Hertfordshire Grammar Schools
Complete 11 Plus Guide.
Complete guide to all academically selective schools in Hertfordshire. School details, SW Herts Consortium test information, addresses, entry requirements, and 11 Plus preparation advice.
Everything You Need to Know About Hertfordshire Selective Schools.
Unlike counties such as Kent or Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire does not have fully selective grammar schools. Instead, it has partially selective schools that reserve 10–35% of their Year 7 places for students selected on academic ability. Seven of these schools form the South West Herts Schools Consortium (SWHSC), sharing a common entrance test administered by GL Assessment.
The SW Herts Consortium test consists of Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics papers, sat in early September of Year 6. Dame Alice Owen’s School runs its own independent entrance exam. At Eleven Ace, we provide personalised 1:1 online tuition and small-group batch classes tailored to both the SW Herts Consortium test and Dame Alice Owen’s exam.
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Founded in 1704, WBGS is one of the most oversubscribed and academically high-performing state schools in the country. A member of the South West Herts Schools Consortium, 25% of places are allocated on academic ability and 10% on musical aptitude, with the remainder by distance and siblings.
Founded in 1704 alongside the boys’ school, WGGS is a high-achieving girls’ school and SW Herts Consortium member. Holds a strong academic reputation and is heavily oversubscribed each year, with 25% of places allocated on academic ability and 10% on musical aptitude.
Originally founded in 1681 as a charity school in Bethnal Green, Parmiter’s relocated to Hertfordshire and is now a highly sought-after co-educational partially selective academy. A SW Herts Consortium member with 25% academic and 10% music selection.
Queens’ School has the highest proportion of academically selective places (35%) of any SW Herts Consortium school. It is also the only consortium school that selects on sporting aptitude (5%) alongside academic ability (35%) and music (5%), making it uniquely competitive.
A large, popular co-educational academy and SW Herts Consortium member serving the Rickmansworth and Croxley Green area. Allocates 25% of places on academic ability and 10% on musical aptitude via the shared consortium test.
Established in 1862, St Clement Danes is a SW Herts Consortium member and part of the Danes Educational Trust. Allocates 10% of places on academic ability and 10% on musical aptitude. Although it has a lower academic selective proportion, it is a consistently high-performing school.
One of Hertfordshire’s most academically prestigious partially selective schools. Founded in 1613 by Dame Alice Owen, it retains a historic link with the London Borough of Islington, reserving at least 20 Year 7 places for Islington residents. Runs its own entrance exam (English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning) — not part of the SW Herts Consortium.
Preparing for Hertfordshire Selective Schools with Eleven Ace.
The SW Herts Consortium test covers Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics, while Dame Alice Owen’s tests English, Maths, and Verbal Reasoning. Eleven Ace provides personalised 1:1 online tuition and small-group batch classes tailored to both exam formats — helping your child compete for the limited academic places available.
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