The Henrietta Barnett School 11 plus is one of the most talked about routes for families aiming for a high achieving girls grammar school in Hampstead Garden Suburb in Barnet. The setting is calm and leafy, close to Hampstead Heath, so the day to day feel can suit girls who like a focused academic week but also need space to breathe.
Most families feel steadier once two things are clear. First, The Henrietta Barnett School admissions is a two round process, so you are building step by step rather than trying to do everything at once. Second, the best preparation is not endless papers. It is strong reading habits, secure maths foundations, and calm timing practice that grows gradually through Year 5 and Year 6.
A helpful first step is to put your whole grammar school application UK plan on one page so deadlines do not creep up when school is busy. This simple guide keeps it practical: grammar school application UK.
| Key detail | Information |
| Address | Central Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London NW11 7BN |
| School type | Girls grammar school, academy converter, age 11 to 18 |
| Entry size | Published Admission Number 120 for September 2026 entry |
| Test stages | Round One verbal reasoning, non verbal reasoning, English; Round Two English and maths |
| Round Two invites | Top 300 after Round One invited to Round Two |
| Open day | Year 5 families only |
| Contact | 020 8458 8999 , office@hbschool.org.uk |
| Location |
A quick factual cross check for basics like the official address, age range and governance details is the Get Information About Schools record, which is useful when you are building a shortlist.
The easiest way to think about The Henrietta Barnett School admissions is as a sequence of small tasks that build confidence and reduce surprises.
The school sets out the Year 7 entry route, the two round structure, and key practical notes on its Admissions to Year 7 page. A simple approach is to keep one folder with the registration confirmation, your child’s details exactly as they appear on your local authority application, and a note of the dates that matter.
Round One is an academic selection test covering verbal reasoning, non verbal reasoning and English. The school points families to official practice materials, and the GL Assessment familiarisation booklets are a clean way to get used to question styles without overcomplicating preparation.
The top 300 candidates from Round One are invited to Round Two, which tests English and maths. This stage rewards pacing, accuracy, and calm decision making under timed conditions.
Even when a school runs its own tests, the place offer still sits within the coordinated local authority process. The government explains the secondary application process clearly on its school admissions guidance, including key dates and how offers are made.
Once offers arrive, the best next steps are practical. Confirm the place by the deadline, plan the travel routine, and talk at home about what matters most for your child, such as pace, friendships, music, sport, or time to decompress after school.
| Milestone | Date |
| Registration opens | 1 April 2025 |
| Registration closes | 11 July 2025 |
| Round One tests | 2 and 3 September 2025 |
| Round Two test | Monday 6 October 2025 |
| CAF deadline | 31 October 2025 |
| National Offer Day | Monday 2 March 2026 |
| Open day | Tuesday 30 June 2026 |
| Open day bookings open | 3 June 2026 at 6pm |
The Round One and registration dates are summarised clearly in this Barnet focused overview: Henrietta Barnett School confirmed dates for 2026 entry.
HBS is academically selective rather than catchment led. Entrance test performance is central, with distance becoming relevant only when allocating places between candidates who have met the required academic standard.
A practical way to think about this at home is to plan around two parallel assumptions: academic readiness and daily travel reality. One weekday practice journey in winter is often more revealing than an open day visit. The TfL Journey Planner helps check realistic travel times.
Appeals are a structured process rather than a personal challenge. Strong appeals are organised, evidence based, and realistic. Parent friendly guidance on preparing evidence and understanding panel decisions is set out clearly by IPSEA guidance on school admission appeals.
HBS is a state funded grammar school, so there are no school fees. Costs are usually practical ones such as transport, uniform, lunches, and optional activities.
Families eligible for pupil premium support should read the school’s published information carefully and keep paperwork organised early so nothing becomes a last minute scramble.
HBS selects primarily through written assessments rather than interviews. Even so, confidence in speaking about learning helps with open days and settling into Year 7. Simple habits like talking about books and asking thoughtful questions at home build quiet confidence over time.
Preparation works best when it feels like training rather than judgement. For The Henrietta Barnett School, the focus is wide vocabulary for reasoning, careful reading for English, and secure maths for Round Two.
A sustainable structure many families use is one longer weekend session and two short midweek sessions. This guide helps keep it realistic: Year 5 11 plus revision plan.
As a clear starting point, you can book a free 11 plus diagnostic session with Find Your Tutor FYT focused on The Henrietta Barnett School. It benchmarks your child’s current level and provides a personalised preparation roadmap for the months ahead.
Join Hundreds of Families Who Secured Queen Elizabeth’s School Places with Find Your Tutor.
The tests for September 2026 entry take place in two rounds, with Round One in early September 2025 and Round Two in early October 2025. The key is to plan for steady preparation through Year 5 and Year 6 rather than an intense burst right before the test. Keep the final weeks focused on timing and calm confidence, not new content.
 Round One covers verbal reasoning, non verbal reasoning and English, then Round Two covers English and maths. This means preparation needs both language rich reading and secure maths fluency. A balanced plan usually works better than focusing on one favourite area.
It is a staged route where Round One performance determines who is invited to Round Two, and then offers sit within the local authority coordinated process. Families usually feel calmer once they separate test preparation from the admin timeline. Keeping a checklist and one folder for documents removes a lot of pressure.
The published admission number for September 2026 entry is 120 places. That number matters because it shapes how competitive the final allocation feels. It is still worth applying through the coordinated system even when outcomes feel uncertain.
The school invites the top 300 candidates from Round One to Round Two. This helps you plan realistically, because Year 6 preparation is often about being ready for both rounds without burning out early. It also means reasoning skills and English accuracy in Round One really matter.
The school states it does not provide Round Two results before the Common Application Form has to be completed. This is why it is sensible to list schools in true preference order on the CAF, rather than trying to game the system. A calm shortlist usually includes at least one strong backup option your child would genuinely enjoy.
The main selection is through written tests rather than a typical interview led route. Confidence still matters, because calm children manage timing and unfamiliar questions better. Gentle weekly conversation practice at home supports this without turning life into constant coaching.
It is not a simple local catchment model in the way many comprehensive schools operate. Academic selection comes first, and practical factors like travel and distance can become relevant at allocation points. It helps to be honest about the daily commute, not just the school name.
The emphasis is on reasoning and English first, then English and maths in the second stage. Strong comprehension and vocabulary make a real difference, because reasoning questions are language heavy. Maths preparation should focus on accuracy and multi step thinking, not just speed.
 It is competitive, mainly because many high attaining girls apply and places are limited. The calmer way to respond is to focus on controllables, like consistent preparation habits and good admin, rather than worrying about numbers you cannot see. A steady routine usually protects both progress and confidence.
Year 4 is ideal for building habits, Year 5 for adding structure, and Year 6 for exam readiness and timing. Starting early does not mean doing lots early. It means keeping things light, consistent and sustainable.
Yes, families apply through their home local authority even when the school is in a different borough. The key is to follow the coordinated admissions rules and meet the deadlines. It is also wise to think about travel time honestly, because long commutes can be draining in Year 7.
 No, tutoring is not required, but structured support can help some children. The best decision is the one that keeps confidence stable and routines calm. Some families do well with a parent led plan, others need clearer feedback and accountability.
 Contact admissions or your local authority immediately and ask what is still possible. Late applications can reduce options, so it is better to act quickly than wait. Keeping a simple calendar for dates and documents is the easiest prevention.
 Many families view it as a top academic option in the area, and the results and reputation are part of why it is so popular. The more useful question at home is whether the pace, commute and school culture suit your child. Fit matters as much as the label.
