Haberdashers' Boys' School in Elstree is one of the most academically outstanding boys' schools in the country. While most families think of Haberdashers' as an 11+ destination, the school has its own pre-prep and junior section — and 7+ entry is available for boys who want to begin the Haberdashers' journey at the earliest stage. For families in North London, Hertfordshire and Barnet, it represents one of the most competitive and academically rigorous prep school entry points available.
About Haberdashers' Boys' School
Haberdashers' Boys' School (Habs) sits on a large campus at Butterfly Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire — easily accessible from Barnet, Mill Hill, Finchley, Edgware and the Herts commuter belt. The school educates boys from Reception through to the Sixth Form, with the senior school drawing heavily on its own junior section as well as external 11+ applicants.
Academically, Haberdashers' is in the very top tier nationally. Its A-level and GCSE results are consistently exceptional, and it sends large numbers of pupils to Oxford and Cambridge. Boys who join at 7+ and progress through the school benefit from a continuous education in an environment that rewards intellectual ambition.
The 7+ assessment
Entry at 7+ is into Year 3 of the junior school (Haberdashers' Boys' Junior School). The assessment takes place in January of Year 2, with registration usually opening in the autumn of Year 1. The assessment is designed to identify boys with strong academic potential and the social readiness to thrive in a structured and demanding environment.
The assessment typically includes:
- English tasks — reading comprehension and written work. Boys need to read fluently and be able to express themselves in writing with some clarity and confidence.
- Mathematics — number tasks and problem-solving activities. Boys should be secure in mental arithmetic and show genuine enthusiasm for working with numbers.
- Reasoning — verbal and non-verbal reasoning activities to assess logical and analytical thinking independent of curriculum knowledge.
- Group observation — small group activities where behaviour, engagement and communication are observed.
How selective is the 7+?
The 7+ at Haberdashers' Junior is highly competitive. While the numbers vary year to year, the school's reputation means that a significant number of families from North London and Hertfordshire register for a limited number of places. Boys who receive offers typically read well above their chronological age, are confident and fluent with numbers, and are socially mature relative to their peers.
Haberdashers' is known for identifying and rewarding academic ability, and the 7+ reflects this: the school is looking for boys who show the intellectual spark that will allow them to thrive in a rigorous academic environment from Year 3 onwards.
When to start preparation
Structured preparation for the January assessment should begin in September of Year 1. For boys with identified gaps in literacy or numeracy, a lighter start in the summer term of Reception can be beneficial. The goal in Year 1 is steady progress — building the foundations of fluent reading, confident mental arithmetic and reasoning skills — rather than intensive exam drilling.
What to work on
- Reading fluency. Boys entering Haberdashers' at 7+ need to be reading chapter books fluently. If your child is still working through simple readers in Year 1, addressing that quickly is the first priority.
- Comprehension and discussion. Read together and ask questions: what does this word mean? Why did the character do that? What do you think happens next? Building the habit of thinking actively about text is invaluable.
- Written expression. Encourage writing: short stories, descriptions, creative responses to pictures or prompts. At this age, ideas matter more than technical accuracy, though spelling and handwriting should not be neglected.
- Mental arithmetic. Number bonds to 20, counting in 2s, 5s and 10s, simple addition and subtraction of two-digit numbers, and an instinct for number patterns. Daily maths games and puzzles consolidate this effectively.
- Reasoning skills. Brief sessions with verbal and non-verbal reasoning materials help boys become familiar with the question formats before the assessment. Avoid over-drilling — the goal is familiarity, not anxiety-inducing repetition.
The pathway through to the senior school
Boys who join at 7+ and progress well through the junior school typically move up to the senior school at 11+. This is not automatic — boys must meet the academic standard — but the transition success rate is high. For families who have the senior school as a goal, securing a junior place at 7+ is the most reliable pathway and avoids the exceptionally competitive external 11+ process at Haberdashers'.
Finding a tutor
The right tutor for the Haberdashers' 7+ will have experience with the assessment format, an ability to work effectively with 5–6 year-olds in a way that is encouraging rather than pressured, and the knowledge to give honest, realistic feedback to parents about whether their child is on track.
Browse tutors experienced in 7+ preparation in North London, or use the parent portal to search for tutors matched to Haberdashers' and the 7+ format.