Guide to Grammar Schools

What is a grammar school?

Grammar schools are selective state-funded schools that admit pupils based on academic ability, assessed through the 11+ examination. There are around 163 grammar schools in England, concentrated in specific areas: Kent, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Essex, the Medway towns, Birmingham, and parts of South London and Hertfordshire. In these areas, grammar schools are the dominant route for academically able children into high-quality secondary education — and they are entirely free. Grammar school results consistently rank among the very best in the country.

• Entirely free — no tuition fees
• Selective entry at 11 via the 11+ exam
• Around 163 grammar schools in England (none in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland)
• Must live in or near a grammar school area — check specific catchment policies

The 11+ examination

The 11+ is taken in September–October of Year 6 (age 10–11). There is no single national 11+ — each grammar school area uses one of three main test providers: GL Assessment, CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring), or a school's own bespoke test. All tests assess some combination of verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and maths. Some areas test only one or two components; others test all four. The GL Assessment test is generally considered more preparation-responsive; the CEM test is designed to resist drilling.

• GL Assessment: verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning — highly preparation-responsive
• CEM (Durham): English, maths, spatial reasoning — designed to resist drilling
• Bespoke tests: used by some Kent, Birmingham and selective London schools
• Test date: typically September–October of Year 6
• Results: usually returned within 4–6 weeks of the test

Catchment areas and super-selectivity

Not all grammar schools are equal, and not all selective places are equally accessible. Some grammars — particularly those in heavily subscribed areas — are effectively "super-selective": they rank all qualifying candidates and offer places only to the highest scorers, making the bar extremely competitive. Others will offer places to all children who reach a qualifying threshold (pass mark). In areas with large numbers of grammar places, competition is moderate; in parts of Kent and Buckinghamshire, competition for the top schools can be as fierce as for selective London day schools.

• Super-selective grammars: rank by score, no fixed pass mark — typically top 5–15% qualify
• Threshold grammars: pass a fixed score to qualify, then allocated by distance
• Some schools give sibling and distance priority within qualified applicants
• Moving into catchment area specifically for 11+ is common — schools are aware of this

Preparation and tutoring

Tutoring for the 11+ is widespread. At competitive grammar schools — particularly in South London, Essex and North-West London — the majority of children sitting the test have had some form of preparation. The amount varies considerably: some children have light-touch practice book work in Year 5; others have intensive twice-weekly tutoring from Year 4 onwards. The evidence on what actually works is nuanced: reasoning ability at this age is partly innate and partly developed, and excessive drilling carries diminishing returns. The most reliable preparation is a solid grounding in core maths and English, combined with familiarity with test format.

• Begin familiarisation with verbal and non-verbal reasoning in Year 4–5
• Practice papers should be timed and done under realistic conditions
• Strong reading habits and mental maths fluency are the most effective long-term preparation
• Check your local authority: some areas (e.g. Bucks) now run qualifying exams that aim to reduce tutoring advantage

What grammar schools offer beyond results

The stereotype of grammar school as a relentless exam-factory is largely outdated. The best grammar schools are genuinely excellent schools in the round: strong sport, music, drama, debating, D of E, and enrichment activities alongside outstanding academic results. Many have sixth forms that rival independent schools for university destinations, with strong Oxbridge records. The absence of fees also means families can invest in tutoring, travel, music tuition and enrichment that genuinely matters.

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