Grammar Schools in England: How They Work

Grammar schools are one of the most debated topics in English education. For parents in areas where they exist, understanding how they work is essential - whether you are considering applying or simply want to know what options are available. This guide explains the grammar school system clearly and practically.

What Are Grammar Schools?

Grammar schools are state-funded secondary schools that select their pupils based on academic ability. They are free to attend - there are no fees - but children must pass an entrance examination, usually taken at age 10, to gain a place. In every other respect they are state schools: they follow the national curriculum, are inspected by Ofsted, and are funded by the government.

There are currently around 163 grammar schools in England, educating roughly 5% of secondary-age pupils. They exist alongside comprehensive (non-selective) schools and, in some areas, secondary modern schools that take pupils who do not pass the selective test.

For a broader look at how grammar schools fit into the wider landscape, see our guide to types of schools in England.

The 11+ Entrance Test

The entrance examination for grammar schools is commonly known as the 11+ (or "eleven plus"), because children typically sit it at the start of Year 6, when they are 10 or 11 years old. The test is usually taken in September, with results arriving in October - well before the secondary school application deadline in late October.

The format varies by area. Some regions use the GL Assessment (formerly NFER), which tests verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English, and maths. Others use the CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) test developed by Durham University, which blends verbal ability, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning into fewer, longer papers. A few grammar schools set their own bespoke tests.

The key differences between GL and CEM tests matter for preparation. GL tests follow a more predictable format, and past papers are widely available. CEM tests are designed to be harder to prepare for, with less predictable question styles and no official practice papers. In practice, many families still use preparation materials for both.

For a detailed breakdown of the test itself, including registration deadlines and preparation advice, see our dedicated guide to the 11+ explained.

Which Areas Still Have Grammar Schools?

Grammar schools are not evenly distributed across England. They are concentrated in a handful of areas where the selective system was retained when most of the country moved to comprehensive education in the 1960s and 1970s.

Fully Selective Areas

In these areas, the grammar school system is the dominant model and a large proportion of pupils attend selective schools:

• Kent - the largest grammar school system, with over 30 grammar schools
• Medway - closely linked to the Kent system but administered separately
• Buckinghamshire - a fully selective system with grammar schools across the county
• Lincolnshire - grammar schools in most major towns across the county
• Trafford - a small but fully selective area in Greater Manchester

Partially Selective Areas

Some areas have a smaller number of grammar schools sitting alongside comprehensive schools:

• Birmingham - a cluster of grammar schools including King Edward's foundation schools
• Wirral - several grammar schools in the borough
• Gloucestershire - grammar schools in Cheltenham and Stroud
• Warwickshire and Solihull - a handful of selective schools
• Devon, Dorset, Essex, Lancashire, Wiltshire - isolated grammar schools in otherwise comprehensive areas

If you do not live in or near one of these areas, there will not be a grammar school option available to you.

How Grammar School Admissions Work

The admissions process has two stages. First, your child sits the 11+ test and receives a score. Second, you list grammar schools on your local authority secondary school application (the same form everyone uses, submitted by 31 October).

Schools rank applicants by test score. Those who score above the qualifying threshold are deemed "selective" - meaning they have passed. Places are then allocated in score order. If more children pass than there are places, the school applies tiebreakers, most commonly straight-line distance from home to school. Some grammar schools use other tiebreakers such as sibling priority or designated catchment areas.

This means that passing the 11+ does not guarantee a grammar school place. In heavily oversubscribed areas - parts of Kent and Buckinghamshire especially - children can pass the test but still not receive an offer because they live too far away.

What Are Superselective Grammar Schools?

The term "superselective" is not an official designation but is widely used to describe grammar schools that draw from a very wide area and are extremely competitive. These schools typically have no distance tiebreaker (or a very large catchment) and allocate purely on test score, meaning they attract the highest-scoring applicants from across a region.

Examples include schools like Henrietta Barnett in north London, Queen Elizabeth's School in Barnet, and several of the King Edward's schools in Birmingham. Entry to superselective schools is significantly more competitive than entry to local grammar schools, with many candidates scoring near-perfect marks on the test.

Grammar School Sixth Forms

Most grammar schools have sixth forms, and many open additional places to external applicants at age 16. This is sometimes called "sixth form entry" or "13+ entry" (though 16+ is more common than 13+).

Entry at 16 is typically based on GCSE results - most grammar sixth forms require grade 7 or above in the subjects you wish to study, and often a minimum of five or six grade 7s overall. Some also require a separate entrance test or interview.

For families who missed the 11+ or moved to the area later, sixth form entry can be an alternative route into a grammar school for A-levels.

Academic Outcomes

Grammar schools consistently appear near the top of school performance tables. Their GCSE and A-level results are, on average, significantly above the national average. This is unsurprising given that they select the most academically able pupils at age 11.

The more useful question is whether grammar schools add value beyond what those pupils would have achieved elsewhere. This is measured by progress scores - how much pupils improve relative to their starting points. On Progress 8, grammar schools tend to perform well but not dramatically better than good comprehensive schools with similar intakes. Some grammar schools have average or even below-average progress scores, suggesting that the high raw results are largely driven by intake ability rather than the school itself.

For more on how to interpret these performance measures, see our guide to reading school league tables.

The Grammar School Debate

Few topics in English education generate as much disagreement as grammar schools. The arguments on both sides are worth understanding.

Arguments in Favour

• Academic excellence: Grammar schools provide a rigorous academic environment where able pupils can be stretched and challenged among peers of similar ability.
• Social mobility: Proponents argue that grammar schools give bright children from disadvantaged backgrounds access to an excellent education they could not otherwise afford (since private schools charge fees).
• Parental choice: They offer an additional option within the state system, which some families value highly.

Arguments Against

• Social selection: In practice, grammar school intakes are disproportionately middle-class. Pupils eligible for free school meals are significantly underrepresented. Critics argue that the 11+ favours children who receive private tutoring.
• Impact on other schools: In selective areas, non-selective schools lose their most able pupils, which can affect those schools' results, reputation, and the range of teaching they can offer.
• Testing at 10: Opponents question whether a single test at age 10 should determine a child's educational path, given how much children develop at different rates.

Are Grammar Schools Expanding?

Technically, no new grammar schools have been permitted since the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. However, the rules allow existing grammar schools to expand - including opening annexes or satellite sites. In practice, a small number of grammar schools have expanded capacity in recent years through building extensions or opening new sites linked to the existing school.

Government policy on grammar schools has shifted over time but the legal ban on entirely new selective schools remains in place. Any expansion requires approval and must be linked to an existing grammar school.

Practical Advice for Parents

If you are considering a grammar school for your child, here are some practical points:

• Check your area: Use School Signal to see which grammar schools are near you and how far their catchment effectively extends based on recent admissions data.
• Understand the test format: Find out whether your area uses GL, CEM, or a school-specific test, and familiarise your child with the format. Even a small amount of practice can reduce test-day anxiety.
• Be realistic about distance: In oversubscribed areas, living within a few miles of the school may be necessary to secure a place even with a passing score.
• Have a strong backup: Always research non-selective schools thoroughly. Many comprehensive schools deliver excellent education, and your child needs a school you are happy with regardless of the 11+ outcome.
• Consider your child: Not every academically able child thrives under the pressure of a selective environment. Think about your child's temperament, confidence, and how they handle academic competition.
• Do not over-prepare: Excessive tutoring can push a child into a school where they will struggle to keep up. The test exists partly to identify children who will cope with the pace - artificially inflating the score can backfire.

Grammar schools are an important part of the English education system in the areas where they exist. Whether they are right for your child depends on your location, your child's ability and temperament, and the alternatives available. Making an informed decision starts with understanding how the system actually works.