What is a grammar school?
State funded secondary schools which select students based on their scores in competitive entrance exams are known as grammar schools.
Where are grammar schools?
Grammar schools were first created by the Education Act of 1944 but since 1998, no new grammar schools can be established. As a result, there are only around 163 grammar schools in England, and 69 in Northern Ireland; there are no state funded grammar schools in Wales or Scotland.
The highest concentration of grammar schools can be found in Kent, Medway, Essex, Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire; Gloucestershire, Trafford and Slough have several grammar schools alongside their comprehensive schools and there are a handful of grammar schools in Birmingham, Bournemouth and some boroughs in London.
Why go to a grammar school?
Grammar schools are well known for their academic focus, offering rigorous curricula in an environment that fosters intellectual growth and a love of learning; attending a grammar school means your child will be surrounded by like-minded peers and taught by highly qualified specialist teachers who academically challenge students to meet their full potential. Excellent exam results also provide grammar school students with a strong base from which to apply to prestigious universities.
Grammar schools typically have good facilities which allow young people to explore a wide range of extra-curricular activities in sports and the arts, as well as enrichment opportunities designed to develop students’ learning beyond the set curriculum. Further, grammar schools often have teams dedicated to supporting university applications through personal statement guidance and interview practice which can give grammar school students a competitive edge.
Grammar schools provide students with a traditionally disciplined environment in which to develop independence and good study habits, setting them up for future success at university and in the world of work. Attending a grammar school can be a gateway to lifelong academic success and personal achievement.
Should my child go to a grammar school or independent school?
One of the clearest differences between grammar schools and independent schools is cost: grammar schools are state funded while independent schools can have high tuition fees. As a result, students at independent schools sometimes suffer from the perception of elitism and can be limited in their exposure to a diverse social environment. On the other hand, independent schools do provide students with access to a network of influential alumni which can be beneficial to future career aspirations. Independent school facilities are often state-of-the art and class sizes are smaller due to their greater resources as compared to grammar schools. As a result of their lower cost, and likely exacerbated by plans to add VAT to independent school fees, entry to grammar school is highly competitive which means that even young people who would thrive in a grammar school environment may not gain entry.
Another aspect to consider is the relative focus on traditional academic excellence. Grammar schools are selective and have very high standards; students are surrounded by peers of a similar ability and tend to follow more traditional curriculum that often leads to outstanding exam results and appeal to elite universities. However, this can result in diminished opportunities to explore creative or vocational subjects. While many independent schools are also selective, there is often a greater focus on developing students holistically by balancing academic rigour with sporting and artistic excellence as well as a range of leadership opportunities. Private schools may also be able to offer students more individualised pathways due to smaller classes and a broader curriculum.
How do I know if my child is suitable for grammar school?
When considering whether or not a grammar school might be suitable for your child, one of the most important indicators is their academic strength, particularly in core subjects like English, Maths and Science; your child’s current teachers can also offer advice and insight on their academic potential. Aptitude in standardised testing, and the ability to cope with the associated pressures, will also be important as well as a general curiosity and love of learning. Grammar students tend to be independent and self-motivated with excellent organisational and time management skills, so that they can manage the high academic workload. It is important to bear in mind your child’s personal preference since grammar schools can be high-pressure and competitive; your child should be excited by the prospect of a challenging academic environment to be successful at grammar school.
Remember to look into the catchment area restrictions for any grammar school to which you are considering applying. Some have no catchment area and admit students based on their entrance exam results only; others will use catchment areas or distance from school to choose between students with the same entrance exam results; and certain grammar schools have to abide by the catchment area rules of their local education authority (LEA). It's crucial to check specific admissions policies to understand how catchment areas might impact your application.
What’s in the grammar school entrance exam?
Many grammar schools use the 11-plus for selection of the most academic students, although some areas have county-specific tests such as the ‘Kent Test’. Almost all the entrance exams will assess students’ skills in English, Maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning; some will use elements of the test such as creative writing to differentiate between students with the same scores in the entrance exam.
How can I prepare my child for the grammar school entrance exams?
Preparation for grammar school entrance exams is crucial and should start well in advance. Familiarise your child with the specific test format and types of questions they will face by using practice papers and sample questions available online (see below) and in preparatory books. Regular practice helps improve speed and accuracy. Enrolling in a prep course or hiring a tutor can provide structured guidance and address specific areas of weakness.
Encourage a balanced study routine, combining test practice with other activities to prevent burnout. Building strong foundational knowledge in English and Maths through regular schoolwork is essential, as these skills are fundamental to the test.
The English entrance exam paper will most commonly assess comprehension, composition and grammar. The comprehension section will ask your child to identify the meanings of both age-appropriate and beyond age-appropriate words and phrases; express clear understanding of a text’s literal events and infer implied meaning; analyse the author’s use of different literary devices; and form an opinion to evaluate a passage of text. Keystone Tutor Olly gives his top tip for 11+ English preparation: "Reading often and reading widely is the most important way you can help your child prepare. Exposing your child to a variety of fiction and non-fiction works improves their vocabulary, their comprehension and their creative writing as it provides an example of good writing they can emulate in their own work." The entrance paper will ask to see your child’s composition skills in narrative, descriptive, persuasive and argumentative writing. Consistently accurate and varied vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar are expected. Important grammatical topics for applicants to review include apostrophes, the use of commas and comma splicing, run-on sentences, subject-verb agreement and punctuating dialogue.
The Maths entrance exam paper will cover the following topics: Number, Fractions / Decimals / Percentages, Ratio, Measurement, Geometry, Algebra, Probability and Statistics. A more detailed breakdown of each topic is available in the Keystone 11 plus Maths guide. When preparing for each topic make sure that the methodology is fully understood so it can be confidently and accurately applied to a range of questions; then, practice applying the methodology using a variety of questions at different levels of difficulty. Pay special attention to common areas of difficulty including nets of cubes/cuboids, properties of 2D and 3D shapes, forming algebra expressions, ratio word questions and reading pie charts. Long, multi-step word questions are the most challenging part of the 11 plus Maths paper so are worth considerable practice. Be aware that calculators are not allowed in the Maths paper and students are expected to show clear, neat working as well as good mental arithmetic. Important exam techniques will include legible working, reading the question, writing down the correct units of measurement, putting the answer in the answer space and checking your work carefully.
Verbal reasoning tests a pupil’s ability to solve problems using a combination of letters and words. It assesses the extent of a child’s literacy, their vocabulary, and their critical and constructive thinking skills. Some common examples of verbal reasoning question types might include Synonyms and Antonyms (identify a word that is most similar to, or the opposite of, a given word in a phrase or sentence, e.g. the odd one out), Codes and Sequences (solving codes or sequences by identifying the rule and applying it to find a missing letter, number or symbol), Creating New Words (testing the building of words, and spelling and vocabulary by finding a letter, or string of letters, missing from one or multiple words) and Logical Reasoning (arriving at the correct answer using only the information presented). Examples of each topic are available in the Keystone 11 plus Verbal Reasoning guide.
Non-verbal reasoning tests are used to assess how children process visual information and implement visual logic; they are most often multiple-choice. The question types in non-verbal reasoning are vast and span many different skills and styles but common types include Sequences and Patterns (spotting patterns in a series of shapes, either a simple sequence of images or more complex types such as Matrices or Pairs), Association and Recognition (spotting common elements of groups of images, and excluding ‘the odd one out’ or including an additional image which belongs), Codes (logical reasoning by identifying a code through commonalities and differences in a shape, then applying that code to select a final image in the series), 3D Shapes (visualising 3D shapes and working with them mentally, for instance by indicating if a shape can/cannot make any of the listed shapes) and 2D Shapes (for instance, looking for a shape embedded within a more complex shape, or spotting rotations/reflections of an original shape). Examples of each topic are available in the Keystone 11 plus Non-Verbal Reasoning guide.
Setting regular, attainable goals and celebrating your child’s progress, regardless of its size, can help maintain their motivation. Encourage a growth mindset by celebrating effort in addition to achievement. When your child makes mistakes or has difficulty understanding a topic, help them realise that they can improve through practice. Consistent praise will enhance their resilience when facing new and challenging subjects. Ensure your child gets adequate rest before the test day to perform optimally.
Useful resources to prepare for grammar school entrance exams
- Keystone’s comprehensive guide to preparing for the 11-plus exam
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- Keystone’s guide to London Grammar Schools (11 plus)
Tutors for 11+ Grammar School Entrance
Each year Keystone supports many students preparing for 11+ grammar school entrance for some of the most competitive UK grammar schools. Read more about our 11+ grammar school entrance tutors.
For more details, please contact one of our client managers or complete our request a tutor form.