Lawrence Sheriff Grammar School 11 plus: parents' guide for 2022

Lawrence Sheriff School (LSS) is a boys' grammar school in Rugby, which gained academy status on 1st September 2014. The school also has a co-educational sixth form centre, and is one of three selective schools in Rugby, alongside Rugby High School and Ashlawn.

The school has a history of excellent academic performance, and emphasises an ethos of fairness, inclusivity, and respect. Lawrence Sheriff operates a vertical tutoring policy, which allows students to progress according to ability rather than age group – with some students taking GCSEs in Year 9, or AS Levels in Year 11.

11 plus exam information for Lawrence Sheriff School

• Address: Lawrence Sheriff School, Clifton Road, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 3 AG

• County: Warwickshire

• Admissions info: [email protected]

• School type: boys' grammar

• Number of pupils: 863 (approximately)

• Number of Year 7 places: 150

• Open day: June 2022

• 11 plus exam dates: Saturday 17th September 2022

• Exam board: Warwickshire Grammar Schools – GL Assessment

Lawrence Sheriff School term dates

Lawrence Sheriff School’s Term Dates for 2022-2023 are as follows:

• Autumn term: 6th September – 16th December

• Half term: 24th – 28th October

• Spring term: 2nd January – 31st March

• Half term: 20th – 24th February

• Spring term: 17th April – 21st July

• Half term: 29th May – 2nd June

What is the catchment area for Lawrence Sheriff School?

Lawrence Sheriff’s priority area for admissions is East Warwickshire followed by the ‘priority circle’, which is defined as a circular area of 10 miles from Rugby Water Tower.

East Warwickshire is defined as the following areas for admissions purposes:

Rugby plus the parishes of Dunchurch, Cawston, Thurlaston, Leamington Hastings, Birdingbury, Grandborough, Wolfhamcote, Willoughby, Binley Woods, Brinklow, Brandon and Bretford, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Bubbenhall, Wolston, Church Lawford, Long Lawford, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, Princethorpe, Frankton, Marton, Bourton and Draycote, Churchover, Clifton-upon-Dunsmore, Combe Fields, Cosford, Easenhall, Harborough Magna, Kings Newnham, Little Lawford, Monks Kirby, Newton and Biggin, Pailton, Stretton-under-Fosse, Wibtoft, Willey, Withybrook.

Warwickshire Admissions will require proof of address prior to submission for the 11 plus.

Lawrence Sheriff School 11 plus admissions process

Admission into Year 7 is through a selective 11 plus test coordinated by Warwickshire County Council. Whether a student is admitted to Lawrence Sheriff depends on their performance in the 11 plus, and is subject to both the catchment area outlined above and the child’s gender being male.

Any child with an EHC plan naming the school who also meets the required minimum academic standard will be automatically admitted, meaning that the places available could be reduced from the published figure. Places are then allocated in order of the following priorities:

• Applicants who have been or are currently looked after

• Applicants in receipt of the Pupil Premium (up to 30 places)

• Applicants in receipt of the Service Premium (up to 5 places)

• Applicants residing within the East Warwickshire catchment area

• Applicants residing within the Priority Circle

• All other applicants

Both Warwickshire and Birmingham Consortium of Grammar Schools operate the same 11 plus test. You can request that your child's results are shared with the Birmingham Consortium if you are considering applying to those schools also.

When do I need to apply for the Lawrence Sheriff 11 Plus?

Students must be registered for the Lawrence Sheriff 11 plus test by the deadline at the end of June, in addition to the parent/carer’s submission of the relevant Common Application Form to the home authority in October. The deadline for proof of residence following these submissions is at the end of December, with late submissions not being considered in the first round of offers.

The Lawrence Sheriff School 11 plus exam format

The 11 plus is a CEM test made up of two papers, the first comprising maths and non-verbal reasoning, and the second paper testing reading comprehension and verbal reasoning.

Each section is likely to be multiple-choice format, with a separate answer sheet to the question booklet. The question booklet is not marked, and any working out completed in this booklet will not be considered.

Applicants will be given a question booklet with the test questions along with a separate answer sheet, which are marked electronically. While past papers are not published, you can find familiarisation booklet resources on the school’s website.

Learn more detail about what to expect from the Warwickshire 11 plus here.

How to prepare for the Lawrence Sheriff School 11 plus

Approaching the 11 plus can be daunting, but with the right preparation your child will be able to approach the test confidently. It's always recommended to begin preparation as early as possible. Once your child has securely mastered the core curriculum, you can begin to introduce 11 plus material in short bursts, which will help make the preparation more manageable and minimise stress.

You can then begin to introduce online mock tests into your child’s routine to build up exam technique and get an idea of how well your child is currently performing and any areas they might need further support.

How Atom can help your child prepare for the Lawrence Sheriff School 11 plus

You can also start your 5-day free trial of Atom Nucleus today for success in the classroom, entrance exams and beyond.

With 90,000+ teacher-written practice questions, video tutorials, live exam prep courses and lessons and unlimited mock tests that mirror the content, structure and design of the Warwickshire Grammar Schools 11 plus, your child can go into exam day feeling confident and prepared.

We know how crucial this time is, so our team is on hand to support you and your family every step of the way. You can book a call with one of our Education Experts to ask any questions you may have about the Warwickshire Grammar Schools 11 plus or preparing for Lawrence Sheriff School:

Book a call

If you're looking for exclusive tips and resources to help your child master key subjects, excel in exams, and build academic confidence, join Atom's email list: