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  • Independent school for girls

Haberdashers' Girls' School: entry, tests, dates and fees

Aldenham Road, Elstree, Hertfordshire, WD6 3BT

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial TeamSchool website

Can we apply, and when?

For September 2027 entry

  • Registration closes, 11+ entry

    Fri 6 Nov

    Friday 6 November 2026, for September 2027 entry

    Checked, source: Haberdashers' Girls' School, checked

  • Places

    Not published

  • Fees at 11+, day

    £10,431a term

    2026-27 school year, including VAT

    Checked, source: Haberdashers' Girls' School, checked

Your next steps for 11+ entry

  1. Next: Registration closes for 11+ entry

    in about 2 weeks

  2. Coming up: Scholarship applications close

    in about 2 weeks

    Only if you are applying for a scholarship

  3. Coming up: Bursary applications close

    in about 4 weeks

    Only if you are applying for help with fees

Haberdashers' Girls' School sets its own tests and decides after them and the interviews. We have not found a published pass mark, so we do not show one.

How entry works

How entry works

Ways in, and how children are assessed

Haberdashers' Girls' School takes new pupils at 4+, 7+, 11+ and 16+. Each way in has its own tests and dates.

  • 11+ entryjoins Year 7

    How children are assessed: an English paper, a maths paper, a reasoning paper, a piece of creative writing, an interview, a group activity and a reference from the current school.

    Registration closes: Friday 6 November 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

Other ways in: 4+, 7+ and 16+Places, tests and registration for each

  • 4+ entryjoins Reception

    40 places

    How children are assessed: a reference from the current school, a play-based observation and other tasks set by the school.

    Registration closes: Monday 23 November 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

  • 7+ entryjoins Year 3

    How children are assessed: an English paper, a maths paper, a reasoning paper, a reference from the current school, other tasks set by the school and taster day.

    Registration closes: Friday 6 November 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

  • 16+ entryjoins Sixth form

    How children are assessed: a maths paper, an interview, a reference from the current school, GCSE grade requirements and other tasks set by the school.

    Registration closes: Monday 19 October 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

Source: Haberdashers' Girls' School, checked

More about entry from our guide

Habs Girls is on Aldenham Road in Elstree. Elstree is in Hertfordshire, so the school is not in any London borough, though it is close to the northern edge of the capital. It shares its grounds with Habs Boys. Habs Girls teaches girls on their own, and in the sixth form every student also has at least one subject in a mixed class with boys.

Girls can apply at four stages. There is no 13+ entry for girls, so the main chances to join the senior school are Year 7 and the sixth form. Two features stand out. The 11+ uses papers written only for Habs, and there is a scholarship for creative writing that the girls' school offers at 11+. The sixth-form timetable also runs early, with the 16+ deadline in mid-autumn.

11+ (Year 7Haberdashers' Girls' School: JoinsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Ages 11+ Year 7View the official source)

For September 2027 entry, the school assesses girls through:

  • the school's own English paperHaberdashers' Girls' School: Own englishChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: English and verbal reasoning (40 minutes)View the official source, combined with word-based reasoning
  • the school's own maths paperHaberdashers' Girls' School: Own mathsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Maths and non-verbal reasoning (45 minutes)View the official source, combined with shape-and-pattern reasoning
  • the school's own reasoning paperHaberdashers' Girls' School: Own reasoningChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Maths and non-verbal reasoning (45 minutes)View the official source, folded into the two papers above
  • the school's own creative writing taskHaberdashers' Girls' School: Own creative writingChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Creative writing (20 minutes)View the official source, plus a short creative comprehension
  • group activityHaberdashers' Girls' School: Group activityChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Approximately half of students are invited back for an interview and team exercise.View the official source, run as a team task
  • interviewHaberdashers' Girls' School: InterviewChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Approximately half of students are invited back for an interview and team exercise.View the official source
  • reference from the current schoolHaberdashers' Girls' School: ReferenceChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Boys' School.The source says: At all points of entry, the candidate’s current nursery/school will be asked to provide a written reference or school reportView the official source

Habs worked with Quest, an outside test company, to write papers that are specific to the school. Some questions are multiple choice and others need a written answer. A girl sits all of them at the school on 23 November 2026Haberdashers' Girls' School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Assessment Monday 23 November 2026View the official source. Word-based reasoning tests how she spots links and patterns in language. Shape-and-pattern reasoning, often called non-verbal reasoning, does the same with diagrams. The creative comprehension asks her to read a passage and respond with some imagination, and the writing task lets her show her own voice.

About half the girls are then invited back. Interviews and the team task run from 8 January 2027 to 15 January 2027Haberdashers' Girls' School: Interview date (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Interview and team exercise Friday 8 - Friday 15 January 2027View the official source. In the team task, a small group works through a problem together while staff note who listens, who builds on ideas and who brings quieter voices in. The interview is a friendly talk with a member of staff.

Offers are emailed on 12 February 2027Haberdashers' Girls' School: Offer date (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Offers sent out (email) Friday 12 February 2027 Offer holder event Friday 26 February 2027View the official source, with a deadline to accept of 3 March 2027Haberdashers' Girls' School: Acceptance deadline (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Offer acceptance deadline Wednesday 3 March 2027 (9am)View the official source. The school gives only a rough range for 11+ places, so we do not quote a figure.

16+ (Sixth formHaberdashers' Girls' School: JoinsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Ages 16+ Sixth formView the official source)

Sixth-form applicants follow a separate, earlier timetable. Registration and scholarship forms close on 19 October 2026Haberdashers' Girls' School: Registration deadline (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Key dates for Sixth form Registration deadline Monday 19 October 2026View the official source. That falls early in Year 11, so a girl who is thinking of applying needs to start soon after the summer holidays. The steps are:

  • a general written paper for every applicant, with a booklet of extracts to work from
  • the school's own maths paperHaberdashers' Girls' School: Own mathsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: If you are planning to study at least one STEM subject at A level (such as Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics or Computer Science), you will also need to sit a one-hour Maths paper.View the official source, for girls who plan to take at least one STEM subject at A level
  • interviewHaberdashers' Girls' School: InterviewChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: If you are successful in the written exams, you will be invited to come for interview.View the official source: a set of structured interviews in the subjects she hopes to study
  • GCSE grade requirementsHaberdashers' Girls' School: Gcse requirementsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Eligibility for applying to our Sixth Form, asks for a minimum of nine GCSE’s grade seven and above, including Maths and English (some subjects will require an 8 or 9).View the official source
  • reference from the current schoolHaberdashers' Girls' School: ReferenceChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: We will contact your current school for a Headteacher’s report and your predicted grades at GCSE.View the official source, with her predicted GCSE grades

The written papers are on 3 November 2026Haberdashers' Girls' School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Entrance assessment Tuesday 3 November 2026View the official source. Girls who do well are invited to interview on 18 November 2026Haberdashers' Girls' School: Interview date (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Interview Wednesday 18 November 2026View the official source. Conditional offers follow on 2 December 2026Haberdashers' Girls' School: Offer date (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Conditional offers sent out Wednesday 2 December 2026View the official source, and the place must be accepted by 11 December 2026Haberdashers' Girls' School: Acceptance deadline (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Offer acceptance deadline Friday 11 December 2026 (12pm)View the official source.

"Conditional" means the place depends on GCSE results. The school asks for a minimum number of strong GCSE grades, including maths and English, and some subjects need higher grades still. Its sixth-form pages set out the grade for each subject.

7+ (Year 3Haberdashers' Girls' School: JoinsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Ages 7+ Year 3View the official source)

Every girl who applies for Year 3 comes to an assessment morning on 25 November 2026Haberdashers' Girls' School: Parts (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Assessment morning Wednesday 25 November 2026View the official source. It covers:

  • the school's own maths paperHaberdashers' Girls' School: Own mathsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Every girl who applies is invited to attend an assessment morning covering Mathematics, Comprehension, Logic, Writing and a PE session.View the official source
  • the school's own English paperHaberdashers' Girls' School: Own englishChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Every girl who applies is invited to attend an assessment morning covering Mathematics, Comprehension, Logic, Writing and a PE session.View the official source, made up of comprehension and writing
  • the school's own reasoning paperHaberdashers' Girls' School: Own reasoningChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Every girl who applies is invited to attend an assessment morning covering Mathematics, Comprehension, Logic, Writing and a PE session.View the official source, which the school calls logic
  • a PE session, where staff see how she joins in and follows guidance

Some girls are then asked back on 16 December 2026Haberdashers' Girls' School: Parts (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Follow-up assessment and experience day Wednesday 16 December 2026View the official source for a taster dayHaberdashers' Girls' School: Taster dayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Following the Academic Assessment, a number of girls will be invited to return for a further assessment and pupil experience session.View the official source. This mixes a few more tasks, including logical reasoning, with a tour and the chance to join a lesson or a club activity. The school also asks for a reference from the current schoolHaberdashers' Girls' School: ReferenceChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Boys' School.The source says: References and/or school reports will be sought at this stage from the candidate’s current school.View the official source. Because the morning includes PE, a child who is happy to run about and try new things will feel at home.

4+ (ReceptionHaberdashers' Girls' School: JoinsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Ages 4+ ReceptionView the official source)

Habs Girls offers 40Haberdashers' Girls' School: PlacesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: We offer 40 Reception places each year.View the official source Reception places a year. There are no written tests. First, each girl spends a short time in a small group for a play-based assessmentHaberdashers' Girls' School: Play observationChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Every girl who applies is invited to attend our 45-minute learning and discovery assessment.View the official source, from 14 December 2026 to 16 December 2026Haberdashers' Girls' School: Parts (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Learning and discovery assessment Monday 14 - Wednesday 16 December 2026View the official source. Staff watch how she explores, shares and tries out ideas. Roughly half are then invited back for a one-to-one session held from 11 January 2027 to 19 January 2027Haberdashers' Girls' School: Parts (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Individual discovery assessment Monday 11 - Tuesday 19 January 2027View the official source, which looks gently at talking, early number and simple puzzles. The school also requests a reference from the current schoolHaberdashers' Girls' School: ReferenceChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Boys' School.The source says: At all points of entry, the candidate’s current nursery/school will be asked to provide a written reference or school reportView the official source, which at this age usually comes from a nursery.

Key dates

11+ dates for September 2027 entry

Haberdashers' Girls' School

  1. Next: Registration closes for 11+ entry

    in about 2 weeks

  2. Coming up: Scholarship applications close

    in about 2 weeks

    Only if you are applying for a scholarship

  3. Coming up: Bursary applications close

    in about 4 weeks

    Only if you are applying for help with fees

  4. Coming up: Entrance tests

  5. Coming up: Interviews

  6. Coming up: Offers sent

  7. Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by

    in about 19 weeks

Dates for the other ways in4+, 7+ and 16+

4+ entry, September 2027

  1. Next: Registration closes for 4+ entry

    in about 5 weeks

  2. Coming up: Entrance tests

  3. Coming up: Offers sent

  4. Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by

    in about 15 weeks

7+ entry, September 2027

  1. Next: Registration closes for 7+ entry

    in about 2 weeks

  2. Coming up: Entrance tests

  3. Coming up: Offers sent

  4. Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by

    in about 15 weeks

16+ entry, September 2027

  1. Done: Registration closes for 16+ entry

  2. Done: Scholarship applications close

    Only if you are applying for a scholarship

  3. Next: Bursary applications close

    in 9 days

    Only if you are applying for help with fees

  4. Coming up: Entrance tests

  5. Coming up: Interviews

  6. Coming up: Offers sent

  7. Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by

    in about 7 weeks

A year younger? 11+ dates for September 2028 entrySome are not published yet; we show what the school has said.

  1. Not published yet: Registration closes for 11+ entry

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

  2. Not published yet: Entrance tests

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

  3. Not published yet: Offers sent

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

At a glance

Haberdashers' Girls' School in brief

tap a value for its source

Ages
4 to 18AgesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Explore our world-class education for students aged 4-18.View the official source
The ages the school teaches, from youngest to oldest.
Day or boarding
day school
Whether pupils go home each day or can live at the school.
Scholarships
7 kinds
Awards for a talent, such as academic work, music or sport.
Ways in
4+, 7+, 11+, 16+
The ages at which the school takes new pupils (4+, 11+ and so on).
Help with fees
Yes, up to 100%
Bursaries reduce fees for families on lower incomes, after a check of income and savings.
Registration fee
£150VAT not stated by the school
Paid to the school when you register your child for its tests.

Fees

From £10,431 a term, including VAT
4+ entry, day
£8,741 a term, including VAT
7+ entry, day
£9,560 a term, including VAT
11+ entry, day
£10,431 a term, including VAT
16+ entry, day
£10,588 a term, including VAT

Fees for the 2026-27 school year, as the school publishes them. We never add or remove VAT.

fees shown with and without VAT

Registration fee: £150 (VAT not stated by the school).

Source: Haberdashers' Girls' School, checked

Year groupsJoining atFee for 2026-27Haberdashers' Girls' School: Academic yearChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: | Year group | Termly Fee | Total Termly Fee (inc VAT) | Per annum 2026-27 |View the official source
Reception to Year 24+£8,741 per term, including VATHaberdashers' Girls' School: DayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: | Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 | £7,284.00 | £8,741.00 | £26,223.00* |View the official source
Years 3 to 67+£9,560 per term, including VATHaberdashers' Girls' School: DayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: | Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 | £7,967.00 | £9,560.00 | £28,680.00* |View the official source
Years 7 to 1111+£10,431 per term, including VATHaberdashers' Girls' School: DayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: | Year 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 | £8,692.00 | £10,431.00 | £31,293.00 |View the official source
Sixth form (Years 12 and 13)16+£10,588 per term, including VATHaberdashers' Girls' School: DayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: | Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13) | £8,823.00 | £10,588.00 | £31,764.00 |View the official source

Each stage of the school has its own fee, and the sixth form is priced separately from Years 7 to 11. The published table has fees shown with and without VATHaberdashers' Girls' School: Vat treatmentChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: | Year group | Termly Fee | Total Termly Fee (inc VAT) | Per annum 2026-27 |View the official source; the figures above are the ones with VAT. For the younger year groups, lunch is part of the fee. The school sets these fees for 2026-27Haberdashers' Girls' School: Academic yearChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: | Year group | Termly Fee | Total Termly Fee (inc VAT) | Per annum 2026-27 |View the official source and reviews them every year, so look at its current list before you budget. Registering costs £150Haberdashers' Girls' School: Registration feeChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Please note, the fee for registration for applicants is £150.View the official source, with a higher fee for overseas applicants.

Bursaries and scholarships

Bursaries up to 100% of fees
Bursaries (help with fees)
Available, up to 100% of the fees. They depend on a check of household income and savings. Income guide: £150,000 total assessable household gross income.
Scholarships
For academic, art, design and technology, drama, music, other and sport, at 11+ and 16+ entry, worth up to 25% of the fees.

Source: Haberdashers' Boys' School, checked

  • Bursaries: means-tested bursaries availableHaberdashers' Girls' School: AvailableChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Boys' School.The source says: Bursaries for new admissions, or entry Bursaries, are available to Parents of children entering the School at 11+, 13+ (Boys’ School only) or 16+View the official source for girls joining at 11+ or 16+
  • Most help available: 100%Haberdashers' Girls' School: Max percentChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Boys' School.The source says: As a guide, free places may be awarded where total assessable household gross income is below £50,000.View the official source of fees
  • Upper income limit: £150,000 (total assessable household gross income, maximum)Haberdashers' Girls' School: Income thresholdChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Boys' School.The source says: The ceiling for eligibility for financial support is £150,000 gross.View the official source

Habs Girls follows a bursary policy it shares with Habs Boys. Help is worked out from gross household income, meaning income before tax, along with other parts of a family's finances. Families with the lowest incomes may be offered a free place, and help then tapers off as income rises towards the upper limit. The bursary deadlines are 19 November 2026Haberdashers' Girls' School: Bursary deadline (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Bursary application deadline Thursday 19 November 2026View the official source for 11+ and 29 October 2026Haberdashers' Girls' School: Bursary deadline (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Bursary deadline Thursday 29 October 2026View the official source for 16+. Our bursaries guide covers the paperwork families are usually asked for.

A scholarship brings a fee reduction of up to 25%Haberdashers' Girls' School: Max percentChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Boys' School.The source says: In recognition of this achievement, the scholar is offered between 10% and 25% fee remission throughout their time at the School.View the official source, kept for as long as the girl stays at Habs. The awards are:

  • scholarships at 11+Haberdashers' Girls' School: 11 plusChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Boys' School.The source says: Academic scholarships are available at 11+ in Haberdashers’ Girls’ School and at 11+ and 13+ in Haberdashers’ Boys’ School.View the official source: academic scholarshipsHaberdashers' Girls' School: AcademicChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Boys' School.The source says: Academic scholarships are available at 11+ in Haberdashers’ Girls’ School and at 11+ and 13+ in Haberdashers’ Boys’ School.View the official source, art scholarshipsHaberdashers' Girls' School: ArtChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Boys' School.The source says: Art Scholarships are available at 11+, 13+ (Boys’ School only), 16+.View the official source, drama scholarshipsHaberdashers' Girls' School: DramaChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Boys' School.The source says: Drama Scholarships are available at 11+, 13+ (Boys’ School only) and 16+.View the official source, music scholarshipsHaberdashers' Girls' School: MusicChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Boys' School.The source says: Music scholarships are available at 11+, 13+ (Boys’ School only) and 16+.View the official source, sport scholarshipsHaberdashers' Girls' School: SportChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Boys' School.The source says: Sports Scholarships are available at 11+, 13+ (Boys’ School only), 16+.View the official source, plus a creative writing scholarship
  • scholarships at 16+Haberdashers' Girls' School: 16 plusChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Girls' School.The source says: Sixth Form scholarships are available.View the official source: art, drama, music and sport again, plus design technology scholarshipsHaberdashers' Girls' School: Design technologyChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Haberdashers' Boys' School.The source says: Design and Technology Scholarships are available at 13+ (Boys’ School only), 16+ (at Boys’ and Girls’ School) and for existing students in Year 11 transferring into the Sixth Form.View the official source, which the girls' school offers only in the sixth form

The creative writing award is a good fit for a girl who writes for pleasure, as the 11+ already includes a writing task. If money is tight, apply for a bursary too: a scholarship alone covers only part of the fee.

Open days

Next: Senior School Open Morning, Mon 2 Nov 2026

  1. Done: Junior School Open Day (passed)

    09:30am

  2. Coming up: Senior School Open Morning

    09:00

  3. Coming up: 4+ Junior School Open Morning

    09:00 - 10:30am

Source: Haberdashers' Girls' School, checked

These are the next events on the Habs Girls visits page.

For Year 7 entry, the Senior School open morning comes a few days before 11+ registration closes. Sixth-form applicants should note that their deadline falls before this morning, so do not wait for it to register. The school books visits through its website and adds further dates during the year.

Official documents and sources

9 sources, each kept as an archived copy

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