Haberdashers' Adams Grammar School 11 plus guide

About Haberdashers' Adams

Haberdashers' Adams is a grammar school for boys. Founded in 1656, Haberdashers' has been educating boys in Shropshire for approaching 400 years. While proud of its heritage, the school does not allow its history to dictate its future. Teachers are encouraged to use their own creativity and flair in the way they teach their lessons. The school's philosophy is to develop confident, articulate young people who are interesting, balanced and who care for each other.

Haberdashers' Adams is part of the Consortium of Grammar Schools in Shropshire, Walsall and Wolverhampton (SWW Consortium). Children only have to take one test to apply to any of these schools. From 2023, the testing process is also shared with all grammar schools in Birmingham and Warwickshire.

• Address: High Street, Newport, TF10 7BD

• Local authority: Telford & Wrekin Council

• School type: boys' grammar (day and boarding)

• Headteacher: Gary Hickey

• Number of pupils: 940

• National rank (Sunday Times Parent Power): 111

• A level results: 74% A*–B

• GCSE results: 73% 9/8/7

Key info for Year 7 admissions

• Admissions contact: [email protected]. For boarding enquiries: [email protected]

• Number of places in Year 7: 135 day places, 15 boarding places

• Open day: 31st January 2023. Virtual tour here

• 11 plus registration opens: 9th May 2023

• 11 plus registration closes: 30th June 2023

• Exam date: 18th September 2023

• Exam type: GL Assessment (West Midlands 11 plus)

• Exam results: mid-October 2023

• Local authority application form deadline: 31st October 2023

• National school offer day: 1st March 2024

Boarding at Haberdashers' Adams

Very unusual among selective state schools, Haberdashers' Adams offers boarding places as well as day places. There are no fees for education, only for boarding, and this is a fraction of the fees of private boarding schools. The fees for the current academic year are £4,337 per term or £13,011 per year.

Boarding facilities at Haberdashers' Adams are set in 100 acres of grounds. Boys in Years 7–10 share dormitories according to their year group. As well as a spacious dining hall and recreation room the boys enjoy a dedicated games room and activities such as orienteering competitions and ‘manhunt’ games around the grounds.

Boarders from overseas are welcomed. As a state-funded school, Haberdashers' Adams can only offer places to children who have UK passports or right of abode in the UK. Overseas boarding pupils must have a guardian nearby, whether a relative or family friend or a guardianship company. (Learn about applying to UK schools from overseas here.)

What is the pass mark for Haberdashers' Adams?

After your child takes the exam, their scores are age-standardised and combined to give them a total score across all papers. The total scores are ranked in order.

The school sets a qualifying score, which is the lowest score at which children may be considered for a place. This differs each year depending on the performance of the cohort. Places up to the school's planned admissions number of 150 (135 day pupils and 15 boarders) are then awarded in order of test performance.

As a general guide, we recommend aiming for a standardised age score of 116–121 when your child is completing practice tests. However, achieving a particular score doesn't guarantee a place at the school, as it is likely to be oversubscribed with qualified candidates. We always recommend researching the admission policies for your target schools and looking at their oversubscription criteria.

Haberdashers' Adams oversubscription criteria

Day places

When more than 135 children applying for day places achieve the qualifying score, places are allocated in this order:

1. Looked After or previously Looked After Children.

2. Children who receive Pupil Premium and achieve no lower than 5% below the qualifying score.

3. Children who attend a primary school in the immediate Newport (TF10) area (see below). If there are more children eligible than places available, places are allocated in order of test score.

4. All other children in order of their entrance test scores. If a tie break is needed, the child living closest to the school is prioritised.

Boarding places

The school interviews all boarding applicants and their parents to consider whether a child presents any hazard to other boarders or whether they would cope with and benefit from a boarding environment. They take into consideration the report from the child's current school.

If boarding places are oversubscribed, they are allocated in this order:

1. Looked After or previously Looked After Children.

2. Children of members of the UK Armed Forces who qualify for Ministry of Defence financial assistance with the cost of boarding school fees.

3. Children with a boarding need.

4. Other children in order of their entrance test scores.

The school defines 'boarding need' as:

• Children who live too far from the school to take advantage of it as a day pupil.

• Children who will prosper where there is a firm external framework of support.

• Children whose family background involves a great deal of movement or instability.

• Children whose parents cannot, for example because of career demands, give them the time and attention they need and who would benefit from the range of extended activities offered through boarding.

Haberdashers' Adams catchment area

Haberdashers' Adams does not have a catchment area. However, for day place applications, it prioritises children who attend primary schools in Newport (TF10 postcodes):

Apley Wood Primary, Aqueduct Primary, Captain Webb Primary, Castle House School, Dawley CE Primary, Donnington Wood CE Juniors, Dothill Primary, Hollinswood Primary, Holmer Lake Primary, Ladygrove Primary, Lantern Academy (formerly Queenswood Primary), Lawley Primary, Lawley Village Academy, Lightmoor Village Primary, Lilleshall Primary, Meadows Primary, Millbrook Primary, Moorfield Primary, Muxton Primary, Newdale Primary, Newport CE Juniors School, Old Park Primary, Randlay Primary, St Luke’s Catholic Primary, St Patrick’s Catholic Primary, St Peters, Bratton, St Peter’s CofE Primary School, St Peter & St. Paul Catholic Primary, Short Wood Primary, Teagues Bridge Primary, Tibberton CE Primary, Windmill Primary, Wombridge Primary, Wrekin View Primary, Wrockwardine Wood CE Junior.

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