The King's School, Grantham 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for The King's School, Grantham.
How to get into The King's School, Grantham
The King's School, Grantham is a selective secondary school in Lincolnshire. To get into The King's School, Grantham children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into The King's School, Grantham with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
The King's School, Grantham is a selective grammar school for boys aged 11 to 18 [1]. Children born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2026 (see key dates).
The school offers 174 places annually through the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools which includes 15 grammar schools sharing the same entrance test. This means children only need to take the test once even when applying to multiple schools in the consortium.
Children must achieve a minimum standardised score of 220 across both test papers to qualify for grammar school education [1]. This represents the top 25% of pupils in their age group based on national data.
- Children must be eligible for Year 6 during the testing period
- The school has no formally defined catchment area but prioritises children living closer to the school
- Achievement of the minimum qualification standard does not guarantee admission to any individual school [1]
- Families must complete both registration for testing and application through their local authority
Application Process
Registration for the 2025 11+ testing opened on Friday 10th January 2025 and closed on Monday 31st March 2025 [1]. Late registration is now available but children may not be accommodated on main test days and may need to attend additional sessions.
Registration through the school for testing is separate from the local authority application process - both procedures are necessary for consideration [1]. Families must submit their Common Application Form through their local authority by 31st October 2025 (see key dates).
- Complete online registration through The King's School website for testing
- Submit Common Application Form (CAF) through home local authority between September and October
- Receive test results in mid-October (see key dates)
- Local authority sends place offers in March of the following year
- Contact details available in the school information section
Examination Details
The 11+ examination takes place over two separate dates - Verbal Reasoning paper on Saturday 13th September 2025 and Non-Verbal and Spatial Awareness paper on Saturday 20th September 2025 [1]. Students must attend both sessions.
The tests are produced by GL Assessment specifically for Lincolnshire Grammar Schools [1]. Candidates record answers on Optical Mark Reading (OMR) sheets by marking lines in boxes.
- Students should wear primary school uniform and bring waterproof clothing [1]
- Bring 2 HB pencils and an eraser [1]
- No calculators or other writing tools are permitted [1]
- Watches and countdown clocks are not allowed [1]
- Examinations follow JCQ guidelines [1]
Oversubscription Criteria
When more than 150 applying children achieve the qualifying score, the school applies oversubscription criteria. Places are prioritised for Looked After children, children in receipt of Pupil Premium, children living within 30 miles of the school, and other qualifying students in rank score order.
A reserve list is formed when the school cannot admit all qualifying candidates, with available places going to children with highest priority. The list is cleared at the end of each academic year.
- Priority 1: Looked After children and previously Looked After children with qualifying scores
- Priority 2: Children receiving Pupil Premium with qualifying scores
- Priority 3: Children with qualifying scores living within 30 miles of the school
- Priority 4: Other qualifying children in rank standardised score order
Preparation Guidance
The school provides familiarisation materials to primary schools in June 2025 for registered students with parental consent [1]. These materials ensure candidates are familiar with question styles and include practice elements.
The King's School partners with Atom Learning to provide free access to resources worth £575.90 annually for Pupil Premium eligible students [1]. Child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11.
- Begin preparation with regular short sessions rather than intensive cramming
- Use school-provided familiarisation materials when available
- Focus on building reading comprehension and reasoning skills
- Practice with official practice papers
- Consider professional support through qualified tutoring
- Commercial test preparation may be unnecessary and potentially unhelpful
Practical Advice
Families should attend the Open Evening on Monday 23rd June 2025 (see key dates) to learn more about the school [1]. Preparation should focus on building good knowledge foundations using regular, manageable study sessions.
Children may only take the 11+ once, either in Year 6 or Year 7, and cannot reapply for late Year 7 entry if unsuccessful [1]. However, children may reapply for Year 8 entry and sit the school's entrance test if places become available.
- Ensure children get adequate rest before examination days
- Arrive early to allow time for check-in procedures
- Prepare backup school options within Lincolnshire in case of unsuccessful outcome
- Consider distance from home when selecting schools due to oversubscription criteria
- Plan for potential additional testing dates if late registration is necessary
- Maintain perspective that one examination does not define a child's future success
- Contact the school information section for specific queries
Timeline Overview
Families should plan their application timeline carefully, noting that registration and formal application are separate processes with different deadlines (see key dates).
Lincolnshire 11+ Information
In order to get into The King's School, Grantham, 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 The King's School Grantham is administered by the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools. The assessment consists of two separate papers that evaluate the candidate'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. Candidates 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.
Candidates record their answers on separate answer sheets, which are then electronically marked. Success in both papers is essential for admission to The King's School Grantham.
Other Schools using Lincolnshire 11+
As well as The King's School, Grantham, 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 Boston Grammar School
- The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough
Lincolnshire 11+ Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as The King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the The King's School, Grantham 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into The King's School, Grantham) 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 King's School, Grantham as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for The King's School, Grantham
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 King's School, Grantham 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the The King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham
Unfortunately, The King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham
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 King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham.
| 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 King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham.
| 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 King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for The King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham.
| 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 King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | The King's School, Grantham, Brook Street, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 6RP |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.kings.lincs.sch.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01476563180 |
| Email Address | louise.bremner@kings.lincs.sch.uk |
| Gender | Boys only |
| Total Year 7 Places | 174 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1188 (0 Girls / 1188 Boys) |
| Head Master | Mr Simon Pickett |
The King's School, Grantham 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 1,188 pupils attend The King's School, Grantham and it's led by the Head Master, Mr Simon Pickett.
The King's School, Grantham Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
The King's School, Grantham was last inspected by Ofsted on 13/12/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 06/02/2023, 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 | 13/12/2022 | 1 | 06/02/2023 | Good | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
The King's School, Grantham was inspected by Ofsted on 13 December 2022 and received an overall outcome of Good. The school demonstrated a good quality of education, with pupils benefiting from effective teaching and a well-planned curriculum.
The behaviour and attitudes of students were also rated as good, with pupils showing respect for one another and displaying positive attitudes towards learning. The school's provision for personal development was deemed good, with a range of opportunities available for pupils to develop their skills and interests beyond the classroom.
Leadership and management at The King's School, Grantham were found to be good, with leaders demonstrating a clear vision for the school and a commitment to ongoing improvement. The sixth form provision was also rated as good, with students receiving effective support and guidance to help them progress to their chosen destinations after school.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at The King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham 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) | 19 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 3 | - |
| Biology | 162 | 1 | - | - | - | 3 | 17 | 43 | 29 | 22 | 47 |
| Business Studies:Single | 120 | - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 35 | 20 | 19 | 15 |
| Chemistry | 162 | 1 | - | - | - | 7 | 22 | 35 | 25 | 37 | 35 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 46 | - | - | 4 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Design & Technology | 27 | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | - | 5 | 12 | 3 | 3 |
| English Language | 180 | - | - | - | 6 | 9 | 30 | 46 | 46 | 30 | 13 |
| English Literature | 177 | - | - | - | 3 | 7 | 19 | 57 | 41 | 30 | 20 |
| D&T Food Technology | 26 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| French | 53 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 15 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 16 |
| Geography | 75 | - | - | - | - | 5 | 12 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 11 |
| German | 73 | - | - | - | 2 | 13 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| History | 128 | - | - | - | 4 | 8 | 17 | 25 | 29 | 27 | 17 |
| Mathematics | 180 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 24 | 30 | 39 | 40 | 44 |
| Music | 33 | - | - | - | - | 5 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Physics | 162 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 11 | 23 | 27 | 39 | 58 |
| Religious Studies | 14 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 48 | - | - | - | 2 | - | 7 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 1 |
| Science: Double Award | 18 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Biology | 24 | - | - | 1 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 7 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 34 | - | 1 | 4 | 8 | 13 | 5 | 2 | |||
| Chemistry | 24 | - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 9 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 12 | - | - | - | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 7 | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Economics | 39 | - | - | 2 | 10 | 15 | 7 | 5 | |||
| English Language and Literature | 15 | - | - | 2 | 8 | 4 | 1 | - | |||
| English Literature | 9 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| French | 7 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||
| Geography | 26 | - | - | 1 | 9 | 13 | 3 | - | |||
| Government and Politics | 13 | - | 1 | - | 1 | 6 | 2 | 3 | |||
| History | 14 | - | - | - | 1 | 6 | 5 | 2 | |||
| Mathematics | 67 | - | - | - | 4 | 14 | 20 | 29 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 19 | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | |||
| Music | 6 | - | - | - | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 13 | - | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | - | |||
| Physics | 46 | - | 1 | 3 | 9 | 16 | 10 | 7 | |||
| Psychology | 34 | - | 1 | 6 | 8 | 13 | 3 | 3 | |||
FAQ
Is The King's School, Grantham hard to get into?
Yes, The King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham a private school?
No, The King's School, Grantham is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is The King's School, Grantham free?
Yes, The King's School, Grantham is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to The King's School, Grantham won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into The King's School, Grantham?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact The King's School, Grantham 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 King's School, Grantham a boys-only school?
Yes, The King's School, Grantham is a boys-only school.
