Grammar School

A grammar school is a state-funded selective secondary that admits pupils on academic ability, tested by an entrance exam (the 11+) taken in September of Year 6.

There are around 163 grammar schools in England, concentrated in:

• Buckinghamshire, Kent, Lincolnshire (wholly selective LAs)
• Trafford, Sutton, Kingston, Bromley, Barnet (partially selective)
• A handful of authorities including Birmingham, Reading and Stratford-upon-Avon

Grammar schools sit at the top of most GCSE league tables, but their high Attainment 8 reflects their selective intake more than their teaching quality on its own. Look at Progress 8 to see how much value they actually add.

Entry is via:

• GL Assessment or CEM standardised testing in most areas
• A pass mark typically between 111 and 121 on a standardised scale (national mean = 100)
• Distance, sibling priority or other tie-breakers among children who pass

In wholly selective LAs, every child is tested by default. In partially selective LAs, families opt in by registering for the 11+ separately, usually by the end of June in Year 5.