Herschel Grammar School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Herschel Grammar School.
How to get into Herschel Grammar School
Herschel Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Berkshire. To get into Herschel Grammar School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Herschel Grammar 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). Herschel Grammar School is a grammar school for boys and girls in Slough, Berkshire [1].
All children must achieve a minimum score of 111 in the Slough Consortium 11+ examination to be considered eligible for admission. The standardised pass mark for the Slough Consortium 11 plus exam is 111. If your child achieves a score of 111 or higher, they will be eligible for a place at Herschel Grammar School.
The school operates within a 4-mile catchment area measured in a straight line from the family home to the school. Herschel Grammar School has a catchment area which covers an area of 4 miles from the school site. This distance is measured in a straight line from the child's front door to the main entrance gate of the school. This area covers Slough, Windsor, Taplow, Farnham Common and Langley.
- Complete the Common Application Form through families' local authority
- Register for the 11+ examination between 1st May and 5th June 2025 (see key dates)
- Children must be 11 years old during the application year
- The school does not require any supplementary forms Herschel Grammar School doesn't require a supplementary form at this point in time
Application Process
Families must complete two separate applications for their child to be considered for admission. The first step involves registering for the Slough Consortium 11+ examination. Registration will be open from Thursday 1st May 2025 at 10am and will close at 10am on Thursday 5th June 2025. This is for children who are currently in Year 5.
The second step requires submitting the Common Application Form through the relevant local authority. To apply to Herschel Grammar School, you'll need to name the school as one of your preferred schools on the secondary school common application form. This will be available on your home council website from early September and must be submitted by 31st October 2025 (see key dates).
The Slough Consortium 11+ examination will take place on Saturday 20th September 2025 (see key dates). The Slough 11 plus exam will be held in September 2025 and you'll receive your child's results in mid-October.
- Register online for the 11+ examination between 1st May and 5th June 2025
- Take the examination on Saturday 20th September 2025
- Submit Common Application Form by 31st October 2025
- Receive school allocation results on 2nd March 2026 (see key dates)
- Appeal deadline is 31st March 2026 if required (see key dates)
- Contact the school information section for specific enquiries
Examination Format
The Slough Consortium 11+ consists of two test papers provided by GL Assessment. Pupils will sit two test papers, with questions covering a combination of verbal and non-verbal reasoning, English and mathematics [1].
Each paper lasts approximately one hour including time for instructions and practice questions. Each test lasts around one hour. This includes time for instructions, some worked (unmarked) example questions, and the real test questions. Children take both papers on the same day with a short break between tests.
The examination covers four key areas: verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English comprehension, and mathematics. The Mathematics paper measures problem-solving abilities and arithmetic skills, including questions on number, measurement, geometry, algebra and statistics.
- Verbal Reasoning - logical thinking and vocabulary skills
- Non-Verbal Reasoning - pattern recognition and spatial awareness
- English Comprehension - reading skills with no writing component
- Mathematics - problem-solving across Key Stage 2 curriculum areas
- All marking completed by GL Assessment All marking and standardisation will be carried out by the test provider
- Results available in mid-October 2025 (see key dates)
Oversubscription Criteria
When more children achieve the pass mark of 111 than places available, the school applies specific oversubscription criteria. When the number of children who achieve the pass mark exceeds the number of places available, the school applies oversubscription criteria [1].
Places are allocated in the following priority order. Eligible children are prioritised for places at Herschel Grammar School in this order: Looked after children and previously looked after children · Children who live within the school catchment area · Children who live within 10 miles of the school and are eligible for the Pupil Premium. Up to 10 places are reserved in this category · Children of permanent members of Herschel Grammar School staff (employed for at least two years).
Remaining places are allocated based on 11+ examination scores in rank order. In 2023, the lowest 11 plus score for which a child was offered a place in this criterion was 116. Distance from the school determines priority when children have identical scores.
- First priority - looked after and previously looked after children
- Second priority - children living within the 4-mile catchment area
- Third priority - children within 10 miles eligible for Pupil Premium (up to 10 places)
- Fourth priority - children of permanent staff employed for 2+ years
- Final places - allocated by highest 11+ scores in rank order
- Distance used as tiebreaker when scores are identical
Preparation Guidance
Families should begin preparation at least one year before the examination date. Educational specialists recommend a "little and often" approach with regular study sessions. Using a 'little and often' approach when learning is key – our brains encode new information more effectively when dealing with smaller 'chunks' of information. For children aged 10–11, child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20–30 minutes.
Children should cover all content from the Key Stage 2 national curriculum and beyond to prepare effectively. To prepare effectively, it's crucial to cover all content from the Key Stage 2 national curriculum and beyond. Start revising at least a year in advance, adopting a 'little and often' approach. Regular practice with different question types builds confidence and reduces examination stress.
Free preparation resources are available through various sources. For comprehensive practice materials, families should visit our practice papers section. Additional tutoring support can be found through our tuition services section.
- Start preparation 12 months in advance of the examination
- Use 20-30 minute study sessions for children aged 10-11
- Cover complete Key Stage 2 curriculum and extension topics
- Practice with GL Assessment familiarisation materials The test provider GL has produced some familiarisation material which may be helpful in preparing your child for the test in September. GL familiarisation materials - Parent's guides with some example test question booklets and answer sheets
- Familiarise children with all four examination areas
- Build confidence through regular practice with timed conditions
Practical Advice
On examination day, children should arrive well-rested and confident in their preparation. The test takes place at one of the four consortium schools with children allocated to a specific venue. After registration, your child will be invited to take the 11 plus exam at one of the participating schools [1].
Families should remember that achieving the pass mark does not guarantee admission to their preferred school. Remember – passing the 11 plus doesn't guarantee that your child will be allocated a place at your preferred school. Many grammar schools are often oversubscribed with qualified children. The school is frequently oversubscribed with more qualified applicants than available places.
If children are not offered a place, families can appeal the decision. The opportunity to appeal is available to parents if your child is not offered a place in their preferred grammar school which has been named on the Common Application Form. Applications for appeals must be made by Monday 31st March 2025 and timely appeals will be heard by the Independent Appeals Panel in April, May and June 2025 (see key dates).
Slough Consortium 11+ Information
In order to get into Herschel Grammar School, children need to pass the Slough Consortium 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.
Slough Consortium 11+ Subjects & Structure
The Slough Consortium 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:
- English
- Verbal Reasoning
- Maths
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
The Slough Consortium 11 plus exam is a crucial assessment for students seeking admission to grammar schools in the Slough area. This exam, provided by GL Assessment, is widely used by most grammar schools across the United Kingdom.
The exam consists of two papers, each lasting approximately one hour. The first paper focuses on verbal skills, encompassing English and verbal reasoning, while the second paper assesses non-verbal skills, including maths and non-verbal reasoning. Both papers are taken on the same day, with a brief intermission between them.
To ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation, the exam includes instructions, worked examples (which are not marked), and the actual test questions. This format allows students to familiarize themselves with the exam structure and provides them with an opportunity to showcase their abilities in various subjects.
Other Schools using Slough Consortium 11+
As well as Herschel Grammar School, several other schools also use Slough Consortium 11+. These are:
Slough Consortium 11+ Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Herschel 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!
Slough Consortium 11+ Pass Mark
The pass mark for the Slough Consortium 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 Herschel Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the Herschel Grammar School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Herschel Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 29/04/2025 | Slough 11+ Information Evening | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 01/05/2025 | Slough 11+ Registration Opens | |
| 05/06/2025 | Slough 11+ Registration Closes | |
| 20/09/2025 | Slough Consortium 11+ Entrance Test | |
| Late October | Secondary School Applications Close At 5pm | |
| 02/03/2026 | Secondary School National Offers Day |
Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Herschel Grammar School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Herschel Grammar School
As the Slough Consortium 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 Herschel Grammar School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Herschel 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 Herschel Grammar School
Unfortunately, Herschel 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 Herschel Grammar School
Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Slough Consortium 11+ Ensure you double-check with Herschel 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 Herschel 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 Slough Consortium 11+ to get into Herschel 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 Herschel 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 Herschel 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 Herschel 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 Slough Consortium 11+.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for Herschel 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 Herschel 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 Herschel 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 Herschel 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 Herschel 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 Herschel 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 Herschel 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 Herschel 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 Herschel 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 Herschel 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 Herschel Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Herschel Grammar School, Northampton Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 3BW |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.herschel.slough.sch.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01753520950 |
| Email Address | mail@herschel.slough.sch.uk |
| Gender | Mixed (both girls and boys) |
| Total Year 7 Places | 150 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1068 (458 Girls / 610 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Ms Joanne Rockall |
Herschel Grammar School is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) 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 1,068 pupils attend Herschel Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Ms Joanne Rockall.
Herschel Grammar School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
Herschel Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 18/09/2012 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 18/10/2012, 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 | 18/09/2012 | 1 | 18/10/2012 | Outstanding | Full Report |
|---|
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Herschel 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 Herschel 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) | 10 | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Biology | 127 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 15 | 19 | 39 | 53 |
| Business Studies:Single | 72 | - | - | 1 | - | 2 | 1 | 17 | 18 | 23 | 10 |
| Chemistry | 127 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 12 | 17 | 43 | 52 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 66 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 8 | 10 | 19 | 17 | 11 |
| Design & Technology | 43 | - | - | - | 2 | - | 5 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| English Language | 152 | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 11 | 22 | 42 | 45 | 28 |
| English Literature | 152 | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | 15 | 22 | 47 | 41 | 25 |
| D&T Food Technology | 9 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| French | 73 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 4 | 19 | 7 | 18 | 8 | 13 |
| Geography | 64 | - | - | 1 | - | - | 4 | 7 | 12 | 25 | 15 |
| History | 97 | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 12 | 27 | 29 | 18 | 7 |
| Mathematics | 152 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 6 | 14 | 28 | 57 | 45 |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 25 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 2 |
| Music | 15 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 9 | 4 | 1 | - |
| Physics | 127 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 10 | 26 | 44 | 46 |
| Religious Studies | 33 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 12 | 9 | 4 | 8 |
| Spanish | 53 | - | - | - | 5 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 5 |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 15 | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 20 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Science: Double Award | 25 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Biology | 80 | - | 4 | 10 | 13 | 24 | 18 | 11 | |||
| Chemistry | 87 | - | 9 | 10 | 14 | 19 | 29 | 5 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 16 | - | - | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | - | |||
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 6 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Economics | 34 | - | - | 4 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 4 | |||
| English Literature | 13 | - | - | - | 1 | 9 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Geography | 14 | - | 1 | - | 2 | 9 | 2 | - | |||
| Government and Politics | 18 | - | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | |||
| History | 11 | - | - | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | - | |||
| Mathematics | 94 | - | 3 | 9 | 14 | 22 | 25 | 19 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 16 | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | |||
| Physics | 34 | - | 1 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 5 | |||
| Psychology | 38 | - | 2 | 1 | 8 | 13 | 6 | 7 | |||
| Sociology | 6 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 3 | - | 1 | |||
FAQ
Is Herschel Grammar School hard to get into?
Yes, Herschel 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 Herschel Grammar School a private school?
No, Herschel Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Herschel Grammar School free?
Yes, Herschel Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Herschel Grammar School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Herschel Grammar School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Herschel 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.
