Quick and detailed information for the 11+ exams in 2023-2024 of Herschel Grammar School provided below for 11+ Parents reference.
Herschel Grammar School 11 plus Exam Information
- Address: Herschel Grammar School, Northampton Avenue, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 3BW.
- Herschel School Website: click here for more information
- Admissions Contact:
- Telephone: 01753 520950
- Email: [email protected]
- School Type: Co-education
- Total Number of Students in school: 879 (approximately)
- Number of Places Available for Year 7 Entry: 150
- Open Days:
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- Arrangements will be confirmed on school websites in line with government guidance.
- Tours of the Schools: Information will be published on school websites if it is possible for tours to be offered.
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- Registrations Open Date: 27th April 2023
- Closing Date for Registration: Monday 12th June 2023 at 12:00 midnight
- Closing Date for Common Application Form (CAF): 31st October 2023
- Exam Provider: GL Assessment
- Ofsted report: Ofsted Report | Herschel Grammar school, London
Herschel Grammar School 11+ Exam Dates
- Testing for the Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools is Saturday 16th September 2023.
- Exam provider: GL Assessment at the University of Durham & the Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools
- Further details: The requisite 11+ exam for the Herschel Grammar School is organised through the Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools, comprised of the Herschel Grammar School, Langley Grammar School, St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School and Upton Court Grammar School. As such, success in the application process does not necessarily guarantee an offer from the Herschel Grammar School itself, and might instead result in an offer from one of the other grammar schools in the Slough Consortium.
Herschel Grammar School 11+ Exam Styles
- The Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools has chosen GL Assessment as the test provider for the 11+ exams scheduled for September 2023, 2024, and 2025. The structure and format of the exams will be similar to those used by the previous provider. Students will take two test papers that include questions on verbal and non-verbal reasoning, English, and mathematics. GL Assessment will handle all marking and standardization processes.
- The eligibility score for the exams will remain at 111 on a standardized scale. Students who score 111 or above will be considered in the top 35% of the test-takers and will be eligible for a grammar school place if their parents apply on their behalf.
- The Slough Consortium has an exclusive contract with GL Assessment, and the 11+ scores will not be shared with any other schools.
- Parents are advised to refer to the information posted on the websites of the four grammar schools later this term regarding the 11+ examination process. It is recommended to rely on these official sources rather than potentially inaccurate information from other sources.
11+ GL Assessment Familiarisation material
The test provider GL has produced some familiarisation material which may be helpful in preparing your child for the test in September.
- You can access these by downloading from the document list on the school webpage. More examples and materials may also be available online.
Access 11+ Past Papers with Detailed Mark Schemes and Answers.
Must Practice these time tested 11+ GL Assessment style practice Papers along with Multiple choice Answer sheet.
Finding a Grammar School for your child in Slough
In Berkshire, there are many options families are faced with when selecting the right high school for their child. If you have already done some research, you will know that most secondary schools in the UK education system are non-selective state schools (these are sometimes referred to under the comprehensive system umbrella). There are, however, alternatives to sending your child to this type of secondary school.
Free schools and the independent school system can provide academic curriculum which is largely independent from governmental mandates. Some people feel that this form of curricular freedom can better cater for their child’s needs, cultural background, or a desired ethos which is not present within state schools in England. However, most independent schools charge fees, making them less accessible to many families. As a result, you might have also looked into placing your child to in the grammar school system.
If you find yourself wondering “what is a grammar school?” The answer is simple: it is a state-funded and academically selective school which uses an entry exam called the 11 Plus to gauge children’s academic potential. There are currently only 163 grammar schools in England, and as a result, they are a less common choice for families than the state school sector- but one which can nevertheless hold significant benefits. In fact, grammar schools which provide bright pupils with a stimulating, state-funded learning environment in which to meet their full potential are very popular with parents.
If you’re based in or close to Slough and have been asking yourself “what grammar schools are near me?”, this article will take a closer look at the Herschel Grammar School, which is part of the Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools.
Herschel Grammar School’s Exam Results
HGS’ results for A-Level and GCSE results in 2019 are summarised below. The school’s GCSE results in particular represent their highest-ever in the school’s history, with A-Level results also demonstrating an outstanding number of high-grade passes.
- 2019 A-Levels: A-Level results showed 39% of all grades reaching the A*-A level. The vast majority of A-Level pupils have gained places in higher education, many in prestigious institutions.
- 2019 GCSEs: GCSE results included 46% of all pupils achieving 8-9 (A*) level passes. Overall results were also up compared with previous years; 69% of pupils passed at between 7-9 level.
How to Register for 11 Plus at The Herschel Grammar School
- Information and application details for The Herschel Grammar School 11+ Entry Exam can be found here.
- A registration form must be filled out and submitted prior to the closing date for applications.
- The admissions email address for contacting the school can be found at the top of this article.
- Registration applications for Year 7 entry for September 2023 are now closed; these were due on Monday 12 June 2023 at midnight.
- Details regarding the 11+ admissions process for September 2021 will become available here.
11 Plus Exam Format
A broad description of the Herschel Grammar School/Slough Consortium 11 Plus test format can be found here. The test will take place at one of four possible examination centres in Slough; your child’s exam centre will be determined by their primary school and postcode details.
The test itself consists of:
- Two separate papers, each of 60-65 minutes duration.
- The papers contain a variety of questions which will test verbal, numerical and non-verbal ability.
- Your child should bring pencils, a pencil sharpener, rubber and (optionally) a SMALL drink and snack. Calculators, rulers, iWatches, dictionaries and mobile phones are not permitted.
- Answers will be written on a separate sheet which is marked by computer. Question books will NOT be marked, and entrants must therefore ensure that all answers are input correctly on the assigned answer sheet.
- Up to 25% extra time will be allowed for pupils with additional support needs. Professionally supported evidence of additional support needs will be required during the registration process in order for special provisions or extra time to be granted.
Exam Preparation for 11 Plus at The Herschel Grammar School
No official past papers are available for the Slough Consortium’s 11+ test. However, a familiarisation booklet is available on the Herschel’s website (the same booklet is also available on the 3 other Slough Consortium grammar schools’ websites).
Facilities and Extracurricular Activities at The Herschel Grammar School
HGS’ prospectus states a clear emphasis on enrichment beyond the classroom, focusing on how extracurricular activities can develop leadership skills, teamwork and a sense of personal responsibility.
The school boasts a sports centre badminton, cricket and dance facilities, alongside a floodlit astroturf football field and outdoor tennis courts. Pupils are encouraged to join in a variety of clubs and teams, with ample and regular opportunities to partake in competitions.
Creative pupils can also engage in drama activities, instrument lessons, choral singing and the school’s orchestra. Trips to art galleries, museums and the theatre are also regularly arranged.
With a focus on the educational benefits of travel and outward bound activities, the school runs a Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme and a World Challenge expedition program for older pupils (for which travel scholarships and bursaries are available).
The Herschel Grammar School: An Overview
The Herschel Grammar School (HGS) is an academically selective, co-educational state-funded grammar academy situated in Slough, Berkshire. With a roll of around 900 boys and girls (about 325 of which are in the 6th form), places at this moderately-sized secondary school are in high demand and frequently oversubscribed, particularly thanks in no small part to a recent Ofsted rating, which ranked the school as “Outstanding” on all assessed criteria.
The school is one of four grammar schools in Berkshire which comprise the Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools. The school’s entry process, which involves prospective pupils sitting an 11 Plus entrance exam, is managed through this organisational body, which allocates places across the Herschel Grammar School and its three other grammar academies. As such, applicants who succeed in the Slough Consortium 11 Plus selection process are not guaranteed a place at the Herschel Grammar School, and may be allocated a place at a different Slough grammar school within the same Slough Consortium.
Herschel’s motto states three priorities, namely “achievement, challenge, excellence”; echoing this, its website declares a mission toward creating a caring, inclusive learning environment and “educating the whole child”. The school looks to inculcate both “academic success and personal responsibility” in its pupils, and cites Ofsted’s findings that HGS childrens’ “behaviour and attitudes to learning are outstanding.” The school’s recent exam results support this description, with 2019’s A Level and GCSE results representing some of the highest in the school’s 68-year history.
HGS’ prospectus describes the school as possessing specialist status in technology, science, maths and computing, while also noting Ofsted’s findings that its curriculum is nevertheless broad and allows ample opportunities for the academic and personal development of each child.
History of The Herschel Grammar School
Established in 1952, HGS takes its name from the German-born British astronomer William Herschel (1738-1822), a famous former resident of Slough; in the past though, the school has undergone several changes of name- variously being known as Slough Technical School, Slough Technical High School, Herschel High School, and Sir William Herschel Grammar School.
HGS has seen several changes in its location and facilities over the years. Initially placed in buildings which were formerly home to Slough Secondary School in William Street, in the late fifties the school was transferred to a purpose-built site on Northampton Avenue where (despite one temporary evacuation for restoration in 1987) it still stands today.
Read more about 11 plus exam papers for Herschel Grammar School.
HGS School Social Profiles
- Herschel Grammar School Facebook Page
- Herschel Grammar School Twitter Page
- Herschel Grammar School LinkedIn Page
- Herschel Grammar School Instagram Page
11 Plus Exam Guidance - Facebook Group for Parents and Teachers- Key Stages Guidance - Facebook Group for Parents and Teachers
Other Grammar Schools in Berkshire:
Langley Grammar School 11 plus Exam Information
St Bernards Catholic Grammar School 11 plus Exam Information
