What Makes the Henrietta Barnett English Exam So Challenging?
Ask any North London parent who’s been through the 11 Plus, and they’ll tell you the same thing: the Henrietta Barnett School English exam is on another level. It’s not just that competition is fierce — it’s the nature of the questions. They push students to think, interpret and write at a level beyond the […]
The Henrietta Barnett 2026 11+ Exam: Round 1 & 2 Explained
Applying to The Henrietta Barnett School (or “HBS” for short) is no small step. For many families, it’s the culmination of years of preparation. The moment where all those practice papers, vocabulary drills and logic puzzles meet the reality of one of the most challenging 11 Plus exams in the country. Each year, thousands of […]
Parmiter’s vs St Clement Danes: Which is Harder to Get Into? (2026 Guide)
For many Hertfordshire families, choosing between Parmiter’s and St Clement Danes is one of the trickiest decisions in the South West Herts Consortium. Both schools are hugely respected and consistently oversubscribed, producing confident, well-rounded young people. So, how to choose? Despite the similarities, these two schools have very different characters. Parmiter’s is known for its […]
St Clement Danes vs Watford Grammar School for Boys: Which Is Harder to Get Into? (2026 Guide)
For many families in South West Herts, deciding between St Clement Danes and Watford Grammar School for Boys is one of those classic 11 Plus dilemmas. Both schools are hugely respected, both deliver excellent results, and both attract thousands of applicants every year. Yet once you visit, it’s clear they have very different personalities. St […]
QE Boys vs Parmiter’s School: Which Is Harder to Get Into? (2026 Guide)
For North London families preparing for the 11 Plus, Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet (QE Boys) and Parmiter’s School in Garston are two names that come up again and again. Both are academically outstanding, hugely oversubscribed, and known for producing confident, high-achieving students. Yet they couldn’t feel more different. QE Boys is one of the most […]
Watford Grammar vs Parmiter’s: Which Is Harder to Get Into? (2026 Guide)
For families living in and around Watford, the question of Watford Grammar or Parmiter’s is almost a rite of passage. Both are highly respected, high-performing schools in the South West Herts Consortium — and both have a reputation for being tough to get into. Parents describe it as a real dilemma: Watford Grammar for Boys […]
How to Prepare for 11+ English: A Parent’s Step-by-Step Guide
If your child is preparing for the 11 Plus, English is often the section that makes parents most anxious. Why? Because unlike maths, where there’s a clear right answer, English tests such a broad range of skills. From comprehension and vocabulary to punctuation, spelling, grammar, sentence completion and creative writing. And to complicate things further, […]
How to do Comprehension for the 11+: Proven Strategies for Success
Preparing your child for the 11+ is a marathon, not a sprint, and comprehension is one area where steady, consistent progress pays off. For many children, it’s the part of the English paper that feels the most unpredictable. After all, you can practise spelling rules or times tables until they’re automatic. But what about facing […]
