Dame Alice Owen's School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment, Individual
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
Places per year: 200
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Dame Alice Owen’s School
Dame Alice Owen’s School is a high-performing partially selective secondary school in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1613 by Dame Alice Owen and relocated to its current site in 1973, the school is a co-educational academy with an exceptional reputation for academic excellence, particularly in music, science and sport.
The school combines its rich heritage with modern teaching facilities, offering a broad and balanced curriculum that supports both academic and personal growth. Its well-equipped science laboratories, extensive sports facilities, and award-winning music department create an inspiring learning environment for all students.
Regularly ranking among the top partially selective schools in the UK, Dame Alice Owen’s is known for its strong pastoral care and high student satisfaction. With a large number of applicants each year and limited Year 7 places, admission is highly competitive, making early preparation for the 11 Plus essential.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Dame Alice Owen’s School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Dame Alice Owen’s School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Dame Alice Owen’s 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 Dame Alice Owen’s School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Dame Alice Owen’s School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Dame Alice Owen’s School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Dame Alice Owen's School’s Key Information
This is key information regarding contacting and finding Dame Alice Owen’s School, also there are statistics regarding the schools intake and capacity.
School Address
Full Address:
Dame Alice Owen's School, Dugdale Hill LanePotters Bar
Hertfordshire
EN6 2DU
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is parking within the school.
Additional parking off site
Car Park: Potters Bar Station Car Park, 1.1 miles from the school.
Dame Alice Owen’s School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Outstanding in all areas, reflecting the school’s exceptional teaching, leadership and academic standards.
Academic strength: The ambitious curriculum challenges all pupils and helps them achieve excellent results.
Teaching and curriculum: Teachers are highly skilled, plan engaging lessons and support every pupil to make strong progress.
Behaviour and culture: Behaviour is excellent. Pupils are respectful, motivated and proud of their school community.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leaders are ambitious and caring. Safeguarding is effective, and pupils feel safe and well supported.
Dame Alice Owen's School Exam Format
Entry to Year 7 at Dame Alice Owen’s School is partially selective, with optional assessments for academic ability and musical aptitude. Admission is based on performance in these tests alongside the school’s oversubscription criteria.
The Dame Alice Owen's School Entry Exam: Overview
The entry exam consists of three papers, separated into Part One and Part Two. Part One consists of a test on Verbal Reasoning provided by GL Assessment. Part Two consists of an English paper and a Maths paper, each is an hour long, and each is written by the school. The English paper includes an extended writing piece. Applicants must be ranked in the top 325 in Part One in order to be invited to take Part Two.
Part One
All applicants sit a 50-minute multiple-choice Verbal Reasoning paper set by GL Assessment, containing 80 questions. There are usually several test sessions throughout the day. Once marked, results are age-standardised and ranked. Only the top 325 candidates are invited to take Part 2 of the entrance test.
Part Two, Paper One
English: A one-hour comprehension and extended writing paper, written internally.
Part Two, Paper Two
Mathematics: A one-hour problem-solving and reasoning paper, also written internally.
11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
Applicants must rank within the top 325 in Part One of the entry test in order to take Part Two of the entry test, applicants must take both parts of the test in order to be considered for entry. Marks achieved in Part One and Part Two are then added together and ranked. Places are awarded based on rank order of marks achieved.
Catchment Area
Applicants must live within the Dame Alice Owen’s School catchment area to be eligible for admission.
This includes the Hertfordshire parishes and towns of Aldenham, Essendon, Northaw & Cuffley, Bayford, Hatfield, Potters Bar, Brickendon Liberty, Little Berkhamsted, Ridge, Colney Heath, London Colney, Shenley, Elstree & Borehamwood, North Mymms and Welwyn Garden City.
It also covers specific London postcodes in Barnet, Enfield and Islington: EN2 (7–8), EN4, EN5, N11 (1, 3), N12, N13 (4–5), N14, N20, N21, and all addresses or schools within the London Borough of Islington.
Additional Eligibility
Up to 10 places are offered each year based on musical aptitude. The process includes:
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A listening skills test assessing aural awareness.
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A performance audition, where shortlisted candidates perform on an instrument or sing.
If more pupils meet the required standard than there are places available, the following priorities apply:
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Looked-after and previously looked-after children
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Up to 65 places awarded by academic ranking
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Up to 10 places awarded for musical aptitude
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Siblings of current students
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Children living within defined postcode areas
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Applicants attending linked primary schools
Familiarisation materials are available on the school website, and additional sample papers can be purchased to help children prepare for the entrance tests.
Click here to view the full Dame Alice Owen’s School admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Dame Alice Owen’s School
Helping your child get ready for the entrance test is key to securing a place. Here are some suggestions:
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.
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 Dame Alice Owen’s 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.
Dame Alice Owen's School’s Key Dates and Application Information
Here are the dates related the key events for admission to Dame Alice Owen’s School.
Registration Opens
Registration Closes
Entrance Exam 1
Entrance Exam 2
Secondary school applications close
Common Application Form Deadline
Offer Day
Dame Alice Owen’s School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Dame Alice Owen’s 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 Dame Alice Owen’s 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 Dame Alice Owen’s 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.
Dame Alice Owen’s School FAQs
You must register your child for the school’s entrance tests via the Dame Alice Owen’s website and list the school on your local authority’s Common Application Form (CAF) before the deadline.
Entry involves a two-part process: a GL Assessment verbal reasoning paper followed by English and maths papers written by the school. There is also a separate music aptitude test for up to 10 places.
Entry is highly competitive, with thousands of applicants each year for a limited number of places. Only the top 325 candidates from the verbal reasoning test are invited to sit the second round.
Yes. Applicants must live within the defined catchment, covering parts of Hertfordshire (including Potters Bar, Hatfield and Shenley) and specific postcode areas in Barnet, Enfield and Islington.