Rugby High School 11+

Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Rugby High School.

How to get into Rugby High School

Rugby High School is a selective secondary school in Warwickshire. To get into Rugby High School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Rugby High 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) following the West Midlands Grammar Schools entrance test in September 2025. Rugby High School is a selective girls' grammar school located in Bilton, Warwickshire with an attached mixed sixth form [1].

Rugby High School uses the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test. Families must register for the entrance test and complete a local authority application form. The minimum qualifying score for entry to Rugby High School in 2024 was 212.

  • Children must achieve the qualifying score in the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ examination
  • Girls only for Years 7-11, with co-educational sixth form accepting boys in Years 12-13 [1]
  • Priority area requirements based on distance from Rugby Water Tower with an overall priority area radius of 10.004 miles
  • Application deadlines must be met (see key dates)

Priority Areas and Catchment

The overall priority area for Rugby High School is based on a circle with a radius of 10.004 miles drawn from the Rugby Water Tower, split into two priority areas. Candidates who live in Rugby must come in the top 120 girls and candidates who live in the wider catchment area must come within the top 60 [1].

All images © Rugby High School.
All images © Rugby High School.

The priority areas are defined as follows:

  • Priority Area 1 (East Warwickshire): The town of Rugby and its surrounding villages
  • Priority Area 2 (Eastern Priority Circle): The rest of the circle within the 10.004-mile radius
  • Evidence of address within priority areas must be submitted by 31st December (see key dates)
  • Council tax bills and proof the child lives at the address are required documentation

Application Process

The registration portal for the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test opens on Tuesday 6th May 2025 and closes on Friday 27th June (see key dates). Families must complete two separate application processes for their child to be considered.

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

All images © Rugby High School.
All images © Rugby High School.
  • Register for the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ test via the consortium portal
  • Complete the Common Application Form (CAF) through the home local authority
  • Submit evidence of address within priority areas by 31st December (see key dates)
  • Both applications are mandatory - test registration does not guarantee school placement
  • Contact the school information section for specific guidance

Examination Details

The exam consists of two one-hour papers. Children will be allocated a test venue and a slot to take the test in September 2025 (see key dates). The weightings for the test results are 50% for English/verbal reasoning, 25% for non-verbal reasoning and 25% for mathematics.

All questions in the West Midlands Grammar Schools' Entrance Test are multiple-choice. Each test lasts around one hour including time for instructions, some worked example questions, and the real test questions.

  • Paper 1: English comprehension and verbal reasoning
  • Paper 2: Mathematics and non-verbal reasoning
  • Electronic marking using separate answer sheets
  • Age-standardised scoring to ensure fairness across birth dates
  • Results available in mid-October 2025 (see key dates)

Oversubscription Criteria

If the number of children who have achieved the qualifying score exceeds the number of places available, Rugby High School applies oversubscription criteria. Children are prioritised for places in the following order: Looked-After or Previously Looked-After Children, children living in priority areas eligible for Free School Meals, children living in area 1 (east Warwickshire), and children living in area 2 (eastern priority circle) [1].

All images © Rugby High School.
All images © Rugby High School.

Those with the highest scores in each category are given highest priority, with the child living nearest the school in a straight line given highest priority in cases of equal scores.

  • Category 1: Looked-After or Previously Looked-After Children (up to 20 marks below qualifying score)
  • Category 2: Free School Meals eligible children in priority areas (up to 15 marks below qualifying score)
  • Category 3: Children in Priority Area 1 achieving qualifying score
  • Category 4: Children in Priority Area 2 achieving qualifying score
  • Category 5: All other children achieving qualifying score

Key Dates and Timeline

Families should note all critical deadlines for the 2026 school entry process. Registration opens on Tuesday 6th May 2025 and closes on Friday 27th June (see key dates).

Children will be allocated a test venue and slot in September 2025 (see key dates). Results will be received in mid-October (see key dates).

  • 6th May 2025: Test registration opens (see key dates)
  • 27th June 2025: Test registration closes (see key dates)
  • September 2025: Entrance test takes place (see key dates)
  • Mid-October 2025: Test results released (see key dates)
  • 31st October 2025: School application deadline (see key dates)
  • 31st December 2025: Address evidence deadline (see key dates)
  • March 2026: School offers announced (see key dates)

Preparation Guidance

For children aged 10-11, child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes. Using a 'little and often' approach when learning is key as brains encode new information more effectively when dealing with smaller chunks of information.

Pupils who score 80-85%+ consistently in practice tests should be on track to pass the Rugby High School test, which has historically been a fairly strong indicator of success. Families should begin preparation well in advance of the examination date.

  • Start preparation 12-18 months before the test date
  • Focus on Key Stage 2 curriculum for mathematics content
  • Practice multiple-choice questions and electronic answer sheets
  • Access free practice materials through practice papers resources
  • Consider professional support through 11+ tutoring services
  • Regular mock tests under timed conditions

Exam Day Preparation

Parents will not be allowed to stay in the exam room so children should be prepared to say goodbye once they have found their exam room, meeting parents again at the end of the test. Children will be sent a letter by the Admissions Department of Warwickshire County Council telling them where they will sit the test [1].

Sometimes students are ill on examination day, with parents receiving instructions from Warwickshire School Admissions about what to do, and unwell students sitting the examination at a later date once recovered.

  • Arrive at the designated test centre at the specified time
  • Bring required identification and writing materials
  • Children cannot leave without an accompanying adult
  • Invigilators will provide support but cannot explain question content
  • Backup arrangements exist for children who are unwell on test day
  • Practice using separate answer sheets before examination day

Alternative Schools in Warwickshire

Passing the 11+ doesn't guarantee place allocation at preferred schools, as many grammar schools are often oversubscribed with qualified children, with schools working through admissions criteria to prioritise children for places. Families should research backup options within Warwickshire.

Warwickshire offers several alternative grammar school options through the West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ system. All schools use the same entrance test but have different oversubscription criteria.

West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+ Information

In order to get into Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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, focusing on various aspects of academic ability.

The exam covers a range of subjects, including English comprehension, which tests the student's understanding and interpretation of written passages. Mathematical skills are also evaluated, assessing the child's proficiency in numerical reasoning and problem-solving. Additionally, the test includes sections on verbal and non-verbal reasoning, which gauge the student's ability to analyze and manipulate language and patterns, respectively.

Throughout the examination, students are presented with multiple-choice questions, and they are required to mark their answers on separate answer sheets. These answer sheets are then electronically assessed to determine the student's performance in each subject area.

Other Schools using West Midlands Grammar Schools 11+

As well as Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Key Dates for the Rugby High School 11+ Entrance Tests

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

DateEventCalendar Link
06/05/2025Registration Opens For The West Midlands Grammar Schools' Entrance TestAdd Dates to Calendar
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 Rugby High School as they may well change.

11+ Tutor for Rugby High 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 Rugby High School 11+ Tests

We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Rugby High 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 Rugby High School

Unfortunately, Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High School.

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

11+ Practice Papers for Rugby High 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 Rugby High School.

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

11+ Practice Papers for Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High School.

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

11+ Practice Papers for Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High School by Examberry

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High School together with their admissions contact details.

Rugby High School is a girls-only grammar school.
Rugby High School is a girls-only grammar school.
Address
Rugby High School,
Longrood Road,
Rugby,
Warwickshire
CV22 7RE
School Website
Telephone01788810518
Email Addressrhsadmin@rugbyhighschool.co.uk
GenderGirls only
Total Year 7 Places120
Total Pupils (Girls/Boys)889 (845 Girls / 44 Boys)
Headteacher Mr Mark Grady

Rugby High 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 889 pupils attend Rugby High School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Mark Grady.

Rugby High School Location

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

Ofsted Information

Rugby High School was last inspected by Ofsted on 15/11/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 12/01/2023, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Rugby High School obtained <strong>Good</strong> in their last Ofsted inspection in 2022.
Rugby High School obtained Good in their last Ofsted inspection in 2022.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Date InspectedInspection Duration (Days)Reporting DateRatingFull Report
15/11/2022112/01/2023GoodFull Report

Ofsted Report Summary

The inspection of Rugby High School on 15 November 2022 resulted in an overall outcome of Good. The school received a Good rating for the quality of education, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision. Behaviour and attitudes were rated as Outstanding.

The inspection report highlights the school's strengths in providing a good quality of education across all areas, with effective leadership and management supporting student development. The Outstanding rating for behaviour and attitudes suggests that students at Rugby High School demonstrate exemplary conduct and engagement in their learning.

While the school performs well in most areas, the report implies that there is room for improvement to reach an Outstanding rating in the quality of education, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision. Nevertheless, Rugby High School's overall Good rating indicates that it provides a solid 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 Rugby High School for the 2022-23 academic year.

GCSE Subjects Offered
  • English Language (117 pupils)
  • English Literature (117 pupils)
  • Mathematics (117 pupils)
  • Biology (83 pupils)
  • Chemistry (83 pupils)
  • Physics (83 pupils)
  • Geography (70 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (48 pupils)
  • Spanish (44 pupils)
  • Latin (43 pupils)
  • French (35 pupils)
  • Science: Double Award (34 pupils)
  • History (26 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Fine Art) (21 pupils)
  • Computer Studies/Computing (21 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Textiles) (19 pupils)
  • D&T Food Technology (15 pupils)
  • Music (12 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (8 pupils)
  • Drama & Theatre Studies (8 pupils)
  • Physical Education/Sports Studies (8 pupils)
A-Level Subjects Offered
  • Biology (51 pupils)
  • Mathematics (48 pupils)
  • Chemistry (46 pupils)
  • Psychology (32 pupils)
  • English Literature (23 pupils)
  • History (22 pupils)
  • Physics (17 pupils)
  • English Language (16 pupils)
  • Art and Design (Fine Art) (15 pupils)
  • Geography (15 pupils)
  • Economics (11 pupils)
  • Government and Politics (11 pupils)
  • Sociology (11 pupils)
  • Mathematics (Further) (8 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (7 pupils)
  • Computer Studies / Computing (7 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (7 pupils)
  • Spanish (7 pupils)

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Rugby High 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 (Textiles)19----113257
Art & Design (Fine Art)21----213249
Biology83----137102240
Business Studies:Single48-----41412126
Chemistry83----146121446
Computer Studies/Computing21----1-16112
English Language117---1-728442611
English Literature117--1--523302929
D&T Food Technology15------1752
French35----324998
Geography70-----46182418
History26-----324611
Latin43---112741117
Mathematics117-----611293536
Music12-----14115
Physics83----125101847
Religious Studies8------1-43
Spanish44---113812127
Drama & Theatre Studies8-------215
Physical Education/Sports Studies8-----2132-
Science: Double Award34----------

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

SubjectTotal Pupils Grades Achieved
UEDCBAA*
Art and Design (Fine Art)15--13632
Biology51-34914173
Business Studies:Single7---1321
Chemistry46-37417131
Computer Studies / Computing7--1-141
Economics11---245-
English Language16---466-
English Literature23-1-21343
Geography15--1-293
Government and Politics11--12341
History22--31108-
Mathematics48-322111811
Mathematics (Further)8---1133
Physics17-11-672
Psychology32--275117
Religious Studies7---24-1
Sociology11----371
Spanish7---1321

FAQ

Is Rugby High School hard to get into?

Yes, Rugby High 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 Rugby High School a private school?

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

Is Rugby High School free?

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

How do I get my child into Rugby High School?

You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Rugby High 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 Rugby High School a girls-only school?

Yes, Rugby High School is a girls-only school.

Success!

We have sent %%email%% a confirmation email.

Check your Emails

You will receive the email within 2 minutes.
Open it and click on the confirmation link to enable access.

Not received the email?

Check your Spam/Junk folder
...it could have fallen in there by accident!