) assessment at The Pointer School?

Register through pointers.school when applications open in September. Ask admissions for the exact March assessment date and April interview slot once you’ve registered, and mention the Higgins Scholarship if your child is joining from the state sector.

What is the 7 Plus (7+) assessment format at The Pointer School?

English covers comprehension and writing, including spelling, punctuation and grammar, plus reading and oral fluency. Maths covers problem-solving, arithmetic and times tables. The interview that follows is with the Head and lasts 30 to 45 minutes, with parents also present.

Oral fluency being assessed alongside written comprehension is worth practising specifically: reading aloud regularly, not just silently, is the direct preparation for it.

The Pointer School 7 Plus (7+) top tips for your child

• Read aloud together regularly; oral fluency is assessed as its own element
• Keep spelling, punctuation and grammar practice alongside comprehension and writing
• Practise times tables and arithmetic for speed as well as accuracy
• Prepare your child, and yourself, for a 30 to 45 minute interview with the Head
• Ask about the Higgins Scholarship directly if your child is joining from a state primary

How to prepare your child for the 7 Plus (7+) The Pointer School assessment

Our 7+ English and maths packs below match the assessed subjects, including comprehension, writing and number work, with full answers for marking together.