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Are you considering Clitheroe Royal Grammar School? We've collated all the information you need to know about 2024 entry to Year 7. Keep reading to learn about the admissions process for grammar schools in Lancashire – and how to help your child excel in the 11 plus exam.
About Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School is a mixed (girls and boys) selective school with academy status. Founded in 1554, the school cherishes its rich heritage but maintains a forward-thinking focus and embraces modern education.
With a strong academic record and pastoral system, as well as first-class facilities, Clitheroe Royal Grammar is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. The school aims to encourage students to become confident, independent learners well-equipped for lifelong learning.
Address: Chatburn Road, Clitheroe, BB7 2BA
Local authority: Lancashire County Council
School type: mixed grammar
Headteacher: James Keulemans
Number of pupils: 1,424
National rank (Sunday Times Parent Power): 124
A level results: 75.5% A*–B
GCSE results: 67.2% 9/8/7
Key info for Year 7 admissions
Admissions contact: [email protected]
Number of places in Year 7: 180
11 plus registration opens: 5th June 2023
11 plus registration closes: 22nd September 2023 at midday
Open day: 5th July 2023
Exam date: 30th September 2023
Exam type: GL Assessment
Local authority application form deadline: 31st October 2023
National school offer day: 1st March 2024
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School term dates
The 2023–2024 term dates at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School are:
Autumn term: 6th September – 22nd December 2023
Half term: 23rd–27th October
Spring term: 8th January – 28th March 2024
Half term: 12th–16th February 2024
Summer term: 15th April – 19th July 2024
Half term: 27th–31st May 2024
How to apply to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School shares an entrance test with Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Lancaster Girls' Grammar School.
1. Register for the 11 plus
Before registering, speak to your child’s teacher to see if the 11 plus and grammar school is right for them.
While your child is in Year 5, register them to take the 11 plus on the school website. Registration opens on 5th June 2023 and will close on Friday 22nd September 2023 at midday.
2. Apply for school places
Once your child has taken the exam, you will get their results by Friday 13th October 2023. If your child scores highly enough, you can include grammar schools on your local authority application form. If you live in Lancashire, you can name up to three preferences for secondary schools on your form.
Before listing Clitheroe Royal Grammar School as a preference on your form, check its admissions policy and make sure your child is eligible. As well as your child's exam score, how close you live to a school can be an important factor in whether your child is likely to be offered a place.
The application form must be submitted to your home local council by 31st October 2023.
What's on the Lanacashire 11 plus exam?
The Lancashire 11 plus test is provided by GL Assessment. It consists of three papers, each lasting about 45–50 minutes:
Maths
English
Verbal reasoning
The test is entirely multiple-choice format, with no writing sections. Children record their answers in a separate answer booklet which is marked electronically. They are given instructions by the examiners on how to record their answers.
The maths and English questions assess your child's understanding of Key Stage 2 national curriculum content, including Year 6 objectives. It tests their ability to reason and apply knowledge accurately.
The verbal reasoning questions assess your child’s logic and problem-solving ability using written information. Reasoning topics are not typically taught at school. They are intended to measure how well children can spot patterns with, connect and manipulate words and numbers.
Unlike many other areas, Lancashire 11 plus does not include non-verbal reasoning.
Learn about each subject in detail and get free preparation resources in our full 11 plus guide:
What is the pass mark for Clitheroe Royal Grammar School?
After your child takes the exam, their scores are age-standardised and combined to give them a total score across all papers. These total scores are ranked in order.
Generally, grammar schools are looking to select from the top 20–25% of academic performers. We recommend aiming for a standardised age score of 116–121.
Lancashire schools do not publish their target scores. The required standard varies each year depending on the size and performance of the year group. It can only be calculated after the tests have been marked and the standardised scores ranked.
Achieving a specific score doesn't guarantee a place at the school, as it's likely to be oversubscribed with qualified candidates. We always recommend researching the admission policies and oversubscription criteria for your target schools.
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School admissions criteria
The planned admission number (PAN) for the school is 180. When more children achieve the required standard than there are places available, places are offered in this order:
Looked After or previously Looked After Children.
Children who live in the immediate catchment area and get free school meals.
Children who live in the immediate catchment area.
Children who live in the wider catchment area and get free school meals.
Children who live in the wider catchment area.
Children who live outside the catchment area and get free school meals.
Children who live outside the catchment area.
Children in categories 2–7 are prioritised in order of their test results from high to low. If scores are equal in any of these categories, the final deciding factor is how close the child lives to the school. Distances are measured in a straight line from the child's home front door and the front entrance of the school's Chatburn Road site.
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School catchment area
Clitheroe Royal Grammar has an immediate catchment area which is given first priority, and a wider catchment area which is given second priority.
Immediate catchment area
The immediate catchment area consists of these civil parishes of the Borough of Ribble Valley:
Aighton, Bailey & Chaigley, Balderstone, Bashall Eaves, Billington and Langho, Bolton by Bowland, Bowland Forest High, Bowland Forest Low, Bowland with Leagram, Chatburn, Clayton-le-Dale, Clitheroe, Dinckley, Downham, Easington, Gisburn, Gisburn Forest, Great Mitton, Grindleton, Horton, Little Mitton, Mearley, Mellor, Middop, Newsholme, Newton, Osbaldeston, Paythorne, Pendleton, Ramsgreave, Read, Rimington, Sabden, Salesbury, Sawley, Simonstone, Slaidburn, Twiston, Waddington, West Bradford, Whalley, Wilpshire, Wiswell and Barrow, and Worston.
A map is available in the school's admissions policy.
Wider catchment area
The wider catchment area consists of these Borough Council areas of Lancashire:
Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire, and Wyre.
How to help your child prepare for the 11 plus
Here are our top tips on how to best prepare your child for the Lancashire 11 plus.
Cover all the content
The 11 plus assesses a large breadth and depth of learning objectives across the Key Stage 2 national curriculum and beyond.
We recommend that your child starts revising content at least one year before the test. Setting aside study periods using a 'little and often' approach will give them time to build the skills and knowledge they need. When preparing, avoid falling into the trap of over-focusing on either the topics your child enjoys or the topics they find hardest.
Atom Home is an 11 plus online course that tailors your child's personalised learning journey to cover all elements of the Lancashire 11 plus at the right pace for them.
No surprises
Your child will encounter lots of unfamiliar types of questions in the 11 plus exam. Building exam technique with 11 plus test papers will help your child to feel fully confident with the styles of questions they'll encounter in the exam, reducing the potential for stress on the day.
Celebrate their progress
Setting regular goals and celebrating achievements will help keep motivation high. Atom Home offers data-driven insights into your child’s progress towards mastering the 11 plus curriculum, making it easy to see where they need to focus next.
Personalised 11 plus prep for your child
Wondering how to make sure your child covers the depth and breadth of the entire 11 plus curriculum, stays on track with their progress, and gets help when they're stuck? Online learning is a particularly efficient, cost-effective (and fun) way to do this!
Atom Home is the award-winning online 11 plus practice platform that gives your child everything they need to prepare for grammar school exams.
Children work independently through over 90,000 interactive practice questions in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Teacher-created helpsheets and videos help them discover new concepts and consolidate their learning.
Atom's algorithm keeps children on their ideal learning path, tailored to their unique learning style and pace to keep them challenged and motivated.
Lancashire 11 plus practice papers
Atom Home gives children access to online practice papers. Our online tests are designed to mirror the format and style of the real Clitheroe Royal Grammar School exam, so your child will go into the exam knowing exactly what to expect.
And what's more, everything is automatically marked for you.
Try Atom Home free for 5 days
Begin your child's journey to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School today. Use the full features of Atom Home free for 5 days – cancel anytime.
Personalised support for you
We understand how important this next step is for them, and for you. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions you may have about the 11 plus or grammar schools in Lancashire.
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