Best Grammar Schools by Region

Grammar schools remain some of the highest-performing state schools in England, but they're concentrated in specific areas. If you're considering a grammar school education for your child, understanding where they are and how they differ is essential. This guide maps the grammar school landscape across England's key regions.

The Grammar School Map: Where They Still Exist

There are approximately 163 grammar schools in England - a tiny fraction of the 20,000+ state schools. They're not evenly distributed. Grammar schools survived the comprehensive reorganisation of the 1960s and 70s in areas where local authorities chose to keep the selective system. This means they cluster in specific counties and boroughs:

• Kent: the largest concentration, with over 30 grammar schools
• Buckinghamshire: a fully selective system with around 13 grammar schools
• Lincolnshire: around 15 grammar schools across the county
• Birmingham and surrounding boroughs: approximately 14 grammar schools
• Greater Manchester (Trafford): 7 grammar schools in the Trafford borough
• Essex (Southend and Chelmsford areas): a handful of selective schools
• North Yorkshire (Ripon): a small number of grammar schools
• Devon (Torquay area): a few grammar schools in South Devon
• Gloucestershire (Stroud area): several grammar schools
• London boroughs (Barnet, Bexley, Bromley, Enfield, Kingston, Redbridge, Sutton): scattered grammar schools, many heavily oversubscribed

If you don't live in one of these areas, a grammar school education is not a realistic option unless you're willing to relocate or face a very long commute. For more background, see our full guide to grammar schools.

Kent: England's Grammar School Heartland

Kent operates the closest thing to a fully selective system in England. The county has over 30 grammar schools alongside non-selective high schools (called "high schools" in Kent, not "secondary moderns," though that's effectively what they are).

Notable Kent grammar schools include:

• Tonbridge Grammar School: consistently among the top-performing state schools in England, with exceptional GCSE and A-level results
• Dartford Grammar School: a boys' grammar with strong sciences and a long history
• Invicta Grammar School (Maidstone): a girls' school with strong academic results and extensive extra-curricular provision
• Highsted Grammar School (Sittingbourne): strong results relative to its less affluent catchment area
• The Judd School (Tonbridge): a boys' grammar consistently ranked among the country's best state schools

Kent uses its own 11-plus test (the Kent Test), administered in September of Year 6. The test covers English, mathematics, and reasoning. Parents must register separately for the Kent Test - it's not automatic.

Buckinghamshire: The Fully Selective County

Buckinghamshire maintains a fully selective system - meaning that grammar schools are the norm rather than the exception. Around 13 grammar schools serve the county, and roughly a third of children attend one.

Standout schools include:

• Aylesbury Grammar School: a boys' school with outstanding academic results and strong university destinations
• Aylesbury High School: the corresponding girls' grammar, equally strong academically
• Dr Challoner's Grammar School (Amersham): regularly one of the top-performing state schools nationally
• Dr Challoner's High School (Little Chalfont): the girls' counterpart, with similarly impressive results
• Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe: one of the oldest grammar schools in England, with results that rival many independent schools

Buckinghamshire uses a separate 11-plus process from Kent. The test is called the Secondary Transfer Test (STT) and covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English, and mathematics. For preparation guidance, see our 11-plus guide.

Birmingham and the West Midlands

The Birmingham area has around 14 grammar schools, including some of the most oversubscribed in the country. These are individual selective schools within a predominantly comprehensive system, making them extremely competitive.

Notable schools:

• King Edward VI Grammar School, Aston: the flagship of the King Edward VI Foundation, with outstanding results
• King Edward VI Handsworth School: a girls' grammar with exceptional progress scores
• Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls: consistently high-performing
• Bishop Vesey's Grammar School: a boys' school in Sutton Coldfield with a strong academic tradition

Many Birmingham grammar schools are part of the King Edward VI Foundation, which runs its own entrance test. Competition is fierce - some schools receive over 1,500 applications for 120 places.

Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire maintains a selective system with around 15 grammar schools spread across the county. Being a large, rural county, the grammar schools serve distinct geographic areas, meaning competition can be less intense than in urban areas.

Notable schools include:

• Caistor Grammar School: a coeducational grammar with strong results in a semi-rural setting
• Boston Grammar School: one of the oldest schools in England, with a tradition dating back to the 1550s
• Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School: famously attended by Margaret Thatcher, consistently strong academically
• Lincoln Christ's Hospital School: a coeducational grammar in Lincoln city centre

Greater Manchester (Trafford)

Trafford is the only borough in Greater Manchester to retain grammar schools, with seven selective schools. They sit alongside non-selective schools within the borough.

• Altrincham Grammar School for Girls: outstanding results and a strong reputation
• Altrincham Grammar School for Boys: similarly high-performing
• Sale Grammar School: a coeducational grammar with strong results
• Stretford Grammar School: notable for strong value-added scores relative to intake

Trafford grammar schools attract applications from across Greater Manchester, making them highly competitive. The Trafford test covers English and mathematics with verbal and non-verbal reasoning elements.

London Boroughs

Several London boroughs have grammar schools, though they're scattered rather than forming a system. Competition is intense due to population density.

• Henrietta Barnett School (Barnet): a girls' school that regularly tops national performance tables
• Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet: a boys' school with exceptional results and strong Oxbridge destinations
• Tiffin School and Tiffin Girls' School (Kingston): among the most oversubscribed schools in England
• Wilson's School (Sutton): a boys' grammar with outstanding results
• Nonsuch High School (Sutton): a girls' school with consistently top-tier performance

London grammar schools often use the consortium tests run by groups like CSSE (Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex) or run their own entrance examinations.

What Makes a "Good" Grammar School?

All grammar schools are academically selective, but they're not all identical. When evaluating grammar schools, look beyond headline results:

• Progress scores: since grammar schools select high-ability pupils, raw results will always be good. The more telling measure is Progress 8 - how much value does the school add beyond what you'd expect from its intake?
• Breadth of curriculum: does the school offer a wide range of A-level and GCSE options, or is it narrowly focused on academic subjects?
• Extra-curricular provision: sports, music, drama, clubs, and leadership opportunities contribute significantly to a well-rounded education
• University destinations: where do leavers go? Look at the proportion going to Russell Group universities, specific course destinations, and Oxbridge numbers - but also at how well the school supports students who choose other paths
• Pastoral care: selective schools can be pressurised environments. How does the school support mental health and wellbeing?
• Diversity: some grammar schools have been criticised for a lack of socioeconomic diversity. Check the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals (pupil premium) - it's often much lower than the local average

Finding Grammar Schools Near You

You can search for grammar schools on School Signal by filtering for selective schools in your area. Each school page shows admission details, results, and Ofsted reports. You can also browse our 11-plus preparation guide for advice on the application and testing process.

Grammar schools are not right for every child, and passing the 11-plus does not automatically mean a grammar school is the best choice. Consider the whole child - their temperament, interests, and wellbeing - not just their academic ability. A happy child at a good comprehensive school will outperform a stressed child at a grammar school every time.