Formal consortium
South West Herts Consortium: 2027 tests and schools
September 2027 entryEvidence reviewed 21 October 2026Seven schools share registration for separate academic, music and Queens' sport assessments. Croxley Danes has music aptitude places but no academic-selection places; each school applies its own admissions policy.
- Schools in directory
- 7
At a glance
- Route type
- Formal consortium
- Administrator
- South West Herts Schools Consortium
- Assessment provider
- GL Assessment supplies the academic mathematics and verbal-reasoning tests; music and Queens' School sport aptitude are separate consortium or school assessments.
- Delivery
- In-person mathematics and verbal-reasoning papers with separate answer sheets; music starts with an aural paper and shortlisted children perform one piece; sport aptitude is assessed separately for Queens' School.
What to do after the 2026 test result
- Read the result for each test your child took, then check the relevant school's 2027 admissions policy. A test score is not an offer, and each of the seven schools applies its own rules.
- Name your preferred schools on your home council's secondary application. Hertfordshire's on-time deadline is 31 October 2026; if you live elsewhere, check your own council's deadline. The consortium test registration is not a school application.
- Check whether each school needs a separate information form for the admission category you are claiming. The Hertfordshire school comparison links each member to its reviewed 2027 policy.
The consortium accepts academic paper marking-review requests until 2 November 2026, with a £50 fee. It expects decisions later, so submit the school application by the council deadline while any review is pending.
Tests and pathways
These are separate admission tests, not steps every child takes. Croxley Danes uses music aptitude only; the sport test is for Queens' School only. Check each school's policy before choosing which test to register for.
- Mathematics
- Verbal reasoning
- Music aptitude
- Sport aptitude at Queens' School only
Academic ability
Mathematics and verbal-reasoning tests used by the six academic-selection member schools.
Music aptitude
Aural first round followed by a performance assessment for invited candidates; Croxley Danes uses this route without academic selection.
Queens' School sport aptitude
A separate sport assessment for applicants seeking a Queens' School sport place.
Registration and dates
| Date | When |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | When1 April 2026 |
| Registration closes | When5 June 2026 |
| Academic test | When5 September 2026 |
| Music first round | When7 September 2026 |
| Queens' School sport test | When9 September 2026 |
| Music first-round scores notified | When17 September 2026 |
| Music second round starts | When21 September 2026 |
| Music second round ends | When25 September 2026 |
| Secondary application deadline for Hertfordshire residents | When31 October 2026 |
Scoring and eligibility
The academic mathematics and verbal-reasoning raw scores are age-standardised; music aptitude scores are not age-standardised. First-round music scores were due on 17 September 2026. For final scores, the consortium calendar lists 15 October while its FAQ says 16 October. Check the parent portal for the actual result. Scores support each school's own admission criteria and do not guarantee a place.
Schools in this directory using the route
| School | Selection type | Year 7 entry | Admissions guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croxley Danes School | Selection typeState school with aptitude places | Year 7 entryMixed Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Parmiter's School | Selection typePartially selective state school | Year 7 entryMixed Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Queens' School | Selection typePartially selective state school | Year 7 entryMixed Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Rickmansworth School | Selection typePartially selective state school | Year 7 entryMixed Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| St Clement Danes School | Selection typePartially selective state school | Year 7 entryMixed Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Watford Grammar School for Boys | Selection typePartially selective state school | Year 7 entryBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Watford Grammar School for Girls | Selection typePartially selective state school | Year 7 entryGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
Areas covered
Relevant skills and exercises
- Build maths and numerical reasoning skills
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- Build verbal reasoning skills
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- Try Synonym Spectrum
Free interactive practice relevant to verbal reasoning.
Questions families ask
Who administers the South West Hertfordshire Secondary Transfer Test?
South West Herts Schools Consortium administers the South West Hertfordshire Secondary Transfer Test for September 2027 entry.
Which schools use the South West Hertfordshire Secondary Transfer Test?
7 schools use this route in the current catalog: Watford Grammar School for Boys, Watford Grammar School for Girls, Rickmansworth School, Queens' School, Parmiter's School, St Clement Danes School, and Croxley Danes School.
What does the South West Hertfordshire Secondary Transfer Test assess?
The academic pathway tests mathematics and verbal reasoning. Music aptitude is separate, and the sport assessment is for Queens' School applicants only. Each school decides which test result, if any, its admission criteria use.
Does Croxley Danes School use the South West Herts academic test?
No. Croxley Danes uses the consortium music aptitude assessment for up to 10% of its Year 7 places, but its September 2027 policy has no academic-selection places. Its other admission criteria still apply.
Where do families register for the South West Hertfordshire Secondary Transfer Test?
Consortium test registration for September 2027 entry ran from 1 April to 5 June 2026 and is closed. A test registration does not submit your home council's secondary application or any school information form. Check the consortium calendar for a later entry year.
How current is the information for South West Hertfordshire Secondary Transfer Test?
Smart Cub Learning reviewed 4 attached evidence sources by 2026-10-21. Unknown facts stay labelled and should be checked again before applying.
Official sources
- Key testing dates 2026 for secondary transfer 2027
South West Herts Schools Consortium. Accessed 21 October 2026. September 2027 entry.
- South West Herts Schools Consortium general FAQs
South West Herts Schools Consortium. Accessed 21 October 2026. September 2027 entry.
- South West Herts Schools Consortium 2027 registration page
South West Herts Schools Consortium. Accessed 21 October 2026. September 2027 entry.
- South West Herts Schools Consortium member schools
South West Herts Schools Consortium. Accessed 21 October 2026. September 2027 entry.
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