Lawrence Sheriff School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Lawrence Sheriff School.
How to get into Lawrence Sheriff School
Lawrence Sheriff School is a selective secondary school in Warwickshire. To get into Lawrence Sheriff School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Lawrence Sheriff School with all the important information you need to know.
School Overview
Lawrence Sheriff School is a boys' grammar school located in Rugby, Warwickshire. Founded in 1878, the school became an academy in 2014 and currently educates over 800 boys aged 11-18 [1]. The school has a mixed sixth form centre and is one of three selective schools in Rugby, alongside Rugby High and Ashlawn.
The school operates as part of the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ partnership, which consists of 19 schools across Birmingham, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Walsall and Wolverhampton. All 19 schools share the same entrance test, meaning children only need to take the test once, even if applying to multiple schools in the partnership.
Admission Requirements
Children must be male and meet specific age criteria for Year 7 entry [1]. Entry is restricted to boys only, and children must register and complete the entrance test. Families must provide residency evidence, and Warwickshire Admissions require proof of home address.
The school serves children within its defined catchment area. The Priority Circle is centred on the Rugby Water Tower with a radius of 10.004 miles. The Eastern Area of Warwickshire comprises the catchment regions of Bilton, Ashlawn, and Avon Valley Schools, including Rugby and parishes such as Dunchurch, Cawston, Thurlaston, Leamington Hastings, Birdingbury, Granborough, and many others.
Families may need to provide evidence for Looked After/Previously Looked After, Pupil Premium, or Service Premium eligibility. Late documentation results in a late application, which means exclusion from the first round of offers.
Application Process
Registration for the 11+ opens on Wednesday 7th May 2025 and closes on Monday 30th June 2025 (see key dates) [1]. Families must complete two separate processes: registering for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ examination and submitting a school application to their local authority.
School applications must be submitted to families' home local authority by 31st October 2025 (see key dates) [1]. The school must be named in the Common Application Form. Failure to include Lawrence Sheriff School in this list will result in the child's ineligibility for a Year 7 place there.
Invitation packs for testing sessions will be sent to parents/carers by Warwickshire Admissions in batches throughout August, starting on 11th August 2025 (see key dates) [1]. The examination will be conducted around mid-September, with results declared in the month of October.
11+ Examination Details
Lawrence Sheriff School uses the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ entrance test. The entrance test consists of two papers, each lasting one hour. These papers are further divided into smaller sections, with each section having its own allocated time limit.
The test assesses children's aptitude across English comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. All questions are multiple-choice, and children will be provided with separate answer sheets which are marked electronically.
The weightings for test results are 50% for English/verbal reasoning, 25% for non-verbal reasoning and 25% for mathematics. These weighted scores are age-standardised to ensure that younger children aren't disadvantaged. The minimum qualifying score for entry to Lawrence Sheriff School in 2024 was 212, though this threshold may vary each year.
Oversubscription Criteria
If the number of children who have achieved the qualifying score exceeds the number of places available, Lawrence Sheriff School applies oversubscription criteria. Children are prioritised for places in the following order:
- Looked-After or Previously Looked-After Children who achieve the automatic qualifying score or up to 20 marks below it
- Up to 30 places are offered to children living in the catchment area who are eligible for Free School Meals and who achieve the automatic qualifying score or up to 20 marks below it
- Up to 5 places are offered to children living in the catchment area who are eligible for Service Premium and who achieve the automatic qualifying score or up to 20 marks below it
- Children living in the catchment area who achieve the automatic qualifying score or above
- Children living in the priority circle who achieve the automatic qualifying score or above
- Children living outside of the catchment area who achieve the Automatic Qualifying Score or above
- Children living inside or outside of the catchment areas who achieve the required minimum academic standard for admission
Those with the highest scores in each category are given highest priority for a place. In the case of children with the same score in any of these categories, the child living nearest the school in a straight line is given highest priority.
Preparation Guidance
Families should begin preparation well in advance of the examination period. Child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes using a 'little and often' approach when learning, as brains encode new information more effectively when dealing with smaller 'chunks' of information.
Lawrence Sheriff School is working in partnership with Atom Learning to provide students who are eligible for pupil premium with free online learning and 11+ exam preparation [1]. For practice materials and resources, families should visit practice 11-plus papers. For additional tutoring support, families can explore 11+ tutor options.
Given the highly competitive nature of the Lawrence Sheriff School admissions process, practice tests are highly recommended. They cover all the potential question types that may appear on exam day, greatly enhancing children's self-confidence and chances of success.
Important Dates and Timeline
Families should be aware of the following key timeline for Year 7 entry in September 2026 [1]:
- Open Evening for students currently in Year 5 is scheduled for Thursday 26 June 2025 (see key dates)
- 11+ registration opens on Wednesday 7th May 2025 and closes on Monday 30th June 2025 (see key dates)
- Invitation packs sent throughout August starting on 11th August 2025 (see key dates)
- The examination conducted around mid-September
- Results declared in October
- School applications must be submitted by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
- Formal offers are made in March of the following year
Practical Advice
Passing the 11 plus doesn't guarantee that children will be allocated a place at their preferred school. Many grammar schools are often oversubscribed with qualified children. Families should therefore consider backup school options in Warwickshire and prepare thoroughly for the examination.
On exam day, children should arrive well-rested and prepared. Timed practice tests allow children to manage exam questions promptly, effectively and confidently, providing them with a significant edge over their peers. Families should ensure children are familiar with the multiple-choice format and electronic answer sheet system used in the examination.
For specific contact information and further details about the admissions process, families should refer to the school information section. Full details about eligibility and detailed information about the testing process and allocation of places are available in the school's 'Admissions Policy 2026-2027' [1].
West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Information
In order to get into Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff School for their 11+ admissions process. This test is designed to assess a child's aptitude across a range of subjects, including English comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.
The entrance test consists of two papers, each lasting one hour. These papers are further divided into smaller sections, with each section having its own allocated time limit. This format allows for a comprehensive evaluation of a student's abilities in various areas.
Throughout the test, students will encounter multiple-choice questions. They will be provided with separate answer sheets on which they will indicate their chosen answers. These answer sheets are then electronically marked to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the grading process.
Other Schools using West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+
As well as Lawrence Sheriff School, several other schools also use West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+. These are:
- Bishop Vesey's Grammar School
- King Edward VI Aston School
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
- King Edward VI Five Ways School
- King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
- King Edward VI Handsworth School
- Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
- Haberdashers' Adams
- Newport Girls' High School Academy
- Queen Mary's Grammar School
- Queen Mary's High School
- Alcester Grammar School
- King Edward VI School
- Rugby High School
- Stratford Girls' Grammar School
- Wolverhampton Girls' High School
West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Lawrence Sheriff 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!
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).
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 Lawrence Sheriff School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the Lawrence Sheriff School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Lawrence Sheriff School) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 06/05/2025 | Registration Opens For The West Midlands Grammar Schools' Entrance Test | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 13/06/2025 | Reasonable Adjustments Deadline | |
| 27/06/2025 | Test Registration Closes | |
| Mid October | Parents Receive Test 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 Lawrence Sheriff School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Lawrence Sheriff 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 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 Lawrence Sheriff School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff School
Unfortunately, Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Lawrence Sheriff School, Clifton Road, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 3AG |
|---|---|
| School Website | http://www.lawrencesheriffschool.net/ |
| Telephone | 01788843700 |
| Email Address | contact@lawrencesheriffschool.com |
| Gender | Boys only |
| Total Year 7 Places | 150 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1079 (105 Girls / 974 Boys) |
| Headmaster | Mrs Teresa Mpofu |
Lawrence Sheriff School is a boys 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 1,079 pupils attend Lawrence Sheriff School and it's led by the Headmaster, Mrs Teresa Mpofu.
Lawrence Sheriff School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
Lawrence Sheriff School was last inspected by Ofsted on 29/03/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 23/05/2022, 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 | 29/03/2022 | 1 | 23/05/2022 | Outstanding | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
Lawrence Sheriff School was inspected by Ofsted on 23/05/2022 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 behaviour and attitudes of pupils were also deemed outstanding, creating a positive learning environment throughout the school.
The school's personal development provision was highly commended, offering a wide range of opportunities for students to grow and develop beyond the classroom. Leadership and management were found to be outstanding, with a clear vision and effective strategies in place to drive continuous improvement.
Additionally, the sixth form provision at Lawrence Sheriff School was rated as outstanding, preparing students exceptionally well for their future education and careers. Overall, the school has demonstrated an exemplary level of education and support for its students.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 | 22 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Biology | 120 | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 4 | 25 | 27 | 32 | 28 |
| Chemistry | 119 | 1 | - | - | - | 6 | 7 | 25 | 32 | 20 | 28 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 64 | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 5 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 4 |
| English Language | 120 | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 19 | 40 | 38 | 13 | 4 |
| English Literature | 120 | - | 1 | - | - | 2 | 10 | 25 | 39 | 27 | 16 |
| French | 62 | 3 | - | - | 5 | 9 | 16 | 9 | 12 | 4 | 4 |
| Geography | 92 | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 17 |
| German | 47 | - | - | - | 5 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 5 |
| History | 74 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 10 | 26 | 15 | 17 |
| Mathematics | 120 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 12 | 36 | 35 | 34 |
| Music | 12 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Physics | 120 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 1 | 18 | 31 | 30 | 36 |
| Religious Studies | 118 | - | - | - | 4 | - | 10 | 33 | 36 | 21 | 14 |
| Spanish | 12 | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | - | 2 | 2 |
| Statistics | 32 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 14 |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Biology | 61 | - | 4 | 13 | 3 | 17 | 15 | 7 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 20 | - | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | |||
| Chemistry | 62 | - | 6 | 7 | 10 | 20 | 15 | 2 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 24 | - | - | 4 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 3 | |||
| Economics | 53 | - | - | 5 | 4 | 22 | 14 | 8 | |||
| English Language | 15 | - | - | 1 | 6 | 7 | - | 1 | |||
| English Literature | 13 | - | - | 1 | 4 | 8 | - | - | |||
| French | 8 | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 3 | - | |||
| Geography | 21 | - | 2 | - | 3 | 9 | 4 | 3 | |||
| Government and Politics | 13 | - | - | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | - | |||
| History | 33 | - | - | 2 | 5 | 15 | 8 | 3 | |||
| Mathematics | 97 | - | 2 | 6 | 13 | 21 | 35 | 20 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 14 | - | - | - | - | 5 | 2 | 7 | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 10 | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | 5 | 1 | |||
| Physics | 48 | - | 2 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 4 | |||
| Psychology | 30 | - | - | 2 | 6 | 15 | 6 | 1 | |||
| Religious Studies | 16 | - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 1 | - | |||
FAQ
Is Lawrence Sheriff School hard to get into?
Yes, Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff School a private school?
No, Lawrence Sheriff School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Lawrence Sheriff School free?
Yes, Lawrence Sheriff School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Lawrence Sheriff School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Lawrence Sheriff School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Lawrence Sheriff 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 Lawrence Sheriff School a boys-only school?
Yes, Lawrence Sheriff School is a boys-only school.
