Spalding High School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Spalding High School.
How to get into Spalding High School
Spalding High School is a selective secondary school in Lincolnshire. To get into Spalding High School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Spalding High School with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
Children born between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2025. The school determines academic ability for admission by performance in the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools' 11 plus examinations [1].
The School's planned Admissions number (PAN) for all Year Groups 7-11 is 150 [1]. Spalding High School does not have a catchment area, making it accessible to families across Lincolnshire.
Girls must pass the Lincolnshire 11+ examination to qualify for admission. The grammar schools in the Consortium usually select children working within the top 25% of their year group, and children who achieve a total standardised score of 220 or above are likely to be working within this range.
Application Process
A registration form must be completed for a child to sit the 11 plus examinations, and it is imperative that parents complete and return the registration form [1]. Registration for the 2025 exam opens on Friday 10th January 2025 and closes on Monday 31st March 2025.
Registration forms are sent to Lincolnshire feeder primary schools in January when children are in Year 5, and should be returned to the primary school by the deadline date on the form [1]. Alternatively, the registration form can be downloaded from the Spalding High School website and returned to Spalding High School by the deadline [1].
Families must submit the secondary school Common Application Form by 31st October 2025 through their local authority. To apply to Spalding High School, families need to name the school as one of their preferred schools on the secondary school common application form, which will be available on home council websites from early September.
- Complete 11+ registration by 31st March 2025
- Take the Lincolnshire 11+ examination in September 2025
- Submit Common Application Form by 31st October 2025
- Receive test results in October 2025
- School places offered in March 2026
Examination Details
Spalding High School is a member of the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools, which includes 15 grammar schools that share the same entrance test, meaning children only need to take the test once.
The 11 plus exam is taken over two dates: the first paper on Saturday 13th September and the second paper a week later on Saturday 20th September, with results received on Friday 10th October. The examination consists of verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning papers.
Further details regarding test dates and practice papers will be sent once a child is registered for the test [1]. For specific questions about testing arrangements, families should contact the school information section.
Oversubscription Criteria
In the event of the school being oversubscribed by qualified children, places will be allocated using oversubscription criteria. If more than 150 applying to Spalding High School achieve the qualifying score, the school applies oversubscription criteria.
Priority is given to children in the following order:
- Looked after children and previously looked after children
- Children with a brother or sister on roll at Spalding High School at the time of application
- Distance from home address to school, measured in a straight line using the Synergy system
Children who meet the required standard and are offered places at lower preference schools are automatically placed on the reserve list, which is kept in order of the oversubscription criteria.
Preparation Guidance
Effective preparation should begin early in Year 5 to build solid foundations. It's important to build a good knowledge base before the 11 plus. Families should focus on consistent practice across verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills.
Regular reading helps develop comprehension and vocabulary skills essential for the verbal reasoning paper. Practice with logic puzzles and spatial reasoning exercises supports non-verbal reasoning preparation.
For comprehensive preparation resources, families should explore practice 11+ papers and consider professional support through 11+ tutoring. Mock examinations under timed conditions help children adapt to exam pressure.
Practical Advice
On examination day, children should arrive well-rested and having eaten a good breakfast. Families should ensure children know the venue location and allow extra travel time. Children should bring required stationery and identification as specified in exam instructions.
Managing exam stress involves maintaining regular routines, ensuring adequate sleep, and encouraging children to view the examination as one opportunity among many. Families should discuss backup school options to reduce pressure.
Alternative grammar schools in Lincolnshire include Boston Grammar School, Bourne Grammar School, and Caistor Grammar School. Comprehensive schools in the area provide excellent education for children who prefer non-selective environments.
For specific guidance on exam day procedures and contact details, families should refer to the school information section. The school provides transition support for successful applicants including induction days and meetings with form teachers.
Lincolnshire 11+ Information
In order to get into Spalding High 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 11 plus exam for Spalding High School is administered by the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools. The assessment consists of two separate papers that evaluate a student's abilities in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning.
The first paper focuses on verbal reasoning and includes 80 multiple-choice questions divided into 15 sections. Students are allotted 50 minutes to complete this paper. The second paper assesses non-verbal and spatial reasoning through 70 multiple-choice questions split across 5 sections. Each section of this paper is individually timed by the invigilator.
Students record their answers for both papers on separate answer sheets, which are then electronically marked. The 11 plus exam aims to identify students with strong reasoning abilities who are well-suited for the academic rigors of Spalding High School.
Other Schools using Lincolnshire 11+
As well as Spalding High School, several other schools also use Lincolnshire 11+. These are:
- Boston High School
- Bourne Grammar School
- Carre's Grammar School
- Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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
- 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 Spalding 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.
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 Spalding High School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the Spalding High School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Spalding High 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 Spalding High School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Spalding High 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 Spalding High School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Spalding 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 Spalding High School
Unfortunately, Spalding 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 Spalding High 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 Spalding 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 Spalding 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 Lincolnshire 11+ to get into Spalding High 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 Spalding 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 Spalding High 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 Spalding 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 Lincolnshire 11+.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for Spalding 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 Spalding High School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Spalding 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 Spalding High 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 Spalding 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 Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEM | Maths | |||
| CEM | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| CEM | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Spalding High 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 Spalding High 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 Spalding High 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 Spalding High 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 Spalding High 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 Spalding High School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Spalding High School, Stonegate, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 2PJ |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.spaldinghigh.lincs.sch.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01775722110 |
| Email Address | dhaslam@spaldinggrammar.lincs.sch.uk |
| Gender | Girls only |
| Total Year 7 Places | 150 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 965 (945 Girls / 20 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Mrs Michele Anderson |
Spalding High School is a girls only school. It is also a local authority maintained school, meaning the local authority oversee the funding, admissions, and overall performance of the school.
In total 965 pupils attend Spalding High School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mrs Michele Anderson.
Spalding High School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
Spalding High School was last inspected by Ofsted on 29/11/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 01/01/2024, 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 | 29/11/2023 | 1 | 01/01/2024 | Outstanding | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
Spalding High School was inspected by Ofsted on 29 November 2023 and received an outstanding overall rating. The school demonstrated exceptional performance across multiple areas, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, all of which were rated as outstanding.
The sixth form provision at Spalding High School was rated as good, indicating a high standard of education and support for students in this age group.
The inspection results highlight the school's commitment to providing an excellent learning environment, fostering positive student behaviour and attitudes, promoting personal development, and maintaining strong leadership and management practices. Spalding High School's outstanding rating reflects its dedication to delivering high-quality education and ensuring the well-being and success of its students.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Spalding High 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 Spalding 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)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Art & Design (Fine Art) | 38 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 5 |
| Biology | 81 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 11 | 20 | 19 | 12 | 18 |
| Business Studies:Single | 80 | - | - | - | 1 | 8 | 12 | 23 | 17 | 14 | 5 |
| Chemistry | 81 | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 15 | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Design & Technology | 39 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 2 |
| English Language | 147 | - | - | - | 2 | 14 | 30 | 44 | 32 | 17 | 8 |
| English Literature | 146 | - | - | - | 3 | 14 | 36 | 36 | 34 | 18 | 5 |
| D&T Food Technology | 16 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
| French | 128 | - | - | 1 | 7 | 13 | 46 | 15 | 28 | 7 | 11 |
| Geography | 87 | - | - | - | 2 | 6 | 8 | 22 | 18 | 15 | 16 |
| History | 70 | - | - | 1 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 12 | 9 |
| Latin | 12 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Mathematics | 147 | - | - | - | - | 15 | 42 | 35 | 30 | 18 | 7 |
| Music | 16 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | - | - |
| Physics | 81 | - | - | - | - | 6 | 21 | 20 | 12 | 14 | 8 |
| Religious Studies | 144 | - | - | - | 6 | 14 | 12 | 29 | 22 | 33 | 28 |
| Spanish | 11 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 22 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 28 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Science: Double Award | 66 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 15 | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | |||
| Art and Design (Photography) | 8 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 1 | 3 | |||
| Biology | 31 | - | 3 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 3 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 23 | - | 1 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 2 | |||
| Chemistry | 13 | - | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Classical Civilisation | 8 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | - | |||
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 7 | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | - | 1 | |||
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 10 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 6 | - | - | |||
| English Language | 8 | - | - | - | 3 | 5 | - | - | |||
| English Literature | 8 | - | 1 | - | 3 | - | 3 | 1 | |||
| French | 7 | - | 1 | - | - | 2 | 3 | 1 | |||
| Geography | 16 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 2 | |||
| History | 12 | - | - | 1 | - | 6 | 5 | - | |||
| Law | 20 | - | 1 | - | 4 | 7 | 4 | 4 | |||
| Mathematics | 27 | - | - | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 7 | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | |||
| Physics | 8 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Psychology | 50 | - | 6 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 3 | 3 | |||
| Religious Studies | 33 | - | 2 | 4 | 10 | 13 | 4 | - | |||
| Sociology | 18 | - | - | 3 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 1 | |||
FAQ
Is Spalding High School hard to get into?
Yes, Spalding 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 Spalding High School a private school?
No, Spalding High School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Spalding High School free?
Yes, Spalding High School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Spalding High School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Spalding High School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Spalding 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 Spalding High School a girls-only school?
Yes, Spalding High School is a girls-only school.
