Difference between grammar schools and independent schools 11 Plus.

Overview of 11+ Exam Context

The 11+ exam determines entry to over 160 UK grammar schools serving 140,000 students annually, testing Year 6 pupils transitioning to Year 7 through verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.

UK government statistics confirm 163 grammar schools offer around 22% selective places within the state sector. These state-funded grammar schools focus on academic selection via the 11 Plus, contrasting with non-selective comprehensive schools. Parents often compare this to independent schools, which use separate entrance exams.

The typical timeline starts with registration from June to September, followed by exams in September to November, and results from October to December. Year 6 families should check local authority deadlines early. This schedule aligns with the Year 7 transition, allowing time for practice papers and mock exams.

Regional variations shape preparation. Kent has 36 grammars, Birmingham has 8, and Trafford has 4, each with unique catchment area and oversubscription criteria. DfE data highlights grammar pupils' strong performance, with 79% achieving A*-C at GCSE compared to the 64% national average. Families explore grammar school league tables alongside independent school options like ISEB pre-tests.

Definition of Grammar Schools

Grammar schools are state-funded selective secondary schools that admit pupils based solely on 11+ exam performance, prioritising academic ability over catchment area. These institutions form part of the state education system and focus on high academic standards from Year 7. Parents often choose them for their rigorous curriculum and strong university pathways.

In the context of academic selection, grammar schools stand apart from non-selective comprehensive schools. They cater to pupils transitioning from Year 6, using entrance exams to identify top performers. This model supports focused learning in subjects like maths and English.

Many grammar schools appear high in grammar school league tables, with excellent GCSE and A-level results. They offer extracurricular activities alongside core academics, such as sports and music. Families prepare through practice papers and mock exams to meet the demands.

Unlike fee-paying independent schools, grammar schools provide free education with no tuition costs. Selection relies on 11 Plus scores rather than interviews or assessments like the ISEB pre-test. This makes them accessible for motivated pupils from state primary schools.

Funding and Selection Process

Fully funded by government with zero tuition fees, grammar schools use 11+ scores with pass marks typically 110+ on GL/CEM standardised scales, followed by oversubscription criteria ranking. This state funding covers all costs, around £6,500 per pupil annually. Pupils benefit from resources comparable to private options without school fees.

The selection process involves GL Assessment papers in five subjects or CEM's two papers, testing verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Exams feature multiple choice or standard format questions on maths test, English test, and more. Preparation includes bond papers, CGP books, and timed tests for speed accuracy.

Oversubscription follows strict rules, often: Distance from the school or catchment area Siblings already attending Random allocation for tied scores For example, Wilson's School in Sutton admits the top 120 scorers from over 2,000 applicants each year.

Parents boost chances with exam preparation like tutoring, private tuition, or 11 Plus courses. Focus on exam technique, vocabulary building, mental arithmetic, and comprehension helps. Attending school open days reveals prospectus details and uniform policy.

Definition of Independent Schools

Independent schools operate outside state funding, charging annual fees while maintaining complete autonomy over curriculum, admissions, and teaching methods. Unlike grammar schools, which rely on state resources and follow the 11 Plus for entry, these fee-paying schools attract families seeking tailored education. This private funding model enables smaller class sizes and specialised resources.

These schools, often called public schools historically, cater to diverse needs with options like co-educational or single-sex settings. Parents value the freedom from catchment areas and oversubscription criteria common in state schools. Entrance often involves custom tests rather than the standard 11 Plus.

Academic rigour stands out, with emphasis on extracurricular activities, subject specialists, and strong university destinations including Oxbridge pathways. Many offer boarding or day places, supported by teacher-pupil ratios that foster individual attention. Families attend open days to explore prospectuses and interview processes.

Compared to comprehensive schools, independent schools prioritise academic selection through their own exams, such as ISEB pre-tests or Common Entrance. This contrasts with grammar schools' focus on GL Assessment or CEM for verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Preparation involves practice papers and tutoring for year 6 to year 7 transition.

Fees and Admission Autonomy

Average day fees stand at £18,063/year, boarding at £39,000/year; schools set custom entrance exams, interviews, and offer means-tested bursaries covering 70-100% fees. This autonomy allows deviation from the 11 Plus used by grammar schools. Families benefit from flexibility in admissions beyond standard format tests.

Examples include Eton College at £48,090 for boarding and St Paul’s School exceeding £26,000 for day pupils. These institutions use their own assessments, often including aptitude tests with IQ test elements. Bursaries and scholarships ease access for talented students from varied backgrounds.

Admission processes feature assessment days with multiple-choice questions, essays, and group tasks, differing from grammar school maths tests and English tests. Parents prepare via mock exams, private tuition, and online resources like Bond papers or CGP books. Experts recommend focusing on exam technique, speed, and accuracy.

Many independent schools join consortia for shared testing, yet retain control over pass marks and score thresholds. This contrasts with state-funded grammar schools' uniform 11 Plus via GL Assessment or CEM. Families explore options at school open days to match needs like STEM focus or music drama programmes.

11+ Exam Requirements

The 11+ exam tests core cognitive skills through multiple-choice and standard format questions, with 60-75% pass rates required for grammar entry. Requirements differ markedly between grammar schools and independent schools. Grammar schools focus on standardised tests from providers like GL Assessment or CEM, while independents often use adaptive online pre-tests and interviews.

Parents preparing for Year 6 to Year 7 transition should note these variations early. Grammar exams emphasise speed and accuracy in verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Independent tests add school-specific elements like essays or assessments.

Practice with mock exams builds exam technique. Attend school open days to understand oversubscription criteria and catchment areas. Tutoring helps with vocabulary building and mental arithmetic.

Both types prioritise academic selection, but independents may include aptitude tests with IQ test elements. Review prospectuses for timelines, often October to December. Experts recommend timed tests using past papers for confidence.

Grammar School 11+ Specifics

Grammar schools use GL Assessment (English, Maths, VR, NVR, 4x25min papers) or CEM Select (2x60min untimed reasoning papers), requiring top 20-25% scores. GL Assessment suits Birmingham grammars with five papers and 100 questions each. CEM exams appear in Trafford and Redbridge, adapting difficulty to performance.

Practice resources include Bond Papers for multiple choice drills and CGP 11+ books for comprehension and shape recognition. Focus on speed accuracy through timed tests. Private tuition targets weak areas like code-breaking or grammar rules.

Aim for 80%ile+ pass marks, varying by school. Use online resources for 11 Plus courses and mock exams. Parents check grammar school league tables for score thresholds and state-funded selective education policy.

Independent School Entrance Exams

Independent schools primarily use ISEB Common Pre-Test (online adaptive: Maths, English, VR, NVR) plus school-specific exams and interviews, with 40% requiring CE at 13+. The pre-test lasts two hours with around 100 questions. Many fee-paying schools add custom tests from October to December.

• ISEB Pre-Test: Adaptive format tests core skills quickly.
• Consortium tests: Four papers for groups of schools.
• Examples like Harrow include own papers and interviews.

Westminster uses custom tests with essays, assessing deeper thinking. Prepare with exam preparation focusing on English tests and verbal reasoning. Assessment days often follow, evaluating fit for academic rigour.

Success involves applying to 5-10 schools, considering independent school bursaries and scholarships. Review school performance tables for GCSE results and Oxbridge entry. Visit open days to gauge class sizes, teacher pupil ratio, and extracurricular activities like music drama or sports facilities.

Curriculum and Academic Focus

Grammar schools deliver the national curriculum with an accelerated pace (IGCSE Year 9), while independents offer IB/AP alongside A-Levels, both achieving Progress 8 scores +1.0+. This setup suits pupils preparing via 11 Plus exams like CEM or GL Assessment. Parents often compare these paths during Year 6 transitions.

Grammar schools emphasise STEM-heavy subjects such as maths and sciences, building on numerical reasoning and non-verbal reasoning from entrance tests. Independent schools balance this with languages and classics, offering broader options like humanities or music drama. For example, a grammar pupil might focus on mental arithmetic drills, while an independent learner explores Latin texts.

Attainment 8 scores highlight differences: grammar at 65.2 versus independent at 68.4 (2023). Both foster academic rigour, but independents provide flexibility with IB programmes for global perspectives. Families weigh this against school fees and catchment areas.

Class Sizes and Teaching Styles

Grammar schools average 28-30 pupils per class with a 1:16 teacher-pupil ratio, while independent schools typically have 16-20 pupils per class with a 1:9 ratio. This difference enables seminar-style teaching in independents versus a more lecture format in grammars. Parents preparing for the 11 Plus should consider how these sizes affect daily learning during the year 6 to year 7 transition.

Smaller class sizes in independent schools allow for personalised feedback, vital for subjects like verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning in entrance exams. Grammar schools, often state-funded and selective, rely on whole-class teaching to manage larger groups efficiently. This impacts exam preparation, where practice papers and mock exams mimic the structured environment.

Independent schools emphasise discussion-based lessons, fostering skills for ISEB pre-test or common entrance interviews. Grammar pupils benefit from disciplined routines suited to CEM exam or GL Assessment formats. Experts recommend visiting school open days to observe these styles firsthand.

Setting pupils by ability, more common in independents, supports targeted tutoring for maths test or English test weaknesses. In grammars, uniform pacing builds exam technique under pressure. Choose based on your child's need for individual attention versus group discipline.

Extracurricular Opportunities

Independent schools invest heavily in facilities, offering a wider range of extracurricular activities compared to grammar schools. These fee-paying schools provide options like Combined Cadet Force, orchestras, and international trips. In contrast, grammar schools focus on local sports and debating clubs.

Grammar schools, as state-funded selective schools, often have limited budgets for extracurriculars. They emphasise county-level sports teams and basic STEM clubs. This setup suits pupils preparing for the 11 Plus entrance exam but offers fewer advanced pursuits.

Independent schools boast superior sports facilities and cultural programmes. Pupils enjoy music tours abroad and Duke of Edinburgh awards at higher levels. Grammar schools prioritise academic rigour over such extensive enrichment activities.

• Grammar: Local sports events, debating society, science club.
• Independent: International exchanges, CCF expeditions, professional orchestra performances.

Parents considering the Eleven Plus should visit school open days to observe these differences. This helps assess fit for year 7 transition beyond exam preparation like verbal reasoning and maths tests.

Costs and Financial Implications

Grammar schools charge £0 tuition plus around £200 for uniforms. Independent schools cost £15k-£45k per year plus £2k in extras; 37% of families access bursaries averaging £8,500 per pupil.

Over seven years, grammar schools total about £600 in direct costs. Day independent schools reach around £126k, while boarding schools climb to £315k. These figures highlight the stark contrast between state-funded grammar and privately funded independent options for 11 Plus pathways.

Hidden costs add layers to budgeting. Grammar school families often spend £2k on tutoring for the Eleven Plus entrance exam, covering verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Independent schools include extras like uniforms at £1k and school trips at £2k.

Consider independent school bursaries and scholarships to offset fees. Families preparing for ISEB pre-test or common entrance should review prospectuses at school open days. Experts recommend early financial planning alongside exam preparation like practice papers and mock exams.