QE Boys vs Dame Alice Owen’s: Which School is Right for Your Child?

If your child is approaching secondary transfer and you’re aiming for the top-performing schools in North London or Hertfordshire, two names are likely to be on your radar: Queen Elizabeth’s School (QE Boys) and Dame Alice Owen’s School.

Both have stellar reputations, excellent exam results and strong university outcomes. But they’re very different in style, structure and admissions. While QE Boys is highly academic, fully selective and boys-only, Dame Alice Owen’s is partially selective, co-ed and known for its all-round education.

Choosing between them can feel daunting, especially when both look exceptional on paper. But it’s those finer details, from entrance tests and catchments to school culture and pressure levels, that make all the difference.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through a clear, parent-friendly comparison between QE Boys and Dame Alice Owen’s. You’ll find side-by-side stats, answers to common questions, and insights to help you figure out which school is the best fit for your child.

QE Boys vs Dame Alice Owen’s: Introducing the Two Schools

Let’s start with a brief look at what each school offers.

Queen Elizabeth’s School is one of the most prestigious grammars in the UK, consistently ranking number one in national league tables. It’s a fully selective, boys-only school in High Barnet, offering an academic and disciplined environment. Dame Alice Owen’s, in Potters Bar, is a partially selective, mixed school. It’s not a grammar, but its results often rival those of the best. 

For QE Boys, entry is based entirely on exam performance, with no catchment area or sibling policy. If your son scores in the top 180 or so, he gets in. Regardless of postcode. But competition is fierce, and the pace of learning is intense.

What makes Dame Alice Owen’s (or “DAO” for short) different is its combination of academic places, music aptitude places, and catchment-based admissions. That means students come from a wider range of academic and social backgrounds. DAO is known for its inclusive ethos, balance between academics and extracurricular life, and strong pastoral care.

While both schools offer academic excellence, they cater to slightly different types of students. So your child’s personality, interests and resilience under pressure will shape which is the better fit.

Quick Comparison Table: QE Boys vs Dame Alice Owen’s

Feature Queen Elizabeth’s School Dame Alice Owen’s School
Location Queen’s Road, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 4DQ Dugdale Hill Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 2DU
Single Sex or Co-Ed Boys only (all years) Mixed
School Size ~1,300 pupils ~1,460 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.

 ~400; mixed, external entry encouraged
Selective Status Fully selective grammar school Partially selective: up to 65 places selected on academic ability, up to 10 places on musical ability.
Catchment Area No fixed catchment; places awarded strictly by performance Priority postcode areas and distance
Competition Extremely high (over 3,500 applicants for ~180 places) Medium (around 750 applications for ~200 places)
Entry Requirements 11+ entrance exam (GL Assessment) with top scores only 11+ entrance Exam (GL Assessment / School Set); music test; distance and sibling routes
11+ Entry Exam Format GL Assessment (English and Maths, Multiple Choice) Part One: Verbal Reasoning
Part Two: English and Maths
Reputation Traditional, disciplined, academically elite Balanced, inclusive, nurturing
Ranking Regularly ranked among the top five grammars in the UK Top 50 UK state schools
Ofsted Rating Outstanding in all areas Outstanding in all areas
Oxbridge Success High (35–45 offers most years)

 

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

 Strong (15-25 most years)

In 2024, 15 students attended Cambridge, with 10 going to Oxford.
Pupil Transport Well connected to Northern Line and local bus routes, as well as 10 dedicated school coach services. Several bus routes operate via the school, Potters Bar train station.
Fees Free (state-funded) Free (state-funded)
Religious Affiliation None None

Parent FAQs: Your Questions, Answered

Once you’ve narrowed it down to QE Boys and Dame Alice Owen’s, the real questions begin. How do the entry routes actually compare? What’s the pressure like once they’re in? And would my child thrive more in a high-octane academic setting… or somewhere with a little more balance and variety?

To help you weigh things up, we’ve answered common parent queries about each school, covering everything from competition and catchment to culture and student experience.

Dame Alice Owen’s School

Is Dame Alice Owen’s selective?

Yes, Dame Alice Owen’s is selective, but only partially. One third of places are awarded through academic (i.e. 11+ tests) or music aptitude testing. The rest are allocated via catchment area, sibling priority, or education health and care plans (EHCPs).

Here’s the breakdown:

  • 65 places for children with top scores in the academic 11+ test
  • 10 places for students with the highest scores in a separate music aptitude test
  • The remaining places go to children living nearby, siblings of current students, and others with specific priority needs

This mixed approach creates a broad mix of students, blending high academic expectations with a more comprehensive, community-focused intake.

How hard is it to get into Dame Alice Owen’s?

It depends on how you’re applying.

If your child is going for one of the 65 academic places at Dame Alice Owen’s, they’ll be up against around 1,000+ other children — meaning a success rate of about 5%.

The music places are also competitive, with strong instrumentalists and vocalists applying each year.

That said, entry through catchment and sibling routes is more straightforward, though still oversubscribed. Living within the priority area (particularly the inner catchment) gives you a much stronger chance. Details of exact policies and priority areas are available from the school’s admissions pages.

How many children apply to Dame Alice Owen’s?

Not every child who sits the test formally applies to Dame Alice Owens. On average, just over 750 children apply each year. With only 200 places, this means just under a third pupils who apply are successful. 

It’s also important to remember that only 65 of these places are based on academic aptitude, making this entry route even more competitive.

The Dame Alice Owen’s entrance exam is a two-stage process:

  • Stage 1: Verbal Reasoning (GL Assessment, multiple choice) — only the highest-ranked 325 pupils progress to the next stage
  • Stage 2: English and Maths (School Set, with English involving both Comprehension and Creative Writing) — marks are standardised and combined with verbal reasoning, with candidates offered places in rank order.

Dame Alice Owen’s is consistently oversubscribed, and often listed as a first choice for families from Islington, North London and surrounding Herts boroughs. So if you’re applying for anything other than a postcode place, thorough preparation is key.

You can find familiarisation papers on the school’s website. It’s also worth working with Maths KS2 papers (to build core skills), as well as plenty of verbal reasoning, reading and comprehension practice.

Is Dame Alice Owen’s a good school?

Yes, by almost every measure! Dame Alice Owen’s is a fantastic school. It boasts an Outstanding Ofsted rating, excellent academic results (89% of GCSE students achieved a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths, and 87% of A Level grades were A*-B) and strong university destinations.

But what really sets it apart is its ethos. The school combines academic success with a warm, inclusive atmosphere. Students speak highly of pastoral care, and there’s a strong focus on extracurricular life — from music and sport to debate, chess, drama and Duke of Edinburgh.

It’s the kind of school where students feel supported and stretched, without feeling overwhelmed. That’s why it remains such a popular choice.

What’s the ranking of Dame Alice Owen’s?

Dame Alice Owen’s was named Comprehensive School of the Year 2025 for the Southeast by the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, an award it shared with St Andrew’s Catholic School in Surrey. It’s the third time since 2017 the school has earned a similar accolade, highlighting its sustained academic excellence and strong all-round offering.

The guide also placed Dame Alice Owen’s as the top-performing non-fully selective state school in the country.

In addition to academic results, the school ranked highest in the Potters Bar, Welwyn and Hatfield area in a recent Sunday Times table of “happiest schools”, with 97% of parents saying their child is happy at the school.

While it doesn’t top national charts like QE Boys, Dame Alice Owen’s consistently outperforms most partially selective schools, making it one of the strongest comprehensive options in the country.

Queen Elizabeth’s School

Is QE Boys a good school?

In terms of academic performance, QE Boys is arguably the best state school in the UK. Results are consistently exceptional, and the school sends dozens of students to Oxbridge, Imperial, UCL, and other Russell Group universities every year. In fact, a staggering 53 QE students went on to attend Cambridge or Oxford in 2024 alone.

But it’s not just about results. The school offers a wide range of clubs, music ensembles, and sports teams — although the emphasis remains very much on academic achievement first.

It’s the right school for boys who are self-motivated, resilient, and ready to thrive in a fast-paced, demanding environment. This might not be the best fit for everyone, but for the right student, it’s a powerful springboard.

Looking for more QE Boys comparisons? Don’t miss our guides to Queen Elizabeth’s School vs Latymer, Watford Grammar School for Boys and Tiffin Boys.

What is the Ofsted rating for QE Boys?

QE Boys was rated Outstanding across the board at its most recent Ofsted inspection — and not just for results. Inspectors were especially impressed by how the school balances high academic standards with a supportive environment.

Students were described as thriving. Not just in the classroom, but in how they carry themselves day to day. They’re proud of their work, ambitious for the future and genuinely enjoy learning. Lessons were calm and focused, with pupils fully engaged and showing real independence in study.

Ofsted also highlighted the school’s strong sense of community. Older students take on leadership roles, mentoring younger boys and volunteering in the wider community. Clubs and societies are buzzing, with many set up and run by the students themselves. While expectations are high, the atmosphere is caring and inclusive.

All in all, the report paints a picture of a school that’s not only academically elite, but also full of energy, pride and purpose.

How hard is it to get into QE Boys?

In short, it’s very hard. QE Boys is one of the most competitive grammar schools in the UK. It doesn’t have a catchment area, so this means only the top academic scorers (from anywhere in the country) secure a place. Many families are even prepared to relocate if their son secures a passing grade on the entrance exam.

There’s no catchment. No interviews. No appeals for near-misses.

Each year, around 180–190 places are offered. Entry is based purely on scores in the GL English and Maths multiple-choice papers, with candidates placed in rank order. 

If your son isn’t in the top 5% of all applicants, he won’t receive an offer. As a result, early preparation (usually starting in Year Four), including specialist tuition, mock exams and plenty of practice papers is essential.

How many people apply to QE Boys?

Each year, around 3,500 boys sit the QE Boys entrance exam. In some years, that figure has edged closer to 4,000. With fewer than 200 places available, only the very top scorers are offered places.

To stand a chance, your child will need to be confident and quick in both English and Maths. The exams are multiple-choice, set by GL Assessment.

  • The QE English paper typically tests how well children can read, understand and interpret texts under pressure. That means they’ll need to pick out meaning, tone and key vocabulary efficiently, and be able to spot language features like similes or metaphors. A solid grasp of grammar (including things like sentence types and word classes) also helps.
  • In Maths, the questions go beyond the basics. Expect multi-step problems, patterns, number reasoning and tricky word problems. Speed and accuracy are the name of the game. One good way to start is by working through KS2 SATs papers. These cover the full curriculum and offer a solid foundation before moving on to tougher 11+ style questions.

What rank is QE Boys?

Queen Elizabeth’s School regularly takes the top spot in national grammar school rankings — and has done so for years. From The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide to The Telegraph and other school performance tables, QE Boys is consistently listed as one of the very best state schools in the country.

In 2025, The Sunday Times named it Top State School for A-Levels, sharing the title with The Henrietta Barnett School. It also ranked second overall in the state sector, just behind Henrietta Barnett.

And exam results back it up. Around 96% of GCSEs at QE are awarded grades 7–9, and 95% of A Level results fall in the A*–B range. This isn’t just one of the best schools in Barnet, or even in London — it’s routinely among the top-performing state schools nationwide.

So… Which School Is Better?

There’s no universal answer. Queen Elizabeth’s School and Dame Alice Owen’s are both exceptional establishments. Ultimately, it’s about what’s best for your child.

QE Boys might be right if your son:

  • Is driven, focused, and academically exceptional.
  • Enjoys structured learning, competition and stretch.
  • Is targeting Oxbridge, medicine or elite STEM pathways.
  • Is ready to handle a fast pace and consistent pressure.

Dame Alice Owen’s might suit your child if they:

  • Are bright and hard-working, but thrive with balance.
  • Prefer a co-educational, inclusive and creative setting.
  • Would benefit from a strong music, sport or arts programme.
  • Live within a reasonable distance or have a sibling already attending.

You should also consider:

  • Commute: both schools are accessible, but travel time matters.
  • Wellbeing: would your child thrive or struggle in a high-pressure grammar?
  • Admissions strategy: do you have realistic backup plans, with other schools in the local area?

For alternative options, there’s a wide range of excellent boys’ and co-ed schools across North London and Hertfordshire. To help your decision-making, explore our detailed guides, catchment insights and school rankings:

What’s the Most Prestigious Boys’ School in the UK?

To wrap up, it’s a question that comes up a lot, especially from parents trying to navigate rankings, reputation, and long-term outcomes. But the answer really depends on what you mean by “prestigious.” Are you looking for the best academic results? The most historic name? The strongest Oxbridge pipeline? Or the school with the best all-round reputation?

If you’re focused on the state sector, Queen Elizabeth’s School is one of the most prestigious boys’ grammar schools in the country. It’s regularly ranked top nationally for exam results, and year after year, sends dozens of students to Oxbridge. What’s especially remarkable is that it does all this without charging a penny — despite standards, facilities, and results that rival top-tier independents. 

If you’re considering other grammar options, Wilson’s School in South London is also highly respected, consistently ranking among the top grammar schools in the UK.

In the independent sector, the conversation shifts slightly. Names like St Paul’s School, Eton College, King’s College School, Wimbledon and Westminster School are frequently mentioned as the most prestigious boys’ schools in the country. These schools offer world-class facilities, elite-level teaching, global alumni networks and stunning extracurricular opportunities. But they also come with eye-watering fees, upwards of £30,000 per year.

In the end, prestige is only part of the picture. What really matters is finding a school where your son can thrive. Not just academically, but personally too.

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