Churston Ferrers Grammar School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Name: Churston Ferrers Grammar School
• Location: Greenway Road, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 0LN
• Type: Co-educational Grammar School (Academy)
• Age Range: 11-18 years
• Local Authority: Torbay Council
• Headteacher: Mr Stephen Kings
• Entrance Requirements: 11+ examination in September of Year 6
• Application Deadline: Via Torbay Council admissions process

About Churston Ferrers Grammar School

Churston Ferrers Grammar School represents one of the finest co-educational grammar schools in the South West of England, serving the coastal communities of Devon with academic excellence since its establishment. Located in the picturesque town of Brixham on the English Riviera, the school enjoys a stunning coastal setting that enhances its educational environment.

The school has built an exceptional reputation for nurturing academic talent whilst maintaining a strong commitment to personal development and character building. With its academy status, Churston Ferrers operates with greater autonomy, allowing for innovative teaching approaches and curriculum development that consistently produces outstanding results.

What sets Churston Ferrers apart is its unique position as one of the few remaining grammar schools in Devon, making it highly sought after by families seeking selective education. The school's ethos centres on developing confident, articulate young people who are prepared to make meaningful contributions to society. The coastal location provides unique opportunities for environmental studies and outdoor education, whilst the school's strong links with local universities and businesses enhance career prospects for students.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Churston Ferrers Grammar School employs a comprehensive 11+ assessment designed to identify students with exceptional academic potential. The examination typically takes place in September of Year 6 and covers four core areas:

English Language Assessment

The English component evaluates reading comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, grammar understanding, and creative writing skills. Students face challenging texts requiring analytical thinking and must demonstrate sophisticated language use in their written responses.

Mathematics Evaluation

The mathematics section tests arithmetic proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and mathematical reasoning. Questions progress from fundamental calculations to complex multi-step problems requiring logical thinking and numerical fluency.

Verbal Reasoning

This section assesses students' ability to understand and manipulate language-based concepts, including analogies, classifications, and logical sequences. It measures thinking skills that are essential for academic success across all subjects.

Non-Verbal Reasoning

Students complete visual puzzles and pattern recognition tasks that evaluate spatial awareness, logical thinking, and problem-solving abilities independent of language skills.

The assessment is designed to identify students who will thrive in Churston Ferrers' academically rigorous environment, focusing on potential rather than just current attainment.

How to Apply

The application process for Churston Ferrers Grammar School requires careful planning and attention to deadlines:

Step 1: Registration for 11+ Examination

Parents must register their child for the entrance examination during the summer term of Year 6. Registration typically opens in May and closes in early July. It is essential to check the school's website regularly for exact dates as these may vary annually.

Step 2: Entrance Examination

The 11+ examination takes place in September of Year 6, usually on a Saturday morning. Students should arrive well-prepared and well-rested, bringing necessary stationery as specified in the examination guidelines.

Step 3: Formal Application Submission

Following the examination, parents must submit their formal application through Torbay Council's coordinated admissions scheme. This application must be completed by the national deadline of 31st October, naming Churston Ferrers as one of their preferences.

Step 4: Results and Offers

Examination results are typically available in late October or early November. Successful candidates who achieve the required standard will be eligible for an offer, which is communicated through Torbay Council on National Offer Day in March.

Parents are strongly advised to attend the school's open events and information sessions to fully understand the application process and school expectations.

Preparing for the Churston Ferrers Grammar School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Families preparing for the Churston Ferrers Grammar School 11+ usually come to us a year or so before the assessment, though shorter runs work where the foundations are already sound. Having prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools, with placements including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, our tutors build each programme around the format the school actually uses, whether a written paper, an online pre-test, an interview or a combination of them.

More than half of our tutors hold Qualified Teacher Status and around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and the pool includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools, so the preparation is led by people who know how selective schools assess. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.

Families work with us online from anywhere in the UK or abroad, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation to talk through your child's current level and the timeline to the 11+. Families receive progress reports after sessions and have a dedicated point of contact, and we reply to enquiries within one working day with tutor recommendations.

Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.