The Henrietta Barnett School, a state-funded girls’ grammar school in north London, has earned a place among the most academically successful schools in the UK — including many of the country’s most exclusive and expensive private institutions. It is therefore no surprise that Henrietta Barnett was named State Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2025 in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025, alongside several other accolades.
The school’s success is deeply rooted in the philosophy of its founder, Dame Henrietta Barnett, who believed strongly in the transformative power of education. Her vision — that education should be open to girls from all backgrounds, enabling them to learn both together and from one another — continues to shape the school today. The diversity of the student body is a testament to the lasting strength of this ideal, and pupils often describe the school as “academically ambitious but not pushy.”
A wide-ranging co-curricular programme, featuring more than 50 clubs and societies (most of them student-led), enriches life from Years 7 to 13 and complements the school’s rigorous academic curriculum. A strong sense of confidence and self-belief is further fostered by the semi-rural Hampstead setting, which clearly inspires the students.
It will also come as little surprise that this academic excellence is underpinned by one of the most competitive admissions processes in the country. In 2025, more than 3,000 applicants competed for just 106 Year 7 places. The ambition and determination required to succeed in such a process seem to drive the exceptional academic outcomes achieved by the students. In Summer 2024, over 81% of A Level grades were at A–A*, and 95% at A–B*, with 30 Oxbridge offers made in January 2024 — an impressive 24% of the year group. At GCSE, 88% of grades awarded were 8 or 9.
Entry Points
The vast majority of students join The Henrietta Barnett School in Year 7, at the 11+ entry point. Only a small number of places occasionally become available in Years 8–11, with waiting lists managed by Barnet Local Authority.
At Sixth Form (16+), most students transfer naturally from Year 11, though the school also welcomes applications from external candidates. Approximately 30 places are offered each year to students from other schools.
Admission Requirements for 11+ Entry
Admission to The Henrietta Barnett School at 11+ is highly selective. Applicants first sit a First Round Entrance Examination, held over three days in September preceding the year of entry. This stage tests Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and English. The top 300 candidates are then invited to take a Second Round test in English and Mathematics in October.
The good news for prospective applicants is that the school does not have a fixed catchment area. Any student, regardless of location, may apply to sit the First Round test. However, those who qualify for the Second Round are then subject to priority rules: Looked After Children, those eligible for the Pupil Premium, and those living within three miles of the school are given preference.
In practice, most successful candidates live outside the Borough of Barnet, as the majority of girls who reach the top 300 in the First Round come from beyond the local area.
What Kind of Questions Should I Expect in the Henrietta Barnett Admissions Tests?
In the First Round, The Henrietta Barnett School uses assessments produced by GL Assessment, and practice materials are available. Students should familiarise themselves with the multiple-choice format and the range of question types included.
Because many students will not have encountered verbal or non-verbal reasoning tests before, regular practice is essential. It is worth noting that the exact timings and number of questions in official tests may differ from the practice versions available online, which are designed as a general guide.
Non-Verbal Reasoning involves analysing visual information and solving problems using diagrams, pictures, or shapes.
Verbal Reasoning focuses on analysing written information and understanding language patterns.
In both cases, one of the main challenges lies in completing a large number of questions within the time limit.
The English test may feel more familiar, as it requires reading and analysing a passage of prose. Questions are multiple choice and typically cover comprehension, punctuation, and spelling, among other topics.
The school does not release sample papers for the Second Round, but candidates should expect challenging English (creative writing) and Mathematics tests designed internally by the school. These are not multiple choice and are based on material typically taught in Years 5 and 6.
16+ (Sixth Form) Admission Requirements
Around 30 external candidates — although 43 were admitted in 2023 — join The Henrietta Barnett School each year for Sixth Form. Even current students must meet the school’s minimum academic requirements to progress to Year 12.
The entry requirements are as follows:
- A minimum of six GCSE grades at 7 or above
- A minimum of Grade 6 in English Language and Mathematics, even if these subjects will not be studied at A Level
- A minimum of Grade 7 in any subject to be studied at A Level
- For Further Mathematics and/or Chemistry, a minimum of Grade 8 or 9 is required
- External applicants must complete an online application form, followed by submission of a reference from their current school.
Henrietta Barnett and the Pupil Premium
The Henrietta Barnett School remains closely aligned with the vision of its founder — that education should be accessible to girls from all backgrounds. In keeping with this ethos, the school gives priority to applicants eligible for Free School Meals or the Pupil Premium.
Pupil Premium students who rank within the top 300 in the First Round automatically qualify for a place at the school.
The school also provides ongoing support to Pupil Premium students, which may include assistance with transport, uniform, equipment, arts and music lessons, school trips, and career or university application costs.
Tutors for Henrietta Barnett Admissions
Each year Keystone supports many students preparing for the 11 plus and 16 plus exams for competitive grammar schools. The 11+ Grammar School tutors we represent are experienced in the intricacies of the 11+ exams for Henrietta Barnet School and Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning tests.
For more details on how Keystone can help with 11+ grammar school preparation, book a free consultation or complete our request a tutor form.