Watford Grammar School for Boys 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Boys Only
Places per year: 224
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Watford Grammar School for Boys
WaWatford Grammar School for Boys, located in Watford, Hertfordshire, is a well-established academy with a long history dating back to 1704. Known for its strong academic record, the school provides high-quality education for boys aged 11 to 18.
Alongside academic success, the school offers an extensive range of extracurricular opportunities. Students can take part in sports, music, drama, and leadership programmes, all designed to encourage personal growth and broaden skills beyond the classroom.
The school promotes intellectual curiosity, ambition, and well-rounded development. Each year, 56 places are allocated based on academic performance and 22 places are reserved for boys with proven musical aptitude.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Watford Grammar School for Boys
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Watford Grammar School for Boys
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Watford Grammar School for Boys
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 Watford Grammar School for Boys
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Watford Grammar School for Boys
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Watford Grammar School for Boys
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Watford Grammar School for Boys’s Key Information
Here is the information for Watford Grammar School for Boys such as relevant parking and students intake numbers. It is requested by the school that admission enquiries be made by email only.
School Address
Full Address:
Watford Grammar School for Boys, Rickmansworth RoadWatford
Hertfordshire
WD18 7JF
Contact Information
Parking in the school
Watford Grammar School for Boys has no parking on-site, there is nearby on-street parking but this may be limited mid-week, as such here are some nearby car parks:
Additional parking off site
- Car Park: Watford Station Car Park, Station Approach, Watford, WD18 7LE, 0.4 miles from the school.
- Car Park: Rosslyn Road Gade, Watford WD18 0JX, 0.7 miles from the school.
Watford Grammar School for Girls Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Outstanding in all areas, including education quality, behaviour, leadership, and sixth-form provision.
Academic strength: sons are ambitious and challenging, with expert teaching that develops deep subject knowledge through discussion and debate.
Teaching and curriculum: Teachers use educational research to plan purposeful lessons, check progress carefully, and provide strong support for SEND and disadvantaged pupils.
Behaviour and culture: Behaviour is superb across classrooms and corridors, pupils are polite and respectful, and they thrive in the wide range of clubs, sports, and music on offer.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leaders and trustees provide inspirational direction, staff feel well supported, and safeguarding is systematic, effective, and central to school life.
Watford Grammar School for Boys Exam Format
Watford Grammar School for Boys offers specialist places through testing for musical aptitude and academic ability.
The Watford Grammar School for Boys Entry Exam: Overview
Academic Ability Places
The school reserves 56 places each year for boys with academic ability:
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34 places for applicants living in the Watford area
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22 places for applicants living in the rest of the admission area
Papers are completed using pre-printed answer sheets with a unique candidate number. Answers must be written on the answer sheet, as the question booklet is shredded and not marked. Places are awarded in strict rank order of standardised test scores.
Paper One
Mathematics
Paper Two
Verbal Reasoning
GL 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Musical Aptitude Places
The school reserves 22 places each year for boys with musical aptitude:
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13 places for applicants living in the Watford area
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9 places for applicants living in the rest of the admission area
Round 1
The first stage is a 30-minute aural test with 60 questions, divided into four sections: pitch, rhythm, texture, and melody. No prior musical training or theory knowledge is required.
Round 2
The top-scoring candidates from Round One are invited to perform a piece of their choice, either instrumentally or vocally, lasting no more than three minutes. This allows pupils of all backgrounds and abilities to demonstrate their musical potential.
Pass Mark
There are 56 places available for academic success, these will be awarded in order of merit achieved in the entrance exam.
Catchment Area
The catchment is divided into two zones: The Watford Area and The Rest of the Admission Area.
The Watford Area covers postcodes: WD17 1–4, WD18 0, 6–9, WD19 4–7, WD23 1–7, 9, WD24 4–7, 9, WD25 0, 5, 7–9, WD3 3.
The Rest of the Admission Area covers postcodes: WD3 1, 4–9, WD4 8–9, WD5 0, WD6 3, WD7 7–8, HA3 6, HA5 1–5, HA6 1–3, HA7 3–4.
Allocation of places: 60% go to applicants in the Watford Area, 40% to those in the Rest of the Admission Area. Only applicants within these postcodes are eligible.
Additional Eligibility
To be considered for a place, applicants must both pass the entrance tests and list Watford Grammar School for Boys on their Secondary Common Application Form (CAF). Passing the tests does not guarantee admission. If more qualified applicants apply than there are places available, the school applies the following oversubscription criteria:
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Looked After and previously Looked After Children
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Children living closest to the school not otherwise admitted under criteria 1, 3, 4, or 5 (22 places)
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Children of school staff
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Applicants with a brother already attending Watford Grammar School for Boys (excluding Sixth Form entry)
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Applicants with a sister attending Watford Grammar School for Girls (excluding Sixth Form entry)
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Distance from the family home to the school
Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) are admitted before the criteria above are applied.
Click here to read the full Watford Grammar School for Boys Admissions Policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Watford Grammar School for Boys
Here are some effective ways you can help your child get ready for the entrance process at Watford Grammar School for Boys!
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 Watford Grammar School for Boys. 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.
Watford Grammar School for Boys’s Key Dates and Application Information
Here are the dates related to key events for admission to Watford Grammar School for Boys. The school tours require booking and last for 1 hour.
Test Registration Opens
Test Registration Closes
Academic Ability Test
Round 1 Music Aptitude Test
Round 1 Music Results
Round 2 Music Aptitude Test
All Results Released
Common Application Form Deadline
Watford Grammar School for Boys Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Watford Grammar School for Boys, 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 Watford Grammar School for Boys Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyEntrance Test Entry Form
Register online via the South West Hertfordshire Schools Consortium website between 1 April and 6 June 2025.
Visit WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Watford Grammar School for Boys 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.
Watford Grammar School for Boys FAQs
To apply, parents must complete the Local Authority’s Common Application Form (CAF) and register their child for the South West Hertfordshire Schools Consortium entrance tests. Both steps must be completed by the published deadlines for an application to be valid.
The entrance exams are provided by GL Assessment and consist of two papers: Mathematics (50 minutes) and Verbal Reasoning (45 minutes). For musical specialist places, candidates sit an aural test in Round One, followed by a short performance of up to three minutes in Round Two for those who progress.
Admission is very competitive, with far more applicants than places each year. Even if a child achieves a high score in the entrance tests, a place is not guaranteed, as oversubscription criteria and catchment area allocations are applied when demand exceeds availability.
Yes. The catchment is divided into two zones: the Watford Area and the Rest of the Admission Area. Of the specialist places, 34 academic and 13 musical are allocated to boys in the Watford Area, while 22 academic and 9 musical places go to boys in the Rest of the Admission Area. Applicants must live within one of the specified postcodes to be considered.