Lancashire and Cumbria Grammar Schools 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information
Bookmark this page? Pop your email into the box below to receive a link to this article so you can easily refer back to it later.
Table of Contents
Introduction
In the northwest of England, the Lancashire region is home to four distinguished grammar schools. Just a short distance away, Cumbria also boasts its own esteemed institution. Together, these schools uphold a tradition of academic excellence in the area.
The schools in Lancashire and Cumbria are as follows:
Lancashire
⦿ Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
⦿ Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School
⦿ Lancaster Royal Grammar School
⦿ Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School
Cumbria
⦿ Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
Students from these schools consistently produce strong exam results. Their academic achievements provide them with a solid foundation for higher education and increase their options for various career paths in the future.
⬇️ Read on to learn more about these schools’ exam and admissions processes.
11 Plus (11+) Exam Information for Lancashire and Cumbria
The 11+ exam at these grammar schools tests students’ language comprehension, analytical and problem-solving skills, and logical reasoning. Reflecting their rigorous academic standards, the admissions process for entry to these schools is designed to select the very best candidates, who are also able to make the most of the educational opportunities on offer.
In general, the admissions process aims to ensure that each selected student matches the schools’ academic expectations and shares their ethos. More information on their admission criteria is outlined below:
Registration closing date: Lancashire – September, Cumbria – July
Common Application Form (CAF) closing date: October
Exam date: September
Exam board: GL Assessment
Pass mark: Aim for 75-85%+ in our practice tests. See below for more details.
Results date: October
Allocations date: March
Admissions info: Lancashire County Council, 0300 123 6707 | Cumbria County Council, 01228 221582 (Please note, the information for QEGS will be accessed via the new Westmorland and Furness Council, and not Cumbria County Council, once their website is properly up and running.)
Lancashire and Cumbria Grammar Schools 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
Year 7 places to Lancashire and Cumbria grammar schools are allocated based on student performance in the eleven plus entrance examination, which takes place in September.
Each of the schools organises open events, providing prospective families with the opportunity to meet staff members and find out more about the admissions process before applying for a place.
The Lancashire grammar schools comply with the admission criteria as set out by the Lancashire Coordinated Scheme for secondary schools. Those applying for a place at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Cumbria should refer to the old Cumbria County Council website for now (at some point, the information will move over to the new council’s website: Westmorland and Furness Council).
How to Register for the Lancashire and Cumbria Grammar Schools 11 Plus (11+) Exam
If you wish your child to sit the 11+ exam, you must register on their behalf using the online form available on the relevant school website:
⦿ Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
⦿ Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School
⦿ Lancaster Royal Grammar School
⦿ Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School
⦿ Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
Please note that you will also be asked to submit a preference form by the October deadline to your local authority. On it, you should list your child’s preferred schools in ranked order. The preference form can be accessed through the relevant council website.
Lancashire and Cumbria Grammar Schools 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
The 11+ exam for Lancashire grammar schools consists of three multiple-choice tests that cover:
⦿ English – Lasting 45 minutes, the paper assesses comprehension, vocabulary and technical English skills.
⦿ Mathematics – Lasting 50 minutes, the paper assesses problem-solving and arithmetic skills, with a focus on numerical reasoning and foundational mathematical concepts.
⦿ Verbal Reasoning – Lasting 50 minutes, the paper assesses the ability to understand and process language, evaluate textual information and draw logical conclusions from written passages.
In Cumbria, the 11+ exam covers the same subject areas, with the addition of Non-Verbal Reasoning (with elements of Spatial Reasoning).
For both regions, you will be notified of the results in October. Following success throughout the admissions procedure, your child will be allocated a place in March.
Lancashire and Cumbria 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Marks and Target Scores
Grammar schools in the Lancashire and Cumbria regions all use GL Assessment for their 11 plus. In Lancashire, target scores are usually determined after the tests have been administered. There are no strict cut-off points below which a candidate would automatically be considered unsuccessful.
QEGS does not have a cut-off score either – entry is based on the strength of the 11+ candidates sitting the test. The cohort is thus selected from the ranked list of applicants.
Pupils who are able to score 75-85%+ consistently in our 11+ practice tests should be on track to pass the 11+ test.
Whilst there are no guarantees, this is a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the Lancashire/Cumbria 11+ exams.
Passing the test does not guarantee that your child will be offered a place; it simply means they have surpassed the required threshold. As such, it makes sense to aim for as high a score as possible.
Don’t worry if your child is not scoring well in our practice papers from the outset. With targeted practice and focus, it’s possible to make big improvements in a short amount of time!
Practice Papers for the Lancashire and Cumbria Grammar Schools 11 Plus (11+) Exam
The following 11+ material is fully up to date, providing comprehensive preparation for the actual exams. Created by assessment experts, it includes specialised sections for mathematics, English and Reasoning, each developed to align closely with the relevant examination syllabus.
đź“šClitheroe Royal Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Practice Papers
📚Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Practice Papers
đź“šLancaster Royal Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Practice Papers
đź“šBacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Practice Papers
đź“šQueen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith 11 Plus (11+) Practice Papers
If you don’t buy a Bundle, don’t forget to use the code eppdiscount at checkout to get 10% off orders over £70 and 20% off orders over £250.
Lancashire and Cumbria Grammar Schools: Results & Leavers’ Destinations
Lancashire and Cumbria: Progress 8 Scores
The Progress 8 score is a metric used to gauge students’ academic growth from the end of Key Stage 2 in primary education to the end of Key Stage 4 in secondary education. This score helps assess the effectiveness of a school’s educational programme by observing how students improve academically over time.
The score is determined by comparing the actual performance of students in eight essential subjects, such as English, maths, sciences, humanities and languages, to their expected performance, which is based on their earlier academic records from primary school. This resulting score then serves as an indicator of the students’ academic progress in relation to that of students in other schools across these subject areas.
đź“Š Please refer to the chart below for details on Progress 8 scores at grammar schools in Lancashire and Cumbria:
Source: Gov.uk
A positive Progress 8 score indicates that students, on average, have made more progress than expected, while a negative score suggests that they have made less progress than expected. A score of zero means that students have progressed as expected.
Lancashire and Cumbria: Leavers’ Destinations
Leavers’ destinations here refers to the next steps that students take after completing their studies at grammar schools in Lancashire and Cumbria.
Universities in the Russell Group are internationally acclaimed for their significant contributions to various fields. These institutions are known for leading groundbreaking research initiatives and making transformative discoveries.
Key members of the group, the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, enjoy an esteemed reputation on a global scale. Their long-standing history of academic excellence combined with cutting-edge curricula taught by distinguished professors serves to enhance their high-standing reputations worldwide.
đź“Š The chart below shows the recent leavers’ destinations for grammar schools in Lancashire and Cumbria:
Source: Gov.uk
As the chart above shows, a significant number of students from the Lancashire and Cumbria grammar schools are offered places at top universities in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions About 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Grammar Schools in Lancashire/Cumbria
How do I register my child for the Lancashire 11+ exam?
Registration generally involves filling out a form accessible via the relevant school website. The deadline for this is in September of the year preceding entry. Click here to learn more.
Are there any grammar schools in Cumbria?
Cumbria is home to a reputable grammar school called Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith. The 11+ registration deadline for this school is in July. Click here to learn about its ethos, educational philosophy and recent Ofsted rating.
How is the Lancashire/Cumbria 11+ exam scored?
A standardised score is provided which takes into account the child’s age. Pupils who are able to score 75-85%+ consistently in our 11+ practice tests should be on track to pass the Lancashire/Cumbria 11+ test.
Is it possible to prepare for the Lancashire/Cumbria 11+ exam at home?
Yes, many families choose to prepare at home. Our company, Exam Papers Plus, provides top-notch, up-to-date resources to help your child prepare for every section of the competitive Lancashire/Cumbria GL exam. Click here to access our specific recommendations for each of the relevant grammar schools.
The information provided about the Lancashire and Cumbria grammar schools was believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of possible future changes. We advise you to contact the schools directly if you are unsure of anything. Contact details are provided within individual school posts.
Bookmark this page? Pop your email into the box below to receive a link to this article so you can easily refer back to it later.
