About South West Hertfordshire (SW Herts) Grammar Schools
South West Hertfordshire has a partially-selective system rather than full grammar schools. The South West Herts Schools Consortium is a group of seven schools that select a proportion of their places by ability or aptitude — including the historic Watford Grammar School for Boys and Watford Grammar School for Girls.
Six of the seven use a shared Academic Ability Test (Parmiter’s, Queens’, Rickmansworth, St Clement Danes and the two Watford Grammar schools); most also offer music aptitude places, and Queens’ School additionally offers sport. Croxley Danes uses the music aptitude route only. Your child sits the relevant test once for all the consortium schools using it.
Crucially, these schools are partially selective: only a share of places is allocated this way (for example, 25% on academic ability at the Watford Grammar schools), with the rest by catchment/banding. For September 2027 entry, registration runs 1 April–5 June 2026 via the consortium; you then list schools on the Hertfordshire Common Application Form by 31 October, with offers on National Offer Day (1 March).
South West Hertfordshire (SW Herts) Grammar Schools
The seven South West Herts Consortium schools, which select a proportion of places by academic ability or aptitude. Click a school for its detailed admission guide, catchment and key dates:
These are partially-selective schools, not full grammars: only a share of places is allocated on the consortium test, with the rest by catchment/banding. We have detailed guides for the two Watford Grammar schools; the other consortium schools (Parmiter’s, Queens’, Rickmansworth, St Clement Danes and Croxley Danes) run their own admissions alongside the shared tests.
About the SW Herts Consortium Test
The South West Herts Schools Consortium uses up to three routes: an Academic Ability Test, a Music Aptitude Test and (for Queens’ School only) a Sports Test. Your child sits the relevant test once for all consortium schools using that route.
The Academic Ability Test — used by Parmiter’s, Queens’, Rickmansworth, St Clement Danes and both Watford Grammar schools — is provided by GL Assessment and has two multiple-choice papers: Mathematics (Key Stage 2) and Verbal Reasoning, marked by OMR.
Scores are age-standardised and combined, then ranked — there is no single pass mark. Because these schools are partially selective, only a proportion of places go to the highest scorers (for example, 25% on academic ability at the Watford Grammar schools, 35% at Queens’); the remaining places are allocated by catchment/banding.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for South West Hertfordshire (SW Herts) Grammar Schools
Apply through the South West Herts Schools Consortium: register via the consortium portal during the window — for 2027 entry, 1 April to 5 June 2026 — choosing the relevant route(s) (academic, music, and/or sport for Queens’). Your child sits the relevant test once for all consortium schools using it. Crucially, you must also list your chosen schools on the Hertfordshire County Council Common Application Form by 31 October — the test is separate from the application. Offers are issued on National Offer Day (1 March). Because these schools are partially selective, only a share of places is allocated on the test (for example, 25% on academic ability at the Watford Grammar schools); the rest go by catchment/banding, and reaching the standard does not guarantee a place.
What the Academic Ability Test Covers
The SW Herts Academic Ability Test covers Mathematics (Key Stage 2) and Verbal Reasoning across two multiple-choice papers. Practising realistic GL-style maths and verbal reasoning material is the most effective preparation.
SW Herts Consortium Test Practice Papers for South West Hertfordshire (SW Herts) Grammar Schools
South West Hertfordshire (SW Herts) Grammar Schools uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
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- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
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- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
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- 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
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How to Prepare for the SW Herts Consortium Test
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
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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.
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Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
South West Hertfordshire (SW Herts) Grammar Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
Are these full grammar schools?
No — they are partially-selective schools. Each allocates only a share of its places by ability or aptitude (for example, 25% academic at the Watford Grammar schools), with the rest by catchment/banding.
Which schools are in the consortium?
Seven: Parmiter's, Queens' (Bushey), Rickmansworth, St Clement Danes, Watford Grammar School for Boys, Watford Grammar School for Girls, and Croxley Danes (music route only).
What is the SW Herts academic test?
A GL Assessment test of two multiple-choice papers — Mathematics (Key Stage 2) and Verbal Reasoning — marked by OMR and used by six of the seven schools.
Do I sit a separate test for each school?
No — you sit the relevant test once and it counts for all consortium schools using that route. There are also separate music and (at Queens') sport routes.
How do I register?
Register via the SW Herts Consortium portal. For 2027 entry the window is 1 April to 5 June 2026; you choose the academic, music and/or sport route.
How do I apply for a place?
Sitting the test is separate from applying — you must also list your chosen schools on the Hertfordshire Common Application Form by 31 October. Offers are made on National Offer Day (1 March).
Is there a pass mark?
No fixed pass mark — scores are age-standardised, combined and ranked, and a proportion of places go to the highest scorers, subject to each school's criteria.
What about music and sport places?
Most consortium schools offer music aptitude places (via an aural test), and Queens' School also offers sport places — each with its own assessment, registered through the consortium.