The Henrietta Barnett School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment, Individual
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 104
Competition: Very High
Ofsted Rating: Good
The Henrietta Barnett School
The Henrietta Barnett School is a highly selective state grammar school for girls in North London, known for its academic excellence and supportive ethos. Founded in 1911 to offer quality education to girls from all backgrounds, it fosters confidence, curiosity and independence.
Recent upgrades include modern science labs, creative arts spaces and a student café, enhancing its broad, high-achieving curriculum. In 2019, HBS achieved outstanding results, with a Progress 8 score of 0.9, Attainment 8 of 85.2 and 100% of students scoring grade 5 or above in English and Maths.
With over 50 extracurricular clubs and strong exam results, HBS is a top choice for families. More than 2,000 applicants compete each year for 104 places, with admission based on 11 Plus exam performance.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for The Henrietta Barnett School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for The Henrietta Barnett School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at The Henrietta Barnett School
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for The Henrietta Barnett School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for The Henrietta Barnett School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for The Henrietta Barnett School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
The Henrietta Barnett School’s Contact Information and More
Contact details, address, and parking information for The Henrietta Barnett School.
School Address
Full Address:
Henrietta Barnett School, Central SquareHampstead Garden Suburb
Greater London
NW11 7BN
Contact Information
Parking in the school
- There isn’t any parking within the school, only a drop off point, there is on-street parking all around the school.
- The on-street parking is off limits on the day of the entrance exam so driving is very inadvisable.
- It is recommended by the school that you use public transportation to get to the school.
Additional parking off site
There are no car parks within a 30 minute walk of the school.
The Henrietta Barnett School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Good, with Outstanding for behaviour and attitudes.
Academic strength: Pupils are highly motivated and perform well, especially in subjects like English, history and classics.
Teaching and curriculum: Strong in many subjects, though assessment is inconsistent across departments.
Behaviour and culture: Excellent pupil behaviour, respectful environment, and wide-ranging extracurricular opportunities.
Leadership and safeguarding: Well-led with strong staff morale; safeguarding is rigorous and effective.
The Henrietta Barnett School 11 Plus Exam Format
Admission to Year 7 at The Henrietta Barnett School is highly competitive and follows a two-stage 11 Plus exam process to assess applicants thoroughly.
The Henrietta Barnett School 11 Plus Exam: Overview
Round 1
GL Assessment
The first stage of the entrance exam is provided by GL Assessment and consists of multiple-choice questions covering English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. This stage is designed to assess key skills such as comprehension, logic and spatial reasoning. Only the top 300 scorers from this round are invited to proceed to the second stage.
Round 2
School-Set Tests
In the second stage, candidates sit two written papers prepared by staff at The Henrietta Barnett School. One paper tests English skills through comprehension and creative writing, while the other assesses mathematical ability and problem-solving. Final rankings are based on performance across both stages, with offers made according to these rankings and the school’s admissions criteria.
Subject Summary
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
Although the school does not publish an official pass mark, past trends indicate that students should aim for scores above 90% in high-quality practice tests to remain competitive.
Catchment Area
While the school does not have a formal catchment area for the first stage, distance from the school becomes relevant in the final allocation of places.
Additional Eligibility
Meeting the academic standard in the entrance exams is essential, but not the only factor in receiving an offer. HBS uses the following oversubscription criteria when more qualified applicants exist than available places:
- Children in care or previously in care who rank in the top 300 of Round One
- Up to 20 Pupil Premium applicants who also rank in the top 300
- Applicants living within three miles of the school who complete both rounds
- All remaining applicants ranked by overall exam performance
Click find out more about The Henrietta Barnett School’s admission policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at The Henrietta Barnett School
Supporting your child through the HBS admissions process can have a big impact on their confidence and performance. Make sure you make the most of the resources we provide below, including useful tips, exam papers, featured tuition agencies, and more!
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This allows plenty of time for steady progress without creating too much pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.
Encourage Daily Reading
A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.
The Henrietta Barnett School Exam Papers
Round 1 - GL Assessment Practice Papers
English
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re currently working on setting up a network of local test centres to offer in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely match the format used by The Henrietta Barnett School. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for your child to practise under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available just yet, you can register your interest by completing the form below. We’ll get in touch as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
Featured 11 Plus Tuition Agencies
Harrogate Tutors
The Exam Tutor
Skipton Tutors
The Henrietta Barnett School’s Key Dates
Here are the dates relevant to the entry exam and application process for 2026.
Entrance Exam Registration Opens
Open Day
Registration Deadline
Round One Exam
Round One Results
Round Two Exam
Common Application Form Deadline
Offer Day
The Henrietta Barnett School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at The Henrietta Barnett School, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the The Henrietta Barnett School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyEntrance Test Entry Form
This form is available on the school’s official website during the application period. It must be submitted by the stated deadline for your child to be eligible to sit the entrance tests. Late submissions will not be accepted, and your child will not be considered for a place.
Visit School WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with The Henrietta Barnett School listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed – failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
The Henrietta Barnett School FAQs
To apply, you must complete two forms: the Henrietta Barnett School Entrance Test Entry Form (available on the school’s website during the registration window) and the Common Application Form (CAF) through your local authority, listing HBS as a preference. Both forms must be submitted by their respective deadlines.
The admissions test is split into two stages. The first round is a GL Assessment multiple-choice test covering English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The top 300 scorers are invited to round two, which includes written tests in English (comprehension and creative writing) and Maths (problem-solving).
Extremely competitive. Over 2,000 candidates apply each year for just 104 Year 7 places. Strong performance in both exam rounds is essential, and high scores (above 90%) on practice papers are often needed to advance to round two.
There is no fixed catchment for the first stage, but distance from the school is considered in the final allocation of places. Applicants living within three miles of the school may be prioritised if they pass both exam stages and meet the oversubscription criteria.