Caistor Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Caistor Grammar School

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

Nestled in the charming market town of Caistor, Lincolnshire, Caistor Grammar School stands as a beacon of academic excellence. This selective academy has consistently ranked among the top-performing schools in the East Midlands, earning recognition as the 'East Midlands Secondary School of the Decade' by the Sunday Times. With a rich history spanning centuries, Caistor Grammar School continues to uphold its motto, 'Ever to Excel', as it nurtures and educates a diverse cohort of approximately 680 students.

At the heart of Caistor Grammar School's educational philosophy lies a comprehensive and challenging curriculum. Students are immersed in a wide range of subjects, including science, humanities, languages, and social studies, providing them with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. The dedicated faculty delivers engaging and effective lessons, ensuring that each pupil's academic potential is maximized. This rigorous approach to learning prepares students for a successful and fulfilling future, equipping them with the tools they need to excel in their chosen paths.

Beyond the classroom, Caistor Grammar School offers an extensive array of extracurricular activities that enrich the educational experience. From the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award to musical choirs, orchestras, and a diverse selection of sports, students have ample opportunities to explore their passions and develop their talents. These activities foster personal growth, teamwork, and leadership skills, contributing to the vibrant and inclusive school community.

The school's commitment to student well-being is exemplified through its robust PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) programme. This initiative focuses on cultivating resilience, emotional intelligence, and empathy among students, empowering them to navigate the challenges of life with confidence and grace. By prioritizing the holistic development of each individual, Caistor Grammar School creates an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

With its enviable academic reputation, diverse extracurricular offerings, and dedication to student well-being, Caistor Grammar School provides an exceptional educational experience. As students embark on their journey at this esteemed institution, they become part of a rich legacy of academic excellence and personal growth, preparing them to make a positive impact on the world.

School Information

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

Caistor 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 687 pupils attend Caistor Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mrs Shona Buck.

Caistor 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 Caistor Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Caistor Grammar School 11+ Information

In order to get into Caistor Grammar School, children need to pass the Caistor Grammar School 11+. This 11+ test is written internally for exclusive use by the school (rather than by an external company like GL Assessment, CSSE or CEM).

Caistor Grammar School 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Caistor Grammar School 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• Verbal Reasoning

The entrance exam for Caistor Grammar School consists of two papers, each an hour long and taken on separate Saturdays. The papers assess the candidate's verbal reasoning skills, which involve solving problems using written information such as letters, symbols, words, and numbers. These skills are not part of the national curriculum, so the questions may be unfamiliar to the test-taker.

The first paper is a standard written verbal reasoning test, requiring the candidate to write their answers, which could be a single word or a string of numbers, in the provided spaces. The second paper is a multiple-choice test, with each question having 4-5 potential answers. The candidate must indicate which answer(s) they believe to be correct for each question.

The exam aims to evaluate the candidate's reading fluency, vocabulary, logic, and attention to detail. Each paper includes an unmarked 15-minute practice test at the beginning, allowing the candidate to familiarize themselves with the question format before the main exam begins.

Caistor Grammar School 11+ Marking Process

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

Caistor Grammar School 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Caistor Grammar School 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 Caistor Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Caistor Grammar School 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

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

Ofsted Information

Caistor Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 24/05/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 12/07/2022, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

Caistor Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 24 May 2022 and received an overall rating of Good. The school demonstrated a good quality of education, with pupils benefiting from effective teaching and a well-planned curriculum.

The behaviour and attitudes of students were also deemed good, with pupils showing respect for one another and displaying positive attitudes towards learning. The school's provision for personal development was good, offering a range of opportunities for pupils to develop their skills and interests beyond the classroom.

The leadership and management of the school were rated as good, with leaders demonstrating a clear vision for the school's development and a commitment to providing a high-quality education for all pupils. The sixth form provision was also judged to be good, with students receiving effective support and guidance to help them progress to their chosen destinations after school.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Caistor 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, Caistor Grammar School has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

None available.