About Hertfordshire Grammar Schools
Hertfordshire operates a unique partially-selective system — the South West Herts Schools Consortium runs an 'Academic Ability Test' that determines admission to selective streams within otherwise-comprehensive schools. Member schools include Parmiter's, Queens' School Bushey, Rickmansworth, St Clement Danes, Watford Grammar for Boys, Watford Grammar for Girls, and Croxley Danes. Dame Alice Owen's School (Potters Bar) operates separately with its own multi-stage test. The Herts system is unlike anywhere else in England — selective AND comprehensive at the same school.
History & Tradition
Watford Grammar for Boys (1704) and Watford Grammar for Girls (1704) are the oldest Hertfordshire grammars — both founded as charity schools by Elizabeth Fuller. Parmiter's School (1681) and Rickmansworth School (1840s) followed. Hertfordshire moved to comprehensive education in 1968, but the Consortium schools negotiated partially-selective status — admitting up to 25% selectively and 75% by distance.
The Entry Test
The SW Herts Schools Trust Test (STT) assesses Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and English. Children sit the test in early September at one of the member schools. A separate music aptitude test is also run for music-stream places. Dame Alice Owen's runs its own multi-stage test (VR + Maths/English in 2 parts).
Hertfordshire 11+ at a Glance
7 Things You Should Know About Hertfordshire Grammar Schools
Researched facts about the region's selective schools — drawn from official sources, school websites and education research.
- 1Hertfordshire schools are partially-selective, not fully-selective — they take 25% of their intake via the SW Herts Schools Trust Test (academic ability) and the remaining 75% via standard catchment/distance criteria.
- 2Watford Grammar School for Boys was founded in 1704 by Elizabeth Fuller as a charity school for poor boys — one of England's oldest still-operating boys' schools.
- 3The SW Herts STT differs from typical 11+ tests — it tests Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and English (no separate Maths paper). Children scoring in the top 25% of the cohort qualify for the selective stream.
- 4Dame Alice Owen's School (Potters Bar) runs a unique TWO-PART test — Part 1 (1 Sep) tests VR and music aptitude; Part 2 (26 Sep) tests English and Maths. Only Part 1 high-scorers proceed to Part 2.
- 5Parmiter's School in Garston is one of the most academically successful Hertfordshire schools — known for strong A-Levels and a thriving music programme.
- 6Croxley Danes School is a newer addition to the SW Herts Consortium (founded 2016) — bringing the membership to 7 schools.
- 7Hertfordshire's partially-selective system can be confusing — children passing the STT may be offered a place in the 'selective stream' but they're still attending the same school as non-selective entries, sharing classes and facilities.
| Rank | School Name | Gender | PAN | 11+ Exam | GCSE 9-7 | A-Level A*-B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #26 | Dame Alice Owen's School (DAO)#26 | Mixed | 200 | GL Assessment | 72.1% | 89.1% |
| #76 | Yavneh College#76 | Mixed | — | Independent | 56 | 82 |
| Aldenham School | Mixed | — | Independent | 30% | 30% | |
| Aldwickbury School | Boys | — | Independent | — | — | |
| Bishop's Stortford College | Boys | — | Independent | 77.6% | 82.6% | |
| Hitchin Boys' School | Boys | 180 | Independent | — | — | |
| Queenswood School | Girls | — | Independent | — | — | |
| South West Hertfordshire (SW Herts) Grammar Schools | Boys | — | GL Assessment | — | — | |
| St. Albans School | Mixed | 160 | Independent | 80.4% | 84.6% | |
| Verulam School | Boys | 180 | Independent | — | — | |
| Watford Grammar School for Boys | Boys | 180 | Independent | — | — | |
| Watford Grammar School for Girls | Girls | 180 | Independent | — | — | |
| Croxley Danes School | Mixed | 180 | Independent | — | — | |
| Parmiter's School | Mixed | 208 | Independent | — | — | |
| Rickmansworth School | Mixed | 240 | Independent | — | — | |
| St Clement Danes School | Mixed | 227 | Independent | — | — |
Hertfordshire Grammar Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the top-ranked grammar schools in Hertfordshire?
In the 2026 Sunday Times Parent Power tables, the highest-ranked Hertfordshire grammar schools include Dame Alice Owen's School (DAO), Yavneh College. Full rankings plus GCSE and A-Level results for every school are in the table above.
What 11+ exam do Hertfordshire grammar schools use?
Most Hertfordshire grammar schools admit pupils through the Independent 11+. Check each school's row above, as some set their own entrance test or use a different exam board.
What makes Hertfordshire grammar schools distinctive?
Hertfordshire schools are partially-selective, not fully-selective — they take 25% of their intake via the SW Herts Schools Trust Test (academic ability) and the remaining 75% via standard catchment/distance criteria.
What else should families know about the Hertfordshire 11+?
Watford Grammar School for Boys was founded in 1704 by Elizabeth Fuller as a charity school for poor boys — one of England's oldest still-operating boys' schools.
Nearby Regions
Many families consider grammars in neighbouring regions to maximise options. Explore: