How many grammar schools are there in England?

Defining Grammar Schools in England

Grammar schools in England are state-funded selective secondary schools admitting pupils based on academic ability via the 11-plus exam, with 163 remaining from over 1,200 in the 1960s. These institutions cater for ages 11 to 18 and focus on rigorous academic preparation. They differ from independent schools, which charge fees, and comprehensive schools, which admit all local pupils regardless of ability.

State-funded grammar schools receive full government support, making them free for families. Pupils gain places through competitive grammar school admissions processes, often involving tests in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English. This selective model supports high achievement in GCSE results and A-levels.

England's UK education system features these schools mainly in areas like Kent, Buckinghamshire, and Trafford. Families use tools like the Gov.uk school finder to locate the nearest grammar school or check grammar school catchment areas. Open days and prospectuses help with preparation for the 11+ exam.

Understanding this distinction aids parents navigating secondary education options. Grammar schools offer state selective education without religious selection, contrasting non-selective areas dominated by comprehensives. Explore grammar school league tables for insights into top performers like King Edward's School Birmingham.

Historical Origins

Grammar schools trace origins to the 16th century, with the first established under King Henry VIII's reign; by 1900, over 1,100 existed serving middle-class boys. Institutions like Manchester Grammar School from 1515 and King Edward VI Grammar Schools founded in 1552 set early precedents. These historical grammar schools emphasised Latin and classical studies.

The Victorian era saw rapid expansion of Victorian grammar schools, reaching 1,300 by 1902 under the Education Act. The 1944 Butler Act further grew their numbers, integrating them into state systems as direct grant grammar schools. This period marked a shift towards broader access in secondary modern schools contexts.

Post-1965 comprehensivisation dramatically reduced numbers from 1,297 to today's 163 maintained grammar schools. Local policies favoured non-selective education, preserving grammars in select counties like Lincolnshire grammar schools and Wirral grammar schools. This history shapes current selective education policy.

Today, remnants like Colchester Royal Grammar School uphold grammar school tradition. Parents interested in grammar school expansion or new grammar schools follow Department for Education updates. Historical context informs views on grammar schools map and county distributions.

Key Characteristics

Grammar schools admit top performers via 11+ exams testing verbal and non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English; they feature low pupil-teacher ratios averaging better than in comprehensives. Entry targets the upper ability range, using tools like CEM Select or GL Assessment. This sets them apart in the list of grammar schools.

These are fully state-funded/free, with no fees unlike independent schools. They prioritise academic focus, offering advanced GCSE and A-level programmes in sixth forms. Facilities support high standards, as seen in Ofsted ratings and school performance tables.

• Selective entry based strictly on 11+ scores, sometimes with sibling priority or distance criteria in grammar school catchment areas.
• State-funded status ensures accessibility for qualified pupils nationwide.
• Academic rigour drives strong outcomes, contrasting comprehensive schools.
• Sixth form provision for A-levels, often with specialised subjects.
• No religious selection, focusing purely on ability via practice papers 11+ like Bond papers.

Compared to comprehensives, grammars like Tiffin's School or Wilson's School excel in grammar school rankings. Families prepare via grammar school open days and interviews. Check DfE statistics for total grammar school pupils and grammar school funding details.

Current Total Number

England maintains exactly 163 state-funded grammar schools serving 48,000 pupils (2023 DfE census), representing 5% of secondary schools. These selective schools operate solely in England, with none in Wales or Scotland. The Department for Education verifies this official count through its annual school census.

Parents seeking grammar school places often start with the 11-plus exam. This entrance test assesses pupils for academically selective schools in areas like Kent and Buckinghamshire. Understanding the total number of grammar schools helps families plan applications effectively.

The figures exclude independent grammar schools and focus on state-funded ones. These schools serve Years 7 to 13, offering places based on 11+ results in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English. Families can check Gov.uk Compare Schools for the full list.

Grammar school admissions vary by county, with catchment areas and sibling priority common. Open days and prospectuses provide insights into facilities and pupil-teacher ratios. This setup supports state selective education within the UK education system.

Official Figures (2023-2024)

Department for Education confirms 163 grammar schools for 2023-2024, educating 48,039 pupils across Years 7-13 (DfE School Census January 2023). These state-funded grammar schools concentrate in specific counties. The data comes from Gov.uk Compare Schools and DfE Statistical First Release.

This table shows the grammar school list by county, totalling 163 schools. Note that pupil numbers approximate from census data. Families use this for grammar school catchment areas and nearest options.

To find top grammar schools, review school performance tables for GCSE and A-level results. Ofsted ratings and league tables highlight strong performers like those in Kent. Practice for the 11+ exam with GL Assessment or CEM Select papers prepares pupils well.

Geographical Distribution

Grammar schools cluster in 36 Local Authority areas, with 80% in Southeast and Midlands; Kent alone has 38 (24% of total). This creates an uneven distribution across England, where just 2.5% of areas have grammar schools compared to 100% comprehensive coverage elsewhere.

Families seeking state-funded grammar schools often face long commutes in non-selective regions. For example, pupils in the Northeast may travel to distant selective schools or attend local comprehensives.

Understanding these grammar school catchment areas helps with planning. Check the Department for Education school finder tool for options near your postcode, focusing on hotspots like Kent grammar schools or Buckinghamshire grammar schools.

This pattern reflects historical grammar school expansion and current UK education system policies. Transitioning to regional data reveals clear leaders in number of grammar schools.

Regional Breakdown

Southeast dominates with 92 grammars (56%), led by Kent (38), Buckinghamshire (13), and Surrey (6). These areas host many top grammar schools with strong GCSE and A-level results.

Parents targeting grammar school admissions should prioritise regions with higher selective provision. Use DfE 2023 statistics to compare grammar school places via school performance tables.

Top 5 counties include Kent grammar schools (38), Buckinghamshire (13), Birmingham (8), Trafford (4), and Sutton (4). These support 11-plus exam preparation for entrance.

Concentration Areas

Highest concentrations exist in Trafford (4 grammars, 33% selective places), Slough (5 grammars), and Sutton (4 grammars serving 27% ability range). These super-selective grammar schools often admit top 10-15% performers via rigorous 11+ tests.

Ranked top 10: 1) Kent (38), 2) Bucks (13), 3) Birmingham (8), 4) Trafford (4), 5) Sutton (4), 6) Slough (5), 7) Lincolnshire (several), 8) Wirral (multiple), 9) Gloucestershire (key sites), 10) Barnet (notable). Examples like King Edward's School Birmingham or Wilson's School draw applicants widely.

• Prepare for GL Assessment or CEM Select in these hotspots.
• Review grammar school bonds and sibling priority for admissions edge.
• Visit open days for schools like Tiffin School or Colchester Royal Grammar School.

An interactive Gov.uk grammar schools map shows nearest options. Note partially selective areas blend grammar with secondary modern schools, aiding choices in grammar school rankings.

Recent Changes and Trends

Numbers of grammar schools in England have stayed stable since the 2010 moratorium, though Theresa May's 2016 proposal sparked debate on expansion. This came after the 1998 Blair ban on new selective schools was partially lifted in 2016, only to face restrictions later. The policy shifts highlight tensions in the UK education system between selective and comprehensive models.

From 2010 to 2023, there has been net zero change in the total, with 163 state-funded grammar schools remaining steady. Government retreats, like the Johnson administration's 2021 decision, halted broader plans. Parents seeking grammar school places should track DfE announcements for updates on selective education policy.

Trends show focus on annexes and expansions rather than full new schools, preserving traditions like the 11-plus exam. Areas with grammar schools, such as Kent and Buckinghamshire, continue to offer competitive admissions. This stability aids families planning for secondary education through tools like school performance tables.

Experts recommend checking grammar school catchment areas and open days for the latest. Historical shifts from over 1,100 grammars in 1965 to today's count reflect ongoing debates on academically selective schools. Families can use Gov.uk school finder to compare options.

New Openings

Only 2 new grammar schools have opened since 2010: St Olave's annexe in 2019 in Croydon and the planned Middlesex expansion in 2022. These follow Theresa May's 2016 proposal allowing annexes for existing grammars. The Johnson government retreated from wider plans in 2021, limiting growth.

Other cases include St Anselm's School in Erith at the planning stage and Mayfield Grammar School's expansion in Bexley. The Weald of Kent annexe opened in 2020, boosting grammar school places in the area. Parents in Kent grammar schools regions should monitor DfE for similar developments.

These moves support state selective education without full new builds, often tied to high demand near top grammars like Tiffin School. Families preparing for the 11-plus exam can explore expansions via grammar school websites. This cautious approach maintains the 163 grammars in England.

Practical steps include reviewing school prospectuses and league tables for new sites. Expansions help meet needs in areas like grammar schools in London without altering the total count. Check Ofsted ratings for quality insights.

Closures and Conversions

Three grammar school closures have occurred since 2000: Davenant Foundation in 2001 became a comprehensive, Ripon Grammar in 2010 was restructured, and Eltham Hill in 2010 shifted from girls' grammar to comprehensive. These mark a decline from over 1,100 grammars in 1965 to 200 by 1990. The 2010 moratorium has stabilised numbers at 163.

Post-1998 policy limited further losses, with historical DfE records showing few changes. Conversions often respond to local demands for comprehensive schools, affecting access to selective places. Families in affected areas turned to nearby options like secondary moderns.

This table outlines key cases, underscoring rarity of closures today. Parents can consult grammar school list by county or maps for current standings. Stability benefits planning for 11+ tests and admissions.

Factors Affecting Numbers

Political ideology drives fluctuations in the number of grammar schools in England: Labour comprehensivisation from 1965 to 1997, Conservative expansions in the 1950s and a 2016 attempt, plus parental demand versus social mobility concerns. These shifts have shaped the current count of around 163 grammar schools. Understanding them helps parents navigating grammar school admissions.

Government policies directly impact state-funded grammar schools. For instance, historical directives led to closures, reducing selective options in many areas. Today, the Department for Education oversees changes through legislation.

Parental demand remains strong, especially in regions like Kent and Buckinghamshire with established grammar school catchment areas. Families prepare for the 11-plus exam using practice papers from GL Assessment or CEM Select. This pressure influences local education policy.

Social mobility debates and funding equality add complexity. Gramma school expansion faces opposition due to concerns over access for all pupils. Parents can check DfE statistics and school performance tables for insights into grammar school rankings.

1. Policy Changes

Circular 10/65 prompted the closure of many grammar schools, shifting England towards comprehensive schools. This policy halved selective places in some counties. It marked a key reduction in the total number of grammar schools.

Later, the 1998 School Standards and Framework Act required Secretary of State approval for new grammars, limiting growth. Exceptions exist in areas like Trafford grammar schools or Lincolnshire grammar schools. Parents should review historical education policy UK for context.

Recent attempts at grammar school expansion highlight ongoing debates. Check Gov.uk school finder for the latest list of grammar schools by county.

2. Parental Demand

High parental demand sustains grammar schools, particularly in London and Kent. Surveys indicate strong support for grammar schools in London among families seeking top GCSE results. This drives applications to schools like Tiffin School or Wilson's School.

Families prioritise 11+ preparation with verbal reasoning and maths tests. Demand affects grammar school places and open days. Research suggests it counters closure pressures.

In areas without grammars, parents advocate for state selective education. Use compare schools tool to assess options.

3. Social Mobility Research

Social mobility concerns influence grammar school numbers. Reports note many pupils come from middle-class backgrounds, raising equity questions. This fuels debates on academically selective schools.

Experts recommend balancing selection with broader access. Examples include sibling priority or distance criteria in Buckinghamshire grammar schools. It impacts policy on new selective schools.

Parents can explore Ofsted ratings and pupil-teacher ratios to understand diversity in top grammars like King Edward's School Birmingham.

4. Financial Considerations

Per-pupil funding levels are similar across grammar and comprehensive schools, limiting financial incentives for expansion. This equality supports the UK education system's comprehensive model. Costs for entrance exams fall on families.

Grammars often boast strong A-level results and facilities, justifying demand despite equal funding. Grammar school funding debates continue in non-selective areas. Review school census data for details.

Families preparing for grammar school bonds or interviews should budget accordingly.

5. Legal Framework

The 1998 Act mandates approval for new grammar schools, preserving the current number. This protects maintained grammar schools in places like Slough grammar schools or Wirral grammar schools. It shapes selective education policy.

Legal rules define grammar school admissions, including catchment and academic tests. Exceptions allow limited expansion plans. Parents use grammar schools map to find nearest options.

Historical direct grant grammar schools transitioned under these laws, affecting today's grammar school league tables.

Reliable Data Sources

The Department for Education's School Census provides definitive annual counts of grammar schools in England. Cross-verified via Gov.uk performance tables, this lists all 163 grammars. These sources ensure accurate tracking of state-funded grammar schools.

Use the School Census data for the most current pupil numbers and grammar school places. It covers secondary education across England, including selective areas like Kent and Buckinghamshire. Check annually for updates on total grammar school pupils.

Gov.uk tools like Compare Schools let you search for grammar schools near me. Filter by 11-plus exam areas such as Trafford grammar schools or Sutton grammar schools. This helps families find nearest grammar school options quickly.

Combine these with Ofsted ratings and GCSE results grammar schools achieve. Local county admission guides detail grammar school catchment areas and entrance processes. Always verify via official sites for grammar school admissions timelines.