Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

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

Nestled in the heart of the Rossendale Valley, Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School (BRGS) is a beacon of academic excellence and holistic education. This co-educational selective academy boasts a rich tapestry of history, having evolved from its humble beginnings as Newchurch Grammar School. Today, BRGS continues to uphold its legacy of nurturing bright minds and fostering a love for learning among its diverse student body.

With an impressive enrollment of around 1,300 pupils, the school provides a comprehensive educational journey from Year 7 through to the Sixth Form. BRGS takes immense pride in its consistently outstanding academic performance, securing top positions in national school rankings year after year. The school's commitment to academic rigor is evident in its recent GCSE results, with a remarkable 21.8% of all grades achieved at the prestigious grade 9.

Beyond the classroom, BRGS offers an extensive array of extracurricular activities designed to cater to the diverse interests and talents of its students. From thought-provoking debating societies and the awe-inspiring Astronomy Club to the intellectually stimulating Model UN and the culturally enriching Japanese Club, there is no shortage of opportunities for students to explore their passions and develop new skills. This vibrant extracurricular programme is a testament to the school's dedication to providing a well-rounded education that extends far beyond the confines of the curriculum.

At the core of BRGS's ethos lie the values of trust, ambition, resilience, and respect. The school cultivates a nurturing and supportive environment where students feel empowered to take intellectual risks, express themselves freely, and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination. The staff at BRGS are committed to fostering a culture of ambition, encouraging students to set lofty goals and providing them with the tools and guidance necessary to achieve them. Through comprehensive support systems and personalized attention, the school ensures that each student receives the resources and opportunities they need to thrive academically and personally.

As students progress through their educational journey at BRGS, they benefit from a meticulously crafted curriculum that not only imparts knowledge but also ignites a passion for lifelong learning. The school's dedicated faculty goes above and beyond to engage students in research projects, university preparation programs, and other enriching experiences that lay the foundation for future success. By the time they leave the hallowed halls of BRGS, students are well-equipped to tackle the challenges of higher education and beyond, armed with the skills, confidence, and resilience necessary to become the leaders of tomorrow.

School Information

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

Bacup and Rawtenstall 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 0 pupils attend Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School and it's led by the , Mr James Johnstone.

Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School Location

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

Lancashire 11+ Information

In order to get into Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, children need to pass the Lancashire 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Lancashire 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Lancashire 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning

The entrance examination for Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School, known as the 11 plus exam, is a multiple-choice test that assesses prospective students' abilities in three key areas: English, Maths, and Verbal Reasoning. This exam is consistent with the format used by other grammar schools in the Lancashire region.

GL Assessment, a well-known educational assessment provider, supplies the three test papers that make up the Lancashire 11 plus exam. Students are given separate answer sheets on which they indicate their responses to the multiple-choice questions. These answer sheets are then electronically marked to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the grading process.

By evaluating students' skills in English, Maths, and Verbal Reasoning, the 11 plus exam aims to identify those who demonstrate the necessary academic potential to thrive in the challenging educational environment provided by Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School.

Other Schools using Lancashire 11+

As well as Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, several other schools also use Lancashire 11+. These are:

• Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
• Lancaster Girls' Grammar School
• Lancaster Royal Grammar School

Lancashire 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Bacup and Rawtenstall 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!

Lancashire 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Lancashire 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 Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Lancashire 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Lancashire 11+ tests (to get into Bacup and Rawtenstall 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 Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 14/06/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 22/09/2022, declaring that the school was ''. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Bacup and Rawtenstall 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 Lancashire 11+ Ensure you double-check with Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.