About Lancashire & Cumbria Grammar Schools
Lancashire & Cumbria hosts 9 selective state schools — including Lancaster Royal Grammar (boys), Lancaster Girls' Grammar, Clitheroe Royal Grammar, Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar, and Queen Elizabeth Grammar Penrith (in Cumbria). The schools are predominantly historic foundations — Lancaster Royal Grammar dates from 1235, Clitheroe Royal Grammar from 1554. Each school administers its own entrance exam — there is no county-wide consortium test.
History & Tradition
Lancaster Royal Grammar School (founded 1235) is one of England's oldest grammar schools. Clitheroe Royal Grammar (1554) was founded under Mary I. Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar (1864) is more recent. When Lancashire moved to comprehensive education in the 1970s, these 9 schools negotiated continuing grammar status — typically because of cross-party local support.
The Entry Test
Each Lancashire/Cumbria grammar uses its own entrance test — usually a single Saturday combining English, Maths and Reasoning. Lancaster Royal, Lancaster Girls', Clitheroe Royal and Bacup & Rawtenstall all hold tests on Saturday 26 September 2026. Cumbria's Queen Elizabeth Grammar Penrith tests on Thursday 17 September.
Lancashire & Cumbria 11+ at a Glance
7 Things You Should Know About Lancashire & Cumbria Grammar Schools
Researched facts about the region's selective schools — drawn from official sources, school websites and education research.
- 1Lancaster Royal Grammar School (founded 1235) is one of the 5 oldest grammar schools in England — alumni include actor Joseph Marcell and several MPs.
- 2Each Lancashire grammar registers and tests independently — there is NO county-wide consortium like Kent or Bucks. Families wanting multiple options register and prepare for multiple schools.
- 3Clitheroe Royal Grammar requires registration to be completed by 12 noon precisely on a specific date — late submissions are not accepted.
- 4All 4 Lancashire grammars (Lancaster Royal, Lancaster Girls', Clitheroe Royal, Bacup & Rawtenstall) sit their 11+ on the same Saturday — usually the last Saturday in September.
- 5Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith (Cumbria) holds an Open Evening at the end of June — most Cumbrian families plan their application around this visit.
- 6Lancashire grammar pass marks are typically lower than southern equivalents (~215-225 standardised) — making them accessible to a wider range of candidates.
- 7Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar is unusual — mixed gender, smaller (~700 pupils), and serves a wide catchment across the Rossendale Valley.
| Rank | School Name | Gender | PAN | 11+ Exam | GCSE 9-7 | A-Level A*-B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #72 | Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College#72 | Girls | — | Independent | 66.3 | 78.3 |
| #99 | Lancaster Royal Grammar School (LRGS)#99 | Boys | 150 | GL Assessment | 65.2% | 72.2% |
| AKS Lytham (AKS) | Mixed | — | CEM | 48.2% | 66.2% | |
| Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School (BRGS) | Mixed | — | GL Assessment | 62.1% | 66.4% | |
| Bolton School | Mixed | — | GL Assessment | 70% | 70% | |
| Bury Grammar School | Boys | 186 | Independent | 54.1% | 72.5% | |
| Kirkham Grammar School | Boys | — | CEM Select | — | — | |
| Lancashire and Cumbria Grammar Schools | Boys | — | GL Assessment | 87.5% | 87.5% | |
| St. Bede's College | Mixed | — | Independent | 38.2% | 66.4% |
Lancashire & Cumbria Grammar Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the top-ranked grammar schools in Lancashire & Cumbria?
In the 2026 Sunday Times Parent Power tables, the highest-ranked Lancashire & Cumbria grammar schools include Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College, Lancaster Royal Grammar School (LRGS). Full rankings plus GCSE and A-Level results for every school are in the table above.
What 11+ exam do Lancashire & Cumbria grammar schools use?
Most Lancashire & Cumbria grammar schools admit pupils through the GL Assessment 11+. Check each school's row above, as some set their own entrance test or use a different exam board.
What makes Lancashire & Cumbria grammar schools distinctive?
Lancaster Royal Grammar School (founded 1235) is one of the 5 oldest grammar schools in England — alumni include actor Joseph Marcell and several MPs.
What else should families know about the Lancashire & Cumbria 11+?
Each Lancashire grammar registers and tests independently — there is NO county-wide consortium like Kent or Bucks. Families wanting multiple options register and prepare for multiple schools.
Nearby Regions
Many families consider grammars in neighbouring regions to maximise options. Explore: