The Boston Grammar School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for The Boston Grammar School.
How to get into The Boston Grammar School
The Boston Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Lincolnshire. To get into The Boston Grammar School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into The Boston Grammar School with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
The Boston Grammar School offers 120 places annually for Year 7 entry to boys aged 11-18 [1]. The school is a selective state school, which means children must take the 11 plus exam to be eligible for a place. Boston Grammar School is a member of the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools.
Children must be in Year 6 during the academic year 2024-25 to take the examination for September 2025 entry. The school does not have a catchment area and the Lincolnshire 11+ is designed to select the most academically able children in the area.
- Children take the Lincolnshire 11+ examination which consists of two papers
- The school aims to select children working within the top 25% of their year group based on national standards
- A standardised score of 220 or above is typically required for consideration based on national data
- Meeting the pass mark does not guarantee a place if the school is oversubscribed
Application Process
Registration for the 2025 exam opens on Friday 10th January 2025 and closes on Monday 31st March 2025 (see key dates). Families can register their child for the test via the website of any participating school in the Lincolnshire Consortium.
Families must name Boston Grammar School as one of their preferred schools on the secondary school common application form, which becomes available on their home council website from early September and must be submitted by 31st October 2025 (see key dates).
- Register for the Lincolnshire 11+ examination between 10th January and 31st March 2025 (see key dates)
- Complete the Common Application Form (CAF) through the local authority by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
- List Boston Grammar School as a preference on the application form
- Sitting the test does not constitute an application - families must submit applications through the coordinated admissions scheme administered by Lincolnshire County Council
- Contact information available in the school information section
Examination Details
The 11 plus exam is taken over two dates: the first paper takes place on Saturday 13th September and the second paper takes place a week later on Saturday 20th September. Families receive results on Friday 10th October (see key dates).
Boston Grammar School uses the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools 11 plus, which consists of two papers taken on consecutive Saturdays in September. All questions are multiple-choice with separate answer sheets marked electronically.
- Paper 1 - Verbal Reasoning: 80 questions split across 15 sections with a 50-minute time limit
- Paper 2 - Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning: 70 questions split across 5 sections
- Each section in Paper 2 is timed individually by the invigilator
- Students normally take the tests at their current primary schools, although arrangements can be made to sit the exam at BGS
Oversubscription Criteria
If more than 120 applying to Boston Grammar School achieve the qualifying score, the school applies oversubscription criteria. Where the number of applications exceeds places available, the following criteria are applied in order [1].
To date the school has been able to accommodate all children who have reached the required standard in the entry tests. If oversubscribed, the school keeps a waiting list until the end of the Autumn term, with position determined by oversubscription criteria rather than length of time on the list.
- Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children who have reached the required score
- Children registered for Pupil Premium (free school meals in the last six years)
- Siblings of pupils already attending the school at the time of admittance
- Straight line distance from home to school, with priority given to those living closest
- If distance cannot distinguish between applicants, a lottery will be conducted
Preparation Guidance
Effective preparation should begin well in advance of the examination dates. Building a good knowledge base is important using a 'little and often' approach, with child psychologists recommending regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11.
Children should aim to achieve consistent scores of 80% or above in practice tests as preparation. Children able to score 80%+ consistently in practice tests should be on track to pass the Boston Grammar School 11 Plus, though this has historically been a fairly strong indicator.
- Start preparation early with regular 20-30 minute study sessions
- Focus on verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning skills
- Practice with multiple-choice format questions specifically
- Use free preparation resources at practice papers section
- Consider professional tutoring support through tutor services
- Take practice tests regularly to monitor progress and identify areas for improvement
- Familiarise children with timed examination conditions
Practical Advice
Preparation for examination day requires careful planning and attention to detail. The 11 plus exams test children's ability to analyse and interpret written information, so developing these skills is essential for success.
Families should prepare backup school options within Lincolnshire in case Boston Grammar School is oversubscribed. Passing the 11 plus does not guarantee allocation to the preferred school, as many grammar schools are often oversubscribed with qualified children.
- Ensure children have adequate sleep before examination dates in September 2025
- Arrive at the test venue early and bring necessary identification
- Practice relaxation techniques to manage examination stress and anxiety
- Consider other Lincolnshire grammar schools as backup options
- Plan transport arrangements for the two examination Saturdays
- Contact the school information section for specific queries
- Attend any practice sessions offered by the primary school
Lincolnshire 11+ Information
In order to get into The Boston Grammar 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 Boston Grammar School utilizes the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools 11 plus exam for its admission process. This assessment comprises two distinct papers that evaluate the candidate's aptitude in various cognitive domains.
The first paper focuses on Verbal Reasoning and includes 80 questions distributed across 15 sections. Students are allotted 50 minutes to complete this portion of the exam. The second paper assesses the candidate's Non-verbal and Spatial Reasoning skills through 70 questions divided into 5 sections. Each section in this paper is individually timed by the exam invigilator.
All questions in the Lincolnshire 11 plus exam are presented in a multiple-choice format. Candidates are provided with separate answer sheets to mark their responses, which are then electronically evaluated to determine the student's eligibility for admission to the Boston Grammar School.
Other Schools using Lincolnshire 11+
As well as The Boston Grammar 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
- Spalding High 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 The Boston Grammar School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.
Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.
Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.
It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!
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 The Boston Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the The Boston Grammar School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into The Boston Grammar 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 The Boston Grammar School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for The Boston Grammar 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 The Boston Grammar School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the The Boston Grammar School 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.
11+ Past Papers for The Boston Grammar School
Unfortunately, The Boston Grammar School has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.
11+ Practice Papers for The Boston Grammar 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 The Boston Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.
This is just a sample of our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers. Please click here to see the full collection.
11+ Practice Papers for The Boston Grammar School by Bond
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond and cover and cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. As such they are very helpful for children hoping to pass the Lincolnshire 11+ to get into The Boston Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for The Boston Grammar School by GL Assessment
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. As with the Bond papers, they cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. They remain useful and we encourage parents to download and use them with their children to help them get into The Boston Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for The Boston Grammar School by Exam Ninja
These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful. They are straight-forward 10-question tests in Maths and English, following the same GL Assessment style (and multiple-choice format) as the Lincolnshire 11+.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for The Boston Grammar School by Owl Tutors
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors. These too are written in a GL Assessment style and make useful practice for children hoping to get into The Boston Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for The Boston Grammar School by CGP
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. As with the Bond, GL Assessment and Exam Ninja papers, they're written for the GL Assessment style, in multiple-choice format and are helpful for children hoping to pass their 11+ tests and get into The Boston Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If The Boston Grammar School ever used them then they don't anymore as grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these 11+ tests remain useful.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEM | Maths | |||
| CEM | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| CEM | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for The Boston Grammar School by 11+ For You
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for The Boston Grammar School by Examberry
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for The Boston Grammar School by Independent Junction
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for The Boston Grammar School by IPS
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
11+ Practice Papers for The Boston Grammar School by Schofield & Sims
These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
School Information
Below you will find further information about The Boston Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | The Boston Grammar School, South End, Boston, Lincolnshire PE21 6JY |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.bostongrammarschool.co.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01205366444 |
| Email Address | admissions@bostongrammarschool.co.uk |
| Gender | Boys only |
| Total Year 7 Places | 120 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 848 (48 Girls / 800 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Mr John McHenry |
The Boston Grammar 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 848 pupils attend The Boston Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr John McHenry.
The Boston Grammar School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
The Boston Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 05/10/2021 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 10/11/2021, declaring that the school was 'Good'. 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 | 05/10/2021 | 1 | 10/11/2021 | Good | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
The overall outcome of the inspection of The Boston Grammar School on 5 October 2021 was Good. The school received a Good rating in all areas assessed, including Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management, and Sixth form provision.
This indicates that The Boston Grammar School provides a high-quality educational experience for its students, with effective teaching, positive student behavior and attitudes, strong personal development opportunities, and well-managed leadership. The sixth form provision also received a Good rating, suggesting that the school adequately prepares students for higher education or future careers.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at The Boston Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.
| GCSE Subjects Offered |
|
|---|---|
| A-Level Subjects Offered |
|
GCSE & A-Level Performance
Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for The Boston Grammar School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.
GCSE Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Art & Design (Fine Art) | 13 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 9 | 3 | - | - | - |
| Biology | 122 | 7 | - | 3 | 20 | 43 | 22 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
| Business Studies:Single | 92 | - | - | 7 | 30 | 21 | 18 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Chemistry | 122 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 26 | 36 | 18 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 22 | - | - | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Design & Technology | 48 | - | - | 2 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| English Language | 122 | - | - | 2 | 17 | 31 | 35 | 22 | 8 | 3 | 3 |
| English Literature | 122 | - | 1 | 3 | 14 | 45 | 33 | 16 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| French | 34 | - | - | 1 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Geography | 94 | - | - | 5 | 26 | 26 | 17 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
| German | 69 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 2 | - |
| History | 62 | - | - | 6 | 14 | 16 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Mathematics | 122 | - | - | 1 | 6 | 39 | 38 | 19 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| Music | 13 | - | - | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | - | 1 | - |
| Physics | 122 | 16 | - | 4 | 26 | 28 | 18 | 15 | 4 | 9 | 2 |
| Polish | 11 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 4 | 6 |
| Religious Studies | 115 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 33 | 28 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 3 | - |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 31 | - | - | 4 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 1 | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Biology | 26 | - | 4 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 1 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 33 | - | 1 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 4 | - | |||
| Chemistry | 21 | - | 2 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 1 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 6 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | - | |||
| Economics | 19 | - | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 1 | - | |||
| English Language | 16 | - | 1 | 4 | 6 | 5 | - | - | |||
| English Literature | 14 | - | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 1 | - | |||
| Geography | 18 | - | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | - | |||
| History | 9 | - | - | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | - | |||
| Mathematics | 22 | - | - | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 4 | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 7 | - | 3 | 1 | 2 | - | - | - | |||
| Physics | 12 | - | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | - | |||
| Psychology | 33 | - | 5 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 2 | - | |||
FAQ
Is The Boston Grammar School hard to get into?
Yes, The Boston Grammar School is hard to get into! Children need to pass their challenging 11+ entrance test (with a high pass mark) and there's tough competition with many other children trying to get a place for Year 7.
Is The Boston Grammar School a private school?
No, The Boston Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is The Boston Grammar School free?
Yes, The Boston Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to The Boston Grammar School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into The Boston Grammar School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact The Boston Grammar School for how up to date information on how to apply (it may be automatic or it may require some forms to be filled in). More information on their 11+ entrance test can be found here.
Is The Boston Grammar School a boys-only school?
Yes, The Boston Grammar School is a boys-only school.
