Grammar schools in Harpenden
There are no grammar schools in Harpenden.
Grammar schools are state secondaries that select by ability, usually through an 11+ test. Only 46 of the 226 local authorities in the UK still have any, and Hertfordshire is not one of them, so every state secondary in Harpenden admits without a selective test.
The nearest is Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet, about 12.8 miles away in Barnet. Most grammar schools accept out-of-area applicants, though distance is often a tie-breaker when a school is oversubscribed.
Nearest grammar schools to Harpenden
Straight-line distance from the centre of Harpenden — not a travel time.
| School | Area | Distance | Intake | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet | Barnet | 12.8 miles | Boys | Outstanding |
| Chesham Grammar School | Chesham | 13.1 miles | Mixed | Not judged |
| Dr Challoner's High School | Amersham | 14.1 miles | Girls | Outstanding |
| Dr Challoner's Grammar School | Amersham | 14.9 miles | Boys | Outstanding |
| St Michael's Catholic Grammar School | London | 16.0 miles | Girls | Outstanding |
| The Latymer School | London | 17.9 miles | Mixed | — |
Published admissions priorities
These are extracts from school-specific arrangements for the entry years shown, in priority order. They are not the full policy or a prediction of an offer. Check the linked arrangement for test eligibility, deadlines and all remaining priorities.
Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet — 2026 entry
- All boys meeting the required standard, ranked purely by combined entrance-test score — no catchment area and no LAC/Pupil Premium priority category (published source)
Chesham Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked after and previously looked after children (published source)
- Up to 6 places for Pupil Premium children in the catchment area scoring 110–120 (looked-after children first) (published source)
- Children in the catchment area who qualify for the Pupil Premium (published source)
Dr Challoner's High School — 2026 entry
- Looked after, previously looked after and internationally adopted girls (published source)
- Girls on the Pupil or Service Premium living in the catchment area since 1 April of Year 5 (published source)
- Up to 12 places for Pupil Premium or looked-after girls in the catchment area scoring at least 115 (up to 6 at 110–114 if unfilled) (published source)
Dr Challoner's Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked after and previously looked after boys (published source)
- Boys in the catchment area receiving the Pupil Premium (published source)
- Siblings of students in Years 7–12 living in the catchment area (published source)
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Baptised + Practising Catholic girls who are Looked After/Previously Looked After, ranked in the top 200 entrance-test places (published source)
- Up to 32 places (25%): Baptised + Practising Catholic girls eligible for Pupil Premium, ranked in the top 200 (published source)
- Baptised + Practising Catholic girls, in rank score order (published source)
The Latymer School — 2026 entry
- Looked After/Previously Looked After Children, ranked within the top 900 test-takers (published source)
- Up to 20 places: Free School Meals/Universal Credit children ranked within the top 900 (published source)
- Up to 20 music places: children ranked within the top 700, selected by audition after passing the academic threshold (published source)
Schools in Harpenden
Harpenden has 20 open schools. Browse all Harpenden schools with Ofsted ratings, catchment areas and admission criteria, or see them on the map.
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