Bourne Grammar School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

Bourne Grammar School is a leading co-educational selective Grammar school located in the market town of Bourne, Lincolnshire. Established in 1330, it delivers an exceptional education to over 1,700 students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Recognised among the best Grammar schools in the UK, Bourne Grammar is renowned for consistently high academic achievements. The school maintains a supportive environment for pupils, and its official ofsted rating is currently "Good".

Bourne Grammar School distinguishes itself by retaining a specialist Systems and Control department and holding prestigious Music Mark status. Furthermore, its accreditation as a National Online Safety Certified School demonstrates a proactive commitment to student digital wellbeing alongside academic rigour.

In this guide, I apply 6+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Bourne Grammar School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar / Academy
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Mixed (Co-educational)
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11–18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1740+
• Bourne Grammar School GCSE Results (2025): 53.5% achieved Grades 7–9
• Bourne Grammar School A-Level Results (2025): 84.2% achieved Grades A*-C

Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 240
• Exam Board: GL Assessment
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area: No. (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: 220 (Standardised Score)

Staying organized with the Bourne Grammar School timeline is essential for a stress-free admissions journey. I have compiled the official Bourne Grammar School 11 plus exam dates and deadlines to ensure you never miss a step.

From the Bourne Grammar School open day to the final offer, this schedule covers everything. These dates are arranged chronologically to help you plan the academic year effectively.

Bourne Grammar school operates as an Academy and administers its own selection testing for Year 7 entry. Parents must proactively manage two separate applications to secure a place for September 2026.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• Register for Testing: You must complete the 11 plus exam registration directly on the school website.
• Dates: This registration typically opens in January 2026 and closes on Tuesday 30 June 2026.
• Testing: Registering ensures your child is invited to sit the mandatory Test 1 and Test 2.
• Policy: Please review the Bourne Grammar School Admissions Policy for specific eligibility details.
• Local Authority Application: The 11 plus exam process is separate from applying for a school place.
• Submission: You must submit the Common Application Form (CAF) to your home Local Authority by 31 October 2026.
• Lincolnshire Residents: Families living in the county should apply via the Lincolnshire County Council portal.
• Preferences: You must name the school as a preference on this form to be considered after the 11+ Exam.
• This process applies to all Grammar schools in Lincolnshire.

Bourne Grammar School does not utilize a fixed map-based zone; instead, the Bourne Grammar School Catchment Area is effectively determined by applicant distance. As detailed in the Bourne Grammar School Admissions Policy, the school prioritises qualified candidates based on straight-line distance from their home to the school. This creates a dynamic School catchment area that fluctuates annually.

Parents often assume a set boundary exists, searching for a specific Bourne Grammar school Catchment Area. However, entry is governed by the volume of applicants who pass the 11 plus test. Places are allocated to those meeting the qualifying score (typically 220), ranked by:

• Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children
• Siblings of pupils on roll at the time of admission
• Straight-line distance from the child’s home to the school

Consequently, the effective 11+ exam catchment radius shrinks in years with high local demand.

As stated in the Bourne Grammar School Admissions Policy, admission requires children to reach the qualifying standard in the 11+ tests. The school is part of the Lincolnshire Grammar Schools consortium, which coordinates the testing arrangements. The Bourne Grammar School 11 Plus Test comprises two separate papers administered in September 2025 for the 2026 entry.

Parents often ask what is in the 11 Plus exam for this school. The assessment focuses exclusively on reasoning abilities rather than curriculum-based English or Maths content. Both papers are set by GL Assessment and are designed to predict a pupil's potential for academic success in a Grammar school environment.

Entrance Test Details

There is no specific test for 11+ English or 11+ Mathematics in this selection process. The final result consists of a combined age-standardised score derived from both papers. A total score of 220 or above is generally required to be considered for a place.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The GL Assessments use a separate Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) answer sheet for both papers. It is crucial that your child marks their answers clearly with a horizontal line using an HB pencil, as computers scan these sheets. Rubbing out mistakes must be done cleanly to avoid grading errors.

Parent’s Top 2 Queries

What exam board does Bourne Grammar school follow?

GL Assessment.

How long is the 11+ Exam for Bourne Grammar school? 

Paper One and Paper Two are approximately one hour each.

​The official qualifying standard for Bourne Grammar School is an aggregate standardised score of 220.

To be eligible for a place, your child must achieve this threshold across the two components:

• Verbal Reasoning: Contributes 50% to the final score.
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Contributes 50% to the final score.

Meeting this 11 plus exam results score allows applicants to be considered under the Bourne Grammar School Admissions Policy.

Students consistently scoring 95%+ in PiAcademy’s practice papers are well-positioned to ace the eleven plus exam.

​Bourne Grammar School is the leading co-educational selective school in South Lincolnshire, attracting high-achieving students from a wide catchment area. However, with limited places available, relying solely on this option is a risky strategy for families.

I have guided parents through the Lincolnshire 11+ process for many years. I consistently see families caught out by catchment area nuances, even when their child achieves the qualifying score. I advise maintaining a portfolio of 3 Grammar options and 2 Independent schools to ensure success.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

When families apply to Bourne Grammar school, they often consider single-sex Grammar schools in Grantham or private options in Stamford. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

*Results are based on recent 2024 performance trends to project 2025 outcomes.

Why these schools are top alternatives to Bourne Grammar School

• The King's School & KGGS: These Grantham-based schools use the same GL Assessment 11+ test as Bourne Grammar. A single exam preparation covers all these schools, reducing stress for your child significantly.
• Stamford School: This independent school offers a robust co-educational environment similar to Bourne Grammar School. It is an excellent backup for families seeking strong pastoral care and extensive extracurricular facilities nearby.
• Spalding Grammar School: For boys, this is a viable Grammar alternative if you live towards the east. The entry requirement is the standardized Lincolnshire 11+ score, making it a logical parallel application.
• Oakham School: Located slightly further afield, Oakham provides a prestigious independent education. It focuses on holistic development, making it suitable for children who might find the intense Grammar focus too narrow.

​According to the National School Census, competition for a place at Bourne Grammar School remains consistently high. For the 2024 entry, over 500 students applied, creating a challenging environment for prospective families. This equates to approximately two applicants competing for every single available spot.

Source: National School Census.

Bourne Grammar School remains consistently oversubscribed, with a 45% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Bourne Grammar School?

Parents often come to me asking, "Is Bourne Grammar School hard to get into?" given the statistics. Based on my experience, success is manageable with a solid, targeted strategy for the eleven plus exam. As stated in the Bourne Grammar School Admissions Policy, preparation is vital.

Read the next section to uncover the Exam Format and secure your child’s place.

Bourne Grammar School follows the Lincolnshire Consortium 11+ testing arrangements, which are administered by GL Assessment. The entrance examination consists of two main papers: Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Understanding the specific topics within these subjects is vital for parents guiding their children. Utilizing high-quality 11 plus exam papers helps students build the necessary speed and accuracy for these tests.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Our analysis of the Bourne Grammar School 11+ past papers reveals a distinct focus on vocabulary, logic, and code-breaking skills. The test is designed to assess a student's potential rather than just knowledge.

The breakdown below clearly shows that Maths-based questions and Making Words account for a significant portion of the test. Mastering these areas is essential for securing a high score in the 11 plus verbal reasoning paper.

Elevate your score with our 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers, featuring over 1,400+ topic-wise questions. Trusted by thousands of students, this pack includes a complete exam planner and worksheets covering key topics like Word Meanings.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

The 11 plus non verbal reasoning paper for Bourne Grammar School assesses logical thinking through shapes, matrices, and spatial patterns. Our analysis shows that Odd One Out and Analogies are critical focus areas.

These four topics carry an almost equal weightage, meaning every section is equally important. Students must be comfortable with 2D views of 3D shapes to perform well in this visual assessment.

Prepare for 11+ NVR success with our 11+ NVR Practice Papers, containing 1,900+ targeted questions. This pack provides instant access to 3D Shapes guides and structured practice to master logical patterns.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for Bourne Grammar School?

Our targeted 11+ practice papers are based on the actual question styles of top schools using the GL Assessment board. We recommend the following resources to help students familiarize themselves with the exam pattern well before time.

Using these GL Assessment papers will ensure your child is fully prepared for the challenging standard format questions required for success.

​Bourne Grammar School is highly competitive, making rigorous preparation essential for success. Sitting a Bourne Grammar School 11 plus mock exam helps your child master the format. This process highlights weak areas and improves accuracy under pressure.

The school uses GL Assessment, primarily testing Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. We recommend these resources to mirror the specific exam challenge:

Parents can also access our 11 plus mock test papers pdf free to gauge current ability. Securing an 11 plus mock test Lincolnshire ensures readiness for this selective school.​

• Autumn Half Term 1: Thursday 4^th September 2025 to Friday 24^th October 2025
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 3^rd November 2025 to Friday 19^th December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: Monday 5^th January 2026 to Friday 13^th February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 23^rd February 2026 to Thursday 02^nd April 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 20^th April 2026 to Friday 22^nd May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 1^st June 2026 to Friday 17^th July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Bourne Grammar School Official Website.