Every September, children across Hertfordshire sit an entrance exam that could shape the next seven years of their education. Dame Alice Owen’s School in Potters Bar is one of the most sought-after state secondary schools in the country, and the DAOS 11 plus exam is known for being highly competitive. If your child is in Year 5, now is the time to understand what that exam involves and how to prepare properly.
At Aspire Learners, we help children from Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City, and the surrounding areas prepare for competitive entrance exams. We know this school well. We know what the exam expects. And we know what it takes for a child to walk in on exam day feeling ready.
Why Dame Alice Owen’s School Is So Competitive
Dame Alice Owen’s is not your average secondary school. Ofsted rated it outstanding in every single category in December 2023. It consistently achieves excellent GCSE and A Level results and is widely regarded as one of Hertfordshire’s highest-performing state schools. Many students go on to study at leading Russell Group universities, including Oxbridge.
The school sits on a 34-acre campus in Potters Bar. It has excellent science labs, a nationally recognised music department, and strong sport and drama programmes. Students come from a wide catchment area, but families in Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City are well placed because both areas sit within the school’s defined Local Priority Area. Children applying through the academic route are ranked by entrance exam performance, although living within the priority area may help under other admissions categories.
Competition for places is fierce. There are 200 Year 7 places available each year. Only 65 of those go to children selected on academic ability. The school receives a very high number of applications every year, which means early and targeted preparation is essential.
How the Dame Alice Owen’s 11+ Entrance Exam Works
Dame Alice Owen’s runs its own DAOS entrance exam. It is not part of the South West Herts Consortium that many Hertfordshire schools use. That matters because the exam format and papers are unique to this school. Generic 11 plus preparation is often not enough on its own.
The exam runs in two parts across September.
Part 1: Verbal Reasoning
All registered children sit Part 1 on 1 September. This is a GL Assessment verbal reasoning paper. The school invites the top 325 scoring children back for Part 2. If your child does not make that cut, the process ends there.
Part 2: English and Maths
Part 2 takes place in late September. The school sets these papers in house, not through GL Assessment. The English paper covers comprehension and extended writing. The Maths paper goes beyond standard primary curriculum level, and only children invited from Part 1 sit this stage.
There is also a separate Musical Aptitude Test. The school offers up to 10 places based on musical ability. If your child plays an instrument or sings, this route is worth exploring alongside academic preparation.
Dame Alice Owen’s 11+ Exam Dates for 2027 Entry
If your child is currently in Year 5 and aiming for September 2027 entry, these are the dates to plan around.
| Milestone | Date |
| Test registration opens | April 2026 |
| Registration closes | June 2026 |
| Part 1: Verbal Reasoning | 1 September 2026 |
| Part 2: English and Maths | Late September 2026 |
| Results released | October 2026 |
| Common Application Form deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| National Offer Day | March 2027 |
Parents should always check the official Dame Alice Owen’s School admissions pages each year, as dates and admissions arrangements can occasionally change.
One important point: two separate forms are required. You must complete the school’s own Test Registration Form and your home local authority’s Common Application Form. Missing either one means an incomplete application, regardless of how well your child performs on the day.
What Score Level Do Children Need for Dame Alice Owen’s 11+?
Children who secure academic places are usually performing at a very high level consistently across verbal reasoning, English and Maths practice papers. There is no official pass mark published by the school, but successful candidates are typically working well above expected Year 5 level before sitting the exam.
Reaching that level takes time. It requires strong verbal reasoning skills, confident Maths well above the standard Year 5 curriculum, and the ability to write clearly under timed conditions. Many successful candidates begin preparation during Year 5 so they have enough time to build skills steadily and confidently before the exam.
Last-minute preparation rarely produces those results. Building genuine confidence and ability takes regular, focused work over time.
How Aspire Learners Prepares Children for the DAOS 11+
At Aspire Learners, we do not offer one-size-fits-all 11 plus tuition. Every child who joins us gets a programme built around the specific schools they are targeting. For families preparing for the Dame Alice Owen’s 11+, that means direct preparation for the GL Assessment verbal reasoning format in Part 1 and the school’s own English and Maths papers in Part 2.
What Our Dame Alice Owen’s 11+ Tuition Covers
We focus on three core areas: verbal reasoning, Maths and English. Our tutors work through the types of questions that appear in the DAOS exam. We use timed practice papers so children build the habit of working accurately under exam conditions. We spot weak areas early and address them before they become problems on the day.
We also run regular progress reviews. Parents always know how their child is progressing, which areas need more attention and whether preparation is on track for the target school.
When Should Children Start Preparing for the DAOS 11+?
We recommend starting at the beginning of Year 5. That gives children a full 18 months to build the skills they need steadily and without pressure. Children who begin early tend to feel far more confident on exam day because the material feels familiar rather than rushed.
Get in touch with us and we will give you an honest picture of where your child stands and what is achievable in the time available.
Common Mistakes Parents Make During the Dame Alice Owen’s 11+ Process
Many Families Miss the DAOS 11+ Registration Deadline
Registration for the entrance exam opens in April and closes in June. Many families miss this window because they assume registration runs closer to the September exam date. It does not. If you miss the deadline, your child cannot sit the exam that year. Put the date in your diary now.
The Two-Stage DAOS Exam Requires Different Preparation
Because the exam splits into two parts, children need to peak at the right moment. Part 1 focuses on verbal reasoning speed and accuracy. Part 2 demands a different set of skills entirely. A strong preparation programme accounts for both stages rather than treating the exam as a single event.
At Aspire Learners, we structure our programmes to build both skill sets progressively. Children arrive at Part 1 sharp on verbal reasoning and return for Part 2 ready for the school-set papers.
Is Dame Alice Owen’s School Right for Your Child?
Dame Alice Owen’s suits children who enjoy learning, want academic challenge and thrive in a high-achieving environment. The school has strong pastoral care alongside its academic reputation. It is a community that supports students throughout their secondary years, not just pushes them towards results.
For families in Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City and nearby areas, it is a genuinely excellent option. The school is close by. Local children sit within the priority area. And with the right preparation, a place is absolutely achievable.
Get Help Preparing for the Dame Alice Owen’s 11+
If your child is thinking about Dame Alice Owen’s School, the best first step is an honest conversation about where they are now and what preparation makes sense. At Aspire Learners, we are happy to talk through the options without any pressure.
Find out more about our 11 plus programmes for children preparing for Dame Alice Owen’s 11+ and other competitive schools. Spaces fill up quickly, so it is worth getting in touch early.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does registration open for Dame Alice Owen’s entrance exam?
Registration opens on the school’s website in late April each year and closes in early June. The window is short, roughly six weeks, so families need to act quickly. Missing the deadline means your child cannot sit the exam that year. There is no late registration. Check the school’s admissions page each spring for the exact dates, as they can shift slightly from year to year.
What subjects does Dame Alice Owen’s 11 plus exam cover?
The exam covers three subjects across two stages. Part 1 is a GL Assessment verbal reasoning paper that all registered children sit on 1 September. Children who score in the top 325 then return for Part 2 in late September, which includes English and Maths papers set by the school. The school also runs a separate Musical Aptitude Test for up to 10 additional places. Unlike many Hertfordshire schools, Dame Alice Owen’s does not use the South West Herts Consortium papers, so preparation needs to target this school specifically.
How can Aspire Learners help my child get into Dame Alice Owen’s School?
Aspire Learners offers targeted 11 plus preparation for children aiming at Dame Alice Owen’s School. We cover verbal reasoning, Maths and English with a focus on the exact format this school uses. Our tutors use timed practice papers, track progress regularly and adjust the programme as needed. We work with children from Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City and nearby areas and recommend starting at the beginning of Year 5 to allow enough time to build real ability. Contact us to find out how we can support your child.
