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Lancaster Girls' Grammar School 11 plus guide

By Atom | Jun 20, 2023, 4:13 PM

Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School 11 plus entry guide

Are you considering Lancaster Girls’ 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 daughter excel in the 11 plus exam.

About Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School

Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School is a selective academy with a record of promoting high achievement. Consistently rated Outstanding by Ofsted, the school offers a broad curriculum with all pupils studying three modern languages in Year 7 and ten subjects at GCSE.

The school was founded in 1907 at the Storey Institute on Meeting House Lane with only 73 girls on roll. It grew quickly, with proximity to the railway station and tramlines bringing in students from a wide catchment.

Today, the school is proud of its inclusive community and aims to set students up to be resilient, happy and responsible people who will make a positive contribution to society.

  • Address: Regent Street, Lancaster, LA1 1SF

  • Local authority: Lancashire County Council

  • School type: girls' grammar

  • Headteacher: Jackie Cahalin

  • Number of pupils: 1,004

  • National rank (Sunday Times Parent Power): 70

  • A level results: 80.7% A*–B

  • GCSE results: 76.6% 9/8/7

Key info for Year 7 admissions

  • Admissions contact: [email protected]

  • Number of places in Year 7: 145

  • Open day: 29th June 2023

  • 11 plus registration opens: 22nd May 2023

  • 11 plus registration closes: 15th September 2023, 12 noon

  • Exam date: 30th September 2023

  • Exam type: GL Assessment

  • Exam results: 12th October 2023

  • Local authority application form deadline: 31st October 2023

  • National school offer day: 1st March 2024

Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School term dates

The 2023–2024 term dates at Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School are:

  • Autumn term: 5th 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 Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School

Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School shares an entrance test with Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Clitheroe Royal 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 22nd May and closes at 12 noon on 15th September 2023.

2. Apply for school places

Once your child has taken the exam, you will get their results by 12th October. If your child achieves the qualifying score, 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 Lancaster Girls’ 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:

11 plus preparation guide

What is the pass mark for Lancaster Girls’ 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 119–124.

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.

​​​​​​​Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School admissions criteria

The planned admission number (PAN) for the school is 145. When more children achieve the qualifying score than there are places available, places are offered in this order:

  • 1st priority: Looked After or previously Looked After Children who permanently live in the city of Lancaster.

  • 2nd priority: children who get free school meals and permanently live in the city of Lancaster.

  • 3rd priority: children who permanently live in the city of Lancaster.

  • 4th priority: children who live outside Lancaster and achieve the required score (ranked in order of score).

​​​​​​​Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School catchment area

Girls who live in the city of Lancaster district are given priority for admission. This includes the following areas:

Silverdale, Yealand Redmayne, Whittington, Burrow with Burrow, Leck, Yealand Conyers, Priest Hutton, Tunstall, Ireby, Warton, Borwick, Arkholme with Cawood, Cantsfield, Carnforth, Over Kellet, Gressingham, Hornby with Farleton, Melling with Wrayton, Wennington, Slyne with Hest, Nether Kellet, Halton with Aughton, Claughton, Wray with Botton, Tatham, Morecambe and Heysham, Heaton with Oxcliffe, Lancaster, Quernmore, Caton with Littledale, Roeburndale, Middleton, Overton, Ashton with Stodday, Scotforth, Thurnham, Ellel, Over Wyresdale and Cockerham.

A map is available in the school's admissions policy.

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.

Test your knowledge

Try answering some 11+ questions

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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 Lancaster Girls’ 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 Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School today. Use the full features of Atom Home free for 5 days – cancel anytime.

Start free trial

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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