Spalding Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Spalding Grammar School

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

Nestled in the charming market town of Spalding, Lincolnshire, Spalding Grammar School (SGS) is a distinguished selective boys' grammar school that has been nurturing young minds for centuries. With a student body of nearly 1000 pupils, including girls in the Sixth Form, SGS takes pride in its rich history and unwavering commitment to academic excellence.

At SGS, students embark on an educational journey that is both comprehensive and captivating. The school's curriculum is meticulously designed to ignite a lifelong passion for learning, encompassing a wide array of subjects such as science, humanities, languages, and design technology. Through this well-rounded approach, pupils are equipped with the necessary tools to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that await them in their future academic pursuits.

Beyond the classroom, SGS offers an extensive enrichment programme that caters to the diverse interests and talents of its students. From engaging clubs focused on chess, computing, and engineering to thrilling trips, sports, and community-oriented activities, there is something for everyone. This holistic approach to education not only nurtures students' intellectual growth but also fosters their personal development, empowering them to become well-rounded individuals with a versatile skill set and strong social acumen.

The school's dedication to excellence is evident in its impressive examination results and the remarkable paths its graduates pursue. With a significant proportion of students achieving top grades in English and Maths GCSE and an overwhelming majority progressing to further education or entering the workforce, SGS has solidified its reputation as a beacon of academic success within the local community.

To support its educational endeavors, SGS boasts an array of state-of-the-art facilities that enhance the learning experience. From well-equipped ICT suites and a cutting-edge drama studio to a dedicated Business Centre and a food technology room, the school's infrastructure reflects its commitment to providing a diverse and enriching educational environment. These facilities not only challenge students academically but also encourage them to explore their creative passions, develop entrepreneurial skills, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the world around them.

School Information

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

Spalding Grammar School is a boys 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 966 pupils attend Spalding Grammar School and it's led by the Headmaster, Mr Steven Wilkinson.

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

Lincolnshire 11+ Information

In order to get into Spalding Grammar 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 11 plus exam for Spalding Grammar School is administered by the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools. The assessment consists of two separate papers, each focusing on different cognitive abilities. The first paper evaluates the candidate's verbal reasoning skills, while the second paper assesses their proficiency in non-verbal and spatial reasoning.

The verbal reasoning paper comprises 80 questions divided into 15 sections, with a time limit of 50 minutes. The non-verbal and spatial reasoning paper, on the other hand, contains 70 questions split across 5 sections, with each section being individually timed by the invigilator. All questions in both papers are presented in a multiple-choice format, and candidates are provided with separate answer sheets to mark their responses, which are then electronically evaluated.

The 11 plus exam for Spalding Grammar School is designed to identify students with exceptional academic potential and to ensure that they are well-suited for the rigorous curriculum offered by the school. Success in this assessment is a key factor in securing a place at this prestigious educational institution.

Other Schools using Lincolnshire 11+

As well as Spalding Grammar School, several other schools also use Lincolnshire 11+. These are:

• Boston High School
• Bourne Grammar School
• Carre's Grammar School
• Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 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 Spalding 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!

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 Spalding Grammar 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 Spalding 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 Spalding Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Spalding Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 05/11/2015 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 25/11/2015, 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

The inspection of Spalding Grammar School on 6 February 2024 resulted in an overall outcome of Good. The school demonstrated a good quality of education, with effective teaching and learning practices in place. Pupils exhibited good behaviour and attitudes, creating a positive learning environment.

The school's provision for personal development was also rated as good, indicating that pupils receive appropriate support and guidance for their well-being and growth. Leadership and management were found to be good, with the school's leaders and staff working effectively to ensure the school's success.

Additionally, the sixth form provision at Spalding Grammar School was rated as good, demonstrating that the school provides a high-quality education for its older students, preparing them well for their future endeavors.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

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