Key Facts
| School Type | Girls' grammar school (mixed sixth form) |
|---|---|
| Age Range | 11-18 years |
| Location | Matmore Gate, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 2PJ |
| Headteacher | Mrs M K Anderson |
| Entry Requirements | 11+ examination |
| Contact | 01775 722110 | enquiries@spaldinghigh.lincs.sch.uk |
| Ofsted Rating | Outstanding |
Figures correct at the time of writing — always confirm current fees and deadlines with the school directly.
Key Information Summary
- School Type: Girls' grammar school (mixed sixth form)
- Age Range: 11-18 years
- Location: Matmore Gate, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 2PJ
- Headteacher: Mrs M K Anderson
- Entry Requirements: 11+ examination
- Contact: 01775 722110 | enquiries@spaldinghigh.lincs.sch.uk
- Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
About Spalding High School
Spalding High School has established itself as one of Lincolnshire's premier educational institutions, consistently delivering exceptional academic outcomes for girls aged 11-18. Located in the historic market town of Spalding, the school combines rigorous academic standards with a nurturing environment that enables each student to flourish both personally and intellectually.
As a selective grammar school, Spalding High attracts academically gifted students from across Lincolnshire and surrounding counties. The school's commitment to excellence extends beyond traditional academic subjects, encompassing a rich programme of extracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, and community engagement initiatives. With a mixed sixth form that welcomes both boys and girls, the school provides a supportive transition environment for students preparing for university and future careers.
The school's ethos centres on developing confident, articulate young women who are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in an increasingly competitive global landscape. Under the leadership of Mrs M K Anderson, Spalding High continues to build upon its outstanding reputation, consistently achieving examination results that place it amongst the top-performing schools in the region.
The 11+ Assessment Process
Entry to Spalding High School requires candidates to demonstrate their academic potential through the 11+ examination, a comprehensive assessment designed to identify students who will thrive in a grammar school environment. The examination process is carefully structured to evaluate key cognitive abilities and academic readiness.
Assessment Components
The 11+ examination at Spalding High School encompasses four critical areas:
- Mathematics: Testing numerical reasoning, problem-solving capabilities, and application of mathematical concepts appropriate for Year 6 students
- English: Assessing reading comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, grammar understanding, and written expression skills
- Verbal Reasoning: Evaluating ability to understand, analyse, and manipulate written information through logical thinking
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Testing spatial awareness, pattern recognition, and logical problem-solving using visual and diagrammatic questions
The examination is designed to assess academic potential rather than curriculum knowledge, ensuring that students from diverse educational backgrounds can demonstrate their capabilities. Successful candidates must achieve the required standard across all components to secure admission.
How to Apply
The application process for Spalding High School follows Lincolnshire County Council's coordinated admissions scheme for grammar school places. Parents must submit their application through the local authority's online portal by the specified deadline, typically in October for the following September entry.
Application Timeline
- Registration Period: Applications open in September for Year 7 entry the following academic year
- Application Deadline: Usually late October (specific dates confirmed annually)
- 11+ Examination: Typically conducted in November
- Results Notification: December/January
- Offer Confirmation: March (National Offer Day)
Oversubscription Criteria
Should the school receive more applications from qualified candidates than available places, the following criteria apply in order of priority:
- Students with siblings currently attending the school
- Distance from the school (measured by straight-line distance from home to school)
Parents are strongly encouraged to attend the school's open events and information evenings to gain comprehensive understanding of the school's expectations, facilities, and academic programmes before applying.
Preparing for the Spalding High School 11+ with Taylor Tuition
Families preparing for the Spalding 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.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Spalding High School a grammar school?
- Spalding High School is a girls' grammar school (mixed sixth form) — a state school, so no tuition fees apply, with entry through the selective 11+ process.
- How should my child prepare for the Spalding High School 11+?
- Start structured preparation 12–18 months before the assessment: secure core English and maths beyond curriculum pace, introduce verbal and non-verbal reasoning question types systematically (these are rarely taught at primary school), and build up to timed practice in the final months.
How Taylor Tuition can help
Expert, one-to-one support from specialist tutors.
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