Clitheroe Royal Grammar School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.
How to get into Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Lancashire. To get into Clitheroe Royal Grammar School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Clitheroe Royal Grammar School with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
Children born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2026 (see key dates). The school offers 180 places annually with a 6-form entry[1].
To gain entry to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, pupils must take the Entrance Examination. This will take place on Saturday 27th September 2025 (see key dates) [1].
The school operates a dual catchment system with priority given to families living in specific areas. The immediate catchment area includes civil parishes of the Borough of Ribble Valley such as Clitheroe, Whalley, Sabden, Read, and numerous other parishes. The wider catchment area consists of Lancashire Borough Council areas including Burnley, Chorley, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, and others.
Application Process
Families must complete two separate applications for admission consideration. Applications for the Entrance Exam will open on 2nd June 2025 and close at 12:00 noon on Friday 12th September 2025, with the link to the application form provided on that date [1].
Additionally, families must submit the Common Application Form (CAF) to their local authority. The secondary school common application form becomes available from early September and must be submitted by 31st October 2025 (see key dates). On the CAF, families should list Clitheroe Royal as one of their child's preferred schools for admission.
Children who qualify for Pupil Premium funding must inform the school via the provided email address for admission consideration. Contact details are available in the school information section.
- Register online for the entrance examination between 2nd June and 12th September 2025
- Complete the Common Application Form through Lancashire County Council
- Submit CAF by 31st October 2025 deadline - see key dates
- Notify school of Pupil Premium status if applicable
- Attend Open Evening on 2nd July 2025 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm - see key dates
Entrance Examination Details
The school uses the Lancashire 11+ examination system administered by GL Assessment. The exam consists of three tests: Mathematics (50 questions, 50 minutes), English (56 questions, 45 minutes), and Verbal Reasoning (80 questions, 50 minutes). All questions are multiple-choice format.
The examination takes place on Saturday 27th September 2025 (see key dates). Results are typically released in mid-October 2025, allowing families to make informed decisions about their secondary school applications.
Children's marks are age-standardised to ensure younger children aren't disadvantaged, with all standardised scores placed in rank order from highest to lowest before the school sets a qualifying score.
Oversubscription Criteria
When more children achieve the qualifying score than places available, the school applies specific prioritisation criteria. Children are prioritised in the following order: Looked after or previously looked after children, children in the immediate catchment area with pupil premium funding, children in the immediate catchment area, children in the wider catchment area with pupil premium funding, children in the wider catchment area, children outside the catchment area with pupil premium funding, and children outside the catchment area.
Within categories 2-7, children are ranked according to their examination results. In 2023, the school received approximately 3 applications per place, with 471 applications received and 181 offers made.
Preparation Guidance
Families should begin preparation 12-18 months before the examination date. The school provides sample entrance examination questions which can be downloaded from their website. Familiarisation materials are available to download free of charge from the GL Assessment website [1].
Recommended preparation includes developing strong foundations in English, Mathematics, and Verbal Reasoning. Regular practice with timed conditions helps children become familiar with the examination format and time management requirements.
For additional practice resources, families can access 11+ practice papers. Professional tutoring support is available through specialist 11+ tutors.
- Download free sample questions from the school website
- Practice with GL Assessment familiarisation materials
- Focus on time management and multiple-choice techniques
- Develop vocabulary and comprehension skills for English section
- Strengthen arithmetic and problem-solving abilities for Mathematics
- Practice verbal reasoning patterns and logical thinking
- Take regular timed practice tests under exam conditions
Practical Advice
On examination day, children should arrive well-rested and with appropriate stationery. The school provides all necessary equipment, but children may bring their own pencils and erasers. Calculators are not permitted in any section of the examination.
Families should have backup school options within Lancashire, including other grammar schools such as Lancaster Royal Grammar School, Lancaster Girls' Grammar School, and Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School. Additionally, consider high-performing comprehensive schools in the area.
Results are communicated in mid-October 2025, providing time to finalise secondary school applications. The deadline for lodging appeals for entry into Year 7 is 4:00pm on 31st March 2026 (see key dates) [1].
- Ensure children have adequate sleep before examination day
- Arrive at the school with plenty of time to spare
- Bring water and appropriate snacks for breaks
- Research backup school options in Lancashire
- Consider transport arrangements for daily school journey
- Plan for appeal process if unsuccessful in initial application
- Contact the school directly for specific enquiries - see school information section
Key Information Summary
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School is a co-educational grammar school located in Clitheroe, Lancashire, established in 1554 with the motto "Founded on Rock". The school operates across two sites: the Main School on Chatburn Road for Years 7-11, and the Sixth Form Centre on York Street.
There are currently 810 students in the Main School, with the Pupil Admission Number permanently set at 180 [1]. Pupils join from over 40 primary schools from within the catchment area and beyond [1].
Lancashire 11+ Information
In order to get into Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, children need to pass the Lancashire 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.
Lancashire 11+ Subjects & Structure
The Lancashire 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:
- English
- Maths
- Verbal Reasoning
To gain admission to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, prospective students must take the Lancashire 11 plus exam, which is the same assessment used by other grammar schools in the region. The exam, provided by GL Assessment, evaluates the candidate's abilities across three core subjects.
The multiple-choice format of the Lancashire 11 plus allows students to demonstrate their skills in English, Mathematics, and Verbal Reasoning. Candidates record their responses on separate answer sheets, which are then scored electronically to ensure accurate and efficient results.
By assessing proficiency in these essential subjects, the 11 plus exam aims to identify students who possess the academic potential to thrive in the challenging educational environment offered by Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.
Other Schools using Lancashire 11+
As well as Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, several other schools also use Lancashire 11+. These are:
Lancashire 11+ Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Clitheroe Royal 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!
Lancashire 11+ Pass Mark
The pass mark for the Lancashire 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 Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the Clitheroe Royal Grammar School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Clitheroe Royal Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 02/06/2025 | Clitheroe Royal Grammar School Exam Registration Opens | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 02/07/2025 | Clitheroe Royal Grammar School Open Evening | |
| 12/09/2025 | Clitheroe Royal Grammar School Exam Registration Closes | |
| 27/09/2025 | Clitheroe Royal Grammar School Entrance Exam | |
| Early October | Clitheroe Royal Grammar School Exam Results | |
| Late October | Secondary School Applications Close At 5pm | |
| 02/03/2026 | Secondary 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 Clitheroe Royal Grammar School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
As the Lancashire 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 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 Clitheroe Royal Grammar School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Clitheroe Royal 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 Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
Unfortunately, Clitheroe Royal 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 Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Lancashire 11+ Ensure you double-check with Clitheroe Royal 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 Clitheroe Royal 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 Lancashire 11+ to get into Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Clitheroe Royal 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 Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Clitheroe Royal 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 Lancashire 11+.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for Clitheroe Royal 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 Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Clitheroe Royal 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 Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If Clitheroe Royal 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 Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEM | Maths | |||
| CEM | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| CEM | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Clitheroe Royal Grammar School by 11+ For You
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Clitheroe Royal Grammar School by Examberry
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Clitheroe Royal Grammar School by Independent Junction
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Clitheroe Royal Grammar School by IPS
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
11+ Practice Papers for Clitheroe Royal Grammar School by Schofield & Sims
These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
School Information
Below you will find further information about Clitheroe Royal Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, York Street, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 2DJ |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.crgs.org.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01200423118 |
| Email Address | admissions@crgs.org.uk |
| Gender | Mixed (both girls and boys) |
| Total Year 7 Places | 180 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1417 (705 Girls / 712 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Mr James Keulemans |
Clitheroe Royal 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 1,417 pupils attend Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr James Keulemans.
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 22/11/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 15/01/2023, 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
| Date Inspected | Inspection Duration (Days) | Reporting Date | Rating | Full Report | 22/11/2022 | 1 | 15/01/2023 | Outstanding | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School received an Outstanding rating in its recent Ofsted inspection on 22 November 2022. The school demonstrated exceptional performance across all areas evaluated, including 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 a high-quality learning experience. The school's approach to behaviour and attitudes was also deemed outstanding, suggesting a positive and conducive learning environment. Additionally, the school's personal development initiatives were rated as outstanding, demonstrating a strong commitment to the holistic growth of its students.
The leadership and management at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School were also recognized as outstanding, reflecting the effective governance and strategic direction of the institution. Furthermore, the sixth form provision was rated as outstanding, indicating that the school provides excellent support and opportunities for its senior students.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.
| GCSE Subjects Offered |
|
|---|---|
| A-Level Subjects Offered |
|
GCSE & A-Level Performance
Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Clitheroe Royal 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)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Art & Design (Textiles) | 23 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Art & Design (Fine Art) | 25 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Biology | 148 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 14 | 33 | 28 | 42 | 29 |
| Chemistry | 148 | 1 | - | - | - | 2 | 18 | 31 | 24 | 36 | 36 |
| Classical Civilisation | 21 | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | 5 | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 23 | - | - | - | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Design & Technology | 47 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 4 |
| English Language | 149 | - | - | - | 3 | 5 | 20 | 38 | 42 | 24 | 17 |
| English Literature | 149 | - | - | - | 1 | 7 | 16 | 42 | 40 | 28 | 15 |
| D&T Food Technology | 17 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| French | 15 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Geography | 40 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 4 |
| German | 46 | 2 | - | - | 4 | 8 | 13 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 3 |
| History | 102 | - | - | 2 | 4 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 10 |
| Latin | 25 | - | - | - | 2 | - | 5 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 7 |
| Mathematics | 149 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 22 | 25 | 61 | 38 |
| Music | 8 | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Physics | 148 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 22 | 33 | 25 | 27 | 38 |
| Religious Studies | 68 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 7 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 10 |
| Spanish | 71 | 3 | - | 3 | 9 | 14 | 7 | 16 | 11 | 6 | 2 |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 18 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 39 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 12 |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 15 | - | - | - | 3 | 6 | 2 | 4 | |||
| Biology | 123 | - | 10 | 12 | 23 | 30 | 30 | 18 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 84 | - | 3 | 9 | 33 | 27 | 8 | 3 | |||
| Chemistry | 94 | - | 9 | 9 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 8 | |||
| Classical Civilisation | 17 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 2 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 14 | - | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |||
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 11 | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | - | |||
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 9 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | - | |||
| Economics | 50 | - | 1 | 9 | 8 | 23 | 6 | 2 | |||
| English Language | 23 | - | 1 | - | 10 | 8 | 3 | 1 | |||
| English Language and Literature | 11 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1 | - | |||
| English Literature | 23 | - | - | 1 | 5 | 11 | 3 | 3 | |||
| Geography | 27 | - | - | 3 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 3 | |||
| German | 6 | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Government and Politics | 29 | - | - | - | 7 | 10 | 6 | 6 | |||
| History | 55 | - | - | 4 | 10 | 21 | 16 | 4 | |||
| Mathematics | 110 | - | 11 | 15 | 20 | 22 | 27 | 10 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 13 | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1 | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 23 | - | 1 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 2 | |||
| Physics | 58 | - | 5 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 4 | |||
| Psychology | 94 | - | 9 | 13 | 25 | 26 | 17 | 4 | |||
| Religious Studies | 10 | - | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | - | |||
| Sociology | 82 | - | 1 | 4 | 19 | 32 | 19 | 7 | |||
| Spanish | 6 | - | - | - | 3 | - | 2 | 1 | |||
FAQ
Is Clitheroe Royal Grammar School hard to get into?
Yes, Clitheroe Royal 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 Clitheroe Royal Grammar School a private school?
No, Clitheroe Royal Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Clitheroe Royal Grammar School free?
Yes, Clitheroe Royal Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Clitheroe Royal Grammar School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Clitheroe Royal 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.
