Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy 11+ Guide

About Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy

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

Nestled in the picturesque town of Brixham, South Devon, Churston Ferrers Grammar School stands as a beacon of academic excellence and inclusive education. As one of only two co-educational grammar schools in the southwest of England, Churston Ferrers takes pride in its unique position and unwavering commitment to nurturing the minds and hearts of its diverse student body.

At the core of Churston Ferrers' ethos lies the motto "Learning to create a better world," a powerful statement that encapsulates the school's dedication to fostering not only academic prowess but also a deep-rooted sense of social responsibility. By embracing students from all walks of life, the school cultivates an inclusive and supportive environment where every individual is valued, respected, and encouraged to reach their full potential.

The school's academic achievements are a testament to the exceptional quality of education provided by its talented and dedicated staff. With a curriculum that is both rigorous and engaging, Churston Ferrers equips its students with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities necessary to excel in their future endeavors. The school's impressive exam results consistently place it among the top-performing institutions in the region, reflecting the hard work and determination of both students and teachers alike.

Beyond the classroom, Churston Ferrers offers a wealth of extracurricular activities designed to enrich the lives of its students and help them develop into well-rounded individuals. From sports teams and debating societies to music ensembles and art clubs, there is no shortage of opportunities for students to explore their passions, forge lasting friendships, and acquire valuable life skills. By encouraging active participation in these pursuits, the school fosters a strong sense of community and personal growth.

As an institution that values active citizenship and social responsibility, Churston Ferrers instills in its students a deep appreciation for the world around them and a desire to make a positive impact. Through various initiatives and community outreach programs, students are encouraged to engage with local and global issues, develop empathy, and become agents of change. By nurturing these values alongside academic excellence, Churston Ferrers Grammar School prepares its students to become the compassionate, driven, and socially conscious leaders of tomorrow.

School Information

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

Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy 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 1,034 pupils attend Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr James Simpson.

Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy 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 Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy for the 2022-23 academic year.

South Devon 11+ Information

In order to get into Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy, children need to pass the South Devon 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

South Devon 11+ Subjects & Structure

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

• English
• Maths

The 11 plus exam for entry into the three grammar schools in Torquay, including Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy, is provided by GL Assessment. The exam consists of two multiple-choice papers, each lasting approximately 45-50 minutes. Children will be allocated either a morning or afternoon slot to take the test alongside other applicants from their current primary school.

The English paper assesses reading comprehension, requiring children to demonstrate their understanding of a given text by answering questions. It also tests additional English skills such as spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation. The content is based on the national curriculum for Year 5.

The maths paper is also based on Year 5 curriculum content, although some questions may be more challenging. Children will be assessed on their knowledge of key mathematical concepts, including times tables, mental maths, shapes, space and measures, the four basic operations, and interpreting graphs. Some advanced questions will require children to apply their skills to solve new types of problems.

Other Schools using South Devon 11+

As well as Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy, several other schools also use South Devon 11+. These are:

• Torquay Boys' Grammar School
• Torquay Girls' Grammar School

South Devon 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy 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!

South Devon 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the South Devon 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 Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

South Devon 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the South Devon 11+ tests (to get into Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy) 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 Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy was last inspected by Ofsted on 18/10/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 04/12/2022, 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

Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy was inspected by Ofsted on 18 October 2022 and received an overall outcome of Good. The school was rated Good in all areas, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.

The inspection found that the school provides a high-quality education for its students, with effective teaching and learning across all subjects. The school's leadership and management were praised for their clear vision and direction, which has led to sustained improvement in the school's performance.

The report also highlighted the school's positive and inclusive culture, where students feel safe, supported, and valued. The sixth form provision was found to be particularly strong, with students receiving excellent guidance and support 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 Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy 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, Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy 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 South Devon 11+ Ensure you double-check with Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.