FREE Download: Stratford Girls' Grammar School 2026 11+ Exam & Year 7 Entry 11 Plus Guide

Located in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, Stratford Girls' Grammar School (SGGS) is a highly sought-after selective institution. It consistently ranks among the best grammar schools in the UK and is the top-performing state school in Warwickshire.

Entry for 2026 admissions requires success in the challenging 11+ Exam. SGGS provides an outstanding education for girls aged 11-18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) through to sixth form (6th Form). The school's commitment to excellence is reflected in its Outstanding Ofsted rating.

Stratford Girls' Grammar School (SGGS), set on the historic Shottery Manor site, is celebrated as Warwickshire's top-performing school. Committed to wider access, SGGS uniquely partners with Atom Learning, offering free 11+ test support for Pupil Premium students. This ensures a diverse cohort of talented girls can achieve academic excellence.

The Stratford Girls' Grammar School Ofsted Report also rates the school as an Outstanding School in all their criterias.

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

School Details

• Type of School: Girls' Grammar School
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Girls
• Religion: Does not apply
• Age Range: 11-18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 810+
• GCSE Results (2025): 86% of all grades awarded were Grade 7, 8, or 9
• A-Level Results (2025): 82% of all entries fell into the A*, A, or B bracket

​

Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 120
• Exam Board: GL Assessment (West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test)
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: No 
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

This information has been sourced from Get Information About Schools and Stratford Girls' Grammar School Official Website.

Navigating the admissions process for Stratford Girls' Grammar School can feel complex, but understanding the key dates is crucial. For parents considering this outstanding institution, I have compiled the essential Stratford Girls' Grammar School 11 plus exam dates.

This guide highlights important deadlines, including the 11+ Exam date and the Stratford Girls' Grammar School open day information, to help you plan effectively for your daughter's application.

Stratford Girls' Grammar School (SGGS) welcomes applications for Year 7 entry, with 120 places available annually. Admission is determined by performance in the 11+ Entrance Test and the school's oversubscription criteria. The 11 plus exam process is coordinated by Warwickshire Admissions.

Key Steps for 2027 Entry:

• 11 plus exam registration: Parents of daughters born between 1st September 2015 and 31st August 2016 can register for the 11+ Exam for September 2027 entry. The registration window is from 7th May 2026 to 30th June 2026.
• How to register for 11+ exam: Visit the Warwickshire Admissions website or contact them directly via admissions@warwickshire.gov.uk or 01926 414143.
• Test Venue Information: Details regarding the 11+ test venue will be sent by Warwickshire Admissions from the week commencing 10th August 2026. Ensure you contact them if you haven't received this by 17th August 2026.
• School Place Application: Registering for the 11+ test is separate from applying for a school place. You must submit your application to your home Local Authority by 11:59 pm on 31st October 2026.
• National Offer Day: Year 7 places will be offered on Monday 1st March 2027.

The 11+ Exam covers English, Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics, and Non-Verbal Reasoning, presented in a multiple-choice format over approximately three hours.

For comprehensive details, please refer to the Stratford Girls' Grammar School Admissions Policy. SGGS is one of the top performing grammar schools in Warwickshire.

Stratford Girls' Grammar School operates a defined priority School catchment area for Year 7 admissions, which significantly influences the allocation of places following the competitive 11 plus test.

While the school welcomes applications from all eligible candidates, those residing within this specific Stratford Girls' Grammar School Catchment Area receive priority.

The SGGS Catchment Area is precisely defined as a circle with a 16.885-mile radius. This radius is measured from the fountain located in Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, extending to the county boundary south of Long Compton.

For entry into Year 7, after candidates have successfully passed the 11+ Entrance Test, the school's oversubscription criteria prioritise applicants based on their residence within this priority area.

Children living inside the 11+ exam catchment are considered before those living outside it, assuming both groups meet the qualifying standard. Within each priority group, higher test scores are further prioritised, with distance from the school acting as a tie-breaker for equal scores.

This ensures that local students who demonstrate academic ability through the 11+ exam have a greater chance of securing a place at this highly sought-after grammar school.

As an education consultant, I know many parents aspire to secure a place at Stratford Girls' Grammar School. SGGS is truly a "gold standard" for girls' education in Warwickshire. However, competition for places is incredibly high each year.

Stratford Girls' Grammar School offers just 120 Year 7 places. Historically, there are often over 500 applicants for these coveted spots. This means a strong backup strategy is essential for every family.

I have guided families for many years through the 11+ process. My advice is always to prepare a portfolio of options. This should include three grammar schools and two independent schools. This approach ensures your daughter has excellent choices, even if SGGS is not the final outcome.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

When considering alternatives to Stratford Girls' Grammar School, families often look at other high-achieving schools. These include grammar schools within the West Midlands consortium. They also consider leading independent schools in the wider region. Below is a comparison of top alternative schools.

Why these schools are top alternatives to Stratford Girls' Grammar School:

• King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon: This boys' grammar school is in the same town as SGGS. It shares the same GL Assessment 11+ exam format. It is an excellent option for families with sons.
• Alcester Grammar School: Located nearby, Alcester Grammar is a high-achieving co-educational grammar school. It also uses the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test. This makes it a convenient and strong academic alternative.
• Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls: As another girls-only grammar school, it is part of the same consortium. It offers a similar academic environment to SGGS. It provides a strong option for those willing to commute to Birmingham.
• King's High School, Warwick: This is a leading independent girls' school in Warwick. It offers exceptional academic results and facilities. It provides a strong private school alternative for families seeking an independent education.
• Malvern St James Girls' School: This independent girls' school offers both day and boarding options. It has a strong academic reputation. It provides a nurturing environment, making it a compelling choice for many families.

​​Each year, Stratford Girls' Grammar School receives a significant number of applications for its 120 Year 7 places, reflecting its popularity and strong academic reputation. According to the National School Census, the school consistently attracts hundreds of prospective pupils.

The competition for a place at SGGS remains high, with applications often outnumbering available places by a considerable margin.

​

How hard is it to get into Stratford Girls' Grammar School?

Given the high number of applications and the limited places, it's fair to say that gaining admission to Stratford Girls' Grammar School is competitive.

Is Stratford Girls' Grammar School hard to get into?

Yes, it requires thorough preparation for the demanding eleven plus exam. However, with dedication and the right support, your daughter can certainly aim for success. Many students find the challenge rewarding, and the school's excellent outcomes speak for themselves.

To understand the specific requirements and how to best prepare, let's look at the exam format in detail in the next section.

Stratford Girls' Grammar School, a leading state school in Warwickshire, admits 120 students into Year 7 each year. Admission is highly competitive and determined by performance in the Entrance Test, commonly known as the 11+. This assessment is a crucial step for prospective pupils aiming for a place at SGGS.

The Stratford Girls' Grammar School 11 Plus Test is part of the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test, administered by GL Assessment. It is designed to evaluate a child's academic potential across several key areas.

The 11+ test is completed in a single session, lasting approximately three hours, which includes a break. All questions are in a multiple-choice format, and candidates record their answers on a separate answer sheet.

The raw scores from the test are then standardised to ensure fairness across all candidates.The test covers the following subjects:

As stated in the Stratford Girls' Grammar School Admissions Policy, the final score for each child is derived from these standardised results.

Securing a place at SGGS requires a strong performance in this comprehensive examination.

Stratford Girls' Grammar School (SGGS) does not publish an official 11 plus pass mark. The qualifying score for 11 plus test results varies annually. For strong preparation, PiAcademy recommends aiming for 95%+ in practice papers.

Stratford Girls' Grammar School uses the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test, which is set by GL Assessment. This comprehensive exam assesses candidates across four core subject areas: English, Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics, and Non-Verbal & Spatial Reasoning.

The test is multiple-choice and completed in a single session, lasting approximately three hours with a break, and is divided into individually timed sections.

Overall Exam Weighting

The raw scores from the different sections are standardised and weighted to produce a total score. The weighting is distributed as follows:

English

The English component primarily focuses on comprehension skills. Candidates will be required to read and understand passages of text, demonstrating their ability to extract information, infer meaning, and understand vocabulary in context. There is no separate writing component in this test.

Recommended PiAcademy Packs for English:

• GL Assessment 11+ English Practice Papers
• 11+ English Past Papers
• 11+ English Vocabulary Practice

Verbal Reasoning

Verbal Reasoning tests a child's ability to solve problems and think logically using written information. This includes working with words, letters, numbers, and symbols, assessing their understanding of the English language, vocabulary, and logical deduction skills.

Recommended PiAcademy Packs for Verbal Reasoning:

• 11+ Verbal Reasoning Past Papers

Mathematics

The Mathematics section covers content aligned with the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. Questions will assess problem-solving abilities and arithmetic skills across various topics, including number, measurement, geometry, algebra, and statistics.

Recommended PiAcademy Packs for Mathematics:

• GL Assessment 11+ Maths Practice Papers
• 11+ Maths Past Papers
• 11+ Maths Topicwise Solving Papers

Non-Verbal & Spatial Reasoning

This section evaluates a child's ability to solve problems using abstract visual information, such as shapes, patterns, and diagrams. It assesses logical thinking and intelligence without relying on language or numerical skills, often including elements of spatial awareness.

Recommended PiAcademy Packs for Non-Verbal & Spatial Reasoning:

• 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Past Papers
  

Entry to Stratford Girls' Grammar School is highly competitive, making thorough Stratford Girls' Grammar School 11 plus mock exam preparation essential. Our 11 plus mock tests help students familiarise with the GL Assessment exam format. They also pinpoint weak areas, improving speed and accuracy under exam-like conditions for SGGS.

Parents can check their child's readiness with our free 11 plus mock test. Many families seeking an 11 plus mock test Warwickshire wide trust our resources.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Wednesday 2 September 2026 - Friday 16 October 2026
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 2 November 2026 - Friday 18 December 2026
• Spring Half Term 1: Tuesday 5 January 2027 - Friday 12 February 2027
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 22 February 2027 - Thursday 25 March 2027
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 12 April 2027 - Thursday 27 May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 7 June 2027 - Wednesday 21 July 2027
  

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 Stratford Girls' Grammar School.

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