Lincolnshire 11 Plus

The New Schools Admissions Code, by law from 2012 , due to take effect for admissions for Entry in September 2013, states that schools must take all reasonable steps to inform parents of the outcome of tests before the closing deadline for applications on October 31st 2012.

Our thanks go to Alex, the moderator of the Lincolnshire section of our 11+ forum for supplementary information on this page.

Lincolnshire retains selective education in parts of the county with comprehensive education in other parts, including the city of Lincoln. There are 14 Grammar Schools and one Bi-Lateral School King Edward’s VI Humanities College in Spilsby. There are also 42 Comprehensive, Secondary Modern and non-selective Academy Schools.

The 11+ testing in Lincolnshire is co-ordinated by the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools. Currently, 12 out of the 14 grammar schools together with King Edward’s VI Humanities College belong to the Consortium and follow
the same testing arrangements. Caistor Grammar School administers its own tests. The Boston Grammar Schools Federation uses the same tests as the Consortium but has adopted a modified set of selection critieria.

Approximately 25% of children in Lincolnshire qualify for a grammar school through the 11+.

Parents need to register their child to take the tests. Information about the registration process and 11 Plus tests is circulated to parents of children in Year 5 in early June through the primary schools in the selective areas. Parents whose children attend primary schools that are ‘out of county’ or in non-selective areas of Lincolnshire need to apply directly to a Grammar School. It is possible to download the Application Form from the Consortium website. Completed registration forms should be returned through primary schools or by post direct to the appropriate grammar school. There is an opportunity to indicate on the form if there are any special educational needs or disability or any language difficulties that might impact on testing.

Children at primary schools in some of the selective areas may take the tests in their own school. In other areas and for all children at primary schools in other counties or in the non-selective areas of Lincolnshire the tests are taken on two consecutive Saturdays in September at any of the Grammar Schools.

Caistor Grammar School tests are also held on two consecutive Saturdays in September in the school. One of the dates may clash with the Consortium tests but it is possible to request a change of date for the Consortium test.

Results are posted out before secondary school application forms have to be submitted to the Local Authority.

Admissions Information (Consortium) – September 2013 Entry

Appropriate Practice Materials (Consortium tests)

The 11+ tests are the same for all Lincolnshire Grammars except Caistor (see below). The pass mark is an age-standardised aggregate score of 220 across the two tests with no obligation to score a “pass” in either one individually.

There are two practice tests administered either by the Grammar School or in the Primary School. Each real test is also preceded by a short practice.

Verbal Reasoning

Lincolnshire’s test contains a selection from more than 21 types of questions. The following materials cover 21 types:
h3. Bucks 11 Plus Appropriate Practice Materials

• AFN – Verbal Reasoning – Easier papers for beginners or younger children.
• IPS – Verbal Reasoning materials.
• The Tutors – Epapers (1B – 12B)
• The Tutors – Software (Verbal Reasoning volume 1 & 2) or Beginner volume 1 & 2 for younger children.
• Susan Daughtrey – Bright Sparks
• GL Assessment – Verbal Reasoning Pack 1 – Contains 15 of the 21 types and 85 questions.
• GL Assessment – Verbal Reasoning Pack 2 – Contains all 21 types and 80 questions.
• PHI Learning Lab – Verbal Reasoning
• Walsh – provide more challenging material for use towards the end of tutoring.

The few other types which may occur can be found in the Susan Daughtrey Verbal Reasoning Technique and Practice 1 to 4. Where materials are not available in Standard Format it is generally possible to ignore the multiple choice answer sheet and write the answers on the question sheet. GL Assessment 11 plus Verbal Reasoning Standard Format (ISBN: 9780708719909) contains only 15 types but are in the layout of the real test. Be aware that most practice tests allow more time than the real tests.

The recommended practice material is also contained in one convenient section, the Lincolnshire section of 11+ Regions section of the online shop.

Non-Verbal Reasoning

The following cover the types of questions which appear in the real test

• GL Assessment NVR Standard Pack 1
• GL Assessment NVR Multiple Choice Pack 2 (the multiple choice sheet can be omitted and the paper used as standard)
• AFN
• ELevenPlusExams Epapers
• ElevenPlusExams NVR software (volume 1 & 2)
• Slough 11+ Tutors- free download paper (see free 11+ practice)

Bond Assessment’s ‘How to do 11+ Non Verbal Reasoning’ is an introduction to method and AE workbooks are also a useful “how to” graduated approach to the sorts of questions which appear.

The recommended practice material is also contained in one convenient section, the Lincolnshire section of 11+ Regions section of the online shop.

Caistor Grammar School Admissions Information for entry September 2013

Caistor Grammar School administers its own tests and is not part of the Lincolnshire Consortium. There are two Verbal Reasoning tests, one standard format and one multiple choice. The tests take place in September. and a minimum aggregate score of 220 is needed to gain admission to the school. The school does not reveal the examiners of the test, except that it is an outside company ( probably NFER (GL Assessment) . The admission number for Year 7 is 94 and the following statistics are provided by the school for the number of qualified applicants:

Out of those who reach an aggregate score of 220 or more, children with S.E.N (Statement of Special Need) are allocated a place first.
Then priority is given to the following:-

• Children in care
• Children who reside within 6.5 miles
• Children with higher scores

Lincolnshire Schools Information

Note: The Boston Grammar Schools Federation represents Boston Grammar School (South End) for boys, and Boston High School (Spilsby Road)for girls, which are both selective Foundation Schools. They are using the same tests, but the entry standard in any year will be the lowest raw mark attained by any child in Lincolnshire who attained 220 standardised marks. Effectively, there is no age standardisation but a minimum score tied in with the consortium’s standardisation process. The reason is that the schools have been struggling with falling rolls and financial problems and are trying to keep their heads above water until the projected population rise in a few years time. They also have reintroduced a non-statutory review process which no longer exists for the rest of Lincolnshire Grammars – primary headteachers who have pupils who have performed less well than expected are invited to contact the schools.

_{Page updated on 26th April 2012}