Upton Court Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Upton Court Grammar School

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

Nestled in the heart of Slough, Berkshire, Upton Court Grammar School is a beacon of academic excellence and holistic student development. This co-educational selective school boasts specialisms in languages and science, offering a comprehensive curriculum that caters to the diverse needs and interests of its vibrant student body. With a steadfast commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals, Upton Court Grammar School provides an enriching learning environment that extends far beyond the classroom walls.

The school's academic achievements are nothing short of remarkable, with students consistently delivering outstanding performances across all subjects. Alongside their academic pursuits, pupils at Upton Court Grammar School are encouraged to explore and cultivate their creative passions, excelling in fields such as music, drama, and visual arts. The school's extensive range of co-curricular activities, including sports, clubs, and societies, allows students to further develop their skills, forge lasting friendships, and engage in meaningful learning experiences that complement their academic journey.

At the heart of Upton Court Grammar School's success lies a dedicated and passionate staff who go above and beyond to support and inspire their students. These committed educators provide unwavering guidance, encouragement, and personalised attention, ensuring that each student has the opportunity to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally. By fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment, the school empowers its students to embrace their individuality, celebrate diversity, and develop a strong sense of community.

Recognising the challenges and opportunities of an ever-changing world, Upton Court Grammar School places great emphasis on cultivating individual responsibility and intercultural understanding. Through close collaboration with parents and the wider community, the school aims to equip its students with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to become successful, engaged citizens who make a positive impact on society. With its unwavering commitment to excellence, Upton Court Grammar School continues to shape the minds and hearts of its students, preparing them for a bright and promising future.

School Information

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

Upton Court 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 1,151 pupils attend Upton Court Grammar School and it's led by the Head of School, Mr Oliver King.

Upton Court 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 Upton Court Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Slough Consortium 11+ Information

In order to get into Upton Court 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 test is designed to evaluate a child's academic potential and suitability for a grammar school education.

The exam consists of two papers, each lasting approximately one hour. The first paper focuses on verbal skills, assessing the child's proficiency in English and verbal reasoning. The second paper concentrates on non-verbal skills, evaluating the child's abilities in maths and non-verbal reasoning. Both papers are taken on the same day, with a brief interval between them.

The 11 plus exam is a comprehensive assessment that covers a wide range of subjects and skills. It aims to identify students who demonstrate exceptional academic aptitude and are well-suited for the rigorous curriculum offered by grammar schools. Success in this exam can open doors to an outstanding education and lay the foundation for future academic and professional achievements.

Other Schools using Slough Consortium 11+

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

• Herschel Grammar School
• Langley Grammar School
• St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School

Slough Consortium 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Upton Court 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 Upton Court 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 Upton Court 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 Upton Court Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Upton Court Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 29/11/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 23/01/2023, 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

Upton Court Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 29 November 2022 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 inspection also highlighted the school's outstanding behavior and attitudes, with pupils displaying exemplary conduct and a strong commitment to learning. The school's personal development provision was deemed outstanding, providing students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for future success.

The leadership and management of Upton Court Grammar School were rated as outstanding, with the school's leaders demonstrating a clear vision and unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest standards of education. The sixth form provision was also judged to be outstanding, offering students an exceptional learning experience and preparing them for higher education and future careers.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

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