The Henrietta Barnett School 11+ Guide for Parents

What Is the Henrietta Barnett School 11+?

Admission to The Henrietta Barnett School for Year 7 is by academic selection.

The school uses a two-round entrance process:

• First Round Entrance Test — Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and English
• Second Round Entrance Test — English and Mathematics

Parents must register their daughter for the entrance examination during the official registration window. Entrance-test registration is separate from the Local Authority Common Application Form.

Sitting the test or reaching the second round does not automatically guarantee a place. The final allocation is made through the coordinated admissions process using the school’s published admissions arrangements.

Who Can Apply?

The Henrietta Barnett School is a selective girls’ school. Applicants for Year 7 entry sit the entrance tests before parents submit their school preferences through the Local Authority application process.

HBS has a published admission number for Year 7 entry. Parents should check the latest admissions page for the current number of available places.

The school is extremely competitive, so preparation should be broad and steady. Pupils need strong English, vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths and written-answer skills.

First Round Entrance Test

The official HBS admissions page states that the First Round Entrance Test covers:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning
• English

HBS signposts GL Assessment familiarisation materials for the First Round Entrance Test. These materials are useful for becoming familiar with question style and answer-sheet practice, but they should not be treated as exact copies of the HBS test.

Who Reaches the Second Round?

HBS ranks candidates after the first round. Current school information refers to the top 300 candidates in the first-round test as the key group for second-round consideration and Pupil Premium priority.

Parents should check the latest admissions policy for the child’s admissions year because cut-off handling, ranking and priority criteria can change.

The important practical point is that Round One is highly competitive. Pupils need strong accuracy across all three first-round areas: English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Second Round Entrance Test

The official HBS admissions page states that the Second Round Entrance Test covers:

• English
• Mathematics

HBS states that it does not release past papers or offer resources for Round Two.

Second-round preparation should therefore focus on strong Key Stage 2 literacy and numeracy, careful reading, written accuracy, problem solving and applying knowledge to unfamiliar situations.

Pupil Premium Priority

HBS actively encourages applications from girls eligible for Free School Meals or Pupil Premium.

The school’s Pupil Premium information states that Pupil Premium girls are given priority after the first round of 11+ testing, irrespective of where they live. It explains that if a Pupil Premium candidate is ranked in the top 300 in the first-round test, she will be offered a place in accordance with the Admissions Policy, provided written proof of eligibility is supplied.

Parents who think their child may be eligible should check eligibility early and make sure written proof is available before the school’s deadline for the relevant admissions year.

Distance and Oversubscription Criteria

HBS admissions include oversubscription criteria. Parents should read the current policy carefully because the order of priority and distance rules matter.

Current publicly available guidance describes priority categories including looked-after and previously looked-after children, eligible Pupil Premium candidates, candidates living within a specified distance of the school, and remaining candidates ranked by score.

Because distance-priority wording and measurement rules can be updated, parents should not rely on old forum posts or tutor websites. Always check the current HBS admissions policy for the child’s entry year.

Common Application Form and Preference Order

Registering for the HBS entrance test is not the same as applying for a school place.

Parents must also complete the Local Authority Common Application Form through their home local authority and name The Henrietta Barnett School if they want their daughter to be considered.

Parents should list schools in their genuine order of preference. The Local Authority will offer the highest-ranked school for which the child meets the admissions criteria.

SEND, Illness and Test-Day Considerations

If a child has special educational needs, a disability, medical needs or usual classroom assessment arrangements, parents should follow the current HBS access-arrangement process and provide evidence by the official deadline.

If a child is unwell or unable to attend a test sitting, parents should contact the school according to the current admissions instructions and provide the required evidence.

Test-day rules, required documents and permitted items can change, so parents should read the invitation and school instructions carefully.

Scholars Tutorial Preparation Route for HBS

On the Scholars Tutorial platform, HBS preparation should be split into first-round and second-round priorities.

The Scholars Tutorial 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets are useful for first-round mixed practice because HBS Round One includes English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

For Round Two, preparation should shift strongly towards English, Maths, Maths Word Problems, Creative Writing, Advanced English and Advanced Maths.

Scholars Tutorial Online Categories

Scholars Tutorial organises 11+ preparation into clear categories. For HBS, the most relevant categories change depending on whether the child is preparing for Round One or Round Two.

11+ Core Subjects

• 11+ English
• 11+ VR
• 11+ NVR
• 11+ Maths, especially for Round Two
• 11+ Maths : Word Problems, especially for Round Two

11+ Mock Exams

• 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE — useful for broad first-round mixed practice.
• 11+ SPAG — useful for English accuracy, vocabulary and language confidence.

11+ Foundation

• 11+ Foundation English
• 11+ Foundation VR
• 11+ Foundation Maths

11+ Advanced

• 11+ Advanced English
• 11+ Advanced Maths
• 11+ Advanced VOCAB
• 11+ Advanced SPAG
• Creative Writing

English Preparation for HBS

English is important in both rounds. Round One includes English, and Round Two includes a further English paper.

Your child should practise:

• reading comprehension
• retrieving information from a passage
• inference
• vocabulary in context
• synonyms and antonyms
• spelling accuracy
• grammar and punctuation
• sentence structure
• proofreading
• careful reading of question wording
• written English and Creative Writing for Round Two

Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:

• 11+ English
• 11+ SPAG
• 11+ Foundation English
• 11+ Advanced English
• 11+ Advanced VOCAB
• 11+ Advanced SPAG
• Creative Writing

Verbal Reasoning Preparation for HBS

Verbal Reasoning is a first-round HBS test area. It requires strong vocabulary and logical thinking with words, letters and patterns.

Your child should practise:

• word meanings
• synonyms and antonyms
• word relationships
• compound words
• letter and word codes
• logical word sequences
• vocabulary-based reasoning
• careful instruction reading
• eliminating incorrect answer choices

Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:

• 11+ VR
• 11+ Foundation VR
• 11+ Advanced VOCAB
• 11+ SPAG, for language accuracy support

Non-Verbal Reasoning Preparation for HBS

Non-Verbal Reasoning is a first-round HBS test area. It assesses visual logic and problem solving.

Your child should practise:

• shape patterns
• sequences
• matrices
• odd-one-out questions
• rotation
• reflection
• symmetry
• codes
• spatial awareness
• visual problem solving

Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:

• 11+ NVR
• 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets

Maths Preparation for HBS

Mathematics is assessed in the second round. Pupils should build fluency, accuracy and problem-solving confidence.

Your child should practise:

• times tables and mental maths
• written calculations
• fractions
• decimals
• percentages
• ratio and proportion
• measurement and units
• area, perimeter and volume
• geometry and angles
• statistics and data handling
• number patterns
• word problems
• multi-step problem solving
• checking calculations carefully
• showing clear working where required

Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:

• 11+ Maths
• 11+ Maths : Word Problems
• 11+ Foundation Maths
• 11+ Advanced Maths

Printed Paper Sets for HBS Preparation

Printed paper sets are useful because they help pupils practise concentration, timing, answer selection and full-paper discipline.

Useful Scholars Tutorial printed paper sets include:

• 11+ Mixed Practice Papers, especially for first-round mixed practice
• 11+ English Practice Papers
• 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
• 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
• 11+ SPAG Practice Papers
• 11+ Maths Practice Papers, especially for second-round preparation
• 11+ Maths : Word Problems Practice Papers
• 11+ Foundation English Practice Papers
• 11+ Foundation Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers
• 11+ Foundation Maths Practice Papers
• 11+ Advanced English Practice Papers
• 11+ Advanced Maths Practice Papers
• 11+ Advanced VOCAB Practice Papers
• 11+ Advanced SPAG Practice Papers

For HBS Round One, prioritise English, VR, NVR and mixed practice. For HBS Round Two, shift the priority to English, Maths, Maths Word Problems, Advanced English, Advanced Maths and Creative Writing.

Multiple Choice and Written Answer Technique

HBS preparation should include both multiple-choice and written-answer technique because the two rounds test different skills.

Scholars Tutorial printed paper sets support Multiple Choice Format practice for first-round style preparation.

For first-round practice, pupils should learn to:

• read each question carefully
• identify key information
• eliminate incorrect options
• avoid rushing
• mark answers accurately
• manage time across mixed sections

For second-round practice, pupils should learn to:

• write clearly under time pressure
• plan English responses quickly
• show Maths working logically
• answer the exact question set
• check spelling, punctuation, grammar and calculations

Suggested Weekly HBS Preparation Plan

A balanced first-round HBS plan could include:

• 2 days per week: English comprehension, vocabulary or SPAG
• 2 days per week: Verbal Reasoning and vocabulary
• 1 to 2 days per week: Non-Verbal Reasoning
• 1 day per week: mixed practice, printed paper practice or mistake review

For second-round preparation, adjust the plan:

• 2 days per week: English comprehension, writing or SPAG
• 2 to 3 days per week: Maths, word problems and problem solving
• 1 day per week: written English or Creative Writing
• 1 day per week: full-paper practice and mistake review

Common HBS 11+ Preparation Mistakes

Avoid these common mistakes:

• preparing only for English and Maths and ignoring first-round VR and NVR
• preparing only for first-round multiple choice and not preparing for second-round written work
• ignoring vocabulary development
• doing papers without reviewing mistakes
• not practising Non-Verbal Reasoning regularly before Round One
• leaving Maths problem solving until after Round One
• using old or unofficial details without checking the latest HBS policy
• missing the entrance-test registration deadline
• forgetting that test registration is separate from the Common Application Form
• not checking Pupil Premium evidence requirements early
• assuming Round Two resources or past papers are available from the school
• assuming passing a test guarantees a place

How Parents Can Support at Home

Parents can make HBS preparation more effective by understanding the two-round structure and keeping practice balanced.

Helpful habits include:

• check the latest HBS admissions information
• register for the entrance examination within the official window
• complete the Common Application Form separately
• read regularly and discuss vocabulary
• practise VR and NVR consistently for Round One
• build Maths fluency and problem-solving strength for Round Two
• use SPAG practice to strengthen English accuracy
• review mistakes after each test
• keep a notebook of weak topics
• use online practice to target gaps
• use printed papers for exam discipline
• check SEND, medical or Pupil Premium evidence needs early
• focus on confidence as well as scores

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Advice

HBS preparation should reflect the two-round structure.

Round One preparation should prioritise English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Round Two preparation should prioritise English, Mathematics, Maths Word Problems and written-answer accuracy.

Parents should also remember that entrance test registration is separate from the Common Application Form, and that final offers depend on the school’s admissions arrangements and the coordinated Local Authority process.

The Scholars Tutorial online platform helps pupils strengthen the key test areas through organised subject categories, while printed paper sets help children practise with realistic exam discipline.

By combining online practice, printed paper sets, first-round mixed preparation, second-round English and Maths preparation, careful mistake review and up-to-date admissions checking, pupils can build the confidence and accuracy needed for The Henrietta Barnett School 11+.