Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School.
How to get into Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School
Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School is a selective secondary school in Lincolnshire. To get into Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School with all the important information you need to know.
Background Information
Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School (KGGS) is a selective grammar school with academy status for girls located in Grantham, Lincolnshire. The school was established in 1910 and has been educating girls for over a century. The school educates over 1,000 pupils ranging from ages 11 to 18 and has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
KGGS is a member of the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools and shares the same entrance test with 15 other grammar schools in the consortium, meaning children only need to take the test once even if applying to multiple schools. The school uses the Lincolnshire 11+ examination for admissions testing.
Admission Requirements
Children must take the 11+ examination to be eligible for a place in Year 7. Registration for the 2025 examination opens on Friday 10th January 2025 and closes on Monday 31st March 2025 (see key dates). The school offers 174 places annually [1].

Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School does not have a formally defined catchment area. Pupils come from Grantham and surrounding villages, with some travelling from as far as Melton Mowbray and Nottingham, drawing from 76 feeder schools mainly within a 15 mile radius.
- Children must be girls only - this is a single-sex grammar school
- Children must pass the Lincolnshire 11+ examination to qualify academically
- Registration must be completed between 10th January 2025 and 31st March 2025 (see key dates)
- No specific geographic catchment area restrictions apply
- Contact details for admissions support available in the school information section
Application Process
Families must name the school as one of their preferred choices on the secondary school common application form, which becomes available from early September and must be submitted by 31st October 2025 (see key dates). Families living outside Lincolnshire or in non-selective areas of the county must contact their local authority to notify them of their application to KGGS.
Families can register their child for the examination via the website of any participating school in the consortium. The process involves downloading and completing the school's registration form to book a place in the 11+ examination, with results received by post in October.

- Complete registration for the 11+ examination between January and March 2025
- Submit the secondary school application form to the local authority by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
- Name KGGS as one of the preferred school choices on the application
- Receive examination results in October 2025 before the application deadline
- For families outside Lincolnshire, notify the local authority of the application to KGGS
- Complete applications through the appropriate local authority website
- For specific guidance on forms and procedures, contact the school information section
Examination Details
The 11+ examination takes place over two dates, with the first paper on Saturday 13th September 2025 and the second paper on Saturday 20th September 2025 (see key dates). Families receive results on Friday 10th October 2025 (see key dates).
The examination consists of two papers taken on consecutive Saturdays, featuring verbal reasoning with 80 questions split across 15 sections. The verbal reasoning paper takes 50 minutes, while the non-verbal reasoning paper has five timed sections taking 40 minutes.
- Verbal Reasoning Paper:80 questions across 15 sections, completed in 50 minutes
- Non-Verbal Reasoning Paper:5 timed sections completed in 40 minutes
- All questions use multiple choice format produced by GL Assessment
- Papers test verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and spatial reasoning abilities
- Examination dates: 13th September 2025 and 20th September 2025 (see key dates)
- Results available: 10th October 2025 (see key dates)
Oversubscription Criteria
Passing the 11+ examination does not guarantee a place at the school, as grammar schools are often oversubscribed with qualified children. If more than 174 children achieve the qualifying score, the school applies oversubscription criteria.
The admissions criteria prioritise looked after children and previously looked after children, followed by children with siblings already attending the school. Children eligible for Pupil Premium who meet the qualifying standard and live within 12 miles of the school receive priority.
- Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children receive highest priority
- Children with a sibling enrolled at KGGS at the time of registration
- Pupil Premium eligible children who meet the qualifying standard and live within 12 miles of the school
- Children of staff members employed at the school for two or more years
- Distance from home to school - priority given to families living closest to the school
- In case of equal distance, a lottery system determines the final place allocation
Preparation Guidance
The grammar schools in the consortium typically select children working within the top 25% of their year group, with children achieving a total standardised score of 220 or above likely to be working within this range. The tests are produced by GL Assessment, which provides free sample papers for verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning to aid familiarisation.
The school partners with Atom Learning to provide free access to preparation materials for children eligible for pupil premium who have been eligible for free school meals within the last six years. Families seeking additional preparation resources should visit practice papers and those considering tutoring support should see tutoring options.
- Begin preparation 12-18 months before the examination date
- Focus on verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning skills development
- Use GL Assessment familiarisation materials available free of charge
- Practice with timed conditions to build examination confidence
- For eligible families, access free Atom Learning resources through the school partnership
- Develop regular study routines rather than intensive cramming
- For comprehensive preparation resources, visit practice papers section
Practical Advice
Working through mock tests under timed conditions helps children improve their ability to answer questions under pressure, providing a significant advantage in the competitive admissions process. A structured approach including studying regularly helps alleviate unnecessary stress and increases chances of success.
Families should prepare backup school options within Lincolnshire and ensure all application deadlines are carefully managed. The school draws from 76 feeder schools within approximately 15 miles, suggesting other local schools may be suitable alternatives.
- Ensure children are well-rested and have eaten a good breakfast on examination days
- Arrive at the test centre early to allow time for settling in
- Bring required identification documents and stationery as specified
- Practice time management strategies during preparation to avoid rushing
- Research and apply to backup schools in case of unsuccessful application
- Consider other Lincolnshire grammar schools as alternative options
- For specific contact information and support, refer to the school information section
Lincolnshire 11+ Information
In order to get into Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 entrance examination for Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School is part of the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools 11 plus. This assessment consists of two separate papers, each focusing on different areas of reasoning ability.
The first paper evaluates the candidate's verbal reasoning skills through a series of 80 questions divided into 15 sections. Students are allotted 50 minutes to complete this portion of the exam. The second paper assesses non-verbal and spatial reasoning abilities, presenting 70 questions across 5 individually timed sections.
All questions in the Lincolnshire 11 plus are presented in a multiple-choice format. Candidates record their answers on separate sheets, which are then electronically marked for accuracy and efficiency.
Other Schools using Lincolnshire 11+
As well as Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School, several other schools also use Lincolnshire 11+. These are:
- Boston High School
- Bourne Grammar School
- Carre's Grammar 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 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School) as well as other relevant dates.
Date | Event | Calendar Link |
---|---|---|
10/01/2025 | Lincolnshire Grammar School 11+ Registration Opens | Add Dates to Calendar |
31/03/2025 | Lincolnshire Grammar Schools 11+ Registration Closes | |
13/09/2025 | Lincolnshire Grammar Schools 11+ Verbal Reasoning Paper | |
20/09/2025 | Lincolnshire Grammar Schools 11+ Non-verbal Reasoning Paper | |
Early October | Lincolnshire Grammar Schools 11+ Results Day | |
Late October | Secondary School Common Application Deadline | |
02/03/2026 | National School Offers Day |
Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School
As the Lincolnshire 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School
Unfortunately, Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School
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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Lincolnshire 11+ to get into Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Lincolnshire 11+.
Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
---|---|---|---|
GL Assessment | Maths | ||
GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School.
Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
---|---|---|---|
GL Assessment | English | ||
GL Assessment | Writing | ||
GL Assessment | Maths | ||
GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School together with their admissions contact details.

Address | Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School, Sandon Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 9AU |
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School Website | https://www.kestevengrantham.lincs.sch.uk/ |
Telephone | 01476563017 |
Email Address | schooladmissions@lincolnshire.gov.uk |
Gender | Girls only |
Total Year 7 Places | 174 |
Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1200 (1193 Girls / 7 Boys) |
Headteacher | Mr James Fuller |
Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School is a girls 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 1,200 pupils attend Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr James Fuller.
Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School was last inspected by Ofsted on 19/09/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 01/11/2023, 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 | 19/09/2023 | 1 | 01/11/2023 | Outstanding | Full Report |
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Ofsted Report Summary
Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School received an Outstanding rating in all areas during the Ofsted inspection on 19 September 2023. The school demonstrated exceptional performance in the 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 high-quality teaching and learning experiences. The school's approach to behaviour and attitudes was also deemed outstanding, suggesting a positive and supportive learning environment. Additionally, the school's personal development provision was rated as outstanding, demonstrating a strong commitment to the holistic growth of its students.
The leadership and management of Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School were also recognized as outstanding, reflecting the effective governance and strategic direction of the school. Furthermore, the sixth form provision was rated as outstanding, indicating that the school provides excellent opportunities for students to continue their education and prepare for their future careers.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School for the 2022-23 academic year.
GCSE Subjects Offered |
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A-Level Subjects Offered |
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GCSE & A-Level Performance
Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 (Fine Art) | 47 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 11 |
Biology | 161 | - | - | - | 1 | 9 | 25 | 43 | 40 | 25 | 18 |
Business Studies:Single | 91 | - | - | - | 3 | 4 | 11 | 24 | 20 | 16 | 13 |
Chemistry | 161 | 1 | - | - | 1 | 6 | 34 | 33 | 41 | 20 | 25 |
Computer Studies/Computing | 22 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
Design & Technology | 38 | - | - | - | - | - | 9 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 3 |
Economics | 31 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
English Language | 177 | - | - | - | 3 | 6 | 39 | 57 | 31 | 22 | 19 |
English Literature | 177 | - | - | - | - | 5 | 23 | 42 | 47 | 33 | 27 |
D&T Food Technology | 33 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 10 |
French | 83 | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 13 |
Geography | 99 | - | - | - | 2 | 4 | 6 | 17 | 34 | 19 | 17 |
German | 19 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
History | 55 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 6 | 16 | 7 | 10 | 15 |
Mathematics | 177 | - | - | - | 1 | 9 | 37 | 43 | 33 | 34 | 20 |
Music | 18 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Physics | 161 | 1 | - | - | - | 17 | 38 | 38 | 28 | 24 | 15 |
Religious Studies | 175 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 30 | 33 | 38 | 62 |
Sociology | 53 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 6 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 8 |
Spanish | 25 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
Drama & Theatre Studies | 46 | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 9 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 2 |
Physical Education/Sports Studies | 35 | - | - | 1 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
Science: Double Award | 16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
Art and Design (Fine Art) | 18 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |||
Art and Design (Photography) | 13 | - | - | 3 | - | 6 | 2 | 2 | |||
Biology | 38 | - | 5 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 3 | |||
Business Studies:Single | 31 | - | 1 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 7 | 3 | |||
Chemistry | 36 | - | 2 | 7 | 4 | 12 | 9 | 2 | |||
Computer Studies / Computing | 7 | - | - | 3 | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | |||
Design and Technology (Product Design) | 11 | - | - | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | - | |||
Drama and Theatre Studies | 17 | - | - | - | 4 | 5 | 8 | - | |||
Economics | 23 | - | 1 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 3 | |||
English Language | 29 | - | - | 2 | 7 | 14 | 5 | 1 | |||
English Literature | 37 | - | 1 | 3 | 8 | 19 | 3 | 3 | |||
French | 12 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 7 | 1 | - | |||
Geography | 34 | - | - | 1 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 4 | |||
History | 13 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | |||
Mathematics | 40 | - | 3 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 11 | |||
Mathematics (Further) | 7 | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 3 | - | |||
Physical Education / Sports Studies | 6 | - | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | |||
Physics | 16 | - | - | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | - | |||
Psychology | 50 | - | 1 | 2 | 10 | 17 | 14 | 6 | |||
Religious Studies | 16 | - | - | - | 4 | 6 | 5 | 1 | |||
Sociology | 11 | - | - | - | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
FAQ
Is Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School hard to get into?
Yes, Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School a private school?
No, Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School free?
Yes, Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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.
Is Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School a girls-only school?
Yes, Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School is a girls-only school.