QE Boys vs Habs Boys: Which is Right for Your Child?

Choosing a school for your son is rarely as simple as comparing league tables. Yes, results matter, and both Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet (QE Boys) and Haberdashers’ Boys’ School (Habs) have them in abundance. But so do the culture, teaching style and opportunities beyond the classroom.

These two schools sit at the very top of boys’ education in Hertfordshire and North London. Yet they’re very different in what they offer and how they get pupils through the gates. 

QE is a state-funded grammar school with zero fees and an ultra-competitive 11+ entrance exam. Habs, on the other hand, is a prestigious independent school with significant fees, a broader admissions process (including interview) and a co-educational campus shared with Habs Girls.

So how do you decide? 

This guide walks you through the key differences, from admissions to student experience, with detailed FAQs for each school and honest insights to help you work out where your son will thrive.

QE Boys vs Habs Boys: Introducing the Two Schools

QE Boys in Barnet is one of the UK’s most academically elite state schools. Every place is won through a single-round GL Assessment exam in English and Maths. Over 3,500 boys compete for fewer than 200 Year 7 places each year. On the other hand, Habs is a leading independent day school in Elstree, Hertfordshire. The school sits on a beautiful 100-acre co-educational campus alongside Haberdashers’ Girls’ School.

Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet (QE Boys)

At QE Boys, there’s no catchment area, meaning families apply from far and wide. The atmosphere is academically intense, with high expectations for self-discipline, independent study and sustained effort. 

The school is known for producing exceptional exam results year after year, alongside high Oxbridge and Russell Group university offers. Excellent extracurricular activities exist (from music and sport to debating), but the primary focus is academic. Parents often comment it’s a school for boys who enjoy challenge and thrive in a high-pressure environment.

Haberdashers’ Boys’ School (Habs)

Founded in 1690, Habs Boys is part of the historic Worshipful Company of Haberdashers. For many, it offers the best of both worlds: single-sex teaching in most lessons, plus mixed activities, drama productions and social events.

Academics are strong, but Habs is equally known for its breadth. Pupils benefit from a huge range of extracurricular options — from elite sports teams and orchestras to robotics clubs, Philosophy reading groups, and a thriving Duke of Edinburgh programme. 

Entry at Year 7 involves a computer-based test followed by an interview, letting the school assess potential as well as current attainment. The facilities are outstanding, and pastoral care is a key strength, with small tutor groups and a well-resourced wellbeing team.

Interestingly, in recent years we’ve seen parents who might once have chosen the private route consider QE instead — often citing its academic results, Oxbridge success rate and cost-free status as reasons to apply. But Habs still draws families looking for balance: strong academics combined with rich extracurricular provision and exceptional facilities.

Quick Comparison Table: QE Boys vs Habs Boys

Feature Queen Elizabeth’s School (QE Boys) Haberdashers’ Boys’ School (Habs)
Location Queen’s Road, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 4DQ Butterfly Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire, WD6 3AF
Single Sex or Co-Ed Boys only Boys only (shared co-ed campus with Habs Girls)
School Size ~1,300 pupils ~1,500 pupils
Sixth Form Size ~290 students; boys only

No additional sixth form entry. Often a Grade 7 or above is required to progress from GCSE.

 ~160 students; admits external applicants
Selective Status Fully selective grammar school Selective independent school
Catchment Area No fixed catchment; places awarded strictly by performance No catchment; places awarded based on exam and interview performance
Competition Extremely high (over 3,500 applicants for ~180 places) High; academic and interview performance both matter
Entry Requirements 11+ entrance exam (GL Assessment) with top scores only Computer-based 11+ exam, plus interview
Exam Format GL Assessment (Single-Round English and Maths papers, Multiple Choice, 50 minutes each) Online test covering: Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, Puzzles and Problem-solving, English and Creative Writing (two hours, 15 minutes total)
Reputation Traditional, disciplined, academically elite Academically strong, well-rounded, with exceptional extracurricular provision
Ranking Regularly ranked among the top five grammars in the UK across multiple League Tables Consistently ranked among the UK’s top 10 private boys schools
Ofsted / Independent Schools Inspectorate Rating Outstanding in all areas Excellent in all areas (ISI) with “significant strengths” for their co-curricular programme and English teaching.
Oxbridge Success Very high (35–45 offers most years)

 

In 2024, a staggering 13 students attended Oxford with 40 going on to Cambridge.

 High (15–25 offers most years)
Pupil Transport Well connected to Northern Line and local bus routes, as well as 10 dedicated school coach services Extensive coach network across Herts, North London, and beyond
Fees Free (state-funded) ~£25,000-£31,000 per year (plus extras)
Religious Affiliation None Christian foundation, inclusive

 

Parent FAQs: What You Need to Know

Once you’ve narrowed your shortlist to QE Boys and Habs, the important questions start to surface. Parents want to know not just about entry requirements, but also about the atmosphere, expectations and how each school shapes its students. 

Below, we’ve answered the most common queries for each school — drawing on exam data, inspection reports, and the lived experiences of pupils and families.

Queen Elizabeth’s School (QE Boys)

Is QE Boys a private school?

No. QE Boys is a state-funded selective grammar school, meaning there are no tuition fees. It’s completely free to attend, but competition for places is fierce. In fact, many families who could comfortably afford private education still apply, because QE’s academic results frequently outstrip those of leading independents.

This mix of prestige and accessibility creates a socially and geographically diverse cohort. You’ll find boys whose parents commute into the City alongside local Barnet families and others travelling from further afield. The common thread is every boy has scored exceptionally highly in the entrance exam.

For parents, QE can feel like the “best of both worlds”: the academic firepower of a top private school without the fees — but it also comes with pressure and workload that high performance demands.

What’s the Ofsted rating for QE?

QE Boys is rated ‘Outstanding’ in every category by Ofsted — and it’s not just the results that impressed inspectors. They praised the ambitious, scholarly culture that runs through every part of the school, as well as the fact that boys are genuinely happy and safe.

The report highlights:

  • Pupils’ love of learning and pride in their work.
  • A strong culture of mutual respect between staff and students.
  • Older boys mentoring younger pupils, both academically and pastorally.
  • A calm but lively atmosphere at breaks and lunchtimes.
  • A wide range of clubs and societies, many student-led, from debating and chess to robotics and music ensembles.

One particularly telling observation is that pupils are encouraged to “adopt the study habits of professionals” — something you don’t often see in secondary education. That means treating academic work seriously, taking ownership of learning, and building the sort of discipline that will serve them for life.

It’s worth noting that Ofsted also praised the pastoral care at QE, countering the perception that academic intensity must come at the cost of well-being.

What are the entry requirements for QE?

To be considered for entry, all boys must sit QE’s bespoke GL Assessment entrance test in English and Maths. Both papers are multiple-choice and last 50 minutes each. It’s important to know that these papers are much tougher than the average GL exam — they’re designed to sift the top few percent from a pool of over 3,500 candidates each year.

Key points to know about QE’s admissions:

  • Single-round testing: there’s no second stage, meaning it all comes down to performance on the day.
  • No catchment area: boys travel from across London, Hertfordshire and further afield.
  • No sibling policy: every place is earned solely on merit.
  • No appeals process based on proximity or special consideration: scores are ranked and offers go to the top scorers until places are filled.

Because of the competitive nature, many families begin preparation in Year 4 (focusing on core skills) and move into timed, exam-style practice in Year 5. For English in particular, the comprehension and vocabulary demands are higher than in most 11+ exams — which is why using realistic QE-style papers is essential.

How many places are in QE Boys?

QE admits around 180–190 boys into Year 7 each September. With over 3,500 applicants in most years, that’s fewer than one in twenty (or 5%) who make the cut.

While this might sound daunting, it’s also what keeps the cohort academically consistent. Every boy in the year group has scored exceptionally highly to be there, which means your son will be surrounded by peers who take learning seriously. This can be hugely motivating — though for some children, it may also feel competitive.

What is the standard score for QE Boys?

QE doesn’t set a fixed “pass mark” because results are ranked rather than benchmarked. Top scorers get places, and the cut-off moves slightly each year depending on performance.

However, in recent years, the lowest successful combined score has typically been around 220–230 after standardisation. But remember, the test is designed to stretch the most able. So even boys scoring highly may not secure a place if the year group performs particularly well.

Curious how QE Boys stacks up against other top schools? Take a look at our in-depth comparisons with Latymer, Watford Grammar, Tiffin Boys, Dame Alice Owen’s and St Olave’s.

Haberdashers’ Boys’ School (Habs Boys)

How hard is it to get into Haberdashers’?

Habs is one of the most selective independent boys’ schools in the UK. While the exact number of applicants isn’t published, most estimates put it somewhere between 1,300 and 1,500 boys competing for roughly 100 Year 7 places. 

That means only around 6–7% of applicants are successful. So the odds are comparable to some of the toughest grammar schools in the country.

What makes Habs different is that the admissions process is deliberately broad and rounded. It’s not just about the top scorers on a single test paper. The school is actively looking for boys who’ll contribute positively to the community, embrace challenges, and throw themselves into school life.

The entrance process starts with a computer-based assessment that tests a wide range of skills:

There’s also a 30-minute handwritten creative writing task. This offline piece gives admissions staff a chance to see a boy’s ability to write creatively and accurately, structure ideas and use figurative language (like metaphors, similes etc.) — all without the benefit of a spellcheck or keyboard.

Roughly half the candidates are then invited back for an interview. This is a friendly but probing discussion with senior staff, designed to explore a child’s curiosity, resilience and interests. Parents are also invited to meet members of the leadership team on the same day — a nice touch that allows families to see if the school feels like the right fit.

The important takeaway? At Habs, a boy who performs well on the test but really shines at interview may still win a place over someone who is purely “top of the scoreboard” academically.

How much does it cost to go to Haberdashers’ Boys’ School?

Tuition fees are between £25,000 and £30,000 a year (depending on the age of your son), with additional charges for lunches, trips and certain optional activities. For many families, this is a significant financial commitment. But Habs does offer a generous scholarship and bursary programme.

There are 11+ scholarships in a variety of areas, including:

  • Academic
  • Music
  • Sport
  • Art
  • Design Technology
  • Drama

Academic scholarships are highly competitive, but awards in music, sport, or the arts can be a route in for particularly talented boys. It’s always worth enquiring, even if you think the fees might be out of reach.

Is Habs worth it?

For many parents, absolutely. The school offers small class sizes, high-quality teaching, and a huge range of opportunities both in and out of the classroom. The shared campus with Habs Girls means boys get the social benefits of a co-educational environment, while still enjoying the academic focus of single-sex teaching.

Academically, the school is excellent. But it’s the breadth of opportunity that sets it apart from many high-performing grammars. From rowing to robotics, debating to drama, Habs encourages boys to explore their talents beyond exam results.

In terms of university destinations, Habs sixth form pupils head to a broad spread of institutions, from Russell Group universities like UCL and Queen’s Belfast to St Andrews and Lancaster. Increasingly, boys are also pursuing degree apprenticeships with top employers like HSBC and PwC.

The school has a growing number of US university placements too. Recent leavers have gone on to Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and even the Rhode Island School of Design.

Oxbridge results are strong for an independent: in 2024, 8 leavers went to Cambridge and 8 to Oxford. While QE Boys may dwarf that number in raw terms, Habs is producing equally impressive individual candidates.

What’s the ranking of Habs Boys?

Habs consistently appears in the top tier of independent school league tables. It’s currently ranked the 6th best independent boys’ school in the UK and 24th overall for GCSE results when compared to all independent schools (including girls’ and co-ed).

While QE Boys edges ahead in pure academic metrics, Habs’s rankings reflect its wider remit — excelling in sport, music, drama and leadership alongside strong exam results. This makes it particularly appealing to parents looking for a balanced, whole-child education rather than a laser focus on grades.

What are the GCSE results for Habs Boys?

Habs’s GCSE academic performance is extremely strong. In 2024:

  • 92% of all GCSE grades were at 9–7 (A*/A equivalent)
  • 99% were passes (Grade 4 or higher)
  • In Maths, 127 out of 163 boys achieved a Grade 9 — that’s an incredible 77% scoring the top possible grade. The rest achieved either Grade 8 or 7, with no student scoring lower than that.
  • Similar excellence was seen in subjects like Music, Design Technology and Religious Studies, reflecting strong performance across more than just STEM subjects.

So… Which School Is Better?

It really does come down to what matters most for your son and your family. Both QE Boys and Habs Boys are exceptional, but they offer quite different experiences once you look past the headline results. 

One is a state-funded grammar with a strong focus on academics, the other an independent school that blends results with a broader, more rounded education.

QE Boys may be the better choice if:

  • You want a fee-free education with academic results at the very top of UK league tables.
  • Your son thrives in a high-pressure, disciplined environment.
  • Oxbridge entry is a major goal.
  • You live within a manageable commute and can commit to the demanding entrance preparation.

Habs may be the better choice if:

  • You value a more balanced education, with excellent academics plus exceptional extracurricular choice.
  • Your family can afford the fees (or secure a scholarship/bursary).
  • You want single-sex teaching with mixed social opportunities.
  • You prefer an admissions process that considers personal qualities alongside test performance.

For more parent-friendly breakdowns, catchment tips and school rankings across North London and Hertfordshire, don’t miss our guides to: 

Helping Your Son Secure a Place at QE Boys or Habs Boys

If your child is aiming for QE Boys, Habs Boys, or any other top state or independent school, the right preparation makes all the difference. 

At Achieve Learning, we offer tailored 11+ tuition, mock exams and academic consultancy, designed to build confidence, stretch ability and prepare your child for the exact demands of each school’s admissions process. Whether it’s mastering multiple-choice speed, developing interview skills or creative writing flair, we’ll guide them every step of the way.

Get in touch today, and let’s work together to help your child thrive.

 

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