Barnet / Barnet 11+
Central Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb, NW11 7BN
The Henrietta Barnett School
1
A North London girls grammar school known for intense competition, strong GCSE and A-level results, and high progression to selective universities.
At a glance
At a glance
The Henrietta Barnett School is a selective girls' grammar school in Hampstead Garden Suburb, serving families across Barnet and a much wider stretch of North London. For many parents, its appeal comes from the combination of a serious academic culture, a long-established reputation in the state selective sector, and a setting that feels calmer and more self-contained than many inner-city school sites.
HBS is a day school for girls aged 11 to 18, with a substantial sixth form and a highly competitive Year 7 intake. The current admissions route combines GL Assessment with a school-set stage, which means it tends to attract families who are prepared for a demanding application process and who want a school with a clearly academic focus from the start.
The latest published picture in our data points to very strong outcomes at both GCSE and sixth-form level, alongside a Good overall Ofsted judgement with Outstanding for behaviour and attitudes. That balance often matters to parents: HBS is not simply known for headline results, but also for the standards, independence, and day-to-day habits of study that selective families often look for.
When parents compare HBS with other leading girls' grammars, the conversation usually goes beyond raw results. Its North London location, sixth-form depth, selective intake, and the intensity of competition for places all shape whether it feels like the right fit. For families who want an academically ambitious environment with a strong record of progression, it is one of the most closely watched options in the Barnet 11+ landscape.
Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Barnet and England.
Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Barnet and England.
Latest 2024/25 Year 11 destination mix compared with Barnet and England.
A score-led admissions process applies, with a published local-priority category for candidates living within 3 miles of the school when they submit their local authority application. Equally ranked candidates are separated by Barnet straight-line distance.
Looked-after and previously looked-after children
Applicants in care or previously in care are prioritised first, provided they are capable of following the HBS course and rank in the top 300 after Round One.
Pupil Premium
Pupil Premium candidates are prioritised next. The current school states that if a Pupil Premium candidate ranks in the top 300 after Round One, she will be offered a place irrespective of where she lives, subject to proof of eligibility.
Within 3 miles of the school
Then come candidates living within 3 miles of the school when they submit their local authority application, provided they sit Round Two. If this category is oversubscribed, places are allocated in rank-score order.
All remaining candidates in rank order
All remaining candidates are ranked by their combined admissions performance, with Barnet straight-line distance used as the tie-break for equally ranked applicants.
Year 7 selection has a First Round Entrance Test in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and English, followed by a Second Round English and Mathematics test.
Paper 1
VR, NVR, English
Round One
The first round covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and English.
Paper 2
English, Maths
Round Two
The second round is in English and Mathematics for candidates who progress through the first stage.
English, Maths, Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning are included in the published format.
Science is not listed in the current published format.
English
Maths
Verbal reasoning
The first round covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and English.
Non-verbal reasoning
The first round covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and English.
Science
Creative writing
Open day bookings open
3 June 2026
Open day
30 June 2026
Registration closes
1 July 2026
Round One test window
September 2026
Register for the Year 7 entrance examination
Applications for the September 2026 entrance examination for September 2027 entry are open now and close at 5pm on 1 July 2026.
Open registration formPrepare for the two-round test route
The first round covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and English, followed by a second round in English and Mathematics.
Read admissions pageCheck whether Pupil Premium priority applies
If your child is eligible for Pupil Premium, make sure the supporting evidence is ready because the school gives those candidates priority after Round One if they rank in the top 300.
Read Pupil Premium guidanceRead the policy and FAQ pack
Use the current policy and FAQ downloads for the PAN, open day, and the admissions process before completing your local authority preferences.
Open policy packLatest official destinations data currently covers 2022/23 study leavers.
Recent trend
This follows the school's published overall GCSE score across the subjects pupils take. Higher is better.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 88.2 | 74.2 | 49.4 |
| 2022/23 | 87.6 | 71.8 | 47.0 |
| 2023/24 | 86.4 | 72.1 | 46.7 |
| 2024/25 | 87.3 | 72.3 | 46.8 |
Recent trend
This follows the published average A-level result for the school's sixth form. Higher is better.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | A+ average (54.5 points) | 44.0 points | 37.5 points |
| 2022/23 | A average (50.0 points) | 40.5 points | 33.7 points |
| 2023/24 | A+ average (51.7 points) | 41.3 points | 34.5 points |
| 2024/25 | A average (48.6 points) | 41.8 points | 35.0 points |
Recent trend
This follows the share of pupils moving into a sustained destination after Year 11, such as education, apprenticeships, or employment.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 100% | 99.1% | 94.1% |
| 2022/23 | 99% | 98.9% | 93.9% |
| 2023/24 | 100% | 99.0% | 93.3% |
| 2024/25 | 100% | 97.8% | 91.4% |
Latest year breakdown
| In education | 100% |
|---|---|
| In apprenticeships | 0% |
| In employment | 0% |
Latest inspection: 5 May 2022
Local rivals first, then nearby alternatives that still fit the same shortlist-building context.
Same Barnet area and similar girls' selective route
Nearby London option with a similar admissions route
Nearby option within a reasonable travel distance
Same wider selective region and a similar admissions route
Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.
Nearby option with similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
Nearby option with similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
Nearby option with similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
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FAQ
HBS currently uses GL Assessment.
1. Register for the Year 7 entrance examination: Applications for the September 2026 entrance examination for September 2027 entry are open now and close at 5pm on 1 July 2026. 2. Prepare for the two-round test route: The first round covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and English, followed by a second round in English and Mathematics. 3. Check whether Pupil Premium priority applies: If your child is eligible for Pupil Premium, make sure the supporting evidence is ready because the school gives those candidates priority after Round One if they rank in the top 300. 4. Read the policy and FAQ pack: Use the current policy and FAQ downloads for the PAN, open day, and the admissions process before completing your local authority preferences.
Open day bookings open: 3 June 2026. Open day: 30 June 2026. Registration closes: 1 July 2026. Round One test window: September 2026
HBS is currently rated Good following the latest published inspection dated 5 May 2022.