The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information 2024
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Table of Contents
Introduction
The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is an independent fee-paying school in Leeds. It was created through the merger of Leeds Grammar School and Leeds Girls’ High School.
The schools merged in September 2008, at which point GSAL became co-educational. The senior school and junior school are situated in Alwoodley, whilst the former Leeds Girls’ High School site in Headingley is used by the infant school and nursery.
The school operates using the diamond method. Classes for seniors are segregated, but extracurricular activities are mixed.
In this way, students enjoy the social aspects of a co-educational setting whilst benefiting from the advantages of single-sex teaching. Free from the pressure of performing in mixed-gender groups, both boys and girls enjoy lessons designed to be compatible with their different learning styles.
Data shows that there’s a higher proportion of entries obtained A* to C grades in A-level in diamond schools compared to other schools.
The school has a centuries-long reputation for excellence in intellectual, physical and creative pursuits. Whilst simultaneously respecting tradition and innovation, students at GSAL benefit greatly from its rich and stimulating curriculum and sensitive pastoral system.
In senior school, academic facilities include:
- 1000 sq m library with over 65,000 resources
- 8 IT rooms plus additional rooms in various subject areas
- 4 fully-equipped food technology rooms
- 16 science laboratories
- Art and design centre with 426sq m DT workshop
- 8 language laboratories
The school also accommodates seniors with an indoor swimming pool, Squash courts, Dance studio, Karate studio, Weights room, Sports Hall, Basketball courts and an Indoor football court.
The Grammar School at Leeds 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2024
Address: Alwoodley Gates Harrogate Road Leeds LS17 8GS
County: West Yorkshire
Admissions info: enquiries@gsal.org.uk or 0113 228 5121
School type: Independent co-ed day school
Number of students: 2,370 (approx.)
Open day: October, November, February, March, May
11+ Exam date: January of Year 6
11+ Exam type / Board: School’s own
Open Events for The Grammar School at Leeds 11 plus (11+) Entry
GSAL runs several open events each year. Most of these are open doors and include visiting on a normal school day. They consist of a pupil-guided tour, with the opportunity to view teaching in action. Parents can also discuss admissions with Senior staff members after the tour finishes.
The annual Open Morning is usually held on the second Saturday in October. It’s a showcase event by nature and includes specially themed activities in which the child is welcome to participate. Various displays, including musical ensembles, sports matches and house activities are also included.
It’s recommended that families attend both the annual open morning and the open doors events, held in November, February, March and May. Please reach out to the Admissions Manager if you prefer to arrange a visit at a more convenient time. You can view the school’s exact location on the map below:
The Grammar School at Leeds 11 Plus (11 +) Admissions
The GSAL Year 7 (11+) entrance exam is highly competitive. It’s the school’s most popular entry point with over 200 applications.
Pupils sit a paper-based entrance exam. The admission process also includes a short interview with the candidate, held on a separate day.
The Grammar School at Leeds 11 Plus (11 +) Exam Format
The 11+ exam at GSAL consists of the following papers:
- English (90 minutes)
- Mathematics (60 minutes)
The English paper measures your child’s comprehension and writing skills, including grammar, punctuation and vocabulary.
The maths paper is designed to measure your child’s skills in both problem-solving and arithmetic. It consists of standard format questions.
Please see below for further details and recommendations on how to prepare for the GSAL 11+ examination.
How to Prepare for The Grammar School at Leeds 11 Plus (11+) Exam
In order to precisely identify your child’s strengths and potential weaknesses ahead of a competitive 11+ entrance exam, we strongly suggest that you make use of our practice papers. They consist of thoroughly researched and up to date questions that fully reflect the demands of the actual exam.
After your child familiarises themselves with the style and layout of the 11+ entrance exam, you will then be able to create a study schedule that highlights what needs to be studied and when.
Our practice tests will help your child get used to answering questions quickly, efficiently and confidently under timed conditions, and thus help him/her gain a significant advantage over peers. They are age-appropriate, yet still challenging, and are used successfully by tens of thousands of students targeting schools with a competitive entrance exam.
The Grammar School at Leeds 11 Plus (11+) Exam Practice Papers
NOTE: The following English and Mathematics practice tests are in standard format, which means that students need to write in their own answers rather than choose from a list of multiple-choice options. This matches the 11+ Exam format used by the school.
English
For successful preparation ahead of the GSAL 11+ English paper, we highly recommend the following packs. They will help improve comprehension and writing skills, including spelling, vocabulary and inference:
Comprehension
11+ Complete Comprehension Guide
Writing
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended 11+ resources for the GSAL English exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ English Bundle - Save 30%
If you’d like to have your child’s writing assessed and marked, you may be interested in our Writing Marking Service. Please click here to learn more.
Mathematics
The GSAL 11+ maths test requires preparation in accordance with the following packs. They will help further develop your child’s mathematical skills within an examination context:
Full Practice Tests
Skill Specific Practice
11+ Fractions, Decimals & Percentages
11+ Reflection, Rotation & Symmetry
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended 11+ resources for the GSAL mathematics exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ Mathematics Bundle - Save 30%
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.
Interviews
This guide covers all the key concepts your child needs to be aware of for the 11+ Interview:
11+ Interviews – The Complete Guide
Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions were included in The Grammar School at Leeds 11+ exam past papers. The information provided about The Grammar School at Leeds 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.
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