7 plus (7+) Exam – James Allen’s Preparatory School (JAPS) – What you need to know

School Name James Allen’s Preparatory School (JAPS)

Description Girls; day school

Age range 7-11

Size 300 approx (pre-prep and prep combined)

Fees £4,985 per term

Address 144 East Dulwich Grove, London, SE22 8TE

Website http://www.jags.org.uk/prepschool/

Telephone (general enquiries) 020 8693 0374

Head Miss Finola Stack

Head’s PA Mrs Debbie Hewlett

Email Debbie.hewlett@jags.org.uk

Director of Admissions Mrs Kate Garmeson

Email Kate.garmeson@jags.org.uk

Overview

James Allen’s Girls School (JAGS) is a selective school for girls from 4 to 18, based in East Dulwich. The preparatory school is known as JAPS. Whilst academic achievement is highly valued, girls are encouraged to both work and play hard to the best of their abilities.

Speech and drama lessons are offered to all pupils (as an optional extra) to boost their communication skills and confidence. The girls receive tuition in voice production and performance skills and follow the English Speaking Board syllabus.

All parents automatically become members of the Parents’ Association (JPA) and are invited to attend Curriculum Evenings, held at the beginning of each academic year. During these evenings, staff explain the forthcoming syllabus. Year 3 Curriculum Evenings take place before girls join the Prep School at the end of the preceding Summer Term.

Admissions Process for James Allen’s Preparatory School (JAPS) Seven Plus

Applications

The closing date for registration for entry is in November.

Registration

Click here for the JAPS 7+ registration form.

Registration fee £100

Open Days/Visits

The seven plus open morning for JAPS is taking place in October.

If you are unable to make the open morning, the school also invites prospective parents to attend a weekday tour. Small group tours take place on Wednesday mornings and must be pre-booked. To reserve your place, call Mrs Anne Long, the Pre-Prep School Secretary on 020 8693 3465.

Entrance Exams

Girls are asked to complete papers in maths, English (reading comprehension and writing) and reasoning. The majority of girls who are successful in JAPS’ entry examinations will probably be working above the expectations for the National Curriculum by the end of Year 2.

Maths topics that girls should be familiar with at 7+:

Place value · addition and subtraction · multiplication · division · inverse operations · telling the time · calculations with money and time · symmetry · shape and angles · measure · reading scales · substitution · reading and completing tables · problem solving

The comprehension paper will require candidates to demonstrate the ability to retrieve information from the text; infer meaning from the text; understand the meaning of words in context; sequencing; and making logical predications based on what they have read.

The creative writing task looks for logical story progression; correct spelling, punctuation and grammar; suitable and varied vocabulary; and neat handwriting.

JAPS use an online reasoning paper, which is an age standardized cognitive abilities test.

Girls who do well in the entrance examination will be invited back for interview.

Interview

Interviews are conducted on an individual basis and will consist of an oral reading test, and written and mental maths extension activities.

Recommended Materials:

7 plus English practice papers, ideal for JAPS 7+ exam preparation:

7+ English: Punctuation

7+ English: Vocabulary and Grammar

7+ English: Spelling

The Complete Illustrated Guide to 7+ Comprehension

The Complete Illustrated Guide to 7+ Writing

7 plus maths practice papers, ideal for JAPS 7+ exam preparation:

7+ Mathematics Pack 1

7+ Mathematics Pack 2

7+ Mathematics Pack 3

7+ Mathematics: Mental Arithmetic

7+ Mathematics: Problem Solving

The Complete Illustrated Guide to 7+ Mathematics

7 plus reasoning practice papers, ideal for JAPS 7+ exam preparation:

7+ Reasoning Pack 1

7+ Reasoning Pack 2

7+ Reasoning Pack 3

7 plus Listening practice papers, ideal for JAPS 7+ exam preparation:

7+ Listening Pack 1

Destination Schools at 11+

Girls attending James Allen’s Preparatory School have automatic entry to the Senior

School at 11+, subject to their meeting the required standard of performance throughout Years 5 and 6.

Bursaries

Academic Scholarships and means-tested Bursaries are available at 11+ and 16+. There are also 11+ and Sixth Form Art and Music Scholarships and 11+ Sports Scholarships.