11 Plus Exam Guide: Newstead Wood School – What Parents Need to Know

Are you considering Newstead Wood School for your daughter? This highly selective girls’ grammar school offers outstanding education opportunities but has a competitive entrance process. At Geek School Tutoring, we’ve helped many girls secure places at Newstead Wood, and we’re sharing our expert knowledge to help your child succeed in the 11 Plus exam.

About Newstead Wood School

Newstead Wood School in Orpington, Bromley is a selective girls’ grammar school with a mixed sixth form. Established in 1957, it has built an impressive reputation for academic excellence, consistently ranking among the top state schools in the UK. The school is particularly known for its strengths in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), while also offering a rich curriculum in humanities, languages, and the arts.

What sets Newstead Wood apart is its focus on developing independent, confident young women with a passion for learning. The school encourages critical thinking, creativity, and leadership skills alongside academic achievement.

Located in Orpington, the school is accessible from many parts of Southeast London, with an approximate 30-minute commute from Bromley South. This central location makes it a popular choice for families across the region looking for excellent grammar school education within a reasonable travel distance.

Newstead Wood 11 Plus Exam Format

Newstead Wood uses a selective testing process that differs from some other grammar schools in the area:

The Examination

The entrance assessment consists of:

• Verbal reasoning: Testing language aptitude and logical thinking
• Non-verbal reasoning: Assessing spatial awareness and pattern recognition

Unlike some grammar schools that use a two-stage process, Newstead Wood typically conducts all testing on a single day. The school uses standardised scores, with each component weighted to give a total score that determines selection.

What makes Newstead Wood’s assessment particularly distinctive is its focus on identifying potential as well as current ability. The school looks for girls who demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a genuine love of learning, not just those who have been extensively coached.

Key Dates and Application Process

The application process for Newstead Wood follows this timeline:

1. May/June (Year 5): Registration opens for the entrance exam
2. July (Year 6): Registration deadline (usually early July)
3. September (Year 6): Entrance tests (usually mid-September)
4. October (Year 6): Results sent to parents
5. October (Year 6): Submit Common Application Form (CAF) to your home local authority, naming Newstead Wood as a preference
6. March (Year 6): National Offer Day when places are announced

It’s essential to understand that you must complete both the Newstead Wood registration and your local authority’s Common Application Form. Missing either step will mean your daughter cannot be considered for a place.

The school typically holds open events in June and July for prospective students and parents. These events offer valuable insights into the school’s ethos, curriculum, and facilities, and we strongly recommend attending if you’re considering applying.

Competition Levels and Success Rates

Newstead Wood is highly competitive, with many more applicants than available places. Typically:

• Over 1,000 girls register for the entrance tests
• Approximately 160 places are available each year
• The school operates a large catchment radius, attracting applicants from across Southeast London and beyond

This means that only about 15-16% of applicants secure a place, making thorough preparation essential. The school doesn’t publish a specific pass mark, as admission depends on ranking rather than achieving a fixed score.

Competition has increased in recent years as more families recognize the value of grammar school education. This makes strategic preparation more important than ever, with successful candidates typically beginning focused work at least 12 months before the exam.

Sample Questions and Practice Approach

While actual past papers aren’t released by the school, our experience with successful candidates shows that preparation should focus on:

Verbal Reasoning

• Word relationships and analogies
• Letter sequences and codes
• Logical deduction from textual information
• Vocabulary knowledge and application

Example question style: “Find the word that means the same as ‘reluctant’: hesitant, enthusiastic, capable, determined.”

Non-Verbal Reasoning

• Pattern recognition and continuation
• Spatial awareness and manipulation
• Identifying relationships between shapes
• Logical sequences with visual elements

Example question style: “Which shape comes next in this sequence?” (followed by a series of shapes with changing attributes)

The most successful candidates develop a balanced approach across all four components. While some girls may naturally excel in certain areas, a weakness in any component can significantly impact overall performance.

Online Tuition Strategies for Newstead Wood Success

At Geek School Tutoring, our online approach for Newstead Wood preparation includes:

Comprehensive Skills Development

• Building core knowledge across all four test components
• Teaching exam techniques specific to each question type
• Developing speed and accuracy under timed conditions
• Addressing individual strengths and weaknesses

Reasoning Skills Enhancement

• Systematic teaching of verbal reasoning question types
• Visual strategies for non-verbal reasoning success
• Pattern recognition techniques
• Logical thinking development

Mock Tests and Feedback

• Regular practice with Newstead Wood-style questions
• Timed conditions to build exam resilience
• Detailed feedback identifying areas for improvement
• Progress tracking to ensure steady improvement

Our online tuition is particularly effective for Newstead Wood preparation because we can provide:

• Specialist tutors familiar with the specific requirements of the school
• Digital resources that match the style and difficulty of actual test questions
• Immediate, specific feedback on practice questions
• Flexible scheduling to ensure consistent preparation

The online format allows us to work with students across Southeast London and beyond, bringing specialist Newstead Wood preparation to families regardless of location. This is particularly valuable given the wide catchment area from which the school draws its students.

Parent and Student Experiences

Emma’s parents shared:

“Our daughter was always academically able, but the variety of question types in the Newstead Wood exam required specific preparation. The online tuition from Geek School helped her develop strategies for each component, particularly the reasoning papers which were new to her. The regular mock tests built her confidence, and we were thrilled when she was offered a place.”

Another parent, Priya, noted:

“The online format worked brilliantly for our busy schedule. Our daughter could have sessions in the early evening after her other activities, without the stress of traveling to a tutor. The tutor’s knowledge of exactly what Newstead Wood looks for was invaluable, and the digital resources meant she could practice between sessions.”

Many parents tell us that the skills developed during Newstead Wood preparation benefit their daughters regardless of the outcome. The critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management skills serve students well throughout their education, even if they ultimately attend a different school.

Tips for Parents

1. Start early: Begin focused preparation at least 12 months before the exam
2. Read widely: Encourage reading of challenging texts across different genres
3. Develop reasoning skills: Practice both verbal and non-verbal reasoning regularly
4. Build mathematical confidence: Focus on problem-solving rather than just curriculum content
5. Practice under timed conditions: Build familiarity with working quickly and accurately
6. Maintain balance: Ensure your daughter continues to enjoy other activities alongside preparation
7. Stay positive: Keep encouragement high and pressure low

Remember that the preparation journey should foster a love of learning, not diminish it. Celebrate progress and effort rather than focusing solely on results, and ensure your daughter understands that her worth is not determined by a single examination.

How Geek School Tutoring Can Help

Our specialised online tuition for Newstead Wood 11 Plus preparation offers:

• Expert tutors with proven success in helping girls gain places at Newstead Wood
• Customized learning plans targeting the specific requirements of the school
• Comprehensive coverage of all four test components
• Regular mock tests that mirror the actual examination experience
• Detailed progress tracking and feedback
• Flexible online sessions that fit around your family’s schedule

With the right preparation, your daughter can approach the Newstead Wood 11 Plus with confidence. Our structured online tuition programme provides the knowledge, skills, and exam technique needed to succeed in this competitive process.

Want to discuss how we can help your daughter prepare for Newstead Wood? Contact us today to arrange a consultation with one of our specialist 11 Plus tutors.