Wiltshire Grammar Schools 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information

Introduction

 

Located in the idyllic landscapes of southwest England, Wiltshire is home to two renowned grammar schools. Beyond their rigorous academic programmes, these schools are committed to fostering an environment that nurtures the whole student. 

 

Prioritising intellectual and personal growth through a robust curriculum and a rich extra-curricular programme, Wiltshire’s grammars utilise a balanced approach, which ensures that students not only excel academically but also emerge as well-rounded individuals equipped to navigate the complexities of modern life. These schools are:

 

⦿ Bishop Wordsworth’s School

⦿ South Wilts Grammar School for Girls

 

Students from these schools consistently perform well in examinations, acquiring a strong academic foundation. This academic success not only prepares them for university but also provides them with a wider range of career options to choose from in the future.

 

⬇️ Read on to learn more about these schools’ exams and admissions processes.

 

11 Plus (11+) Exam Information for the Wiltshire Grammar Schools

 

The 11+ exams administered at Wiltshire’s grammar schools serve as a thorough assessment of students’ linguistic aptitude, problem-solving skills and logical reasoning. Through meticulous admissions procedures, these schools aim to ensure a harmonious fit between each admitted student and the educational opportunities on offer. Additional details regarding their admissions criteria are outlined below:

 

Registration closing date: July for Bishop Wordsworth’s| September for South Wilts

Common Application Form (CAF) closing date: October

Exam date: September

Exam type / Board: GL Assessment

Pass mark: Aim for 80%+ in our practice tests. See below for more details.

Results date: October

Allocations date: March

Admissions info: admissions@wiltshire.gov.uk, 01225 713010

 

Wiltshire Grammar Schools 11 Plus (11+) Admissions

 

Grammar schools in Wiltshire use the 11+ exam to determine Year 7 place allocation. As both schools are regularly oversubscribed, you and your child are strongly encouraged to attend open events at the appropriate school (before making an application) to assess the suitability of the learning atmosphere. Admissions to Year 7 at Wiltshire’s grammar schools are managed by Wiltshire Council. 

 

How to Register for the Wiltshire Grammar Schools 11 Plus (11+) Exam

 

Initially, you’ll need to complete the online registration form available on the website of the relevant school. The submission deadlines are July for Bishop Wordsworth’s School and September for South Wilts Grammar School for Girls.

 

If you live within Wiltshire County, you are also required to submit a Common Application Form (CAF) to Wiltshire Council by the October deadline. Residents of Hampshire or Dorset need to submit the CAF through their respective county council websites.

 

To ensure your child is considered for a Year 7 place at one of Wiltshire’s grammar schools, make sure you list the relevant school on the CAF.

 

Wiltshire Grammar Schools 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format

 

Although both Wiltshire grammar schools use GL Assessment as their 11+ exam provider, the exam formats they administer differ.

 

What comes up in Bishop Wordsworth’s 11+ exam?

 

Bishop Wordsworth’s 11+ exam consists of two standardised papers that cover the following subject areas:

 

⦿ English and Verbal Reasoning: 

– The English sections examine comprehension skills, including inference, and technical English skills, including punctuation.

– The VR sections assess logical thinking, use of the English language and vocabulary.

 

 ⦿ Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning (including Spatial Reasoning): 

– The Maths sections measure problem-solving abilities and arithmetic skills.

– The NVR and Spatial Reasoning sections evaluate logic and intelligence.

 

What comes up in the South Wilts Grammar 11+ exam?

 

The South Wilts Grammar School 11+ test consists of three multiple-choice papers that test the following areas:

 

⦿ Mathematics:

 – The Maths paper covers numbers, algebra, measurements, shapes and space, and handling data.

 

⦿ English: 

– The English paper may contain questions on reading comprehension, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

 

⦿ Verbal Reasoning: 

– The Verbal Reasoning paper includes questions testing vocabulary and questions on codes and word patterns.

 

Wiltshire 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Marks and Target Scores

 

Pupils who are able to score 80%+ consistently in our 11+ practice tests should be on track to pass the entrance examination.

 

Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in their Wiltshire 11+ test.

 

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 Exam Papers for the Wiltshire Grammar Schools 11 Plus (11+) Exam

 

The following 11+ material is fully up to date, providing comprehensive preparation for the actual Wiltshire exams. Created by assessment experts, it includes specialised sections for mathematics, English and Reasoning, each developed to align closely with the relevant examination syllabus.

 

📚 Bishop Wordsworth’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Practice Papers

📚 South Wilts Grammar School for Girls 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.

 

 

Wiltshire Grammar Schools: Results & Leavers’ Destinations 

 

Wiltshire Grammar Schools – Progress 8 Scores

 

Progress 8 scores are used as a tool to monitor students’ academic growth from the end of Key Stage 2 in primary education to the end of Key Stage 4 in secondary education. This metric sheds light on a school’s efficacy in enhancing its pupils’ academic performance.

 

To calculate the Progress 8 score, the actual achievements of students in eight fundamental subjects, such as English, mathematics, sciences, humanities and languages, are compared to their expected achievements, which are predicted on the grounds of their earlier academic performance in primary school. This score signifies the progress of the cohort in relation to their peers at other schools.

 

📊 Please refer to the chart below for details on Progress 8 scores at grammar schools in Wiltshire:

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.

 

Wiltshire Grammar Schools: Leavers’ Destinations 

 

Leavers’ destinations here refers to the next steps that students take after completing their studies at grammar schools in Wiltshire. 

 

Universities in the Russell Group are internationally acclaimed, being well known for their innovative research initiatives and groundbreaking discoveries.

 

Leaders within the Russell Group, the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, enjoy an elevated status on the global stage. Their long-standing legacy of academic excellence is further enhanced by cutting-edge curricula delivered by distinguished faculties, confirming the institutions’ esteemed reputations worldwide.

 

📊 The chart below shows the recent leavers’ destinations for grammar schools in Wiltshire:

Source: Gov.uk

As the chart above shows, a significant number of students from Wiltshire’s grammar schools are offered places at top universities in the UK.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Grammar Schools in Wiltshire

 

How many grammar schools are in Wiltshire?

 

There are currently two grammar schools in the Wiltshire region, both of which are high performing. Bishop Wordsworth’s School caters for boys exclusively from Year 7-11, while South Wilts Grammar School accommodates just girls from Year 7-11. Both schools produce strong examination results, which secure the cohort’s successful progression into higher education. Click here to learn more.

 

How can I apply for 11+ entry to grammar schools in Wiltshire?

 

To formally commence the application procedure, you’ll need to complete the online registration form available on the website of the relevant school. If you live within Wiltshire County, you are also required to submit a Common Application Form (CAF) to Wiltshire Council by the October deadline. If you live outside Wiltshire County, you will need to submit a CAF to your local authority. Click here to learn more.

 

What is the format of the Wiltshire 11+ exam?

 

Both Bishop Wordsworth’s School and South Wilts Grammar School use GL Assessment as their exam provider, but their entrance test formats differ. Click here to learn more. 

 

 

The information provided about the Wiltshire 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.