Habs 4 Plus Preparation
Haberdashers’ Schools (Habs Boys and Habs Girls) are among London’s most prestigious independent schools, located on a stunning 100-acre co-educational campus in Elstree, Hertfordshire. Both schools offer entry at 4 Plus for Reception, with approximately 40 places available for boys at Habs Boys and 40 places for girls at Habs Girls. Entry is highly competitive, with hundreds of applicants competing for these limited places each year.
While the schools are single-sex through most year groups, they share a campus, facilities, and from the Sixth Form onwards, teach A Levels in co-educational classes. Both schools are known for exceptional academic results, extensive co-curricular programmes, and a strong emphasis on character development alongside academic excellence.
About Haberdashers' Schools
Founded in 1690, Haberdashers’ has over 330 years of educational excellence. Both Habs Boys and Habs Girls consistently rank among the top independent schools in the country for academic performance. At GCSE, over 90% of grades are 9-7, and at A Level, around 75% of grades are A*-A. However, the schools emphasise that great exam results are just one part of the educational journey—character development, creativity, and co-curricular excellence are equally valued.
The schools share the ethos “Together, boundless” and focus on nurturing curious, ambitious children who will thrive in an intellectually challenging environment while developing into confident, well-rounded individuals. Both schools strongly believe that education should be filled with awe and wonder, making learning enjoyable and inspiring curiosity.
Habs 4 Plus Assessment Format
The 4 Plus assessment at both Habs Boys and Habs Girls takes place in two stages during the autumn term of the year before entry. The process is designed to assess a child’s potential through age-appropriate activities rather than formal testing.
Stage 1: Group Activity Sessions
Children are invited to the school to participate in a series of group activity sessions. These sessions are play-based and designed to observe how children interact, communicate, problem-solve, and engage with tasks. Assessors look for curiosity, enthusiasm, social skills, concentration, and the ability to follow instructions. Children engage in activities such as storytelling, building tasks, creative play, and simple problem-solving exercises.
Stage 2: Further Assessment (Invitation Only)
Some children are invited back for a second stage assessment, which includes further group activities and individual observations. This stage allows the schools to gain a deeper understanding of each child’s potential and readiness for the academic and social environment at Habs.
What Habs Looks For in 4 Plus Candidates
Both Habs Boys and Habs Girls look for children who demonstrate:
- Natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning
- Ability to listen, follow instructions, and engage with tasks
- Strong communication skills and confidence in expressing themselves
- Social skills including sharing, turn-taking, and working collaboratively
- Concentration and persistence when tackling challenges
- Creativity and imagination in play and problem-solving
The schools have high expectations but emphasise that they are assessing potential rather than current academic achievement. They want to ensure that each child would thrive in the Habs environment and benefit from the opportunities offered.
How Hermes Education Can Support Your Family
At Hermes Education, our 4 Plus Programme supports families in understanding the Habs admissions process and ensuring their child is ready for school. We provide coaching for your child in an age-appropriate manner, advice on fostering the skills and qualities Habs values, support with understanding the assessment format and what to expect, and consultation on school choice and whether Habs is the right fit for your family.
Our approach focuses on natural development and readiness rather than coaching to the test – which can be counter-productive. We also help parents create the right home environment and experiences that will allow their child’s natural abilities and personality to shine through during the Habs assessment.