About Leicestershire & East Midlands Grammar Schools
Leicestershire & East Midlands hosts 5 selective schools — primarily fee-paying independents including Loughborough Grammar (boys), Loughborough High School (girls), Leicester Grammar, Stoneygate School, and Ratcliffe College. The region has no state grammar schools — Leicestershire abolished selection in the 1970s.
History & Tradition
Loughborough Grammar (founded 1495) is one of the oldest grammar schools in England. Loughborough High School (1850) and Leicester Grammar (1981) are later foundations. Ratcliffe College (1844) is a Catholic independent. Leicestershire's state grammars were abolished in 1976.
The Entry Test
Each school sets its own entrance test in autumn of Year 6 — typically English, Maths, and Reasoning. The Loughborough Grammar/High partnership coordinates test dates.
Leicestershire & East Midlands 11+ at a Glance
7 Things You Should Know About Leicestershire & East Midlands Grammar Schools
Researched facts about the region's selective schools — drawn from official sources, school websites and education research.
- 1Loughborough Grammar School (founded 1495) is among the 10 oldest grammar schools in England — co-educational since 1991 in some classes.
- 2The Loughborough Endowed Schools include Loughborough Grammar (boys), Loughborough High School (girls), Loughborough Amherst School, and Fairfield Prep — totalling over 2,000 pupils.
- 3Leicestershire abolished state grammars in 1976 — all selective education in the region is now fee-paying independent.
- 4Leicester Grammar (founded 1981) is one of the newer Leicestershire selective schools — established to fill the gap left by state grammar abolition.
- 5Ratcliffe College (Catholic, founded 1844) is one of the few Catholic boarding schools in the East Midlands — admitting boys and girls.
- 6Stoneygate School (Great Glen, Leicestershire) is a preparatory school for ages 4-13 — pupils move on to senior independents (typically Loughborough Grammar or Uppingham).
- 7East Midlands families seeking traditional state grammar education typically look to Lincolnshire (1 hour from Leicester) — one of England's biggest grammar systems.
| Rank | School Name | Gender | PAN | 11+ Exam | GCSE 9-7 | A-Level A*-B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dixie Grammar School | Boys | — | Independent | — | — | |
| Leicester Grammar School (LGS) | Mixed | — | Independent | 74.2% | 85.8% | |
| Leicester High School for Girls | Girls | — | Independent | 80.6% | 48.5% | |
| Loughborough Grammar School (LGS) | Boys | — | Independent | 58.4% | 70.5% | |
| Ratcliffe College | Boys | — | Independent | 47% | 71% |
Leicestershire & East Midlands Grammar Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
What 11+ exam do Leicestershire & East Midlands grammar schools use?
Most Leicestershire & East Midlands grammar schools admit pupils through the Independent 11+. Check each school's row above, as some set their own entrance test or use a different exam board.
What makes Leicestershire & East Midlands grammar schools distinctive?
Loughborough Grammar School (founded 1495) is among the 10 oldest grammar schools in England — co-educational since 1991 in some classes.
What else should families know about the Leicestershire & East Midlands 11+?
The Loughborough Endowed Schools include Loughborough Grammar (boys), Loughborough High School (girls), Loughborough Amherst School, and Fairfield Prep — totalling over 2,000 pupils.
Nearby Regions
Many families consider grammars in neighbouring regions to maximise options. Explore: