Top 50 Grammar Schools in the UK (2025) and Their 11+ Entry Requirements

As a parent, choosing the right secondary school for your child is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make. The pressure can feel overwhelming, especially when considering grammar schools with their competitive 11+ entrance requirements. Having supported hundreds of families through this journey over my 20 years in education, I understand the mix of excitement and anxiety you’re feeling right now.

The good news? With the right preparation and understanding of what each school is looking for, your child can approach their 11+ with confidence. Let me guide you through the UK’s top 50 grammar schools for 2025, breaking down their entry requirements in a way that makes sense for busy parents like you.

Understanding the 11+ Grammar Schools Landscape in 2025

Entry to grammar schools is generally through the 11 Plus exam, which children take at the beginning of Year 6. This challenging exam covers English, maths, verbal, and non-verbal reasoning and is designed to help schools choose the most academically able children.

What many parents don’t realise is that the 11+ isn’t a one-size-fits-all exam. Different regions and schools use different testing providers, each with their own format and style. This is why understanding your specific target schools is so crucial.

The Top 10 Grammar Schools: Leading the Pack

Based on the latest Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025, here are the standout performers that should be on every parent’s radar:

1. 1. The Henrietta Barnett School, London

   Location: North London
   Type: Girls’ Grammar School
   Academic Results: A-levels 95.2% A*-B, GCSEs 96.9% grades 9-7
   What makes it special: Consistently the top-performing grammar school in the UK with exceptional results across both GCSE and A-level

   11+ Requirements:

   • GL Assessment (first stage)
   • School’s own exam (second stage)
   • Two-stage selection process ensures thorough assessment
   • Highly competitive with thousands of applicants
   2. Queen Elizabeth’s School, London

   Location: Barnet, North London
   Type: Boys’ Grammar School
   Academic Results: A-levels 95.2% A*-B, GCSEs 96.9% grades 9-7
   What makes it special: Matches The Henrietta Barnett’s exceptional academic performance

   11+ Requirements:

   • GL Assessment format
   • Single-stage examination
   • Strong mathematical reasoning component
   • Competitive entry with high standards
   3. Wilson’s School, London

   Location: Sutton, South London
   Type: Boys’ Grammar School
   Academic Results: A-levels 93.6% A*-B, GCSEs 94.6% grades 9-7
   What makes it special: Outstanding Ofsted rating with consistently excellent results

   11+ Requirements:

   • Sutton Selective Eligibility Test
   • Administered by Sutton consortium
   • Tests verbal, non-verbal reasoning, and mathematics
   • Strong focus on problem-solving abilities
   4. St Olave’s Grammar School, London

   Location: Orpington, Kent (London borough)
   Type: Boys’ Grammar School
   Academic Results: A-levels 93.4% A*-B, GCSEs 95.1% grades 9-7
   What makes it special: Outstanding Ofsted rating with exceptional sixth form performance

   11+ Requirements:

   • School’s own two-stage examination
   • Unique format tailored to school’s requirements
   • Comprehensive assessment across all key areas
   • Highly selective process
   5. Pate’s Grammar School, Gloucestershire

   Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
   Type: Co-educational Grammar School
   Academic Results: A-levels 92.3% A*-B, GCSEs 91.9% grades 9-7
   What makes it special: Outstanding Ofsted rating and one of the top co-educational grammar schools

   11+ Requirements:

   • Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test
   • Consortium exam covering multiple schools
   • Tests English, mathematics, and reasoning
   • Appeals process available
   6. The Tiffin Girls’ School, London

   Location: Kingston upon Thames, London
   Type: Girls’ Grammar School
   Academic Results: A-levels 90.7% A*-B, GCSEs 94.1% grades 9-7
   What makes it special: Outstanding Ofsted rating with exceptional pastoral care and music programme

   11+ Requirements:

   • GL Assessment (stage 1)
   • School’s own examination (stage 2)
   • Two-stage process ensures comprehensive assessment
   • Strong emphasis on academic potential
   7. Colchester Royal Grammar School, Essex

   Location: Colchester, Essex
   Type: Boys’ Grammar School
   Academic Results: A-levels 92.2% A*-B, GCSEs 90.2% grades 9-7
   What makes it special: Historic school with modern facilities and strong academic tradition

   11+ Requirements:

   • CSSE (Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex)
   • Standardised across Essex grammar schools
   • English and mathematics papers
   • Consistent format year on year
   8. Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Greater Manchester

   Location: Altrincham, Greater Manchester
   Type: Girls’ Grammar School
   Academic Results: A-levels 89% A*-B, GCSEs 90.4% grades 9-7
   What makes it special: Outstanding Ofsted rating with excellent university progression

   11+ Requirements:

   • Trafford Consortium 11 Plus
   • Covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and mathematics
   • Standardised scoring across Trafford schools
   • Multiple test centres available
   9. King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, Essex

   Location: Chelmsford, Essex
   Type: Boys’ Grammar School
   Academic Results: A-levels 89.1% A*-B, GCSEs 89.7% grades 9-7
   What makes it special: Outstanding Ofsted rating with strong Oxbridge progression record

   11+ Requirements:

   • CSSE (Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex)
   • English paper including creative writing
   • Mathematics paper with problem-solving focus
   • Appeals process available for borderline cases
   10. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls, Birmingham

   Location: Kings Heath, Birmingham
   Type: Girls’ Grammar School
   Academic Results: A-levels 89.8% A*-B, GCSEs 88% grades 9-7
   What makes it special: Outstanding Ofsted rating, shares campus with boys’ school

   11+ Requirements:

   • West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test
   • Administered across Birmingham grammar schools
   • Tests English, mathematics, and reasoning
   • Standardised marking and appeals process

   Regional Breakdown: Top Grammar Schools by Area

   London and South East (Schools 11-25)

   11. King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon – Boys’ grammar with Outstanding Ofsted (West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test)
   12. Reading School – Boys’ grammar with Outstanding rating (FSCE – Further Schools Consortium for the Eleven Plus)
   13. Tiffin School – Boys’ grammar, partner to Tiffin Girls’ (GL Assessment + school’s own)
   14. Dartford Grammar School – Boys’ grammar with Outstanding Ofsted (Kent Test)
   15. Tonbridge Grammar School – Girls’ grammar with Outstanding rating (Kent Test)
   16. St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School – Girls’ grammar with Outstanding Ofsted (GL Assessment)
   17. The Latymer School – Co-educational grammar in Edmonton (GL Assessment + school’s own)
   18. Stratford Girls’ Grammar School – Girls’ grammar with Outstanding rating (West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test)
   19. Colyton Grammar School – Co-educational grammar in Devon (FSCE)
   20. Chelmsford County High School for Girls – Girls’ grammar with Outstanding Ofsted (FSCE)
   21. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys – Boys’ grammar, partner to girls’ school (West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test)
   22. Newstead Wood School – Girls’ grammar in Orpington (GL Assessment)
   23. Loreto Grammar School – Girls’ Catholic grammar in Manchester (GL Assessment + school’s own)
   24. Altrincham Grammar School for Boys – Boys’ grammar with Outstanding Ofsted (Trafford Consortium 11 Plus)
   25. The Judd School – Boys’ grammar in Tonbridge with Outstanding rating (Kent Test)

   Midlands and North (Schools 26-40)

   26. Wallington County Grammar School – Boys’ grammar with Outstanding Ofsted (Sutton Selective Eligibility Test)
   27. Kendrick School – Girls’ grammar in Reading with Outstanding rating (GL Assessment)
   28. Chesham Grammar School – Co-educational grammar with Outstanding Ofsted (Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test)
   29. Sutton Grammar School – Boys’ grammar in South London (Sutton Selective Eligibility Test)
   30. Langley Grammar School – Co-educational grammar in Berkshire (Slough Consortium 11 Plus)
   31. Friends’ School Lisburn – Co-educational grammar in Belfast with Outstanding rating (Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group)
   32. Dr Challoner’s Grammar School – Boys’ grammar in Buckinghamshire (Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test)
   33. Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School – Co-educational Catholic grammar in Belfast (Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group)
   34. Strathearn School – Girls’ grammar in Belfast (Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group)
   35. King Edward VI Five Ways School – Co-educational grammar in Birmingham (West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test)
   36. The Liverpool Blue Coat School – Co-educational grammar in Merseyside (School’s own examination)
   37. Dr Challoner’s High School – Girls’ grammar, partner to boys’ school (Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test)
   38. Wallington High School for Girls – Girls’ grammar in South London (Sutton Selective Eligibility Test)
   39. Westcliff High School for Boys – Boys’ grammar in Essex (CSSE)
   40. Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock – Co-educational Catholic grammar in Belfast (Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group)

   Additional Outstanding Grammar Schools (Schools 41-50)

   41. Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School – Boys’ grammar in West Midlands with Outstanding rating (West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test)
   42. Nonsuch High School for Girls – Girls’ grammar in South London (Sutton Selective Eligibility Test)
   43. Sir Thomas Rich’s School – Boys’ grammar in Gloucestershire (Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test)
   44. Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls – Girls’ grammar in West Midlands (West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test)
   45. Bexley Grammar School – Co-educational grammar with Outstanding Ofsted (Bexley Selection Test)
   46. The Skinners’ School – Boys’ grammar in Kent (Kent Test)
   47. Sale Grammar School – Co-educational grammar in Greater Manchester (Trafford 11 Plus Consortium)
   48. The Rochester Grammar School – Girls’ grammar in Kent (Medway Test)
   49. St Dominic’s Grammar School for Girls – Girls’ Catholic grammar in Belfast (Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group)
   50. St Louis Grammar School – Co-educational Catholic grammar in County Antrim (Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group)

Understanding Different 11+ Test Formats

The key to success lies in understanding that not all 11+ exams are the same. Here’s what you need to know:

CEM Format

• Used by many northern grammar schools
• Question styles change regularly
• Focus on curriculum-based questions
• Standardised scoring system

GL Assessment Format

• More traditional approach
• Separate papers for each subject
• Often includes multiple choice questions
• Widely used across different regions

School-Specific Tests

• Some top schools set their own papers
• May include additional requirements like creative writing
• Often more challenging than standard formats
• Require specific preparation strategies

Key Success Strategies for Parents

After supporting hundreds of families through the 11+ journey, here are my essential tips:

Start Early, But Don’t Panic Begin gentle preparation in Year 4, building foundational skills without pressure. The aim is to build confidence, not create anxiety.

Know Your Target Schools Research the specific requirements for your chosen schools. Some focus heavily on mathematics, others on verbal reasoning. Tailor your preparation accordingly.

Practice, But Don’t Over-Practice Regular, short practice sessions are more effective than marathon cramming sessions. Aim for 20-30 minutes of focused practice daily.

Build Resilience The 11+ tests more than academic ability – it tests how children perform under pressure. Build this gradually through low-stakes practice opportunities.

Consider Professional Support Quality tuition can make a significant difference, especially for children who need structured support or have gaps in their knowledge.

Looking Beyond the Rankings

While these rankings provide valuable insights, remember that the “best” school for your child depends on more than academic results. Consider:

• Your child’s learning style and personality
• Distance from home and transport links
• Extra-curricular opportunities
• School culture and values
• Sixth form options and university progression

Preparing for Success in 2025

The grammar school landscape continues to evolve, with schools increasingly looking for well-rounded students who demonstrate resilience, curiosity, and potential beyond test scores.

University Placements: 26 students out of the 82 that applied received offers of admission from Oxbridge in 2023. This statistic from one of our top-performing schools shows the calibre of students these institutions develop, but remember – success comes in many forms.

Your Next Steps

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the choices and requirements, you’re not alone. Every parent I work with experiences this. The key is to break it down into manageable steps:

1. Research Phase (Now – Spring): Identify 3-5 target schools that suit your child
2. Preparation Phase (Spring – Summer): Begin structured 11+ preparation
3. Application Phase (Summer): Submit applications by deadlines
4. Test Phase (Autumn): Support your child through the examination period
5. Results Phase (Winter): Celebrate achievements and confirm school places

Remember, whatever the outcome, you’re giving your child valuable skills and experiences. The resilience, study habits, and confidence they develop during 11+ preparation will serve them well throughout their educational journey.

Every child deserves to feel confident, capable, and ready to succeed – and that’s exactly what we’re here to help you achieve.

Ready to start your 11+ journey? At Academic Success, we provide personalised support tailored to your child’s needs and your target schools’ requirements. Our experienced team understands the pressures families face and creates nurturing learning environments where children thrive. Get in touch to discover how we can support your family’s success story.

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