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

Caistor Grammar School is a leading co-educational selective grammar school situated in the historic market town of Caistor, Lincolnshire. Established in 1630, it delivers an exceptional education to over 600 pupils aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Regarded as one of the best grammar schools in UK, cgs holds an “Good” Ofsted Rating for its consistent and high academic excellence.

Recognised as the Sunday Times East Midlands State Secondary School of the Year, CGS pairs academic prestige with a unique Vertical Tutoring system that creates a supportive, multi-age "family" environment.

Grounded in its historic foundation, the school emphasizes holistic growth through high-level enrichment, including the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and a traditional, high-spirited House competition structure.

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

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar / Academy Converter
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Mixed
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11 to 18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 600+
• Caistor Grammar School GCSE Results (2025): 56% were the top grades of 9-7
• Caistor Grammar School A-Level Results (2025): 63% of grades are A*-B

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Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 96
• Exam Board: GL Assessment (Verbal Reasoning)
• Number of Stages: 1 (Two papers taken on the same day)
• School Catchment Area: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: No
• Pass Mark: 220

Preparing for the Caistor Grammar School open day and coordinating the admissions schedule requires meticulous planning. I have compiled the definitive calendar of 11 plus exam dates to guide your family through the process. These milestones are arranged chronologically to help you organize the academic year.

Caistor Grammar School (CGS) is a highly sought-after grammar school in Lincolnshire with a strict admission protocol. Parents must understand how to register for 11+ exam entry well in advance to secure a place for September 2027.

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Step-by-Step Registration Guide

• 11 plus exam registration: You must register your child online specifically for the entrance tests via the school website.
• Strict Window: This registration period opens in March and closes strictly in August 2026.
• Local Authority Form: You must also submit the Common Application Form (CAF) to your home Local Authority.
• Lincolnshire Residents: Families living in the county must apply through the Lincolnshire County Council website.
• Policy Details: For specific criteria, refer to the official Caistor Grammar School Admissions Policy.

The school utilizes its specific entrance assessment to identify students suited to a rigorous academic environment. To sit the two required papers—Standard Verbal Reasoning and Multiple Choice Verbal Reasoning—parents must complete the mandatory 11+ registration directly through the school’s online portal.

Navigating the geographical requirements for Caistor Grammar School is a critical step for any applicant, as residency significantly impacts the likelihood of securing a place. The school’s selection process is designed to serve the local community while maintaining high academic standards, making it essential for parents to understand how their home address interacts with the oversubscription criteria.

Understanding the 6.5-Mile Priority

According to the official Caistor Grammar School Admissions Policy, the school defines its catchment and priority rules as follows:

• Defined Catchment Radius: "In-catchment" candidates are those whose principal residency is within 6.5 miles in a straight line distance from the school's Post Office address.
• Minimum Qualifying Standard: To be eligible for in-catchment priority, students must first achieve a total score of at least 220 in the Verbal Reasoning entrance tests.
• Residency Requirements: The school defines principal residency as the location where a candidate sleeps at least five nights out of every seven during term time.
• Oversubscription Ranking: If the number of qualified in-catchment applicants exceeds the 96 available places, candidates are ranked based on their highest Verbal Reasoning scores.
• Verification Process: The straight-line distance is calculated electronically by the Lincolnshire County Council School Admissions Team to three decimal places.

The entrance assessment for Caistor Grammar School (CGS) focuses exclusively on Verbal Reasoning to identify academic potential. Unlike many schools that include English or Maths for Year 7 entry, CGS uses two distinct Verbal Reasoning papers to determine eligibility.

Verbal Reasoning Papers

Candidates sit two separate papers, both focusing on Verbal Reasoning. To be eligible for admission, a student must achieve a total standardised score of 220 or more.

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Parent’s Top 2 Queries

Does Caistor Grammar use Multiple Choice Questions? 

The school uses a combination. One paper is typically the Standard Format (write-in answers), while the other is Multiple Choice.

What subjects are tested? 

For Year 7 entry, the exam consists strictly of two Verbal Reasoning papers. English and Mathematics papers are only introduced for "Mid-Year" applications for Year 10 and above.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

It is a vital note that Caistor Grammar School (CGS) typically uses the Standard Format (write-in answers) in conjunction with multiple-choice sheets. Therefore, legible handwriting is essential; if a marker cannot read the answer written in the booklet, the mark may not be awarded. This accuracy is particularly crucial because the school’s tie-breaker policy specifically prioritizes candidates with the fewest mistakes made on the written paper.

Caistor Grammar School (CGS) utilizes a fixed qualifying threshold to determine eligibility for entry. For admission in September 2027, students must achieve a specific age-standardised score to be considered for a place.

Qualifying Thresholds

• Qualifying Score: Only children who attain a total score of 220 or more in the Verbal Reasoning tests are eligible for entry.
• Criteria: Admissions are determined by the oversubscription criteria outlined in the Caistor Grammar School Admissions Policy.

While the 11 plus test results determine eligibility, high demand means CGS must apply priority rules, such as the 6.5-mile catchment radius, to allocate its 96 available places. Thorough preparation is vital for the eleven plus exam.

Admission to Caistor Grammar School is highly competitive, and having a strategic backup plan is essential for families in North Lincolnshire. Selecting alternative schools with similar entrance requirements allows your child to prepare effectively for multiple opportunities without increasing their workload.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

For families targeting CGS, neighboring Lincolnshire grammar schools and prestigious independent options in Lincoln and Hull provide the strongest parallel tracks.

Why these schools are the top alternatives to Caistor Grammar School

• King Edward VI Grammar School (Louth): This is a natural alternative because it also utilizes the GL Assessment format. Since your child will already be preparing for high-level Verbal Reasoning, they will be well-positioned for the Louth entrance exam, which offers a similarly traditional grammar school experience.

• QEGS Horncastle: Known for its rigorous academic pace, QEGS Horncastle is a frequent choice for families seeking a high-achieving co-educational environment. Because it follows the Lincolnshire Consortium testing schedule, the preparation overlap is significant, providing a secure backup without the need to learn a new exam board.
• Hymers College (Hull): As a leading independent school, Hymers is a top choice for parents seeking an academic rival to the grammar system. It offers exceptional facilities and extensive transport links throughout North Lincolnshire, making it highly accessible for families living in the surrounding regions.
• Lincoln Minster School: This school is an ideal alternative for parents who value a holistic, nurturing approach alongside academics. Their entrance process is broader than the grammar schools, incorporating interviews and school reports to allow talented children to shine beyond a single day of testing.
  

Advisory Note: While Caistor is a "Gold Standard" choice, competition is fierce and places are limited. We strongly recommend applying to neighbouring Lincolnshire Consortium schools to ensure your child has multiple opportunities for a grammar education.

According to the National School Census, CGS attracts a high volume of candidates annually. Data shows approximately two applications for every single available place.

With only 96 places available, the competition is undeniably intense. Consequently, comprehensive preparation for the eleven plus exam is mandatory.

Source: National School Census.

Caistor Grammar School remains consistently oversubscribed, with a 40% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Caistor Grammar School?

Parents often ask me, “Is Caistor Grammar School hard to get into?” My answer is always reassuring.

How hard is it to get into Caistor Grammar School? Success at CGSis manageable with a solid, targeted strategy.

Unlike other grammar schools in Lincolnshire, Caistor Grammar School utilizes its own bespoke testing process consisting of two Verbal Reasoning papers. Non-Verbal Reasoning is not part of the Year 7 entrance criteria.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning Topics

Our analysis of the 11 plus verbal reasoning questions reveals a distinct focus on vocabulary and logical deduction. Essential topics include code breaking, word associations, and number sequences, which appear frequently in the exam.

To master these topics, we suggest using our comprehensive resources. Elevate your score with our 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers, featuring over 1,400 topic-wise questions.

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

Using high-quality 11+ Practice Papers is the most effective way to familiarise your child with the exam format. Our resources mirror the style of the actual 11 plus test papers to help reduce exam day anxiety.

We strongly recommend the following resources for the Caistor Grammar School 11+ Exam. These 11 plus papers cover all necessary question types and provide detailed solutions for effective learning.

Caistor Grammar School (CGS) is competitive, making consistent practice essential for success. Sitting 11 plus mock tests helps students familiarise themselves with the GL Assessment format. This preparation highlights weak areas while improving speed and accuracy under exam conditions.

We recommend the following resources to mirror this specific challenge:

Parents can access our free 11 plus mock test to evaluate current progress. Booking an 11 plus mock test Lincolnshire is vital for the Caistor Grammar School 11 plus mock exam.

• Autumn Half Term 1: 2^nd September 2026 to 16^th October 2026
• Autumn Half Term 2: 2^nd November 2026 to 18^th December 2026
• Spring Half Term 1: 5^th January 2027 to 12^th February 2027
• Spring Half Term 2: 22^nd February 2027 to 25^th March 2027
• Summer Half Term 1: 12^th April 2027 to 28^th May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: 7^th June 2027 to 23^rd July 2027

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

Navigating the 11+ grammar school entry requires coordinating with your local authority and understanding specific exam formats. Here are the essential, official resources to help you prepare your application for Caistor Grammar School.

• GL Assessment Familiarisation Materials
• UK Govt. - Get Information on Caistor Grammar School
• Caistor Grammar School Ofsted Report
• Gov.UK Find your Local Council Page
• Caistor Grammar School Admissions Policy
• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data