St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School 11+

Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School.

How to get into St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School

St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Berkshire. To get into St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School with all the important information you need to know.

Admission Requirements

Children born between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2025. There are currently 150 Year 7 places available at St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School [1].

Families must complete a Supplementary Form by 31st October 2024 alongside the Common Application Form. The eligibility score for the entrance examination is set at 111 on a standardised scale, and pupils who score 111 or above will be in the top 35% of the cohort and will be considered eligible for grammar school consideration.

  • Name the school as one of your preferred schools on the secondary school common application form
  • Submit the application by Friday 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
  • Complete registration for the 11+ examination held on Saturday 21 September 2024 (see key dates)
  • Register by the deadline of 10am on Wednesday 12th June 2024 (see key dates)
  • Contact details available in the school information section

Application Process

St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School is part of the Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools, which consists of Herschel Grammar School, Langley Grammar School, St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School and Upton Court Grammar School. The purpose of the Consortium is to coordinate arrangements for entry to Year 7 through a common 11+ examination.

The registration portal for the Slough Consortium of Grammar School will open on Thursday 1st May 2025 and close on Thursday 5th June 2025. Families need to register their children through the Slough Consortium 11+ portal before sitting the examination.

  • Register your child with the Slough Consortium during the registration window
  • Complete a Common Application Form (CAF) online via the local authority website
  • Complete the Supplementary Information form to establish placement in the oversubscription criteria
  • Submit all forms by Friday 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
  • After registration, children will be invited to take the 11 plus exam at one of the participating schools
  • Results will be received in mid-October following the September examination

Examination Format and Requirements

The Slough Consortium has contracted with GL Assessment as the test provider for their 11+ examinations. The Slough Consortium 11 plus exam consists of two papers provided by GL Assessment, with each test lasting around one hour.

Pupils will sit two test papers, with questions covering a combination of verbal and non-verbal reasoning, English and mathematics. The English Comprehension paper examines comprehension skills, including inference, with no writing component. The Mathematics paper measures problem-solving abilities and arithmetic skills, including questions on number, measurement, geometry, algebra and statistics.

  • Verbal Reasoning section assesses logical thinking, use of English language and vocabulary
  • Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning test logic and intelligence
  • All questions are multiple choice
  • All marking and standardisation will be carried out by the test provider
  • The minimum required standardised score is 111
  • Pupils who score 80%+ consistently in practice tests should be on track to pass

Oversubscription Criteria

When the number of children who achieve the pass mark exceeds the number of places available, the school applies oversubscription criteria. Grammar schools are often oversubscribed with qualified children, making the supplementary form essential for determining priority placement.

Eligible children are prioritised for places at St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School in this order: Looked after children and previously looked after children, Practising Baptised Catholic children who have a Priest's reference or Certificate of Catholic Practice, Baptised or Dedicated Children of other Christian Churches supported by a reference from a religious leader.

  • Looked after Children and Previously Looked after Children
  • Practising Baptised Catholic children with a Priest's reference
  • Baptised or Dedicated Children of other Christian Churches with a religious leader's reference
  • Children from Other Faiths who attend specific Slough Catholic Primary Schools and live in Slough
  • Children of other faiths with a religious leader's reference
  • Priority within categories determined by Pupil Premium status and child's score in the Selective Tests
  • Final priority decided by proximity to the school if pupils are tied

Preparation Guidance

It's important to build a good knowledge base before the exam using a 'little and often' approach, with child psychologists recommending regular study sessions of 20–30 minutes for children aged 10–11. Incorporating practice papers into your child's study routine at an early stage will familiarise them with the format and style of the exam.

11 plus exams test your child's ability to analyse and interpret written information, and regular reading is a great way to help build these skills. The Slough Consortium grammar schools are partnering with Atom Learning, a leading platform for learning for ages 7-11 to support skill development and confidence building.

  • Start preparation early with consistent 20-30 minute daily sessions
  • Focus on verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English comprehension, and mathematics
  • Practice with sample papers from the practice papers section
  • Consider professional support through the 11+ tutor directory
  • Create mock exam environments to build academic confidence and refine exam techniques
  • Encourage regular reading to develop comprehension and vocabulary skills
  • Download parent guides and familiarisation papers from the Slough Consortium Grammar Schools

Important Dates and Timeline

An online information briefing for parents was held on Tuesday 23rd April 2024 to provide guidance on the application process. Key dates for families to note include registration deadlines and examination schedules throughout the academic year.

Applications for appeals must be made by Monday 31st March 2025 and timely appeals will be heard by the Independent Appeals Panel in April, May and June 2025 if families are unsuccessful in their initial application.

  • May 2025: Registration portal opens on Thursday 1st May 2025
  • June 2025: Registration closes on Thursday 5th June 2025
  • September 2025: 11 plus exam held in September 2025
  • October 2025: Results received in mid-October
  • October 2025: Common Application Form deadline Friday 31st October 2025
  • March 2026: School allocation notifications sent to families
  • For all deadlines, see key dates section for updates

Practical Advice

The school holds an Open Evening in September which provides prospective students and their families the opportunity to find out more about the school, and all new pupils are invited to an induction and orientation day in July. All prospective families are advised to visit the grammar to meet staff members and explore the school's grounds, with Open Morning and Open Evening taking place in July and September.

On examination day, ensure children arrive well-rested and have eaten a good breakfast. The 11 plus exam is designed to be challenging, so families should prepare children mentally for the test format and timing. Registration enables your child to sit the 11 Plus exam, and the consortium will order one set of exam papers, so complete registration only once.

Slough Consortium 11+ Information

In order to get into St Bernard's Catholic 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 UK. This comprehensive examination, provided by GL Assessment, evaluates a child's proficiency in both verbal and non-verbal skills.

The exam is divided into 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. Students will tackle both papers on the same day, with a brief respite between the two.

To ensure a fair and accurate assessment, the exam includes instructions and unmarked example questions before delving into the actual test questions. Success in the Slough Consortium 11 plus exam is a significant step towards securing a place at one of the prestigious grammar schools in the UK.

Other Schools using Slough Consortium 11+

As well as St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School, several other schools also use Slough Consortium 11+. These are:

Slough Consortium 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as St Bernard's Catholic 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.

Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.
Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.

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).

Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.
Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.

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 St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Key Dates for the St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School 11+ Entrance Tests

Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.

DateEventCalendar Link
29/04/2025Slough 11+ Information EveningAdd Dates to Calendar
01/05/2025Slough 11+ Registration Opens
05/06/2025Slough 11+ Registration Closes
20/09/2025Slough Consortium 11+ Entrance Test
Late OctoberSecondary School Applications Close At 5pm
02/03/2026Secondary School National Offers Day

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School as they may well change.

11+ Tutor for St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School

As the Slough Consortium 11+ entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.

Why use a private 11+ tutor?

Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the GL Assessment 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.

11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.

11+ tutors help ensure preparation work gets done!
11+ tutors help ensure preparation work gets done!

11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.

Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!

Private 11+ Tutors for the St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School 11+ Tests

We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.

11+ Past Papers for St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School

Unfortunately, St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.

11+ Practice Papers for St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School

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 St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.

This is just a sample of our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers. Please click here to see the full collection.

11+ Practice Papers for St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School by Bond

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond and cover and cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. As such they are very helpful for children hoping to pass the Slough Consortium 11+ to get into St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMixed

11+ Practice Papers for St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School by GL Assessment

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. As with the Bond papers, they cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. They remain useful and we encourage parents to download and use them with their children to help them get into St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMixed

11+ Practice Papers for St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School by Exam Ninja

These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful. They are straight-forward 10-question tests in Maths and English, following the same GL Assessment style (and multiple-choice format) as the Slough Consortium 11+.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish

11+ Practice Papers for St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School by Owl Tutors

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors. These too are written in a GL Assessment style and make useful practice for children hoping to get into St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentWriting
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School by CGP

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. As with the Bond, GL Assessment and Exam Ninja papers, they're written for the GL Assessment style, in multiple-choice format and are helpful for children hoping to pass their 11+ tests and get into St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School ever used them then they don't anymore as grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these 11+ tests remain useful.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
CEMMaths
CEMVerbal Reasoning
CEMNon-Verbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School by 11+ For You

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School by Examberry

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School by Independent Junction

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School by IPS

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths

11+ Practice Papers for St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School by Schofield & Sims

These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths

School Information

Below you will find further information about St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School is a mixed gender grammar school (i.e. both girls and boys).
St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School is a mixed gender grammar school (i.e. both girls and boys).
Address
St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School,
1 Langley Road,
Slough,
Berkshire
SL3 7AF
School Website
Telephone01753527020
Email Addresssecretary@st-bernards.slough.sch.uk
GenderMixed (both girls and boys)
Total Year 7 Places180
Total Pupils (Girls/Boys)1087 (499 Girls / 588 Boys)
Headteacher Mr Paul Kassapian

St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) school. It is also a local authority maintained school, meaning the local authority oversee the funding, admissions, and overall performance of the school.

In total 1,087 pupils attend St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Paul Kassapian.

St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

Ofsted Information

St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 07/11/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 14/01/2024, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School obtained <strong>Outstanding</strong> in their last Ofsted inspection in 2023.
St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School obtained Outstanding in their last Ofsted inspection in 2023.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Date InspectedInspection Duration (Days)Reporting DateRatingFull Report
07/11/2023114/01/2024OutstandingFull Report

Ofsted Report Summary

St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 14/01/2024 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional quality of education, with students consistently achieving high standards across the curriculum. The behaviour and attitudes of pupils were exemplary, creating a positive learning environment that fostered personal growth and academic success.

The school's personal development program was deemed outstanding, providing students with a well-rounded education that prepared them for life beyond the classroom. Leadership and management were highly effective, with a clear vision and strong support for staff and students alike.

The sixth form provision at St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School was also rated as outstanding, offering a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities that equipped students with the skills and knowledge needed for success in higher education and future careers.

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

GCSE Subjects Offered
  • English Language (123 pupils)
  • Mathematics (123 pupils)
  • Biology (122 pupils)
  • Chemistry (122 pupils)
  • English Literature (122 pupils)
  • Physics (122 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (122 pupils)
  • History (75 pupils)
  • Statistics (75 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (72 pupils)
  • Geography (72 pupils)
  • French (58 pupils)
  • Spanish (42 pupils)
  • Computer Studies/Computing (29 pupils)
  • Design & Technology (26 pupils)
  • Physical Education/Sports Studies (25 pupils)
  • Drama & Theatre Studies (23 pupils)
  • Japanese (22 pupils)
  • Music (13 pupils)
  • D&T Food Technology (11 pupils)
  • Latin (10 pupils)
  • Art & Design (8 pupils)
A-Level Subjects Offered
  • Mathematics (90 pupils)
  • Biology (66 pupils)
  • Psychology (63 pupils)
  • Chemistry (54 pupils)
  • Economics (45 pupils)
  • Physics (38 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (31 pupils)
  • English Literature (31 pupils)
  • History (30 pupils)
  • Sociology (27 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (17 pupils)
  • Mathematics (Further) (13 pupils)
  • Geography (10 pupils)
  • Computer Studies / Computing (6 pupils)

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for St Bernard's Catholic 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)

SubjectTotal Pupils Grades Achieved
U123456789
Art & Design8------1133
Biology122----2922233630
Business Studies:Single72-----410192019
Chemistry122----3325253036
Computer Studies/Computing29----435953
Design & Technology26----137744
English Language123----3415323732
English Literature122----3821292833
D&T Food Technology11------2162
French58---2869101211
Geography72----136212021
History75-----23102436
Japanese22---1-3-882
Latin10---1--3222
Mathematics123-----319264035
Music13---2222311
Physics122---111027252929
Religious Studies122----1615273439
Spanish42---74115554
Drama & Theatre Studies23-----63527
Physical Education/Sports Studies25-----3985-
Statistics75-----14183418

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

SubjectTotal Pupils Grades Achieved
UEDCBAA*
Biology66-10111218113
Business Studies:Single31--17202-
Chemistry54-81181681
Computer Studies / Computing6---1113
Economics45--8121771
English Literature31---37912
Geography10-1-1521
History30-1112565
Mathematics90-11018241913
Mathematics (Further)13-122224
Physics38-267745
Psychology63-161423107
Religious Studies17---4463
Sociology27--28584

FAQ

Is St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School hard to get into?

Yes, St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School is hard to get into! Children need to pass their challenging 11+ entrance test (with a high pass mark) and there's tough competition with many other children trying to get a place for Year 7.

Is St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School a private school?

No, St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.

Is St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School free?

Yes, St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School won't cost you any money.

How do I get my child into St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School?

You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School for how up to date information on how to apply (it may be automatic or it may require some forms to be filled in). More information on their 11+ entrance test can be found here.

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