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

Spalding High School is a prominent selective grammar school for girls located in the town of Spalding, Lincolnshire. Established in 1920, it provides an exceptional education to over 900 students, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Frequently recognised among the best grammar schools in UK, Spalding High maintains a reputation for academic excellence. Its current Ofsted Rating is "Outstanding", highlighting the school's dedication to effective teaching and rigorous pastoral care.

Recognised with the Gold School Games Mark for 2024/25, Spalding High School effectively balances creative expression with athletic excellence. 

The school champions holistic development through a broad extra-curricular programme, ensuring students thrive in a supportive, high-achieving environment that fosters both academic success and personal growth.

In this guide, I apply 18+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Spalding High School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Girls (11-16), Co-educational (16-18)
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11–18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1000
• Spalding High School GCSE Results(2025): 34% achieved Grade 9–7 
• Spalding High School A-Level Results(2025): 93% achieved A*–B 

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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
• School Catchment Area: No. (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: Standardised Score 220

Attending the Spalding High School open day provides vital insight, but staying organized with the Spalding High School 11 plus exam dates is crucial for a successful application.

I have compiled the definitive 11+ Exam date schedule for Spalding High School. This guide details the mandatory 11 plus exam dates, ensuring you meet every strict deadline set by the Lincolnshire Consortium and the school.

These dates are arranged chronologically to help you plan the academic year.

Spalding High School participates in the coordinated admissions scheme run by Lincolnshire County Council. The 11 plus exam process involves two distinct steps that parents must complete on time.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

Registering for the test is a separate mandatory step before applying for a school place.

• Parents must complete the 11 plus exam registration through the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools.
• The booking window for the 11+ Exam typically opens in January and closes in March 2025.
• Please refer to the Spalding High School Admissions Policy to confirm the exact closing date for registration.

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The Common Application Form (CAF)

Sitting the eleven plus exams does not constitute an application for a place at the school.

• You must submit the Common Application Form (CAF) to your home Local Authority.
• Residents should visit the Lincolnshire County Council website to access the online portal.
• The national deadline to submit applications for grammar schools in Lincolnshire is 31^st October 2025.

Spalding High School does not have a defined School Catchment Area. This means that any student who achieves the qualifying score in the entrance examinations is eligible to apply, regardless of their home address.
However, it is important to note that if the school receives more qualified applications than the 150 places available, oversubscription criteria are applied.

As stated in the Spalding High School Admissions Policy for September 2026 entry, the school administers a selective entrance examination to assess a child's potential. The Spalding High School 11 Plus Test is managed by the Lincolnshire Grammar Schools consortium. 

Parents should note that unlike some other regions, this specific test does not include distinct papers for 11+ English or 11+ Mathematics; instead, it focuses solely on reasoning abilities.

The assessment consists of two papers produced by GL assessment. These are usually taken on consecutive Saturdays in September 2025. The final rank is determined by the aggregate score of both papers, standardised for age.

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Parent’s Top 4 Queries

Which subjects are tested? 

The exam strictly covers Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, which includes a specific focus on Spatial Awareness.

What is the qualifying score? 

Historically, a combined aggregate standardised score of 220 is required to be considered for a place at the school.

What exam board does Spalding High School follow?

The school follows the GL Assessment format as part of the Lincolnshire Grammar Schools consortium.

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

The testing consists of two papers; Paper One is 50 minutes and Paper Two is 50 minutes.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The school utilises Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets for the GL assessment papers. It is crucial that your child marks their answers with a clear horizontal line in the correct box, as indistinct marks or smudges may not be read by the scanner.

To secure a place at Spalding High School, students must meet the qualifying standard mandated by the Lincolnshire Consortium. The official pass mark is a total standardised score of 220. This score is an aggregate of the results from both papers and is adjusted to account for the age of the child at the time of testing.

The Eleven plus Exam Assesses:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning

Meeting this threshold allows consideration for a place, though final admission depends on the Spalding High School Admissions Policy oversubscription criteria. Consistent practice with relevant materials helps students achieve 11 plus exam results superior to the baseline GL assessment pass marks.

Spalding High School is a prestigious choice for girls secondary education in South Lincolnshire. It holds a reputation for academic excellence and supportive pastoral care. However, securing a place is never guaranteed due to high demand.

I have guided many Lincolnshire families through the 11+ process. Relying solely on one school is a risky strategy that I never recommend.

You should maintain a portfolio of three grammar schools and two private schools. This ensures your daughter secures an elite education regardless of one exam day.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Families targeting Spalding High School often look toward Bourne for co-ed grammar options or Stamford for independent excellence. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to Spalding High School

• Bourne Grammar School: This is the primary co-educational alternative for high achievers in the region. It uses the same GL Assessment 11+ test, meaning one exam covers both applications.
• Boston High School: This school serves as an excellent strategic backup for girls. It is less heavily oversubscribed but maintains solid academic standards and a nurturing environment.
• Stamford School: Stamford offers world-class facilities and a broader curriculum than state options. It is the gold standard for parents seeking a private co-educational environment nearby.
• Wisbech Grammar School: Located a short commute away, Wisbech provides a tailored independent education. It is ideal for students who may prefer a smaller, more supportive setting.

According to the National School Census, competition for a place at Spalding High School remains consistently intense.

Recent data indicates there are approximately two applications for every single place available at this selective school.

As stated in the Spalding High School Admissions Policy, meeting the qualifying standard is mandatory but does not guarantee entry.

Source: National School Census.

The school remains oversubscribed, evidenced by a significant 38% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Spalding High School?

Parents frequently come to me and ask, “Is Spalding High School hard to get into?”

Based on my experience, despite the statistics, passing the eleven plus exam is a manageable goal.

 I assure you that success is a predictable, winnable challenge with a solid, targeted strategy. The key to navigating the oversubscription criteria is not just the score, but understanding how the distance tie-breaker affects your specific application.

Spalding High School follows the assessment procedures set by the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools.

The school utilises the GL Assessment board for its entrance examination, testing students on Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Our analysis of 11 plus verbal reasoning papers indicates a significant focus on vocabulary and logical deduction.

The GL Assessment style questions often involve code-breaking, finding synonyms, and completing sequences.

Mastery of these areas is essential for achieving a high score in the verbal reasoning test 11 plus.

To excel in this section, consistent practice with timed papers is highly recommended.

We advise parents to use our 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers to build familiarity with the exam format.

These resources cover essential topics like verbal reasoning 11+ past papers patterns efficiently.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

The 11 plus non verbal reasoning test assesses a student's ability to process visual information and identify patterns.

Key topics typically include matrices, finding the odd one out, and spatial reasoning tasks.

Our review suggests that spatial awareness, such as 3D shape visualization, is a critical component.

Developing these skills requires exposure to a variety of visual puzzles and diagrams.

Our 11+ NVR Practice Papers provide extensive questions to refine these specific abilities.

This pack is an excellent tool for mastering GL assessment papers styles.

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

Finding the right resources is crucial for navigating the 11 plus papers preparation journey.

We recommend using our targeted 11+ Practice Papers to simulate the actual exam environment.

These GL assessment practice papers are tailored to meet the standards of the Lincolnshire Consortium.

Success in the Spalding High School 11 plus mock exam is a strong indicator of readiness for this competitive grammar. Regular practice helps students adjust to the specific exam format and strict timing. We strongly advise using mocks to spot weak areas and boost confidence.

The school uses GL Assessment for its selection tests. We suggest the following packs to match this board:

You can verify your child's current level with our free 11 plus mock test. Taking an 11 plus mock test Lincolnshire builds the necessary stamina for the actual assessment.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Thursday 3^rd September 2026 to Friday 23^rd October 2026 
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 2^nd November 2026 to Friday 18^th December 2026 
• Spring Half Term 1: Monday 4^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 12^th April 2027 to Friday 28^th May 2027 
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 7^th June 2027 to Friday 23^rd July 2027

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

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