Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School 11+ Guide

About Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School

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

Nestled in the charming market town of Grantham, Lincolnshire, Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School (KGGS) has been nurturing the minds of young women for over a century. This prestigious grammar school boasts a vibrant community of approximately 1,200 students, aged 11 to 18, who are divided into six distinct houses: Austen, Brontë, Browning, Eliot, Potter, and Rossetti. These houses serve as the backdrop for friendly competition throughout the academic year, with events spanning sports, public speaking, and enchanting dance performances.

KGGS takes immense pride in its illustrious roster of alumni and its unwavering commitment to academic excellence. The school's meticulously crafted curriculum encompasses a wide array of subjects, from the humanities and mathematics to science and PSHE. Each lesson is thoughtfully designed to captivate students' imaginations, igniting their passion for learning and empowering them to explore their boundless potential. Beyond the classroom, KGGS offers an abundance of lunchtime clubs, catering to diverse interests such as choir, creative writing, puzzles, origami, chess, debating, cinema appreciation, and wind band. This rich tapestry of extracurricular activities fosters versatility and transforms the educational journey into a delightful voyage of self-discovery.

KGGS also places great emphasis on cultivating leadership skills through participation in the esteemed Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award scheme. This program presents students with challenges that test their mettle and engages them in meaningful ways, instilling a sense of perseverance and healthy competition that will serve them well in the years to come. The school's dedication to academic excellence is evident in its remarkable achievement: an astonishing 89% of students attained grade 5 or higher in English and maths at the end of KS4. This testament to the school's unwavering commitment to providing a solid academic foundation, equipping its students with the tools they need to thrive in the face of future challenges.

Recognized as one of the top 16 secondary schools in Lincolnshire by Ofsted, KGGS embraces a traditional educational approach that prioritizes self-directed study and classroom learning. The school's vibrant house system lies at the heart of its community, with highlights such as the house pantomime, choir, and dance competition bringing students together in a spirit of camaraderie and friendly rivalry. KGGS also boasts robust international connections, fostering partnerships with schools in France, Germany, and Japan, broadening students' horizons and preparing them for an increasingly interconnected world.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School together with their admissions contact details.

Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School is a girls only 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 1,200 pupils attend Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr James Fuller.

Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Lincolnshire 11+ Information

In order to get into Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School, children need to pass the Lincolnshire 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Lincolnshire 11+ Subjects & Structure

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

• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-verbal Reasoning
• Spatial Reasoning

The entrance examination for Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School is part of the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools 11 plus. This assessment consists of two separate papers, each focusing on different areas of reasoning ability.

The first paper evaluates the candidate's verbal reasoning skills through a series of 80 questions divided into 15 sections. Students are allotted 50 minutes to complete this portion of the exam. The second paper assesses non-verbal and spatial reasoning abilities, presenting 70 questions across 5 individually timed sections.

All questions in the Lincolnshire 11 plus are presented in a multiple-choice format. Candidates record their answers on separate sheets, which are then electronically marked for accuracy and efficiency.

Other Schools using Lincolnshire 11+

As well as Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School, several other schools also use Lincolnshire 11+. These are:

• Boston High School
• Bourne Grammar School
• Carre's Grammar School
• Kesteven and Sleaford High School Selective Academy
• King Edward VI Grammar School
• Queen Elizabeth's Grammar Alford - A Selective Academy
• Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle
• Skegness Grammar School
• Spalding Grammar School
• Spalding High School
• The Boston Grammar School
• The King's School, Grantham
• The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough

Lincolnshire 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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!

Lincolnshire 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Lincolnshire 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Lincolnshire 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Lincolnshire 11+ tests (to get into Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School was last inspected by Ofsted on 19/09/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 01/11/2023, 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

Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School received an Outstanding rating in all areas during the Ofsted inspection on 19 September 2023. The school demonstrated exceptional performance in the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.

The inspection report highlights the school's outstanding quality of education, indicating that students receive high-quality teaching and learning experiences. The school's approach to behaviour and attitudes was also deemed outstanding, suggesting a positive and supportive learning environment. Additionally, the school's personal development provision was rated as outstanding, demonstrating a strong commitment to the holistic growth of its students.

The leadership and management of Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School were also recognized as outstanding, reflecting the effective governance and strategic direction of the school. Furthermore, the sixth form provision was rated as outstanding, indicating that the school provides excellent opportunities for students to continue their education and prepare for their future careers.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

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