The King's School, Grantham (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

​The King's School, Grantham is a historic selective grammar school for boys located in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Established in 1528, it provides an exceptional education to over 1,200 pupils aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Locally known as Grantham The King's School, this institution is frequently cited among the best grammar schools in UK. It maintains rigorous academic standards and currently holds a "Good" Ofsted Rating.

Steeped in history, Grantham The King's School famously educated Sir Isaac Newton, preserving his carved signature in the Old School Room. Today, it balances this unique heritage with modern character development through a distinguished Combined Cadet Force and a competitive House system.

In this guide, I apply 18+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate The King's School, Grantham 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar / Academy Converter
  
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
  
• Gender Type: Boys
  
• Religion: None
  
• Age Range: 11-18
  
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1200+
  
• GCSE Results(2025): 63% achieved Grade 9-7
• A-Level Results(2025): 71% achieved A*-B

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

Preparing for The King's School, Grantham open day and the admissions cycle requires early organisation. I have compiled the essential The King's School, Grantham 11 plus exam dates to help you track every deadline. 

This timeline ensures you are ready for the 11+ Exam date and understand the 11 plus exam dates scheduled for the Lincolnshire Consortium.

Admissions to The King's School are managed in coordination with the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools. The 11 plus exam process requires strict adherence to deadlines to secure a Year 7 place.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

The application journey involves two distinct steps which parents must complete separately. You must complete the 11 plus exam registration early in Year 5.

Consortium Registration

• You must register your son for the 11+ Exam directly through the Grammar School Consortium.
• The registration window typically opens in January and closes in March 2026.
• This step is mandatory to sit the test and is entirely separate from your Local Authority application..
• Please refer to Consortium 11+ Key Dates for 2026 Entry for exact dates.

Local Authority Application

• Submitting the Common Application Form (CAF) is mandatory for all state school applicants.
• Lincolnshire residents must apply via the Lincolnshire Local Authority website. The national deadline for submitting this form is 31^st October 2026.
• You must list Grantham The King's School as a preference on this form to be considered.

The King's School, Grantham Catchment Area for the 2026 intake has moved away from a fixed list of names. As stated in the The King's School, Grantham Admissions Policy, priority is now given to boys residing within a 30-mile radius of the school who achieve a qualifying score.

Designated Admission Area

The School catchment area is now defined by a 30-mile boundary measured from the school's main gate. Priority within this area is determined by the following ranking:

• Ranked 11+ Score: Qualifying boys (scoring 220+) within the 30-mile radius are ranked from highest score to lowest score.
• Tie-Breaker: If scores are equal, distance acts as the final deciding factor.

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Selection and Distance

Boys must achieve the minimum qualifying standardized score of 220 on the 11 plus test to be eligible for admission. The school calculates distance using a direct "as the crow flies" measurement from the home address to the main gate. This specific data point is used to determine the 30-mile radius required for priority consideration in the selection process.

Distance serves as the final tie-breaker if multiple students achieve the same 11+ score for the last available seat. Parents must verify their residence falls within the priority radius while focusing on maximizing their son's test results. Scoring well above the threshold is essential to secure a top position on the rank-order list for the 174 places.

As stated in the The King's School, Grantham Admissions Policy, the school administers the Lincolnshire Consortium 11+ selection tests. Boys hoping to join in September 2026 will sit these exams in September 2025. The assessment consists of two distinct papers taken to determine the candidate's potential.

The King's School, Grantham 11 Plus Test is designed to assess logical thinking rather than specific curriculum knowledge.

Entrance Examination Details

Parent’s Top 4 Queries

Does the school have a catchment area?

No, The King’s School, Grantham does not have a "catchment area" in the traditional sense of a fixed boundary or list of villages. Instead, it uses a 30-mile radius as its primary residency filter.

What is the qualifying score? 

Pupils must achieve a minimum aggregate standardised score of 220 across both papers to be considered for admission.

What exam board does The King's School, Grantham follow?

GL Assessment Lincolnshire Grammar Schools.

How long is the 11+ Exam for The King's School, Grantham?

Paper One is approx 50 mins and Paper Two is approx 50 mins.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The school uses a separate Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet for answers. Ensure your son marks the line strictly inside the box provided for the correct answer, as stray marks can affect the automated scanning process.

To secure a place at The King's School, Grantham, students must achieve the qualifying standard as defined in the official The King's School, Grantham Admissions Policy. The school typically requires a minimum aggregate standardised score of 220.

Qualifying Standard Details

• Minimum Score: Candidates need a total standardised score of 220 across both papers to qualify.
• Assessment Board: The pass mark is based on the Lincolnshire Grammar Schools Consortium GL Assessment.
• Selection Criteria: Places are awarded to qualified boys within the 30-mile radius in rank order of their 11+ score (highest score first). In the event of a tie on score, priority is given to the child living the shortest distance from the school.

Ample practice ensures students can comfortably exceed this mandatory qualifying standard and secure a competitive position in the rank-order selection.

The King's School, Grantham is the premier choice for boys' education in Lincolnshire. However, securing a place is incredibly difficult due to high demand. Most high-achieving students will need a brilliant backup.

I have advised parents in this region for many years. I often see families fixate solely on Grantham The King's School, ignoring other excellent local options. I always recommend a portfolio of three Grammar options and two Private options. This strategy ensures your son lands in an elite environment, regardless of the final outcome.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

When families target The King's School, they typically look at other Lincolnshire Consortium schools and local independent heavyweights. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives

• Carre's Grammar & Bourne Grammar (Lincolnshire Consortium): These schools use the same GL Assessment 11+ test as The King's School. By sitting one initial exam, your son qualifies for consideration at multiple schools, significantly reducing exam stress.
• Stamford School: This is a prestigious independent option located a short distance away. It recently adopted a co-educational model and offers exceptional facilities that rival those at Grantham The King's School.
• Oakham School: For families willing to travel further or consider boarding, Oakham is elite. It utilizes the ISEB Common Pre-Test, which simplifies the application process if you are applying to multiple private schools.
• Lincoln Minster School: This school serves as a reliable academic backup with a strong pastoral focus. It offers a nurturing environment for boys who may find the intense grammar school atmosphere too pressured.

According to the National School Census, competition remains fierce at Grantham The King's School, regardless of yearly fluctuations. For the last three years, there have been consistently two applications for every single available place.

This 2:1 ratio indicates that comprehensive preparation for the eleven plus exam is mandatory to ensure your son is competitive. Even with varying intake numbers, the demand for places consistently outstrips supply.

Source: National School Census.

As stated in The King's School, Grantham Admissions Policy, the school remains heavily oversubscribed. Specifically, we witnessed a significant 34% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into The King's School, Grantham?

Parents frequently come to me and ask, "Is The King's School, Grantham hard to get into?" given its reputation. Based on my experience, despite the statistics, this is a predictable and winnable challenge.

Success requires a solid strategy targeting the Stage One Test and Stage Two Test. Keep reading to uncover the specific exam format you need to secure your son’s place.

The King's School, Grantham follows the Lincolnshire Consortium 11+ testing arrangement. This exam consists of two specific papers testing a child's potential.

The subjects tested are Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. These tests are administered by the GL Assessment exam board.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Our analysis of verbal reasoning 11+ past papers for The King's School, Grantham reveals a focus on logic and vocabulary. Making Words and Missing Words are primary focus areas, accounting for a significant portion of marks.

Elevate your score with our 11 plus verbal reasoning resources, featuring over 1,400+ topic-wise questions. Trusted by 20,000+ students, this pack includes a complete exam planner and detailed answer hints.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for The King's School, Grantham - Verbal Reasoning?

We recommend using targeted GL assessment practice papers to match the exam format. These resources help students familiarise themselves with the specific question types found in 11 plus test papers.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11 plus non verbal reasoning exams for this school shows that Odd One Out and Analogies are critical focus areas. Spatial Reasoning topics like 2D Views of 3D Shapes also carry significant weightage in the reasoning paper.

Prepare for 11 plus practice papers success with 1,900+ targeted questions across 95+ expert-designed papers. Our NVR pack provides instant access to 3D Shapes guides and a structured exam planner.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for The King's School, Grantham - Non-Verbal Reasoning?

For the best preparation, parents should use our GL assessment papers which mirror the actual exam difficulty. Practising with these 11 plus exam past papers ensures your child is ready for the logical patterns.

Admission to Grantham The King's School is intensely competitive, making focused preparation vital for prospective students. Sitting an 11 plus mock test helps your son familiarise himself with the specific exam layout. These simulations effectively pinpoint weak areas while improving speed and accuracy under strict conditions.

The school uses GL Assessment for its entrance exams. We recommend the following resources to mirror this specific challenge

Parents can also access our free 11 plus mock test papers to evaluate their child's current level. Robust practice for The King's School, Grantham 11 plus mock exam ensures students handle the pressure. Securing an 11 plus mock test Lincolnshire is a key step for this grammar school entry.

• Autumn Half-Term 1: Wednesday 2^nd 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: 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 12^th April 2027 to Friday 28^th May 2027
• Summer Half-Term 2: Monday 7^th June 2027 to Friday 16^th July 2027

​This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and The King's School, Grantham Official Website.