List of Independent Schools in Hertfordshire

There are a range of independent schools in Hertfordshire covering mixed schools, schools for boys and schools for girls.

Below you’ll find a list of these private schools that we have included which have entry into year 7 (11 Plus entry).

Hertfordshire Independent Schools accepting entry into year seven

Abbot’s Hill School – Hemel Hempstead – Hertfordshire

Abbot’s Hill School is an all girls private school

Abbot’s Hill School – 425 pupils

“An all-girls school from Reception to Year 11, where students have the space to be inspired, be themselves and achieve their academic goals. We are discerning, have unashamedly high standards, and take pride in knowing that your daughter will be successful, healthy and happy here.”

School Website : www.abbotshills.herts.co.uk

Exam Format – ISEB Common Pretest. This is an online test and covers the following topics:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

Berkhamsted School – Berkhamsted –  Hertfordshire

Berkhamsted is a mixed private school

Berkhamsted School – 1,400 pupils

“A family of leading independent schools based in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, offering high quality education and care for boys and girls aged 5 months to 18 years.”

School Website: www.berkhamsted.com

Exam Format – ISEB Common Pretest. This is an online test and covers the following topics:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

Haileybury – Hertford – Hertfordshire

Haileybury is a mixed private school.

Haileybury- 790 pupils.

“Haileybury is a co-educational boarding school. Pupils join at 11,13 or 16. Haileybury offers A Level or the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The school is situated in extensive grounds in a rural setting near Hertford. The original buildings date from 1806, but much subsequent development has provided purpose-built specialist teaching areas boarding houses and sports facilities.”

School Website: www.haileybury.com

Exam format – School’s own and CAT4. This includes sections that will cover:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal, Non-Verbal, Spatial and Quantitative Reasoning (CAT4)

Queenswood – Hatfield – Hertfordshire

Queenswood is an all girls private school.

Queenswood- 424 pupils.

“Queenswood is a leading boarding and day school, set in beautiful surroundings, about 30 minutes from central London. An all-round education equips girls with the life skills required of women in the 21st century. Girls follow a dynamic academic curriculum, supported by diverse extra-curricular activities in a nurturing environment. They have a vibrant weekend activities programme which is proving extremely popular. Queenswood girls are ambitious high achievers.”

School Website: www.queenswood.org

Exam format – School’s own. This will include sections that cover:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning

St Albans High School for Girls – St Albans – Hertfordshire

St Albans High School for Girls is an all girls private school.

St Albans High School for Girls- 981 pupils.

“They are an independent C of E day school, founded in 1889, offering a continuous education and a commitment to individual excellence for 980 girls aged 4 to 18. The Preparatory School is in nearby Wheathampstead, with the Senior School being in St Albans itself. Academic standards are very high: 91.5% A* to B at A Level and 92.3% A*/A at GCSE in 2016. They have an excellent reputation for pastoral care.”

School Website: www.stahs.org.uk

Exam format – ISEB Select Pretest followed by School’s own. This will cover:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning
• English writing task (school’s own)

St Albans School – St Albans – Hertfordshire

St Albans School is an all boys private school but is mixed in the sixth form.

St Albans School- 849 pupils.

“Located in the heart of the city, St Albans School dates from 948AD and is one of the UK’s leading schools. With 850 pupils, the School is renowned for its academic excellence and enviable exam results, as well as providing a wide range of extra-curricular activities and the finest games facilities in the county. The School’s holistic approach offers strong and distinctive pastoral care and pupils are well-known and supported in a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment.”

School Website: www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk

Exam format – School’s own. This comes in two parts, part 1 contains:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

Part two covers:

• Puzzles & Problem Solving
• Creative Comprehension

St Columba’s College – St Albans – Hertfordshire

St Columba’s College is an all boys private school.

St Columba’s College- 845 pupils.

“St Columba’s is known for its strong community values. They work in close partnership with parents to provide the supportive care and challenge for boys which enable them to flourish. At each phase of education, Prep and Senior School, they strive for academic excellence, whilst realising that it is whole person education that best prepares boys for the world and workplace of tomorrow. They aim for each boy to achieve ‘his own best standard’.”

School Website: www.stcolumbascollege.org

Exam format – School’s own and CEM Select. This contains sections on:

• English
• Maths
• English, Maths, Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning (CEM Select)

St Edmund’s College – Ware – Hertfordshire

St Edmund’s College is a mixed private school

St Edmund’s College – 660 pupils

“Rooted in Christ and Catholic tradition and under the guidance of our patron, St Edmund, we aim to realise the God-given potential, in body, mind and spirit, of all members of our community through service and leadership. Our approach combines academic success with an emphasis on social confidence and wellbeing. In our historic Hertfordshire setting, young people find the inspiration and support they need to thrive.”

School Website: www.stedmundscollege.org

Exam Format  – CEM Select. This is an online exam that covers:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

The Royal Masonic School for Girls – Rickmansworth – Hertfordshire

The Royal Masonic School for Girls is an all girls private school

The Royal Masonic School for Girls – 730 pupils

Exam Format – CEM Select. This is an online exam that covers the following topics:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

Preparing for entry into an Independent School

We have developed a section on how to prepare for Independent school exams and how to prepare for Independent School interviews so do please feel free to use these resources if you would like to.

If you are thinking of trying for an Independent School scholarship or bursary then please see our information page on that topic.

Equally, many independent schools publish past papers and we have past papers and sample papers which are useful for preparation in all the core areas:

Free sample 11 Plus English practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Maths practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning practice and past papers