Henrietta Barnett School (HBS)

The Henrietta Barnett School (HBS) is one of the top-performing girls' grammar schools in the country. Their process for September 2027 entry is unique because it uses a two-round system.

Quick Tip: Because Round One is purely Verbal/Non-Verbal and English, many parents forget to keep up with Math practice during the summer—don't let that happen, as the Round Two Math paper in October is notoriously difficult!

 Key Dates for 2027 Entry

The registration window is open right now.

Date Milestone

Wednesday 1 April 2026 Test Registration Opens (Currently Open)

Wednesday 1 July 2026 Registration Deadline (5:00 PM)

Tuesday 30 June 2026 School Open Day (Year 5 only, booking required)

Early September 2026 Round One Entrance Test

Late September 2026 Round One Results & Round Two Invites sent

Early October 2026 Round Two Entrance Test (Top 300 only)

31 October 2026 Common Application Form (CAF) Deadline

1 March 2027 National Offer Day

 The Two-Round Exam Format

HBS splits its testing to filter down thousands of applicants to just 120 successful students.

• Round One (The Filter):

  • Format: Multiple-choice (GL Assessment).

  • Subjects: English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. (Note: No Math in Round One).

  • The Cut: Only the top 300 candidates are invited back for the next round.

• Round Two (The Final Selection):

  • Format: Written/Standard format (set by the school).

  • Subjects: English (Comprehension and Creative Writing) and Mathematics (Problem Solving).

Allocation & Catchment Area

HBS is "all-ability" in terms of where you live for the test, but location matters for the final job:

1. No Catchment for the Test: Anyone can register and sit the Round One exam.

2. Distance Priority: For the final 120 places, the school gives priority to girls who pass the tests and live within 3 miles of the school.

3. Pupil Premium: Up to 20 places are reserved for girls eligible for Pupil Premium who meet the qualifying standard.

How to Apply

1. School Portal: You must register your daughter on the HBS website by July 1st. This is mandatory to sit the test