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The actual 11+ exam in Torbay
There are three Grammar Schools in Torbay: Churston Ferrers Grammar School, Torquay Boys Grammar School and Torquay Girls Grammar School. In addition Spires College has a selective as well as a non-selective intake. The Torbay grammar schools and Colyton Grammar School all set the same 11+ exams. The 11+ tests take place on one Saturday in September at the start of Year 6. Children must register for the tests by early September (check the grammar school websites for the exact date). They normally sit these at the school that they intend to apply to. The exams consist of the following:
| DATE | SUBJECT | QUESTION TYPES |
|---|---|---|
| 14 September 2024 | GL Test 1(English) 50 minutes GL Test 2 (maths) 50 minutes |
Comprehension, Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar Mathematical Ability |
Churston Ferrers Grammar School
Candidates will receive a standardised, combined score from the two GL tests. Each candidate’s score will be ranked. The top 168 scores will be eligible for a place at the school.
Where it is necessary to decide between equal eligible scores, the following order of priority will be used.
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) who name this school will be admitted.
- Children who are or have been in care or are adopted.
- Children eligible for the Pupil Premium.
- Other children.
Torquay Boys Grammar School
Candidates who achieve one of the top 150 combined scores in Maths and English will be offered a place. Preference is given to children in the following categories provided that they have been successful in the tests:
- Children who have a statement of special educational need where Torquay Boys’ Grammar School is named on that statement.
- Children in care or adopted children.
- Children eligible for free school meals at the time of the tests.
More information from Torquay Boys Grammar School 11+ procedures and admissions policies:
Torquay Girls Grammar School
There are 150 places available in Year 7. Candidates will be ranked according to their total GL score. The top 150 girls on the final ranked list, who want a place at the school, will be offered a place, providing they have achieved at least the score decided by the Admissions Panel.
In the case of over-subscription, the following priorities will be applied.
- A child in care or an adopted child.
- Children Eligible for the Pupil Premium at the time of the test.
- Children of staff working at the school at the time of the test (subject to meeting the criteria in the Admissions Code).
- A girl with a sister at the school.
- By direct line distance from home to the school at the time of application.
Colyton Grammar School
There are 155 places available. Any candidate achieving an eligible score will be considered for entry. There may be more children with eligible scores than places available.
Candidates with an eligible score will be ranked according to that score. They will then be ranked according to these priorities.
- Children who have an Education, Health and Care Plan.
- Children who are or have been Looked After Children.
- Children who are receiving Free School Meals or Pupil Premium at the time of the test.
- Children of contracted members of staff.
- Rank Order based on the total CEM score for those on the eligible list.
If your child falls into one of the special categories above make sure your chosen schools, your child’s primary school and Torbay education authority (and your local education authority if different) are aware of this. It will improve your child’s chances!
Based on the results of the tests, parents of children applying to the Torbay Grammar Schools will be told by letter whether an application to a Grammar School is likely to be successful, and if so, to which ones. The best result at this stage has become known as “three yeses” – positive indications for Churston Ferrers; Spires College and the appropriate Torquay Grammar School. However, being told that an application is likely to be successful will not guarantee you a place.
Applications must then be made to your local education authority (LEA) by 31 October putting your chosen Grammar School first. This does not have to be the same school that you sat your test at. You can put down more than one grammar school on the LEA form and this is well worth considering. Some children who sit the tests at one school, and put that school as first preference, don’t get a place there; but do get a place at another grammar school chosen as a second preference on the LEA form.
For those applying to Colyton Grammar School: parents will receive notification if their child is placed on the eligible list at least one week before the national deadline for the submission of a Common Application Form (CAF). No offer of a place will be made.
Confirmation of a place will not be until National Allocation Day on 1 March.
There is an appeals process available to unsuccessful candidates.
If things go wrong on the day
If your child is ill contact the school before the tests. They should be allowed to sit the test on another day instead.
If your child is unwell during a test or the test is disrupted in any way tell the school at the earliest opportunity. We recommend that you write to the school’s admissions officer setting out the facts and copy this to all of the following: the admissions officer of any other Torbay grammar school you intend to apply to; your child’s current primary school; Torbay Education Authority; and if you live outside of Torbay to your local LEA as well.
Where illness is involved take your child to your doctor so that the illness is recorded and can be substantiated later if needed.
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