London Grammar Schools: The Complete 11 Plus Guide

North London Grammar Schools: Barnet and Enfield

North London has some of the most sought-after grammar school places in the capital. In the London Borough of Barnet, the two grammar schools are Queen Elizabeth's School (boys, QE Barnet) and Henrietta Barnett School (girls, HBS). Both are extraordinarily competitive: QE Barnet receives over 2,000 applications for approximately 180 places, while HBS receives over 2,500 applications for just 93 places.

QE Barnet uses the CSSE test format, assessing English, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Admission depends on both score and distance from the school, with places offered to the highest-scoring candidates who live closest. HBS uses a two-stage process: a screening Stage 1 in September and a more demanding Stage 2 for shortlisted candidates, with distance also a key factor.

In Enfield, the grammar schools are Latymer School (mixed, not to be confused with Latymer Upper, which is an independent school) and The Henrietta Barnett School also draws significantly from Enfield. Latymer School in Edmonton uses its own entrance test covering English and mathematics. The school has its own admissions criteria, and families should check the school website for the current format and registration timeline.

The common theme across north London grammar schools is extreme competition compounded by distance criteria. Families living in Barnet, Enfield, and parts of Hertfordshire are best positioned geographically, but even from these areas, a high score is essential. For families further afield, realistic expectation-setting is important: apply if the school genuinely appeals, but ensure you have strong alternative options.

EdifyPod Nexus helps north London families prepare across the different test formats encountered in this area, with Eddy adapting practice to cover the specific skills each school's test demands.

South London Grammar Schools: Sutton, Bromley, and Bexley

South London has the highest concentration of grammar schools in the capital. The London Borough of Sutton is home to five selective schools: Sutton Grammar School (boys), Nonsuch High School for Girls, Wallington High School for Girls, Wallington County Grammar School (boys), and Wilson's School (boys, Wallington). These schools participate in the Sutton consortium, which administers a common entrance test.

The Sutton consortium test is sat in September and covers English and mathematics, with some years including reasoning components. One test serves all five schools, with each school applying its own admissions criteria. Several Sutton schools use zone systems that prioritise local candidates, so understanding which zone you fall into is critical.

In the London Borough of Bromley, Newstead Wood School (girls) and St Olave's Grammar School (boys) are both highly competitive. St Olave's uses a two-stage testing process, while Newstead Wood has its own entrance test. Both schools are heavily oversubscribed and use distance as a factor in admissions.

In Bexley, there are four grammar schools: Bexley Grammar School (mixed), Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School (mixed), Townley Grammar School (girls), and Beths Grammar School (boys). Bexley schools use a common entrance test that covers English, mathematics, and reasoning. The Bexley system is somewhat more accessible than Sutton or Bromley, though competition is still strong.

For south London families, the range of options means it is possible to apply to grammar schools across multiple boroughs, though each has its own registration process and test date. Careful planning ensures your child sits the right tests without being overwhelmed by too many exams in a short period.

South-West and East London Grammar Schools

In south-west London, the London Borough of Kingston upon Thames is home to Tiffin School (boys) and Tiffin Girls' School, two of the most competitive selective schools in the country. Both use a two-stage testing process: a Stage 1 multiple-choice screening test in September, followed by a more demanding Stage 2 for the highest-scoring candidates. Admission is based entirely on test performance, with no formal catchment area, though distance is used as a tie-breaker.

The Tiffin schools attract applications from across London and Surrey, with thousands of children competing for approximately 150 places at each school. The two-stage process means preparation must address both quick-fire accuracy and deeper analytical skills.

In east London, the selective provision is more limited. The London Borough of Redbridge is home to Ilford County High School (boys) and Woodford County High School (girls). Both schools use the CSSE test format, which is the same provider used by QE Barnet and the Essex grammar schools. This means families applying to schools in both Redbridge and Essex can benefit from a single preparation strategy.

Ilford County High and Woodford County High are competitive but generally less oversubscribed than the Barnet, Sutton, and Kingston grammar schools. Families in east London and Essex are well positioned geographically for these schools.

Across London as a whole, the diversity of test formats and admissions criteria creates both challenges and opportunities for families. The challenge is navigating multiple registration systems and ensuring your child is prepared for each school's specific test. The opportunity is that by applying strategically across boroughs, your child can have several strong options. EdifyPod Nexus covers all the test formats used by London grammar schools, making it an effective preparation tool regardless of which combination of schools you are targeting.

How to Prepare for London Grammar Schools

Preparing for London grammar schools requires a strategic approach that accounts for the different test formats your child may encounter. Start in Year 4 or early Year 5 with a baseline assessment across English, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. This identifies your child's starting point and allows you to allocate preparation time efficiently.

For English, daily reading is non-negotiable. London grammar school tests consistently reward strong vocabulary, inference skills, and the ability to engage critically with a text. Build a reading habit across fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, and supplement with regular comprehension exercises. If any of your target schools include creative writing, practise weekly in a variety of styles.

For mathematics, prioritise arithmetic fluency and then work systematically through the Year 5 and early Year 6 curriculum. Multi-step word problems, fractions, percentages, ratio, and geometry appear on virtually every London grammar school test. Timed practice is essential because the time pressure is consistently one of the biggest challenges children face.

For reasoning, introduce verbal and non-verbal reasoning in Year 5 if your target schools include these components. Work through a wide range of question types and focus on developing flexible thinking rather than memorising specific patterns.

If your child is sitting tests in multiple boroughs, create a preparation calendar that maps out which tests happen when and ensures your child is not sitting exams on back-to-back days. Most London grammar school tests are held in September, and careful scheduling can make the difference between a child who feels prepared and one who feels overwhelmed.

Thousands of families use EdifyPod Nexus to prepare, the practice adapts to your child, tracks progress against target schools, and covers every subject the exam tests. If your child needs additional live support from our experts, our tutors at edifypod.com/11plus are here too. Regular timed mock tests in the final months before September build the stamina and confidence your child needs to perform at their best across multiple exams.