London Grammar Schools: Complete Guide for 11+ Success

Understanding London's Grammar School Landscape

London presents a unique challenge for families pursuing grammar school education. Unlike Kent or Buckinghamshire, London has relatively few grammar schools, making competition particularly intense. The capital contains approximately 19 grammar schools across various boroughs, each with distinct catchment areas, admission criteria, and testing requirements.

Competition for places reaches exceptional levels, with some schools receiving ten applications for every available place. Families must navigate complex catchment boundaries, multiple test formats, and varying allocation systems depending on location. Understanding the specific requirements for each school becomes essential, as assumptions about processes in one borough rarely apply to another.

The geographical spread of London's grammar schools creates additional complexity. Whilst boroughs like Barnet, Bexley, and Sutton contain multiple grammar schools, others have none, requiring families to consider travel distances and catchment restrictions carefully.

London Grammar Schools by Borough

Barnet Grammar Schools

Henrietta Barnett School - Hampstead Garden Suburb
One of the highest-performing girls' grammar schools nationally, with extraordinary competition for places. Operates a strict 1.5-mile catchment radius from the school gates, making proximity essential. The school sets its own entrance examination in September of Year 6.

Queen Elizabeth's School for Boys - Barnet
Consistently achieves exceptional academic results, ranking amongst the top boys' schools nationally. Uses its own entrance test in September, with catchment area restrictions applying. Strong focus on mathematics and sciences alongside comprehensive humanities provision.

St Michael's Catholic Grammar School - Finchley
Co-educational Catholic grammar school requiring evidence of Catholic faith alongside academic selection. Uses the same test as other Barnet grammar schools but with denominational criteria affecting final allocation.

Bexley Grammar Schools

Beths Grammar School - Bexley
Boys' grammar school with strong sporting traditions alongside academic excellence. Participates in the Bexley selection test administered in September of Year 6. Serves families primarily within the London Borough of Bexley.

Bexley Grammar School - Welling
Co-educational grammar school offering balanced curriculum with particular strengths in performing arts. Uses standardised Bexley test for selection, with sibling priority and distance criteria for allocation.

Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School - Sidcup
Boys' grammar school with comprehensive extra-curricular programme. Participates in consortium testing with other Bexley grammar schools, sharing common entrance examination.

Townley Grammar School for Girls - Bexleyheath
Girls' grammar school with strong academic tradition and extensive subject options at A-Level. Shares testing system with other Bexley schools, using distance and sibling criteria for final allocation.

Sutton Grammar Schools

Nonsuch High School for Girls - Cheam
Highly competitive girls' grammar school with exceptional academic outcomes. Uses the Sutton SET (Selective Eligibility Test) administered in September, with complex catchment boundaries affecting eligibility.

Sutton Grammar School for Boys - Sutton
Boys' grammar school with strong mathematics and science departments. Participates in Sutton SET testing system, with priority given to Sutton residents before considering applicants from neighbouring boroughs.

Wallington County Grammar School - Wallington
Boys' grammar school offering traditional academic curriculum with modern facilities. Uses Sutton SET for selection, with catchment restrictions favouring local applicants.

Wallington High School for Girls - Wallington
Girls' grammar school with comprehensive sixth form provision. Shares testing system with other Sutton schools, operating strict catchment requirements that vary by postcode.

Wilson's School - Wallington
Boys' grammar school with particularly strong reputation for mathematics and sciences. Uses Sutton SET but operates independent allocation system with unique catchment boundaries.

Kingston upon Thames

Tiffin Girls' School - Kingston
Highly selective girls' grammar school with exceptional academic record. Sets own entrance examination, independent of borough-wide systems, making preparation requirements distinct from neighbouring schools.

Tiffin School - Kingston
Boys' grammar school with rigorous academic standards and competitive entrance requirements. Operates independent testing system with examination typically held in September of Year 6.

Redbridge Grammar Schools

Ilford County High School - Barkingside
Boys' grammar school serving east London families. Uses own entrance examination with catchment priorities favouring Redbridge residents, though accepting applications from wider area.

Woodford County High School - Woodford Green
Girls' grammar school with strong community connections. Operates independent testing system with allocation criteria prioritising distance from school premises.

Other London Grammar Schools

Newstead Wood School - Orpington (Bromley)
Girls' grammar school technically in Bromley but serving wider south-east London area. Uses own entrance examination with complex catchment boundaries.

St Olave's Grammar School - Orpington (Bromley)
Boys' grammar school with particularly competitive entrance. Sets challenging examination requiring thorough preparation, with catchment extending across multiple boroughs.

The 11+ Selection Process in London

London's fragmented approach to grammar school selection creates complexity for families. Unlike regions with unified testing systems, London requires understanding multiple formats, timelines, and application procedures.

Testing Consortia

Several boroughs operate consortium arrangements where multiple schools share common entrance examinations. Bexley and Sutton maintain such systems, allowing single test registration to apply for multiple schools. However, each school within these consortia may apply different allocation criteria despite using identical test results.

Other grammar schools, particularly in Barnet and Kingston, set independent examinations. Families targeting schools across different boroughs may need children to sit multiple tests in September and October of Year 6.

Application Timeline

May-June Year 5: Registration opens for most 11+ tests. Families must register directly with individual schools or through borough testing consortia. Missing registration deadlines typically means exclusion from the process entirely.

September Year 6: Main testing window for London grammar schools. Tests typically occur on Saturdays, though specific dates vary by school and borough. Some schools schedule tests on different days, whilst others coincide, forcing families to prioritise applications.

October Year 6: Results notification period. Schools inform families whether children achieved qualifying standards, though final offers depend on subsequent allocation processes.

October 31st Year 6: Deadline for submitting Common Application Form (CAF) to home borough. Families rank preferred schools, including grammar schools where children achieved qualifying scores.

March 1st Year 7: National Offer Day when families receive secondary school allocations.

Allocation Systems

Achieving a qualifying score guarantees nothing. Grammar schools typically receive more qualified applicants than available places, necessitating allocation criteria to determine final offers.

Common allocation factors include:

• Distance from school (straight-line measurement from home to school gates)
• Sibling attendance at the school
• Catchment area residence (particularly strict for Barnet schools)
• Test score ranking (some schools allocate purely by highest scores)
• Denominational criteria (for faith-based grammar schools)

Understanding these allocation rules proves crucial. Children may achieve qualifying scores for multiple schools but receive offers from none if they fall outside catchment areas or distance thresholds.

Test Formats and Content

London grammar schools employ various test formats, though most assess similar core competencies across verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, mathematics, and English.

Bexley Test Format

The Bexley selection test contains four papers:

• English (45 minutes): Reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary
• Mathematics (45 minutes): Arithmetic, problem-solving, and mathematical reasoning covering Year 5 curriculum
• Verbal Reasoning (45 minutes): Word relationships, vocabulary, logic puzzles, and verbal problem-solving
• Non-Verbal Reasoning (45 minutes): Pattern recognition, spatial awareness, and visual logic

Tests use multiple-choice format with standardised scoring. Age-adjustment applies to ensure fairness across the academic year.

Sutton SET Format

The Sutton Selective Eligibility Test assesses:

• English (50 minutes): Comprehension passages with inference questions, grammar, and vocabulary
• Mathematics (50 minutes): Problem-solving requiring multi-step reasoning beyond standard curriculum
• Reasoning (50 minutes): Combined verbal and non-verbal reasoning requiring pattern recognition and logical thinking

Sutton tests emphasise reasoning ability rather than curriculum knowledge, though strong foundational skills in English and mathematics remain essential.

Independent School Tests

Grammar schools setting own examinations create unique formats. Barnet schools, for example, use tests emphasising mathematical reasoning and verbal comprehension. Tiffin Schools employ particularly challenging examinations requiring extensive preparation.

Question styles vary significantly between schools. Some emphasise speed and accuracy with straightforward questions, whilst others present complex multi-step problems requiring sustained concentration.

Scoring and Pass Marks

Pass marks fluctuate annually based on cohort performance. Schools typically qualify the top-performing percentage of candidates rather than setting absolute score thresholds. This means performance requirements change yearly, making previous years' pass marks unreliable predictors.

Most schools apply age-standardisation, adjusting raw scores to account for birth month. Summer-born children receive slight upward adjustments, whilst autumn-born children face minor penalties, ensuring developmental differences don't disadvantage younger candidates.

Preparation Strategy for London Grammar Schools

When to Begin Preparation

Most families commence structured preparation 12-18 months before tests, typically starting in Year 4 or early Year 5. This timeline allows thorough coverage of required content without excessive pressure.

Earlier introduction to reasoning concepts benefits most children, though formal test practice should wait until closer to examination dates. Building strong reading habits, mathematical fluency, and problem-solving confidence from early primary years creates foundations supporting later intensive preparation.

Building Core Skills

Successful preparation balances curriculum knowledge with reasoning ability development. Mathematics preparation must extend beyond school curriculum, introducing problem-solving techniques and mathematical thinking applicable to unfamiliar contexts.

Reading comprehension requires exposure to challenging texts presenting complex ideas and sophisticated vocabulary. Children need practice extracting information, making inferences, and understanding author intent from dense passages.

Reasoning skills develop through systematic exposure to question types, pattern recognition practice, and strategic thinking development. Both verbal and non-verbal reasoning benefit from explicit instruction in techniques rather than relying solely on innate ability.

Practise Requirements

Regular, focused practice sessions prove more effective than sporadic intensive cramming. Most successful candidates complete 3-5 practice sessions weekly, each lasting 30-45 minutes, throughout the preparation period.

Practise should include:

• Timed papers under examination conditions
• Technique development for specific question types
• Vocabulary building and reading comprehension
• Mathematical problem-solving beyond curriculum
• Reasoning strategy development

Mock examinations help children develop stamina, time management, and examination techniques. These should increase in frequency as test dates approach, with at least four full mock examinations completed in the final three months.

Resources and Materials

Families require access to quality practice materials matching test formats. Publishers produce books targeting specific examination boards and school groups, though generic 11+ materials also provide valuable practice.

Past papers, where available, offer the most authentic preparation. However, many London grammar schools don't release past papers, necessitating reliance on practice materials approximating test styles.

Online resources supplement traditional materials, offering adaptive practice and immediate feedback. However, children must develop skills for paper-based examinations, as digital practice doesn't replicate actual test conditions.

Taylor Tuition's London Grammar School Support

Taylor Tuition maintains an extensive network of specialist tutors across London, each with detailed knowledge of local grammar school requirements. Our tutors understand the specific demands of different examination formats, from Bexley consortium tests to independent school examinations.

We recognise that London's grammar school landscape requires tailored approaches. A child preparing for Henrietta Barnett requires different preparation from one targeting Sutton schools, and our tutors adapt teaching to match precise requirements.

Our London Expertise

Our tutors work regularly with families across all London boroughs containing grammar schools. This experience provides insights into:

• Specific question styles favoured by different schools
• Time management strategies for particular test formats
• Catchment area implications for application strategy
• Allocation criteria affecting school selection decisions

We help families navigate the complex application process, ensuring children sit appropriate tests and families submit applications strategically.

Personalised Teaching Approach

Every child arrives with different strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. Our tutors conduct thorough assessments identifying areas requiring development, then create customised programmes addressing specific needs.

We don't believe in one-size-fits-all preparation. Some children need vocabulary development, others require mathematical problem-solving practice, whilst many benefit from confidence-building and examination technique coaching. Our tutors adapt teaching to individual requirements, maximising each child's potential.

Regular progress monitoring ensures preparation stays on track. We provide detailed feedback to parents, highlighting achievements and identifying areas needing additional focus. This collaborative approach keeps families informed and involved throughout the preparation journey.

Flexible Support Options

We offer tuition arrangements matching family preferences, from weekly ongoing support throughout the preparation period to intensive programmes closer to examination dates. Whether families seek comprehensive preparation starting in Year 4 or focused revision in the final months before tests, we provide appropriate support.

Our tutors travel across London, providing tuition in family homes at convenient times. This eliminates travel burdens on already busy families whilst creating comfortable learning environments where children feel relaxed and focused.

Begin Your Grammar School Journey

Grammar school preparation represents a significant commitment, but with expert guidance, children can approach tests confidently and perform to their potential. Taylor Tuition's experienced tutors provide the knowledge, strategies, and support families need to navigate London's competitive grammar school landscape successfully.

To discuss your child's grammar school preparation and arrange an initial consultation with one of our specialist London tutors, please visit our enquiries page. We look forward to supporting your family's educational journey.