Bromley grammar schools 11 plus guide

Which schools in Bromley use the 11 plus?

There are two grammar schools in the London Borough of Bromley. Children applying for either school need to take the 11 plus to be eligible for a place. The format and content of the 11 plus is unique to each school.

Girls applying to Newstead Wood School take an 11 plus exam referred to as the selection test.

Boys applying to St Olave’s Grammar School have a two-stage process. The first stage consists of a Selective Eligibility Test (SET), which is followed by a second stage exam.

What's on the 11 plus for entry to Bromley grammar schools?

The 11 plus exam is different for each of the two grammar schools in Bromley.

Newstead Wood School

Girls applying for a place at Newstead Wood School take the school’s selection test in September 2025. The exam takes place on the school site.

The Newstead Wood School selection test consists of two test papers. These papers are supplied by GL Assessment. Your child takes both papers on the same day with a short break in between.

Each paper lasts approximately 50 minutes to one hour. Your child will have a question booklet and separate answer sheets. All the questions in the test are multiple-choice, so your child needs to mark the answer options they think are correct on the answer sheets.

The papers assess verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. These subjects are not taught on the national curriculum, so your daughter may not have seen these types of questions before.

• Verbal reasoning: using logic and reasoning to solve problems with written information, such as letters, words, symbols and numbers

• Non-verbal reasoning: using logic and reasoning to solve problems with visual information, such as shapes, diagrams and pictures

St Olave’s Grammar School

The entry process for St Olave’s Grammar School consists of two stages:

St Olave’s Grammar School SET (Stage 1)

All boys who have completed the St Olave’s SIF by the deadline take the school’s Selective Eligibility Test (SET). This will be held on the school site in September 2025 for 2026 entry.

The SET has a time limit of one hour. It consists of approximately 60 questions split across four sections. Your child will be told when to start and finish each section.

• Section A: English comprehension

• Section B: Maths

• Section C: Verbal reasoning

• Section D: Non-verbal reasoning

Your child will have a question booklet and separate answer sheets. All the questions in the test are multiple-choice, so your child needs to mark the answer options they think are correct on the answer sheets.

St Olave’s Grammar School Stage 2

Boys who pass the St Olave’s Grammar School SET are invited back to the school for the second stage tests. These will take place in November 2025 for 2026 entry.

Stage 2 consists of two one-hour papers. These are taken on the same day, with a 15 minute break in between.

One paper is an English test which assesses reading and writing. This is split into two sections:

• Section One: your child will read a passage of fiction or non-fiction text and will answer multiple-choice questions to show their understanding of it.

• Section Two: this section has two parts. In Part (a), your child will need to explain and justify inferences with evidence from a text, such as a poem. Part (b) is a creative writing task. Your child will be assessed on syntax, paragraphing, punctuation, vocabulary, spelling, handwriting, layout and presentation.

The other paper is a maths test which assesses your child’s understanding of Key Stage 2 concepts including Level 4 standard. This includes number, algebra, shape, space and measure, and handling data. However, the questions might be more challenging than your child is used to and test how they solve problems with unfamiliar situations. This paper is not multiple-choice.

How can I help my child prepare for the selection tests in Bromley?

The selection tests for entry to Bromley grammar schools are designed to be challenging. Here are our top tips to help your child prepare for the 11 plus exams in September 2025.

Bitesize learning

It’s important to build a good knowledge base before the 11 plus. 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.

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Read widely

11 plus exams test your child’s ability to analyse and interpret written information. Regular reading is a great way to help your child build these skills.

Encourage them to read books from different genres and by a diverse range of authors. Increasing the variety of your child’s reading will help them understand different styles, tones and purposes. Meanwhile, reading a little every day will help widen their vocabulary, sharpen their analytical thinking, and enhance their imagination.

Refine exam technique

When your child feels confident with the topics they’ve learnt in Year 5, they’ll be ready to put their knowledge to the test.

Practice tests can help your child develop problem-solving skills and build confidence working under test conditions. They’re also a great way to consolidate learning and highlight knowledge gaps for further improvement.

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Celebrate progress

Setting regular, achievable goals and celebrating your child’s progress – no matter how big or small – will help keep their motivation high.

Make sure to encourage a growth mindset. This means celebrating effort, as well as achievement! When your child makes mistakes or struggles to understand a particular topic, help them understand that they’ll improve through practice. Regular praise will help your child improve their resilience when tackling new and challenging topics.