About Haberdashers' Girls' School
Haberdashers' Girls' School (Habs Girls) is an independent day school for girls aged 4–18 in Elstree, Hertfordshire, founded in 1875 by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers (formerly Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls). It shares a 100-acre campus with the neighbouring Haberdashers' Boys' School, with a co-educational Sixth Form. As an independent school it charges fees — around £10,039 a term (about £30,117 a year) for Years 7–11 in 2025/26.
Entry to Year 7 is by the school's own assessment — an online assessment (covering English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning and Puzzles) and written English and Mathematics papers, with an interview for those who progress; the English paper rewards comprehension, inference and effective writing.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls)
Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls) Admissions Criteria
Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls) is a boys independent day school in London. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls) to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls). Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — ISEB Common Pre-Test: Your child will sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test online — the standardised, adaptive assessment used by Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls) and over 90 other UK independent senior schools. The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes in total. It is age-standardised to allow fair comparison across applicants.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about his interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether him child has been offered a place at Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls).
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls). Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls) Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls).
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls) 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls)
Step 1 — Visit Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls
Visit Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls) in Elstree, Hertfordshire — arrange a personal tour
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's admissions portal
Step 3 — Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Step 4 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your daughter's current school
Step 5 — Your daughter sits the 11+ entrance assessment at Habs
Your daughter sits the 11+ entrance assessment at Habs Girls
Step 6 — Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Step 7 — Following assessment, offers are communicated
Following assessment, offers are communicated
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
Subjects Tested at Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls)
Scholarships & Bursaries at Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls)
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available via the Haberdashers' Foundation.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls, formerly Habs Aske's School for Girls) is an independent day school for girls in Elstree, Hertfordshire (founded 1875). Linked to The Haberdashers' Boys' School. One of the leading girls' schools in the country.
Catchment Area for Haberdashers' Girls' School
As an independent school, Habs Girls has no catchment area; girls travel in from across north London and Hertfordshire. Places are awarded on the assessment and interview, and the school takes roughly equal numbers from state and independent schools.
Habs Girls offers academic, art, creative-writing, drama, music and sport scholarships (typically 10–20% of fees) plus means-tested bursaries (around 10% of pupils receive support); apply alongside your entry application.
Academic Performance at Haberdashers' Girls' School
Haberdashers' Girls' School has an outstanding academic record at GCSE and A‑Level, with many leavers progressing to leading universities. As a selective independent it sets its own standards through its entrance assessment.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Co‑curricular at Haberdashers' Girls' School
- ✓Pastoral: strong individual support across the senior school.
- ✓Co‑curricular: extensive sport, music, drama and clubs, with close links to Habs Boys.
- ✓Sixth Form: a wide A‑Level offer.
How to Prepare for the Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls) 11+ Exam
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Independent 11+ Practice Papers and Quest Software for Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls)
Which test this school sets. Haberdashers' Girls' School uses Quest Assessments for its first-round 11+ assessment — the same assessment as Habs Boys — an online test covering English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with a puzzles and comprehension section, usually followed by a written task and an interview. The four subjects are exactly what the practice papers and the Quest software below cover. Checked September 2026 — always confirm with the school.
Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls) uses the Independent 11+ 11+ format. Our practice papers mirror that exact format, with a short tutor video explaining every question. Quest, our interactive practice software, comes in a Independent 11+ edition too: 4,600 questions across English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning in short tests with medals to win, an Exam Hall of timed mocks, official-format sitting papers, flashcards, a daily five, a Weekly Challenge set by a friendly Guardian and a hero your child unlocks by learning, with a working-out board under every question and My Corrections — plus a Skills Report and a week-by-week plan for parents. Start with the free samples, then choose a pack when you're ready.
When you're readyPractice-paper packs from £19 · all papers £69 · Quest £59 a year · Quest + all papers £89. One-off purchases with 12 months' access — no subscription, nothing renews.
View Independent 11+ practice papers →Haberdashers' Girls' School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Habs Girls at 11+?
Register online directly with the school at the start of Year 6. Your daughter takes an online assessment and written English and Maths papers, with an interview for those who progress.
What is on the Habs Girls 11+ assessment?
An online assessment (Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning and Puzzles) plus written English and Mathematics papers, and an interview; the English rewards comprehension, inference and effective writing.
Is Habs Girls selective, and does it charge fees?
Yes — it is a selective independent girls' day school, so it charges fees (around £10,039 a term, about £30,117 a year, for Years 7–11 in 2025/26).
Does Habs Girls have a catchment area?
No. As an independent school it admits girls from any area; it takes roughly equal numbers from state and independent schools.
Where is Habs Girls?
On a 100-acre campus in Elstree, Hertfordshire, shared with the neighbouring Haberdashers' Boys' School (with a co-educational Sixth Form).
When is the assessment?
In the autumn/winter of Year 6 for September 2027 entry; check the school site for exact dates and the registration deadline.
Are scholarships and bursaries available?
Yes — academic, art, creative-writing, drama, music and sport scholarships (typically 10–20% of fees) plus means-tested bursaries.
Is the Sixth Form co-educational?
Yes — the Sixth Form is shared with Haberdashers' Boys' School, though the Senior School (including 11+) is for girls.
How can my daughter prepare?
Build confident Year 6 English and maths, practise timed verbal and non-verbal reasoning for the online stage, and develop comprehension and writing for the written papers. ExamTutor offers Independent-style practice papers with full video explanations.
Start preparing for the Haberdashers' School for Girls (Habs Girls) 11+
Try the free Independent 11+ samples first — a real paper, a tutor video and the Quest demo, no sign-up. Then choose a pack when you're ready.