Kesteven and Sleaford High School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Type: Selective girls' grammar school (ages 11-16), co-educational sixth form
• Location: Sleaford, Lincolnshire
• Students: 772 pupils (capacity 822)
• Admission: 11+ examination for Year 7 entry
• Trust: The Robert Carre Trust
• Ofsted Rating: Good
• Headteacher: Mrs Josephine Smith

About Kesteven and Sleaford High School

Kesteven and Sleaford High School Selective Academy represents over 120 years of educational excellence in Lincolnshire. This selective girls' grammar school has built a reputation for academic achievement whilst maintaining a forward-thinking approach to education. The school's mission to "educate every student of today for the society of tomorrow" reflects its commitment to preparing young women for success in an evolving world.

Located in the market town of Sleaford, KSHS serves families across Lincolnshire who value rigorous academic standards and single-sex education during the crucial secondary years. The school's academic performance consistently rates "well above average", with students achieving exceptional results at GCSE level before progressing to the school's co-educational sixth form.

A particular strength of KSHS is its participation in the Sleaford Joint Sixth Form consortium, which collaborates with two other local schools to offer an extensive range of A-level subjects. This partnership ensures that students have access to specialist teaching and resources across a broader curriculum than many individual schools can provide.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Entry to Kesteven and Sleaford High School is determined through the 11+ examination, which assesses academic potential across core subject areas. The examination typically evaluates:

• Verbal Reasoning: Language comprehension and logical thinking
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Pattern recognition and spatial awareness
• Mathematics: Numerical competency and problem-solving skills
• English: Reading comprehension and written communication

The school maintains high academic standards, and the 11+ examination reflects the level of ability required to thrive in this selective environment. Students who demonstrate strong analytical thinking, excellent literacy and numeracy skills, and the potential to excel academically are most likely to succeed in the assessment.

For families considering entry into Years 8-11, the school administers a cognitive ability test that evaluates similar academic competencies to ensure students can integrate successfully into the school's demanding curriculum.

How to Apply

The application process for Year 7 entry follows Lincolnshire County Council's coordinated admissions scheme:

• Registration: Complete the 11+ registration through Lincolnshire County Council
• Examination Date: The 11+ examination takes place in September for entry the following academic year
• Application Deadline: Submit secondary school preferences by the national deadline (typically 31st October)
• Results: 11+ results are published in October, with secondary school offers made in March

Parents should contact Lincolnshire County Council's School Admissions team for specific dates and detailed application procedures. The school's admissions policy prioritises academic ability as demonstrated through the 11+ examination, with places allocated to the highest-scoring candidates.

For mid-year applications or entry into other year groups, families should contact the school directly to arrange the cognitive ability assessment and discuss available places.

Preparing for the Kesteven and Sleaford High School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Families preparing for the Kesteven and Sleaford High 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.