Torquay Boys' Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Torquay Boys' Grammar School

Torquay Boys' Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Devon. For children to get into Torquay Boys' Grammar School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Torquay Boys' Grammar School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the picturesque town of Torquay, Torquay Boys' Grammar School is a beacon of academic excellence for young men aged 11-18. This selective grammar school has garnered a reputation for nurturing bright minds and cultivating well-rounded individuals. With a rich history and a commitment to providing a top-tier education, Torquay Boys' Grammar School continues to inspire and empower its students to reach their full potential.

The school's ethos is encapsulated in its motto, Aude Sapere (Dare to be wise), which encourages students to embrace knowledge and wisdom fearlessly. Torquay Boys' Grammar School offers a comprehensive curriculum that spans a wide range of disciplines, including humanities, languages, and social sciences. This diverse academic offering ensures that students receive a well-balanced education that prepares them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Beyond the classroom, Torquay Boys' Grammar School recognizes the importance of personal development and offers an extensive extracurricular programme. From chess and cookery to politics and music, there is a wealth of clubs and societies that cater to every interest and passion. Students are encouraged to explore new horizons and develop their skills through exciting educational trips to destinations such as Barcelona and Normandy, providing them with invaluable experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

The school's pastoral care system is a cornerstone of its success, fostering a warm and supportive environment where every student feels valued and encouraged to thrive. With a focus on nurturing the whole child, Torquay Boys' Grammar School instills a deep sense of belonging and pride in its vibrant and ambitious community. The dedicated staff work tirelessly to ensure that each student receives the guidance and support they need to navigate their academic journey and emerge as confident, well-rounded individuals.

Situated in the historic Shiphay Manor, Torquay Boys' Grammar School boasts a stunning campus that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. The school has undergone extensive renovations and expansions to provide students with state-of-the-art facilities that enhance their learning experience. From well-equipped laboratories to spacious classrooms and cutting-edge technology, Torquay Boys' Grammar School offers an exceptional learning environment that inspires and motivates students to excel.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Torquay Boys' Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

Torquay Boys' 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 1,075 pupils attend Torquay Boys' Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Pete Lawrence.

Torquay Boys' Grammar School Location

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

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Torquay Boys' Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

South Devon 11+ Information

In order to get into Torquay Boys' Grammar School, children need to pass the South Devon 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

South Devon 11+ Subjects & Structure

The South Devon 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English
• Maths

The 11 plus exam for the three grammar schools in Torquay is a multiple-choice test that assesses a child's abilities in English and maths. The exam is divided into two papers, each lasting approximately 45-50 minutes. Children will be assigned either a morning or afternoon slot to complete the test.

The English paper evaluates a child's comprehension skills through reading passages and answering questions. It also tests their proficiency in spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation. The content is based on the national curriculum for Year 5 students.

The maths paper covers key concepts such as times tables, mental maths, shapes, space and measures, the four basic operations, and interpreting graphs. While the questions are based on the Year 5 curriculum, some may be more challenging than what students typically encounter in school. Children will need to apply their knowledge to solve novel problems in the more advanced questions.

Other Schools using South Devon 11+

As well as Torquay Boys' Grammar School, several other schools also use South Devon 11+. These are:

• Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy
• Torquay Girls' Grammar School

South Devon 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Torquay Boys' 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!

South Devon 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the South Devon 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 Torquay Boys' Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

South Devon 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the South Devon 11+ tests (to get into Torquay Boys' Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Torquay Boys' Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Torquay Boys' Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 22/09/2021 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 14/11/2021, 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

Ofsted Report Summary

Torquay Boys' Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 22 September 2021 and received an overall outcome of Good. The school was rated Good in all areas, including Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management, and Sixth form provision.

The inspection results demonstrate that Torquay Boys' Grammar School provides a well-rounded education for its students, with a strong focus on both academic achievement and personal growth. The school's leadership and management team has effectively implemented strategies to ensure that students receive a high-quality education and are supported in their development.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Torquay Boys' 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)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Torquay Boys' Grammar School has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the South Devon 11+ Ensure you double-check with Torquay Boys' Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.