About Croxley Danes School
Croxley Danes School is a co-educational, partially selective state secondary school and sixth form in south west Hertfordshire, part of the South West Herts Schools Consortium. Most of its 180 Year 7 places are non-selective (allocated mainly by distance, with priority for siblings and staff children), but it also selects up to 10% of places on musical aptitude (there is no academic entrance test).
Founded in 2017 as a free school and now part of the Danes Educational Trust, Croxley Danes School was rated Good by Ofsted (at its first inspection (January 2022)). It teaches around 480 pupils and growing as the school matures, and selection — where it applies — is by the SW Herts music aptitude test.
About Croxley Danes School's Partially Selective Places & the SW Herts Tests
Croxley Danes School is partially selective: the large majority of its 180 Year 7 places are allocated non-selectively (mainly by distance, after looked-after children, siblings and staff children), while a minority are offered on aptitude. It admits up to 10% of places on musical aptitude (there is no academic entrance test).
Unusually for the consortium, Croxley Danes School does not use an academic entrance test. Its only selective route is a musical aptitude test (up to 10% of places), which assesses musical potential rather than existing skill, so no instrument is required. Every other place is non-selective.
For 2027 entry, registration for the consortium test(s) runs from 1 April to 5 June 2026 (no late entries). The music aptitude test is on Monday 7 September 2026 (round one), with a second round later that month. You then name the school on your Hertfordshire Common Application Form by 31 October 2026, with offers on Monday 1 March 2027.
Meeting the standard does not guarantee a place: children are ranked by score and places are offered under the school's oversubscription criteria, which prioritise catchment, siblings and staff children. This page is updated each year with the latest verified criteria and key dates.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Croxley Danes School
Croxley Danes School Admissions Criteria
Croxley Danes School is a co-educational partially selective school in the SW Herts Consortium. Most of its 180 places are non-selective; it also admits up to 10% of places on musical aptitude (there is no academic entrance test). There is no fixed pass mark — qualifying applicants are ranked under the criteria below.
- ✓Most of the 180 Year 7 places are non-selective (allocated mainly by distance).
- ✓Music places (10%) use the SW Herts Consortium music aptitude test.
- ✓Register for the test(s) between 1 April and 5 June 2026 — no late entries.
- ✓Looked-after children, siblings and staff children receive priority in the criteria.
- ✓Name the school on your Hertfordshire CAF by 31 October 2026.
Croxley Danes School Oversubscription Criteria
Aptitude/academic applicants must first take the relevant test. Places are then allocated in the order below (each school's policy sets the precise wording and catchment).
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children
- Music aptitude places (up to 10%): ranked by music-test score
- Children of staff, and siblings of pupils on roll
- Remaining places by distance from home to school (priority catchment first)
Key Dates & Deadlines — Croxley Danes School 2027 Entry
| 📌 Register for the test(s) | 1 April to 5 June 2026 (no late entries) |
| 📌 Music aptitude test | Monday 7 September 2026 (round one) |
| 📌 CAF deadline (Hertfordshire) | 31 October 2026 |
| 📌 National Offer Day | Monday 1 March 2027 |
How to Apply to Croxley Danes School
Step 1 — Check catchment and eligibility
Most places go by distance, so check the catchment first. Decide whether to also apply for an aptitude/academic place.
Step 2 — Register for the test(s)
Register for the SW Herts Consortium test(s) between 1 April and 5 June 2026. No late registrations are accepted.
Step 3 — Sit the test(s)
The music aptitude test is on Monday 7 September 2026, with a second round later that month.
Step 4 — Receive results
Standardised results are issued in the autumn term, before the application deadline.
Step 5 — Complete your CAF
Name Croxley Danes School on the Common Application Form submitted via Hertfordshire County Council.
Step 6 — Submit by 31 October 2026
Late CAFs are processed after on-time ones.
Step 7 — Receive your offer
Offers are issued on Monday 1 March 2027. You can appeal or join a waiting list if unsuccessful.
How Croxley Danes School Selects (Music Aptitude Only)
Croxley Danes School does not use an academic 11+ exam. Its only selective route is the SW Herts Consortium music aptitude test (up to 10% of places):
- Music aptitude: assesses musical potential rather than existing skill or grades — no instrument is required.
- All other places: allocated non-selectively, mainly by distance, after looked-after children, siblings and staff children.
- No academic test: there is no Maths/Verbal Reasoning entrance paper for this school.
Preparing for Croxley Danes School (Music-Aptitude Entry)
Croxley Danes School selects only on musical aptitude — there is no academic entrance exam, so academic 11+ papers are not required for this school. Families targeting the nearby academic-selective consortium schools (such as St Clement Danes or Rickmansworth) can use our SW Herts Maths and Verbal Reasoning practice papers with video explanations.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
Preparing for a Music-Aptitude Place at Croxley Danes School
Because Croxley Danes School selects on musical aptitude rather than an academic test, preparation centres on familiarity with the music aptitude assessment (and a strong general transition to secondary school). The steps below are general 11+ readiness tips:
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Croxley Danes School
As a partially selective school, Croxley Danes School’s published results reflect its broad, largely comprehensive intake.
- GCSE / A-Level: results from its first GCSE cohorts; confirm the latest figures on the school's website.
- Sixth form: a co-educational sixth form with a broad A-Level offer and strong progression to higher education.
- Inspection: rated Good by Ofsted (at its first inspection (January 2022)).
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment & Priority for Croxley Danes School
Because most of Croxley Danes School’s places are allocated by distance, catchment matters a great deal: after looked-after children, siblings and staff children, non-selective places go to the children living nearest the school. Priority-catchment postcodes are set out in the school's policy, and homes near these schools attract a premium.
Music aptitude places are allocated to qualifying applicants by standardised score (with their own priority order), so a strong aptitude/academic result can secure a place from further afield — but most pupils live locally.
Always confirm the current catchment, priority postcodes and cut-off scores in the school's admissions policy.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life at Croxley Danes School
Croxley Danes School is on Baldwins Lane, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 3LR. Founded in 2017 as a free school and now part of the Danes Educational Trust, it is a co-educational 11–18 school of around 480 pupils and growing as the school matures, with a strong reputation for pastoral care and a broad curriculum. Its motto is Loyauté M'Oblige.
Beyond the classroom there is a wide programme of sport, music, drama and enrichment (music is a particular strength given the aptitude intake). For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Croxley Danes School
How do I apply to Croxley Danes School for Year 7, and is it selective?
Croxley Danes School is a co-educational, partially selective school in the South West Herts Schools Consortium. Most Year 7 places are non-selective (allocated by distance, with priority for siblings and staff children), but it also admits some pupils on musical aptitude. Apply on your Hertfordshire Common Application Form by 31 October 2026, and register separately for any aptitude test you wish to sit.
Does Croxley Danes School have an academic entrance test?
No. Unlike most consortium schools, Croxley Danes School selects only on musical aptitude (up to 10% of places) through the SW Herts Consortium music test. All other places are non-selective, allocated mainly by distance with priority for siblings and staff children — there is no academic 11+ exam.
How does the music aptitude route work?
Children sit the SW Herts Consortium music aptitude test (round one on Monday 7 September 2026, with a second round later that month for high scorers). It tests musical potential rather than existing skill, so no instrument is required. You must register for the test in the consortium window (1 April to 5 June 2026).
Can one consortium test result be used for several SW Herts schools?
Yes. The South West Herts schools use common tests, so a single academic or music aptitude result can support applications to several consortium schools at once — you simply list your preferences on your Hertfordshire Common Application Form. Each school then applies its own catchment and oversubscription criteria.
When do I register for the tests?
Registration for the SW Herts Consortium tests for 2027 entry runs from 1 April to 5 June 2026 (via the consortium and school websites). No late registrations are accepted, so register before the deadline if you want to be considered for an aptitude or academic place.
Does meeting the standard guarantee a place?
No. There is no fixed pass mark; children are ranked by standardised score and places are offered under each school's oversubscription criteria (which prioritise catchment, siblings and staff children). Strong performance helps but does not guarantee an offer at an oversubscribed school.
What are the key dates for 2027 entry?
Register 1 April–5 June 2026; music test 7 September 2026; Hertfordshire Common Application Form by 31 October 2026; offers on National Offer Day, Monday 1 March 2027.
What is Croxley Danes School's Ofsted rating and intake?
Croxley Danes School was rated Good by Ofsted (at its first inspection (January 2022)). It is a co-educational 11–18 school of around 480 pupils and growing as the school matures.
Where can I find Croxley Danes School's official admissions policy?
The full admissions policy for 2027 entry — including catchment, the aptitude criteria and how places are ranked — is published on the school's website and via Hertfordshire County Council and the SW Herts Consortium (swhertsschools.org.uk). Always confirm the current details there.