Alcester Grammar School 11+

Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Alcester Grammar School.

How to get into Alcester Grammar School

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

About Alcester Grammar School

Alcester Grammar School is a mixed grammar school located in Warwickshire with an attached sixth form centre. Founded over 400 years ago, it was originally named 'Newport's Free School' after its benefactor, changing its name in 1912 [1]. The school caters to both male and female students and has origins dating back over four centuries when it was established as 'Newport's Free School' in honour of its founder before being renamed in 1912.

The school prides itself on developing students as well-rounded individuals through its broad range of extra-curricular opportunities across sports, music, and drama. One of Alcester Grammar School's main priorities is to foster a well-rounded education for its students, which is reflected in the diverse array of extracurricular activities it offers spanning across several fields including sports, music, and drama.

Admission Requirements

Children born between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2025 (see key dates). The school's Published Admission Number (PAN) for Year 7 is set at 150 [1].

All images © Alcester Grammar School.
All images © Alcester Grammar School.

Alcester Grammar School is a selective state school, meaning children will need to take the 11 plus exam to be eligible for a place in Year 7, and is a member of the West Midlands Grammar Schools partnership. Alcester Grammar School uses the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test for admissions.

The priority area is based on a circle with a radius of 16.885 miles drawn from the Fountain in Rother Street, Stratford upon Avon, to the County boundary south of Long Compton. Warwickshire Admissions will require evidence of families' home address and will notify them each time this is required.

Application Process

The registration portal for the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test opens on Tuesday 6th May 2025 and closes Friday 27th June 2025. Families must first register for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ through the appropriate portal.

All images © Alcester Grammar School.
All images © Alcester Grammar School.

After registration, children will be invited to take the 11 plus exam at one of the participating schools and will be allocated a test venue and a slot to take the test in September. Families will receive their child's results on Friday 17th October (see key dates).

To apply to Alcester Grammar School, families need to name the school as one of their preferred schools on the secondary school common application form, which will be available on their home council website from early September and must be submitted by Friday 31st October 2025 (see key dates).

  • Register through the West Midlands Grammar Schools portal between 6th May and 27th June 2025 (see key dates)
  • Complete the Common Application Form through the local authority by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
  • Include Alcester Grammar School as a preference only after receiving satisfactory test results
  • Provide proof of address when requested by Warwickshire Admissions
  • For contact information, see the school information section

Entrance Test Information

The exam consists of two one-hour papers provided by GL Assessment. These papers are divided into smaller, individually-timed sections which assess various skills, and all of the questions in the West Midlands Grammar Schools' Entrance Test are multiple-choice.

The 11 plus exam takes place in September when children are in Year 6, with children born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 taking the test on a date between Saturday 13th September 2025 and Monday 15th September 2025 for Year 7 entry in September 2026. Children will be allocated a session either in the morning or afternoon, and families should receive confirmation of their child's allocated slot by early September.

The two papers are divided into smaller, individually-timed sections that assess English comprehension, where children need to read a passage of text and answer questions to demonstrate their understanding, along with maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.

  • Test Format: Two papers of approximately one hour each
  • Question Type: All multiple-choice questions on separate answer sheets
  • Assessment Areas: English comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning
  • Test Dates:13th-15th September 2025 (see key dates)
  • Results: Released 17th October 2025 (see key dates)

Oversubscription Criteria

If the number of children who have achieved the qualifying score exceeds the number of places available, Alcester Grammar School applies oversubscription criteria. Children are prioritised for places in the following order: Looked-After or Previously Looked-After Children who achieve the required minimum academic standard or above, children who live in the priority area who are eligible for Free School Meals and who achieve the required minimum academic standard or above, children who live in the priority area who achieve the automatic qualifying score or above, children living outside of the priority area who achieve the automatic qualifying score or above, and children who score below the automatic qualifying score but above the required minimum academic standard for the waiting list.

Additional places are offered from the waiting list after March 1, 2025, based on reallocation dates and up to the Published Admission Number, with waiting list prioritisation aligning with Categories 1-5 criteria including late 11+ test registrants or late secondary school applicants, and children with lower-preference offers automatically added if meeting the Required Minimum Academic Standard in the 11+ test.

Preparation Guidance

It's important to build a good knowledge base before the 11 plus, using a 'little and often' approach when learning as brains encode new information more effectively when dealing with smaller 'chunks' of information, with child psychologists recommending regular study sessions of 20–30 minutes for children aged 10–11.

Families should begin preparation at least 12-18 months before the test date to allow sufficient time for skill development. The West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test is designed to select the most academically able children in the area.

  • Start preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5 for optimal results
  • Use daily 20-30 minute sessions rather than lengthy study periods
  • Focus on core skills in English, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning
  • Practice with multiple-choice question formats to familiarise children with the test style
  • Access free preparation resources through practice papers
  • Consider professional support through tutoring services

Practical Advice

Remember that passing the 11 plus doesn't guarantee that children will be allocated a place at their preferred school, as many grammar schools are often oversubscribed with qualified children. Families should prepare backup options within Warwickshire and surrounding areas.

For exam day preparation, ensure children arrive early, bring required materials, and maintain calm confidence. After the test, children's answer sheets are marked using Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) technology that picks up the marks children have made to indicate which answers they think are correct, with children receiving a mark for every correct answer.

Waiting lists are held until December 31, 2025, following the Admissions Code (2014). On 1st March 2025 families will receive notification of the school where their child has been admitted, with their highest-ranked school preference that matches their qualifications and has available spots being the school they are assigned to, and in the event that none of their preferred schools have vacancies, an alternative school in their vicinity will be designated.

  • Consider alternative grammar schools in Warwickshire and neighbouring areas
  • Research high-performing comprehensive schools as backup options
  • Ensure children understand the multiple-choice format and timing requirements
  • Practice stress management techniques for exam day
  • Plan transportation and timing for the allocated test session
  • Keep documentation ready for address verification when requested
  • For specific guidance, contact details are available in the school information section

[1]Alcester Grammar School official website

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Information

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

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Subjects & Structure

The West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

  • English comprehension
  • Maths
  • Verbal reasoning
  • Non-verbal reasoning

The West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test is the examination used by Alcester Grammar School to assess prospective students. This rigorous assessment consists of two papers, each lasting one hour. The papers are further divided into smaller sections, each with its own allocated time limit, covering a range of subjects designed to evaluate the candidate's abilities.

The entrance test assesses proficiency in English comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Candidates are presented with multiple-choice questions throughout the examination, requiring them to select the correct answer from the given options. To record their responses, students are provided with separate answer sheets, which are subsequently marked electronically to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the grading process.

The combination of subjects tested in the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test allows Alcester Grammar School to identify students with strong academic potential across a diverse range of skills. By assessing both language and numerical abilities, as well as reasoning skills, the school can select candidates who demonstrate the aptitude necessary to thrive in its challenging educational environment.

Other Schools using West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+

As well as Alcester Grammar School, several other schools also use West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+. These are:

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Marking Process

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

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 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 Alcester Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Key Dates for the Alcester Grammar School 11+ Entrance Tests

Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Alcester Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.

DateEventCalendar Link
06/05/2025Registration Opens For The West Midlands Grammar Schools' Entrance Test
13/06/2025Reasonable Adjustments Deadline
27/06/2025Test Registration Closes
Mid OctoberParents Receive Test Results
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 Alcester Grammar School as they may well change.

11+ Tutor for Alcester Grammar School

As the West Midlands Grammar Schools 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 Alcester Grammar School 11+ Tests

We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Alcester 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 Alcester Grammar School

Unfortunately, Alcester 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 Alcester Grammar School

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Ensure you double-check with Alcester 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 Alcester 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 West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ to get into Alcester Grammar School.

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

11+ Practice Papers for Alcester 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 Alcester Grammar School.

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

11+ Practice Papers for Alcester 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 West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish

11+ Practice Papers for Alcester 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 Alcester Grammar School.

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

11+ Practice Papers for Alcester 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 Alcester 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 Alcester 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 Alcester 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 Alcester 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 Alcester 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 Alcester 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 Alcester Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

Alcester Grammar School is a mixed gender grammar school (i.e. both girls and boys).
Alcester Grammar School is a mixed gender grammar school (i.e. both girls and boys).
Address
Alcester Grammar School,
Birmingham Road,
Alcester,
Warwickshire
B49 5ED
School Website
Telephone01789762494
Email Addressoffice@alcestergs.com
GenderMixed (both girls and boys)
Total Year 7 Places150
Total Pupils (Girls/Boys)1323 (534 Girls / 789 Boys)
Principal Ms Rachel Thorpe

Alcester 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 1,323 pupils attend Alcester Grammar School and it's led by the Principal, Ms Rachel Thorpe.

Alcester Grammar School Location

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

Ofsted Information

Alcester Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 07/12/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 02/02/2023, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Alcester Grammar School obtained <strong>Outstanding</strong> in their last Ofsted inspection in 2022.
Alcester Grammar School obtained Outstanding in their last Ofsted inspection in 2022.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Date InspectedInspection Duration (Days)Reporting DateRatingFull Report
07/12/2022102/02/2023OutstandingFull Report

Ofsted Report Summary

Alcester Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 7 December 2022 and received an Outstanding overall rating. The school demonstrated exceptional performance across multiple areas, including Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, and Leadership and management, all of which were rated as Outstanding.

The inspection revealed that Alcester Grammar School provides an exceptional learning environment for its students, fostering their academic growth and personal development. The school's leadership and management team have implemented effective strategies to ensure high-quality education and maintain an outstanding level of behaviour and attitudes among the students.

The Sixth form provision at Alcester Grammar School was rated as Good, indicating that the school provides a solid foundation for students' further education and future prospects. Overall, the inspection highlights the school's commitment to delivering an outstanding educational experience for its students.

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

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

GCSE Subjects Offered
  • English Language (153 pupils)
  • English Literature (153 pupils)
  • Mathematics (153 pupils)
  • Chemistry (141 pupils)
  • Biology (140 pupils)
  • Physics (140 pupils)
  • History (88 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (81 pupils)
  • Geography (80 pupils)
  • French (59 pupils)
  • Spanish (56 pupils)
  • Design & Technology (42 pupils)
  • German (33 pupils)
  • Drama & Theatre Studies (32 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Fine Art) (31 pupils)
  • D&T Food Technology (27 pupils)
  • Physical Education/Sports Studies (27 pupils)
  • Computer Studies/Computing (25 pupils)
  • Science: Double Award (12 pupils)
  • Music (10 pupils)
A-Level Subjects Offered
  • Mathematics (133 pupils)
  • Psychology (109 pupils)
  • Biology (106 pupils)
  • Chemistry (99 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (97 pupils)
  • Geography (87 pupils)
  • History (64 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (62 pupils)
  • Physics (59 pupils)
  • English Literature (57 pupils)
  • Physical Education / Sports Studies (44 pupils)
  • Economics (40 pupils)
  • English Language (36 pupils)
  • Art and Design (Fine Art) (28 pupils)
  • Mathematics (Further) (28 pupils)
  • Mathematics (Statistics) (20 pupils)
  • French (19 pupils)
  • Drama and Theatre Studies (17 pupils)
  • Design and Technology (Product Design) (12 pupils)
  • Art and Design (Photography) (10 pupils)
  • German (10 pupils)
  • Spanish (6 pupils)

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Alcester 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 & Design (Fine Art)31-----47686
Biology140-----1331372731
Business Studies:Single81----1723251213
Chemistry141----42023342534
Computer Studies/Computing25----117565
Design & Technology42-----5111862
English Language153----21744383516
English Literature153---182337362918
D&T Food Technology27------22815
French59---1314715127
Geography80----1313232515
German33----2109633
History88---32131929615
Mathematics153----41131414124
Music10-----23311
Physics140---141433253329
Spanish56---269615117
Drama & Theatre Studies32--11248574
Physical Education/Sports Studies27------65106
Science: Double Award12----------

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

SubjectTotal Pupils Grades Achieved
UEDCBAA*
Art and Design (Fine Art)28--16885
Art and Design (Photography)10----712
Biology106-7523312612
Business Studies:Single97--614313313
Chemistry99-5151723294
Design and Technology (Product Design)12---2631
Drama and Theatre Studies17---5633
Economics40-12611137
English Language36--111185-
English Literature57-13202373
French19--35281
Geography87--31925345
German10--124-1
History64-121631131
Mathematics133-71521303422
Mathematics (Further)28-1136124
Mathematics (Statistics)20--36821
Physical Education / Sports Studies44-28121164
Physics59-67139183
Psychology109--918372518
Religious Studies62--31719146
Spanish6--1221-

FAQ

Is Alcester Grammar School hard to get into?

Yes, Alcester 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 Alcester Grammar School a private school?

No, Alcester Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.

Is Alcester Grammar School free?

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

How do I get my child into Alcester Grammar School?

You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Alcester 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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