Entrance Examinations
Years 6-10
How Will My Child Be Assessed?
The aim of our Entrance Examination is to assess, as far as possible, a potential pupil’s academic potential. We want to ensure your son has the range of abilities to be happy, successful and to thrive at the Grammar School.
We select boys on the basis of merit, ability and aptitude and this is reflected in our Entrance Procedures. These comprise;
- A report from your son’s present/most recent school.
- A series of examination papers.
- An interview with the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher (Academic) or another senior teacher.
Examination performance carries most weight overall, but the School report is an important influence upon our final decision. In some instances, we may request a meeting with you and your son after the exam. This provides us with the opportunity to discuss his performance in the Entrance Exam and assess his academic potential and personal qualities.
Entrance Examinations
We also assess boys throughout the year, and it is usual for boys to apply and join us at all times of the year.
Please contact our Registrar for more information on telephone 01509 233233 or by email grammar.admissions@lsf.org.
To enter at this stage your son must be 10 years old by 1 September of the year of entry.
The entrance test consists of three papers:
English
The test follows National Curriculum guidelines and consists of two parts:
- Comprehension (approximately 30 minutes).
- Writing – A choice of subjects to allow free English expression (30 minutes).
Mathematics
The exam lasts 45 minutes and consists of two parts:
Short questions requiring only mental working to test a basic understanding of topics in the National Curriculum at Key Stage 2.
Longer questions which will test a more general understanding of mathematical problems. In this section, method is essential. The exam will be based on topics in the National Curriculum at Key Stage 2.
Please note: We do not supply past or practice papers but relevant revision material can be readily found online and in print.
To enter at Year 7, your son must be 11 years old by 1 September of the year of entry.
The entrance test consists of three papers:
English
The test follows National Curriculum guidelines and consists of two parts:
- Comprehension (approximately 50 minutes).
- Writing – A choice of subjects to allow free English expression (40 minutes).
Mathematics
The exam lasts 60 minutes and consists of two parts:
Short questions requiring only mental working to test a basic understanding of topics in the National Curriculum at Key Stage 2.
Longer questions which will test a more general understanding of mathematical problems. In this section, method is essential. The exam will be on based on topics in the National Curriculum at Key Stage 2.
Please Note: We do not supply past or practice papers but relevant revision material can be readily found online and in print.
Interview with a member of the senior leadership team
To enter at this stage your son must be 12 years old by 1 September of the year of entry. Entrance Examinations take place throughout the academic year.
The exam consists of three written papers:
English
The entrance test follows National Curriculum guidelines and consists of two parts:
• Comprehension (approximately 50 minutes).
• Writing – A choice of subjects to allow free English expression (40 minutes).
Mathematics
The exam, which lasts 75 minutes, will be based on topics in the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3.
Please Note: We do not supply past or practice papers but relevant revision material can be readily found online and in print.
Interview with a member of the senior leadership team
Entry at Year 9 (13+) can be via the Independent Schools Common Entrance Examination, held in June each year, or via our own entry procedure which is detailed below. If your son is at an Independent Preparatory School they will decide which method of entry is best.
To enter at this stage your son must be 13 years old by 1 September of the year of entry.
The exam consists of three written papers:
English
The entrance test follows National Curriculum guidelines and consists of two parts:
• Comprehension (45 minutes).
• Writing – A choice of subjects to allow free English expression (30 minutes).
Mathematics
The exam, which lasts 75 minutes, will be based on topics in the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3.
Please Note: We do not supply past or practice papers but relevant revision material can be readily found online and in print.
Interview with a member of the senior leadership team
To enter at this stage your son must be 14 years old by 1 September of the year of entry.
The exam will consist of three written papers:
English
The entrance test follows National Curriculum guidelines and consists of two parts:
- Comprehension (45 minutes).
- Writing – A choice of subjects to allow free English expression (30 minutes).
Mathematics
The exam lasts for 75 minutes and will be based on topics in the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3.
Please Note: We do not supply past or practice papers but relevant revision material can be readily found online and in print.
Interview with a member of the senior leadership team
