Herschel Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Herschel Grammar School

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

Nestled in the vibrant town of Slough, Berkshire, Herschel Grammar School is a renowned selective, co-educational grammar school that offers an exceptional learning experience to its diverse student body. With a dedication to academic excellence and personal growth, this academy school provides a comprehensive curriculum that nurtures the intellectual curiosity and potential of approximately 900 students.

At Herschel Grammar School, students consistently achieve outstanding examination results, with a significant proportion attaining top grades. The school's unique approach to learning empowers students to track their progress, build upon prior knowledge, and prepare for future challenges, cultivating a profound understanding of various subjects and broader fields of study. This holistic educational framework ensures that students develop a solid foundation for success in their academic pursuits and beyond.

Beyond the classroom, Herschel Grammar School offers a rich tapestry of extracurricular activities, catering to a wide range of interests and talents. From the performing arts and music to sports and clubs, students have ample opportunities to explore their passions, develop new skills, and forge lasting friendships. These experiences not only complement their academic journey but also contribute to their personal growth, fostering creativity, teamwork, and self-confidence.

As an Eco School, Herschel Grammar School is committed to promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship. The school has implemented various eco-friendly initiatives, such as advanced recycling facilities, hybrid bins, and the enhancement of school grounds with shelters, upcycled planters, and outdoor recreational spaces. By embedding these practices into the fabric of school life, Herschel Grammar School instills in its students a deep appreciation for the environment and a sense of responsibility towards the planet.

Central to the ethos of Herschel Grammar School are the values of courtesy, respect, and strong moral principles. The school fosters a warm and inclusive community where students are encouraged to treat others with kindness, empathy, and consideration. Through this nurturing environment, students develop into compassionate, responsible, and well-rounded individuals, equipped with the skills and values necessary to thrive both academically and personally, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

School Information

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

Herschel 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 1,068 pupils attend Herschel Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Ms Joanne Rockall.

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

Slough Consortium 11+ Information

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

Slough Consortium 11+ Subjects & Structure

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

• English
• Verbal Reasoning
• Maths
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

The Slough Consortium 11 plus exam is a crucial assessment for students seeking admission to grammar schools in the Slough area. This exam, provided by GL Assessment, is widely used by most grammar schools across the United Kingdom.

The exam consists of two papers, each lasting approximately one hour. The first paper focuses on verbal skills, encompassing English and verbal reasoning, while the second paper assesses non-verbal skills, including maths and non-verbal reasoning. Both papers are taken on the same day, with a brief intermission between them.

To ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation, the exam includes instructions, worked examples (which are not marked), and the actual test questions. This format allows students to familiarize themselves with the exam structure and provides them with an opportunity to showcase their abilities in various subjects.

Other Schools using Slough Consortium 11+

As well as Herschel Grammar School, several other schools also use Slough Consortium 11+. These are:

• Langley Grammar School
• St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School
• Upton Court Grammar School

Slough Consortium 11+ Marking Process

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

Slough Consortium 11+ Pass Mark

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

Slough Consortium 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

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

Ofsted Information

Herschel Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 18/09/2012 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 18/10/2012, 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

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Herschel 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, Herschel 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 Slough Consortium 11+ Ensure you double-check with Herschel Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.