Alcester Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Alcester Grammar School

Alcester Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Warwickshire. For children to get into Alcester Grammar School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Alcester Grammar School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the heart of Warwickshire, Alcester Grammar School (AGS) is a beacon of academic excellence and holistic education. As a selective grammar school, AGS nurtures the minds of over 1000 students, providing them with a comprehensive curriculum that spans a wide array of subjects. From the intricacies of mathematics and computing to the creativity of design technology and modern foreign languages, AGS equips its pupils with the tools to become versatile thinkers and lifelong learners.

Beyond the classroom, AGS offers a vibrant tapestry of extracurricular activities that cater to the diverse interests of its students. Whether it's the thrill of athletics, the strategic challenges of chess, or the artistic expression of jazz band, there's something for everyone. The school also organizes captivating annual trips to destinations near and far, enriching the learning experience and fostering a sense of adventure and global awareness.

At AGS, academic achievement is a top priority, with students consistently delivering outstanding GCSE and A Level results. The school's unwavering commitment to excellence has earned it an 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted, a testament to its exceptional teaching quality and student outcomes. However, AGS goes beyond mere academic success, cultivating a nurturing environment where respect, honesty, and inclusivity are the cornerstones of every interaction.

Through active community engagement and a focus on personal growth, AGS molds its students into responsible, empathetic citizens who are ready to tackle the challenges of the world beyond the school gates. With its rich history, dedicated staff, and vibrant student body, Alcester Grammar School continues to be a shining example of educational excellence, preparing the leaders of tomorrow for a bright and promising future.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Alcester Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

Alcester Grammar School is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,323 pupils attend Alcester Grammar School and it's led by the Principal, Ms Rachel Thorpe.

Alcester Grammar School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Alcester Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Information

In order to get into Alcester Grammar School, children need to pass the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Subjects & Structure

The West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English comprehension
• Maths
• Verbal reasoning
• Non-verbal reasoning

The West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test is the examination used by Alcester Grammar School to assess prospective students. This rigorous assessment consists of two papers, each lasting one hour. The papers are further divided into smaller sections, each with its own allocated time limit, covering a range of subjects designed to evaluate the candidate's abilities.

The entrance test assesses proficiency in English comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Candidates are presented with multiple-choice questions throughout the examination, requiring them to select the correct answer from the given options. To record their responses, students are provided with separate answer sheets, which are subsequently marked electronically to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the grading process.

The combination of subjects tested in the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test allows Alcester Grammar School to identify students with strong academic potential across a diverse range of skills. By assessing both language and numerical abilities, as well as reasoning skills, the school can select candidates who demonstrate the aptitude necessary to thrive in its challenging educational environment.

Other Schools using West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+

As well as Alcester Grammar School, several other schools also use West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+. These are:

• Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
• King Edward VI Aston School
• King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
• King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
• King Edward VI Five Ways School
• King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
• King Edward VI Handsworth School
• Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
• Haberdashers' Adams
• Newport Girls' High School Academy
• Queen Mary's Grammar School
• Queen Mary's High School
• King Edward VI School
• Lawrence Sheriff School
• Rugby High School
• Stratford Girls' Grammar School
• Wolverhampton Girls' High School

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Alcester Grammar School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Alcester Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ tests (to get into Alcester Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Alcester Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Alcester Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 07/12/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 02/02/2023, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

Alcester Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 7 December 2022 and received an Outstanding overall rating. The school demonstrated exceptional performance across multiple areas, including Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, and Leadership and management, all of which were rated as Outstanding.

The inspection revealed that Alcester Grammar School provides an exceptional learning environment for its students, fostering their academic growth and personal development. The school's leadership and management team have implemented effective strategies to ensure high-quality education and maintain an outstanding level of behaviour and attitudes among the students.

The Sixth form provision at Alcester Grammar School was rated as Good, indicating that the school provides a solid foundation for students' further education and future prospects. Overall, the inspection highlights the school's commitment to delivering an outstanding educational experience for its students.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Alcester Grammar School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Alcester Grammar School has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Ensure you double-check with Alcester Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.