When it comes to choosing the right school for your child, especially a prestigious and competitive school like Dame Alice Owen’s, the process can feel overwhelming at first. With so much information to sift through, it’s easy to get lost in the details.
But that’s where this guide comes in: we’re here to give you the key facts for 2026 entry. Whether you’re just starting to think about your child’s secondary education or already deep in the application process, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Dame Alice Owen’s, the school’s reputation and rankings, and the all-important 11+ exam.
As well as an introduction to Dame Alice Owen’s School and their admissions policies, we’ll also cover the 11+ exam format, key deadlines and pass marks. Let’s get started and break it all down.
Dame Alice Owen’s School: An Introduction
Located in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, Dame Alice Owen’s is one of the most prestigious state secondary schools in the area. With a long history stretching back to 1613, the school has maintained a reputation for academic excellence. It’s co-educational and offers a well-rounded education that balances academic study with extracurricular opportunities.
While it’s relatively large (with about 1,500 students), Dame Alice Owen’s still maintains a close-knit, supportive community that encourages academic rigour as well as personal growth. With fascinating origins owing to a cow, a village maiden and an archer’s arrow (yes, you read that right!), it began life as a charitable school for Islington boys.
Today, Dame Alice Owen’s is partially-selective, and like many other secondary schools, it uses the 11+ entrance exam as one admission criteria. Excelling in this exam is no small feat. But with the right preparation and understanding of the process, your child stands a good chance of success.
Parents should also know that Dame Alice Owen’s isn’t part of the South West Hertfordshire Consortium, a group of seven partially-selective schools in the region. If you’re searching for other nearby grammar schools, the prestigious Queen Elizabeth’s School and The Henrietta Barnett School are also worth a look.
How many students go to Dame Alice Owen’s?
Dame Alice Owen’s is a relatively large grammar school, with about 1,500 students enrolled across its secondary school and sixth-form. Each year, the school admits around 200 students into Year 7.
This size allows the school to offer a diverse range of subjects and extracurricular activities while still fostering a personal and supportive atmosphere.
Is Dame Alice Owen’s a grammar school?
No, Dame Alice Owen’s is not a grammar school. While grammar schools select students based on academic ability, Dame Alice Owen’s operates as a partially-selective school. It’s state-funded however (unlike private schools), meaning it’s free to attend. While some places are awarded on academic performance, the majority of students are admitted using other criteria.
Here’s an overview of how the current admission criteria works:
- Catchment area and siblings: Like many schools, most places are allocated to children living within the school’s catchment areas, with priority given to those with siblings already attending or children of current staff (among other factors).
- Proximity: 22 places are reserved for children whose permanent home address is closest to the school at the time of application.
- Music aptitude: 10 places are set aside for students demonstrating exceptional musical ability.
- Academic ability: Up to 65 places are awarded to students excelling in the school’s academic entrance exams. Children wishing to sit the Entrance Examination must live in one of the school’s local priority areas.
For an in-depth look at nearby grammars, don’t miss our guides to grammar schools in London, North London, Hertfordshire, Harrow, Watford, Slough and Barnet.
What’s the exam format for Dame Alice Owen’s 11 Plus?
The academic selection process involves two stages:
Part One: Verbal Reasoning Test
A 50-minute multiple-choice Verbal Reasoning paper, provided by GL Assessment. The paper usually consists of 80 questions, measuring students’ logic and reasoning skills.
Scores are age-standardised, and the top 325 candidates are invited to take Part Two. Students who rank below 325 aren’t eligible for entry.
To help you and your child get ready for the 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning and English papers, we’ve compiled an 11+ reading list, as well as guides to powerful adjectives, ambitious vocabulary and attention-grabbing character descriptions.
Part Two: English and Maths Papers
Shortlisted candidates sit two additional exams, one in English and one in Maths, held at the school. Both exams are written internally.
- The English Paper involves a 60-minute comprehension paper, including one extended writing piece.
- The Maths Paper is also 60-minutes, with free familiarisation materials and further sample papers available to purchase.
Final offers are made based on the combined scores of all three tests, with the highest-ranking students receiving places.
What’s the pass mark for Dame Alice Owen’s?
The pass mark for Dame Alice Owen’s changes each year, determined by applicants’ overall performance.
- For Part One (Verbal Reasoning), your child needs to rank in the top 325 candidates. This means your child is eligible to sit Part Two (English and Maths).
- To secure one of the 65 academic places, your child must score within the top 20% of students.
You should also know that Dame Alice Owen’s 11+ exam scores are age-standardised to account for the fact that children born at different times of the year are at different developmental stages. This standardisation ensures all students are assessed fairly.
Key dates and deadlines for Dame Alice Owen’s 11+ exam
For families applying for 2026 entry to Dame Alice Owen’s, here are the key dates and deadlines to know. These dates provide a framework for planning ahead, but staying updated with official announcements from the school is crucial to ensure nothing is missed.
- Online Test Registration: Open from 1 May to 12 June 2025.
- Open Afternoon: 17 July 2025, offering a chance to visit the school, meet staff and students, and hear from the Head.
- 11+ Exam (Part 1): The Verbal Reasoning Test and the first part of the Musical Aptitude Test are scheduled for 1 September 2025.
- 11+ Exam (Part 2): The English and Mathematics Tests will take place on 27 September, while the second part of the Musical Aptitude Test is spread between 22–26 September.
- Results: Families usually receive ranked results within four weeks of the second test (always before 31 October). These letters show the candidate’s rank and the lowest rank that secured a place in recent years. They’re just for information and don’t constitute an official offer.
- Common Application Form (CAF) Deadline: 31 October 2025. Parents must complete and return the CAF to their home Local Authority by this date to apply for a place.
- National Offer Day: Early March 2026.
For application and exam dates across the country, head to our complete 11+ deadlines guide.
Is Dame Alice Owen’s a selective school?
Dame Alice Owen’s School is indeed selective, with around 40% of students admitted based on specific criteria. This includes 22 places for children living closest to the school, 65 places for those who excel in academic entrance exams, and 10 places reserved for students with exceptional musical ability.
This unique approach means that both academically gifted students and those living nearby have a chance to secure a place at this sought-after school.
Is Dame Alice Owen’s hard to get into?
In short, yes. For those applying via the 11+ route, Dame Alice Owen’s is hard to get into, because of its high academic standards and many applications.
With only 65 academic places available, it’s a competitive process, and students must perform well across all three sections (Verbal Reasoning, English and Maths) of the 11+ exam.
Academic places are awarded based on ranking (going to the top 20% of final candidates) rather than simply meeting a qualifying score. So your child’s performance needs to stand out.
That said, competitive doesn’t mean impossible. With the right preparation—such as regular practice, mock tests and targeted 11+ tuition—many families successfully secure a place each year. It’s a challenge, but with dedication and support, it’s one that’s achievable.
How many children apply to Dame Alice Owen’s?
Dame Alice Owen’s receives hundreds of applications each year. In 2024, 756 students applied for 200 places. This gives an acceptance rate of 26%.
With so many applications, competition is fierce, and only the top-performing academic candidates secure a spot. But for families considering Dame Alice Owen’s, this balance between selectivity and inclusivity makes the school an exceptional choice.
What rank is Dame Alice Owen’s School?
Dame Alice Owen’s School ranks as one of the top schools in Hertfordshire, and for good reason. In The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025, it was named Comprehensive School of the Year (Southeast), alongside St Andrew’s Catholic School in Surrey. It’s also recognised as one of the highest-performing state schools in the country, currently ranking 112.
This is the third time the school has earned such recognition since 2017, with The Sunday Times praising both the impressive academic progress students make and the wide range of opportunities offered. Indeed, the school is also ranked “outstanding” by Ofsted.
And what’s more, the school’s GCSE and A Level results back this up. In 2024, 94% of Year 11 students achieved at least five GCSE grades 9–4, while 74% of entries were awarded grades 9, 8, or 7. At A Level, 87% of grades were A–B, with 28% of entries achieving an A*.
Thinking about Dame Alice Owen’s School for your child?
Securing a place at a sought-after school like Dame Alice Owen’s is a significant milestone, but with the right preparation and guidance, it’s within reach.
Start early, get familiar with the process, and provide your child with the support they need to shine. And remember, this is just one step in their educational journey—whatever the outcome, there are always other exciting opportunities ahead.
For expert guidance, turn to Achieve Learning. We offer personalised 1-to-1 11 Plus tuition, realistic mock exams and tailored consultancy services to give your child the best possible chance of success. Let’s work together to unlock their full potential.
