Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School 11 Plus Exam Secondary Transfer Test 2024

Introduction

 

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School is a co-educational school for students between the ages of 11 and 18. Founded in 1624, the school is located in Marlow in Buckinghamshire, and it’s highly respected for its dedication to providing pupils with a broad and diverse curriculum, as well as an extensive extracurricular programme.

 

At Borlase, pupils are exposed to a rich syllabus that prepares them for scientific innovation, political and philosophical discussions, engineering, and more. The school encourages its students to seize every opportunity and make the most of their time, both inside and outside the classroom. That extends to the school’s extracurricular programme, in which pupils have access to many activities, sports, and clubs. They can refine their athletic skills in hockey, rowing, netball, and football, or they can explore more artistic endeavours such as drama, creative writing, jazz ensembles, and dance.

 

The school fosters an enthusiasm for learning in all subjects and strives to help each pupil achieve their full potential, both academically and personally. Borlase’s motto, “Te Digna Sequere”(Follow things Worthy), serves to remind every member of the school community of their clear objective — creating responsible and deserving individuals. It also participates in various local, national, and international charitable causes.

 

According to the Ofsted report, the school is “Outstanding”. Its students consistently perform well on GCSE and A-level exams, a testament to Borlase’s determination and strong work ethic. [1]

 

You can check out this video to get a better overall look at the school:

 

 

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Secondary Transfer Test Information 2024

 

Address: West Street, Marlow, SL7 2BR

County: Buckinghamshire

Admissions info: enquiries@swbgs.com, 01628 816500

School type: Co-ed grammar school

Number of places in Year 7: 150

Open event date: September

Exam date: September

Pass mark: Aim for 75%+ in our practice tests. See below for more details.

Exam type / Board: Secondary Transfer Test, GL Assessment

 

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions

 

Year 7 admission to Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School is determined by student performance in the 11+ Exam known as the Secondary Transfer Test, which is created by GL Assessment and administered by Buckinghamshire County Council.

 

Borlase holds an Open Evening in September for parents and prospective students, where there are exhibitions and demonstrations across various departments. The event also includes a guided tour of the facilities and a presentation by the Head. 

 

The school often receives more successful applications than there are available places. In such cases, the following oversubscription criteria are used, giving priority to:

 

• Looked After or previously Looked After Children
• Pupils who are eligible for Pupil Premium, live in the catchment area and achieved a high score in the STT
• Pupils who live in the catchment area and are eligible for Free School Meals
• Students who live within the Priority Admissions area  
• Eligible children of staff
• Children living in the catchment area
• Students who have a brother or sister who already attends the school
• Students who have exceptional medical or social reasons for attending the school
• Students who live closest to the school

 

The full list of oversubscription criteria is available in the admissions policy, which can be accessed through this page. 

 

Sir William Borlase operates a waiting list where students are ordered based on the school’s oversubscription criteria. If you turn down a place, you will have the option to later re-join the waiting list upon request.

 

For further details on Borlase’s admissions criteria, please reach out to the school directly. You can view its exact location on the map below:

 

 

How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School

 

Students who already attend a state funded Buckinghamshire primary school are automatically registered to sit the 11+ Secondary Transfer Test. Other pupils need to be registered for the STT. The registration form can be accessed through the website of the Local Authority and needs to be completed by the deadline in June.

 

You should also notify your Local Authority of your child’s school choices by completing the CAF form before the October deadline. Secondary Transfer Test results are announced in the same month, and decisions regarding school placements are made in March.

 

Is Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School part of a Consortium?

 

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School belongs to The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) Consortium, which is made up of a group of schools that use the same entrance exam and share a very similar admissions process.

 

 

Does Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School have a catchment area?

 

Yes, there is a catchment area with priority based on location and distance from the school. The map can be located at the bottom of this page. 

 

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) STT Exam Format

 

The exam board for the 11+ Test in Buckinghamshire is GL Assessment. The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test is split into two papers that test:

 

1. Comprehension, technical English and Verbal Reasoning
2. Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Reasoning and Mathematics

 

Each test paper lasts for approximately 45 minutes, and all questions are multiple-choice. The 11+ Secondary Transfer Test is weighted as follows:

 

• Verbal Ability – 50%
• Non-Verbal Ability – 25%
• Numerical Ability – 25%

 

All questions are answered on a separate answer sheet, with each correct answer gaining one raw age-standardised mark.

 

Before taking the Secondary Transfer Test, students will have the opportunity to take a Practice Test. The Practice Test aims to give students the experience of taking a test under exam conditions and to help familiarise them with the layout of the 11+ STT.

 

How to Prepare for the Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School Secondary Transfer Test?

 

One of the most effective strategies to prepare your child for a rigorous 11+ entrance exam is to familiarise them with the question types and layout of the real exam. This can be accomplished through the use of our 11+ practice tests.

 

Epp mock tests comprise meticulously researched and up-to-date questions, which will assist you in pinpointing your child’s strengths and weaknesses, thereby reducing unnecessary stress throughout the exam preparation process.

 

By becoming accustomed to answering questions rapidly and under time constraints, your child will develop a considerable edge over other candidates.

 

We strongly suggest using our 11+ resources to enhance your child’s confidence ahead of exam day. They are available for instant download and use after purchase.

 

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Marks and Target Scores

 

The Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School STT scores are standardised, taking into account applicants’ ages and ensuring that no child is disadvantaged. All candidates with a standardised score above 121 will qualify for a place.

 

Pupils who are able to score 75%+ consistently in our 11+ practice tests should be on track to pass the Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School 11+ test.

 

Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.

 

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) STT Practice Exam Papers

 

For Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School Secondary Transfer Test, we would highly recommend the following practice resources:

 

Pre-11+ practice tests

The Buckinghamshire Pre-11+ Practice Tests for Year 4 and 5 students are designed to introduce the exam format in a less challenging manner than the actual Buckinghamshire 11+ Exam. They build confidence and provide a simpler yet accurate overview of what to expect, thus laying a solid foundation for tackling more demanding 11+ Practice Tests.

 

Pre-11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 1
Pre-11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 2
Pre-11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 3
Pre-11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 4
Pre-11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 5

 

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Full Practice Tests

The following practice tests are specifically designed to help your child prepare for the Bucks 11+ Exam. They provide excellent mock exam preparation, highlighting your child’s strengths and weaknesses:

 

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 1

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 2

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 3

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 4

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 5

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 6

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 7

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 8

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 9

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 10

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 11

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 12

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 13

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 14

11+ Buckinghamshire Practice Test 15

 

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11+ Bucks Practice Test 1-5 Bundle - Save 15%

 

11+ Bucks Practice Test 6-10 Bundle - Save 15%

 

11+ Bucks Practice Test 11-15 Bundle - Save 15%

 

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Skill Practice Tests: English

The following 11+ resources provide full preparation for the English section of the Bucks 11+ Exam:

 

Full Practice Tests

11+ English – Pack 1

11+ English – Pack 2

11+ English – Pack 3

11+ English – Pack 4

11+ English – Pack 5

Skill Specific Practice

11+ Spelling – Pack 3

11+ Punctuation

11+ Sentence Completion

11+ Comprehension – Pack 1

11+ Comprehension – Pack 2

11+ Inference Skills – Pack 1

11+ Inference Skills – Pack 2

Masterclasses

11+ English (GL) Masterclass

 

✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the English section of the Buckinghamshire 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:

 

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Skill Practice Tests: Maths

The following 11+ resources extensively cover the Mathematics section of the Bucks 11+ Exam:

 

Full Practice Tests

11+ Maths – Pack 1

11+ Maths – Pack 2

11+ Maths – Pack 3

11+ Maths – Pack 4

Skill Specific Practice

11+ Algebra

11+ Angles & Degrees

11+ BODMAS

11+ Estimation & Place Value

11+ Factors & Multiples

11+ Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

11+ Measurements

11+ Money

11+ Operations

11+ Perimeter, Area & Volume

11+ Position & Direction

11+ Probability

11+ Problem Solving – Pack 1

11+ Problem Solving – Pack 2

11+ Properties of Shapes

11+ Ratio & Proportion

11+ Reflection, Rotation & Symmetry

11+ Sequences

11+ Special Numbers

11+ Speed, Distance & Time

11+ Statistics

Masterclasses

11+ Maths (GL) Masterclass

 

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Skill Practice Tests: Verbal Reasoning

To help your child to master Verbal Reasoning skills in the lead-up to the Bucks 11+ Exam, we recommend the following resources:

 

Full Practice Tests

11+ Verbal Reasoning – Pack 1

11+ Verbal Reasoning – Pack 2

11+ Verbal Reasoning – Pack 3

11+ Verbal Reasoning – Pack 4

Skill Specific Practice

11+ Anagrams

11+ Analogies

11+ Codes

11+ Compound Words

11+ Embedded Words

11+ Form a Word

11+ Insert a Letter

11+ Letter Analogies

11+ Letter Calculations

11+ Letter Codes

11+ Letter Sequences

11+ Move a Letter

11+ Number Analogies

11+ Number Calculations

11+ Number Sequences

11+ Related Words

11+ Rhyming Synonyms

11+ Shuffled Sentences

11+ Synonyms

11+ Word Completion

11+ Word Match

11+ Word Opposites

11+ Word Pairs

11+ Word Puzzles

11+ Word Relationships

Masterclasses

11+ Verbal Reasoning Masterclass

 

✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the Verbal Reasoning section of the Buckinghamshire 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:

 

11+ Bucks VR Bundle

 

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Skill Practice Tests: Non-Verbal & Spatial Reasoning

The following resources will help boost your child’s Non-Verbal (NVR) and Spatial Reasoning (SR) abilities ahead of the Bucks 11+ Exam:

 

NVR Full Practice Tests

11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 1

11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 2

11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 3

11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 4

Skill Specific Practice

11+ Analogies

11+ Classes Like

11+ Classes Unlike

11+ Extended Series

11+ Figure Classification

11+ Figure Matrices

11+ Horizontal Codes

11+ Series

11+ Triangle Matrices

11+ Triangle Series

11+ Star Matrices

11+ Vertical Codes

NVR Masterclasses

11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Masterclass

SR Full Practice Tests

11+ Spatial Reasoning – Pack 1

SR Skill Specific Practice

11+ Block Counting

11+ Combining Shapes

11+ Fold & Punch

11+ Folding Cubes

11+ Hidden Shapes

11+ Shape Completion

11+ Spinning Shapes

11+ Rotation

 

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Don’t forget to use the code eppdiscount at checkout to get 10% off orders over £70 and 20% off orders over £250 if you don’t buy a bundle.

 

 

Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions were included in Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School 11+ past papers. The information provided about Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School was believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the post.