Lancashire Grammar School Directory

Lancashire Grammar Schools
Complete 11 Plus Guide.

Complete list of all 4 selective grammar schools across Lancashire. School details, 11 Plus test information, addresses, entry requirements, and preparation advice for Lancaster, Clitheroe, and Rossendale.

4
Grammar Schools
676
Year 7 Places
3
Areas
GL / FSCE
Test Providers
11 Plus Grammar Schools Lancashire
About the Lancashire 11+

Two Test Providers Across Lancashire

Lancashire has 4 grammar schools across two geographic clusters — Lancaster in the north and Clitheroe/Rossendale in the east. Three schools use GL Assessment while Lancaster Girls' Grammar uses FSCE. All four schools test on the same day in late September.

The GL Assessment test covers English, Mathematics, and Verbal Reasoning across three multiple-choice papers. The FSCE test covers English, Mathematics, and Creative Writing. There is no fixed pass mark — each school sets its own qualifying standard based on the ranked cohort each year.

Students studying for the Lancashire 11 Plus exam
UK grammar school students in classroom Young students preparing for 11 Plus exams
School Directory

All Lancashire Grammar Schools

Every selective grammar school in Lancashire, grouped by area. Includes addresses, Year 7 intake numbers, test providers, and key information for 11 Plus families.

Lancaster
Lancaster Royal Grammar School
Boys Boarding GL Assessment

One of the oldest schools in England, founded between 1235 and 1256 with the first definite record dating to 1469. Granted the title "Royal" by Queen Victoria in 1851. One of very few state boarding grammar schools in England, with four boarding houses accommodating around 170 boarders — the first known boarder, Adam de Preston, is mentioned in a court case from 1292. Co-educational sixth form since 2019. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

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AddressEast Road, Lancaster, LA1 3EF
🎓
Year 7 Places164 day + 12 boarding = ~176 places
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TestGL Assessment (English, Maths, VR)
Lancaster Girls' Grammar School
Girls FSCE

Founded in 1907 at the Storey Institute on Meeting House Lane with only 73 girls on roll. Originally a fee-paying school until after World War Two. Now has academy status and is described as a forward-looking selective state school with an outstanding record. Uses the FSCE entrance test — a more holistic approach including creative writing rather than verbal reasoning. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

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AddressRegent Street, Lancaster, LA1 1SF
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Year 7 Places~140 places
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TestFSCE (English, Maths, Creative Writing)
Clitheroe, Ribble Valley
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
Co-Ed GL Assessment

Founded in 1554 as "The Free Grammar School of King Philip and Queen Mary." One of the oldest schools in Lancashire. Originally all-boys, it became co-educational in 1985 when it merged with the separate Girls' Grammar School. Celebrated its 450th anniversary in 2004. Rated Outstanding across all areas by Ofsted in 2022. Operates across two sites with the Sixth Form Centre on historic York Street. Notable alumni include Olympic medallists Samantha Murray and Jon Schofield.

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AddressChatburn Road, Clitheroe, BB7 2DJ
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Year 7 Places~180 places
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TestGL Assessment (English, Maths, VR)
Waterfoot, Rossendale
Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School
Co-Ed GL Assessment

Originally founded in 1701 as Newchurch Grammar School on land bequeathed by John Kershaw. Moved to the current site in Waterfoot in 1913 when the Edwardian buildings were opened. Sits high in the Pennines with views over the Rossendale Valley. Ranked in the top 10 nationally for English Baccalaureate performance in 2015. Part of Star Academies multi-academy trust since 2023. Prioritises children attending Rossendale primary schools.

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AddressGlen Road, Waterfoot, Rossendale, BB4 7BJ
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Year 7 Places~180 places
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TestGL Assessment (English, Maths, VR)
Eleven Ace Tutoring

Preparing for the Lancashire 11+?

Eleven Ace offers personalised 1:1 live online tuition, small 4-student batch classes, and realistic mock exams — covering both GL Assessment and FSCE test formats used by Lancashire grammar schools.

FAQs

Lancashire 11 Plus Questions

What tests do Lancashire grammar schools use?
Three Lancashire grammar schools (Lancaster Royal Grammar, Clitheroe Royal Grammar, and Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar) use GL Assessment with three multiple-choice papers: Mathematics (50 questions, 50 minutes), English (56 questions, 45 minutes), and Verbal Reasoning (80 questions, 50 minutes). Lancaster Girls' Grammar uses FSCE testing English, Mathematics, and Creative Writing — a more holistic approach without verbal reasoning.
What score do children need to pass the Lancashire 11+?
There is no fixed pass mark at any Lancashire grammar school. Each school sets its own qualifying standard after the tests, based on the ranked performance of the cohort that year. The threshold varies annually. As a practical guide, children scoring 75–85%+ consistently in practice papers should be on track. Achieving the qualifying score does not guarantee a place — oversubscription criteria may apply.
When is the Lancashire 11+ test taken?
All four Lancashire grammar schools test on the same day — typically the last Saturday of September in Year 6. This means children cannot sit tests at more than one school. Registration typically opens in May/June and closes in mid-September. Results are sent to parents in mid-October, before the Common Application Form deadline of 31 October.
Does Lancaster Royal Grammar School offer boarding?
Yes. Lancaster Royal Grammar School is one of very few state boarding grammar schools in England. It offers approximately 12 boarding places in Year 7 alongside 164 day places. The school has four boarding houses accommodating around 170 boarders in total. Boarding has medieval origins — the first known boarder dates to 1292. The sixth form became co-educational in 2019.
Does BRGS prioritise local Rossendale children?
Yes. Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School was established primarily for children attending Rossendale primary schools, and its admissions policy prioritises children from that area. Similarly, Lancaster Royal Grammar School gives priority to sons of parents living within the Administrative City of Lancaster boundary. Each school has its own specific oversubscription criteria.
Why does Lancaster Girls' Grammar use a different test?
Lancaster Girls' Grammar School adopted the FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) test to take a more holistic and inclusive approach to admissions. The FSCE test assesses English, Mathematics, and Creative Writing rather than Verbal Reasoning, focusing on academic ability and creative expression rather than skills that can be heavily coached. It covers Key Stage 2 content up to the end of Year 5.

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