Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

​Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School is a leading selective grammar school for girls in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Established in 1910, it provides an exceptional education to 1,200+ girls aged 11 to 18. This covers Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Recognised among the best grammar schools in the UK, Grantham and Kesteven Girls is renowned for its academic success. Its current ofsted rating is "Outstanding", reflecting a high standard of teaching. Parents value the school’s supportive atmosphere and rich history.

Steeped in history as the alma mater of Margaret Thatcher, KGGS blends prestigious legacy with modern ambition. It ensures that students develop a truly global perspective alongside exceptional academic competencies.

In this guide, I apply 6+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar / Academy Converter
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Girls
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11-18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1200+
• Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School GCSE Results: 52% achieved Grades 9-7
• Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School A-Level Results: 37% achieved Grades A*-B

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Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 174
• Exam Board: GL Assessment
• Number of Stages: 1 (Two papers taken on adjacent weekends)
• School Catchment Area: No (Priority given to those within 9 miles/driving distance)
• Sibling Policy: Yes
• Pass Mark: 220 (Aggregate score)

Preparing for the Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School open day and the admissions cycle requires early organisation. I have compiled the official Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School 11 plus exam dates to help you navigate the Lincolnshire Consortium process.

Admissions to KGGS are coordinated through the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools. This standardized process applies to all grammar schools in Lincolnshire ensuring a fair selection procedure.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

To secure a Year 7 place for September 2026, parents must complete a two-step application process. It is vital to meet both the test registration and the Local Authority application deadlines.

Registration for the Entrance Test

• You must register your daughter to sit the 11+ Exam separate from the school application.
• 11 plus exam registration is completed online via the school website or the Consortium portal.
• As stated in the Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School Admissions Policy, registration typically opens in January and closes in March 2025.
• Late applications for the test are generally not accepted without exceptional circumstances.

The Common Application Form (CAF)

• Passing the test does not guarantee a place; you must formally apply.
• Submit the CAF through your home Local Authority, such as the Lincolnshire County Council School Admissions portal.
• You must list Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School as a preference on this form.
• The strict deadline for submitting the CAF is 31^st October 2025.

Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School does not have a Catchment Area.

Our Practical Tip for Parents

As outlined in the Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School Admissions Policy, there is no School catchment area or restricted 11+ exam catchment. Admission is determined purely by rank order in the 11 plus test, not by living within a specific KGGS Catchment Area.

​According to the National School Census, competition for places at Grantham and Kesteven girls remains steady and spirited. The school has a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 174, yet applications regularly exceed this figure. This demand proves that dedicated preparation for the eleven plus exam is essential for success.

Source: National School Census.

Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School consistently sees more applicants than places, with a 21% oversubscription rate in 2025. Securing a spot at KGGS  requires understanding these competitive trends.

How hard is it to get into Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School?

Parents frequently come to me asking, “Is Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School hard to get into?” Based on years of experience, I assure you that success is manageable with a solid, targeted strategy.

As stated in the Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School Admissions Policy, selection is based on ability. Keep reading to uncover the Exam Format and secure your daughter’s place.

As stated in the Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School Admissions Policy, the school administers entrance examinations to select students for Year 7 entry. For students hoping to join in September 2026, the Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School 11 Plus Test will take place in September 2025. 

The school belongs to the Lincolnshire Grammar Schools Consortium, utilizing GL Assessment papers to ensure a fair selection process. Unlike other regions that rely heavily on standard 11+ English and 11+ Mathematics papers, this consortium focuses on reasoning abilities to assess potential.

The assessment comprises two separate papers taken in exam conditions. The final rank is determined by combining the age-standardized scores from both tests. 

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Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The GL Assessment exams utilise a separate answer sheet for marking. Parents should ensure their child knows how to mark the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet with a firm horizontal line inside the correct box, rather than ticking or circling the answer.

Parent’s Top 4 Queries

What subjects are tested? 

The exam consists of two papers covering Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning (with Spatial Reasoning).

Is there a pass mark? 

Yes, applicants must achieve a qualifying aggregate score of 220 or above to be considered for a place at Grantham and Kesteven girls.

What exam board does Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School follow?

GL Assessment Lincolnshire Grammar Schools

How long is the 11+ Exam for Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School?

Paper One and Paper Two are approximately 50 minutes each

To secure a place at KGGS , applicants must reach the qualifying standard detailed in the Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School Admissions Policy. The Lincolnshire Consortium typically sets this threshold at a total standardised score of 220.

Qualifying Standard Details

• Required Score: A total of 220 is generally needed to pass the eleven plus exam.
• Assessment Model: Eligibility is determined using the 11+ GL Assessment pass mark.

Achieving this standard is essential but does not guarantee admission. Ample practice can help your child score well above the required threshold.

Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School is widely considered the premier choice for all-girls education in Lincolnshire. However, with hundreds of applicants competing for limited places, the admissions process is incredibly rigorous. Even the brightest students need a solid backup plan to ensure they secure a high-quality education.

As an experienced education consultant, I have seen many families focus exclusively on one school, only to face disappointment on offer day.

I strongly advise parents to build a portfolio of three grammar schools and two private schools. This balanced strategy ensures your daughter lands in an elite environment, even if Grantham and Kesteven girls is not the final outcome.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

When families apply to KGGS, they typically look at Bourne Grammar for a mixed state option and Stamford or Oakham for private backups.

Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives

• Bourne Grammar School: This is the most popular co-educational grammar alternative for local families. Since it uses the same GL Assessment 11+ format as KGGS, your daughter’s preparation covers both schools effectively.
• Kesteven and Sleaford High School: If you prioritize a single-sex environment, this school is an excellent parallel choice. It offers a similar nurturing ethos and is part of the same Lincolnshire testing consortium.
• Stamford School: For families willing to consider the independent sector, Stamford offers world-class facilities and smaller class sizes. Their selection process includes an interview, allowing well-rounded students to shine beyond just raw test scores.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Our analysis of the Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School 11+ exam reveals a strong emphasis on logical deduction and vocabulary skills. The test follows the GL Assessment format, which often includes twenty-one specific question types.

Breakdowns of past papers suggest that coding, word connections, and anagrams appear frequently. Mastering these areas is essential for securing a high score in the 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers.

To succeed, students must practise rapidly solving problems under timed conditions. We recommend using our resources to gain familiarity with the 11 plus verbal reasoning question styles.

Our pack includes an extensive 11+ verbal reasoning test with answers pdf files for convenient home study. Using these 11 exam verbal reasoning materials helps build the necessary speed and accuracy.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

The Non-Verbal Reasoning section assesses a student's ability to analyse visual information and solve problems using shapes. This paper typically includes Spatial Reasoning elements, such as 3D shape visualisation.

Our review indicates that Matrices, Series, and Odd One Out are critical topics to master. These questions require identifying complex patterns and relationships between figures.

Prepare effectively with our targeted 11+ NVR Practice Papers designed for the GL Assessment board. Consistent practice with 11 plus non verbal reasoning tasks significantly improves spatial awareness.

Parents can access our non verbal reasoning test 11 plus free online resources to gauge current performance levels. We also provide comprehensive 11 plus non verbal reasoning papers pdf with answers for detailed review.

Which are the Best (11 plus) 11+ Practice Papers for Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School?

We strongly recommend resources that align with the GL Assessment board used by the Lincolnshire Consortium. Our 11 plus exam papers are crafted to mirror the difficulty and format of the actual entrance test.

​Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School is competitive, making consistent practice vital for success. Sitting a Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School 11 plus mock exam helps students adjust to strict exam conditions.

Regular 11 plus mock tests help Grantham and Kesteven girls candidates spot weak areas effectively. This practice significantly improves a student's speed and accuracy under time pressure.

Since the school uses GL Assessment, we recommend specific resources to mirror the actual test format. Parents can download our 11 plus mock test papers pdf free to start their preparation journey today.

Securing an 11 plus mock test Lincolnshire ensures your daughter is comfortable with the regional exam style.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Tuesday 2^nd September 2025 to Friday 24^th October 2025
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 03^rd November 2025 to Friday 19^th December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: Tuesday 06^th January 2026 to Friday 13^th February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 23^rd February 2026 to Thursday 2^nd April 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: Tuesday 21^st April 2026 to Friday 22^nd May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 01^st June 2026 to Friday 17^th July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Kesteven and Grantham Girls' 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 Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School.

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