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

Spalding Grammar School is a historic selective grammar school for boys located in Lincolnshire. Established in 1588, it educates over 900 students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Recognised among the best grammar schools in UK, the Ofsted Rating for the academy is "Good." Local families often refer to this popular learning centre as SGS school. It offers a supportive environment where students thrive academically.

Spalding Grammar School utilizes a Vertical Tutoring System (PACE), grouping students from Years 7 through 13 to allow older pupils to mentor younger peers. This community spirit is reinforced by a Six-House System—Bentley, Gamlyn, Hobson, Johnson, Moulton, and Wykeham—named after historical benefactors.

These structures drive healthy competition and student leadership, ensuring every student has a supportive "guide at the side" throughout their school journey.

In this guide, I've distilled 18+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Spalding Grammar School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with ease.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar / Academy
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Boys (Co-educational Sixth Form)
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11-18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 900+
• Spalding Grammar School GCSE Results: 75.8% achieved Grade 5 or better in English and Maths
• Spalding Grammar School A-Level Results: 35.3 achieved Average points score per entry

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Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 150
• Exam Board: GL Assessment (Lincolnshire Consortium)
• Number of Stages: 1 (Two papers taken on consecutive weekends)
• School Catchment Area: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: 220

Attending the Spalding Grammar School open day is a vital first step in your child's secondary school journey. I have compiled the definitive calendar of Spalding Grammar School 11 plus exam dates to guide your family through the admissions process. Organizing your schedule around every 11+ Exam date ensures you remain prepared for the academic year ahead.

These dates are arranged chronologically to help you plan effectively.

Spalding Grammar School Application Process for 11+ Exam Entry

Spalding Grammar School admits boys into Year 7 based on their performance in the 11 plus exam process. Parents must strictly follow the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools' timeline to ensure eligibility.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

Securing a place for September 2027 involves distinct steps for registration and the formal application.

• Registration: You must complete the 11 plus exam registration through the Lincolnshire Consortium website. Registration typically opens in January and closes in March 2026.
• Stage One Test: Candidates sit the first paper, assessing Verbal Reasoning, at the school in September 2026.
• Stage Two Test: The second paper, assessing Non-Verbal Reasoning, is taken shortly after the first test.
• School Application: You must name the school on the Common Application Form (CAF) via the Lincolnshire County Council portal.
• CAF Deadline: The national deadline for submitting this form is 31^st October 2026.
• Policy Details: Consult the Spalding Grammar School Admissions Policy for specific oversubscription criteria.

Spalding Grammar School prioritizes admissions for boys residing within its specific Designated Area. As stated in the Spalding Grammar School Admissions Policy, the Spalding Grammar School Catchment Area relies on a defined list of Civil Parishes to determine priority during oversubscription.

The Designated Area

The school catchment area comprises a comprehensive list of Civil Parishes in South Lincolnshire. To be eligible for a place under these criteria, boys must first meet the qualifying aggregate score of 220 in the 11 plus examinations.

Key Civil Parishes include:

• Central: Spalding, Pinchbeck, Surfleet, Gosberton, Quadring.
• Southern: Cowbit, Weston, Moulton, Whaplode.
• Eastern: Holbeach, Fleet, Gedney, Long Sutton, Sutton Bridge.
• South-Western: Crowland, Deeping St Nicholas.
• Note: Additional parishes include Algarkirk, Fosdyke, and Sutterton. Donington is excluded from the 2026 feeder list.

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Allocation Criteria

If the school is oversubscribed with boys who have reached the qualifying standard, places are allocated in the following order:

• Looked After Children: Priority is given to students currently or previously in state care.
• Designated Area: Qualifying boys whose permanent residence is within the listed Civil Parishes.
• Distance Tie-breaker: For boys within the same category, distance is measured in a direct "as the crow flies" line from the child's residence to the school.

The Spalding Grammar School 11 Plus Test for September 2027 entry follows the established protocols of the Lincolnshire Consortium. The assessment consists of two separate multiple-choice papers provided by GL Assessment, which are taken over two consecutive weekends in September 2026.

Exam Details

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Parent’s Top 4 Queries

Does the school set its own papers? 

No, it uses standardized tests from the Lincolnshire Grammar Schools consortium.

How are the scores calculated?

The marks from both papers are combined to produce a total standardised age score; there is no minimum pass mark for individual papers.

What exam board does Spalding Grammar School follow?

GL Assessment (Lincolnshire Consortium).

How long is the 11+ Exam for Spalding Grammar School?

Two separate sessions, each 50 minutes long plus administration time.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The school utilizes an Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet for automated marking. Ensure your child practices marking their answers with a clear horizontal line using an HB pencil, as stray marks can affect the machine reading.

To qualify for a place, students must achieve a minimum aggregate standardised score of 220. This score is calculated from two tests administered by the Lincolnshire Consortium.

The Spalding Grammar School Admissions Policy prioritises boys who meet this required standard. As the school is competitive, aiming above the 11+ GL assessment pass mark is advisable.

• Qualifying Score: 220 minimum aggregate.
• Exam Board: GL Assessment.
• Outcome: Scores are age-standardised to ensure fairness.

Spalding Grammar School is often the primary goal for families seeking boys' selective education in Lincolnshire. However, with high demand for places, relying solely on this one option is a risky strategy. Maintaining a balanced portfolio of alternative grammar and independent schools ensures a high-performing placement regardless of final cut-off scores.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Families targeting Spalding Grammar often look toward the wider Lincolnshire Consortium for state backups. For private education, the independent schools in Stamford and Wisbech are popular choices. Here is how they compare:

Why these schools are top alternatives to Spalding Grammar School

• Bourne Grammar School: This school is a member of the Lincolnshire Consortium, meaning they share the exact same 11+ entrance exam. Because the score is transferable, your son only needs to sit the test once to be eligible for both Spalding and Bourne.
  
• Boston Grammar School: Located roughly 15 miles away, this is another solid single-sex option for boys. It serves as a reliable backup for those who perform well in the 11+ but may fall outside the specific distance tie-breaker for Spalding.
  
• The King’s School, Grantham: For families willing to travel further, this school offers an exceptional academic peer group. It consistently delivers high examination results and has a long-standing, strong history of successful Oxbridge admissions.
• Stamford School: Now fully co-educational, this independent school offers smaller class sizes and elite facilities. It focuses on a holistic, broad curriculum with a strong emphasis on extensive co-curricular opportunities outside the state system.
  
• Wisbech Grammar School: Located in nearby Cambridgeshire, this independent school provides a nurturing environment with smaller cohorts. It prioritizes excellent pastoral care and steady academic results through a less "exam-heavy" selective process.

Advisory Note: While Spalding Grammar is highly sought after, competition is intense with hundreds of applicants for limited places. A 3-grammar, 2-private school strategy is the most effective way to manage this competition.

According to the National School Census, competition remains consistently high, with significantly more applicants than the 150 available places. The school's popularity is reflected in the steady increase of families listing Spalding Grammar as their first or second preference on the Common Application Form.

Source: National School Census.

Spalding Grammar School remains consistently oversubscribed, with a 30% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Spalding Grammar School?

Parents frequently ask me, “Is Spalding Grammar School hard to get into?” due to the rigorous selection standards. Based on my experience, while the competition is fierce, success is manageable with a solid, targeted strategy.

The 11+ entrance exam for Spalding Grammar School is managed by the Lincolnshire Consortium. This exam utilizes the GL Assessment board format. The test consists solely of Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning papers.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Our analysis of 11 plus verbal reasoning past papers reveals a focus on logic and vocabulary. Students must demonstrate strong skills in coding and word associations. These areas account for the majority of marks in the verbal reasoning 11 plus test.

To master these topics, we recommend using structured resources. Our 11+ Practice Papers help students improve their speed and accuracy significantly.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

The 11 plus non verbal reasoning paper tests a student's ability to process visual information. Analysis of GL assessment practice papers shows that 2D shapes and spatial reasoning are critical. Questions often involve finding patterns or completing a series.

Success in this section requires consistent practice with visual puzzles. Using 11 plus non verbal reasoning papers pdf with answers can help identify weak areas.

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

For the Spalding Grammar School 11+ exam, we strongly recommend resources that mirror the GL Assessment style. Familiarity with the specific question types is essential for high scores. Using targeted 11 plus exam papers will build the necessary confidence.

These packs include extensive GL assessment papers tailored to the consortium's requirements. Regular use of 11+ past papers ensures your child is exam-ready.

Admission to Spalding Grammar School is competitive, requiring rigorous preparation and consistent practice. Sitting a Spalding Grammar School 11 plus mock exam allows your son to familiarise himself with the specific format. These sessions effectively identify weak areas and refine speed under strict exam conditions.

You can check your child’s potential using our 11 plus mock test online free diagnostic tool. Securing an 11 plus mock test Lincolnshire ensures students can handle the pressure of this exam.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Wednesday 2^nd September 2026 to Thursday 22^nd October 2026
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 2^nd November 2026 to Friday 18^th December 2026
• Spring Half Term 1: Tuesday 5^th January 2027 to Friday 12^th February 2027
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 22^nd February 2027 to Thursday 25^th March 2027
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 19^th April 2027 to Friday 28^th May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 7​^th June 2027 to Thursday 22^nd July 2027

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Spalding 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 Spalding Grammar School.

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