Watford Grammar School for Girls

When there are more applications than places for 2026-27 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1. 1Looked After Children and previously looked after children — Looked After Children and children who were previously looked after, including those who appear (to Watford Grammar School for Girls) to have been in state care outside of England, but ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted or became subject to a child arrangement order or a special guardianship order.
2. 2Girls nearest to school (community places) — Girls whose normal home address is nearest to the school and who would not be allocated a place under any other criterion, except criterion 6 (up to 21 places, 10% of the total admissions).
3. 3Children of school staff — Girls with a parent who is a permanent full-time or part-time member of the school staff (inclusive of teaching and support staff roles). To qualify, the member of staff must either have been employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission is made or have been recruited to fill a post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage. In all cases, the member of staff must have parental responsibility (sole or shared) for the girl.
4. 4Siblings at Watford Grammar School for Girls — Girls with a sibling (sister) enrolled at the school, excluding sisters who first entered the school in the Sixth Form (Year 12 or Year 13).
5. 5Siblings at Watford Grammar School for Boys — Girls with a sibling (brother) enrolled at Watford Grammar School for Boys, excluding brothers who first entered the school in the Sixth Form (Year 12 or Year 13).
6. 6Distance order (community places) — Places will then be allocated to girls in increasing distance order using straight line distance between the family's normal home address and the school.
7. 7Musical aptitude (specialist places) — Girls selected on the basis of aptitude for music as measured by the school's assessment procedures, in merit order (up to 21 places, 10% of total admissions).
8. 8Academic ability (specialist places) — Girls selected by academic ability as measured by the school's assessment procedures, in merit order (52 places, 25% of total admissions)

If two applications tie: In the event that two or more girls are equally entitled to be offered a place under a criterion, it will be offered to the girl whose normal home address is nearest to the school, using the 'straight line' distance measurement system applied by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC). In the event of two girls living an equal distance from the school (e.g. in a block of flats) the applicants will be ranked numerically by house/door number, the lower number taking priority. If the girls live at equal distance but in different locations, the place will be allocated by independently verified random allocation.

EHC Plan students admitted with priority over all oversubscription criteria and count towards PAN. Published admission number: 210 girls for Year 7, comprising 137 community places (65%) and up to 73 specialist places (35%). Specialist places divided between music aptitude (21 places, 10%) and academic ability (52 places, 25%). Admission area defined by postcodes. Service families exception: place can be allocated in advance with official government letter declaring relocation date and intended address, evidence required by 1 December. Girls with multiple qualifying criteria offered place under lowest numbered criterion. Waiting list maintained for one academic year, re-ordered as new applicants added. Fair Access protocol applies.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.