About Lincolnshire Grammar Schools
Lincolnshire operates one of England's most spread-out grammar systems, with 11 grammars serving the county's market towns and coastal areas. The Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools (LCGS) coordinates admissions for most schools, with Caistor Grammar operating separately. Schools include Boston Grammar, Boston High (girls), Bourne Grammar, Carre's Grammar Sleaford, Spalding Grammar, Spalding High (girls), King Edward VI Spalding, Skegness Grammar, Queen Elizabeth's High (Gainsborough), and several others.
History & Tradition
Lincolnshire's grammar tradition is ancient — Carre's Grammar Sleaford (founded 1604), King Edward VI Grammar Spalding (1588), Boston Grammar (1554). The county retained its grammars when most of England abolished selection. The LCGS partnership was formed in the 1990s to coordinate the regional 11+ across local authorities.
The Entry Test
The Lincolnshire Consortium 11+ uses GL Assessment papers in Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning — taken on two separate Fridays/Saturdays in September. Lincolnshire opens registration in early January 2026 — significantly earlier than any other English consortium.
Lincolnshire 11+ at a Glance
7 Things You Should Know About Lincolnshire Grammar Schools
Researched facts about the region's selective schools — drawn from official sources, school websites and education research.
- 1Lincolnshire opens 11+ registration on Friday 9 January 2026 — the earliest of any English consortium. The registration deadline is 31 March — also the earliest.
- 2Lincolnshire's 11+ consists of TWO test papers on TWO separate weekends: Verbal Reasoning on the first Friday/Saturday of September, Non-Verbal Reasoning the following Friday/Saturday.
- 3Caistor Grammar School operates separately from LCGS — it sets its own entrance exam and registration deadline (typically Friday 14 August). Families must apply separately to Caistor.
- 4Carre's Grammar Sleaford (founded 1604) is one of England's oldest continually-operating grammar schools — alumni include several MPs and bishops.
- 5Boston Grammar (boys) and Boston High School (girls) are physically adjacent in the centre of Boston town — sharing 6th form arrangements while remaining administratively distinct.
- 6Spalding has THREE selective state schools: Spalding Grammar (boys), Spalding High (girls), and King Edward VI Grammar Spalding (mixed) — making it England's smallest town with so many grammars.
- 7Lincolnshire grammars typically have lower oversubscription than Kent or Buckinghamshire — most accept all candidates scoring above the qualifying threshold, with distance only mattering for the most popular schools.
| Rank | School Name | Gender | PAN | 11+ Exam | GCSE 9-7 | A-Level A*-B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bourne Grammar School | Mixed | 240 | GL Assessment | 52.7% | 65.4% | |
| Caistor Grammar School | Mixed | 130 | GL Assessment | 56.9% | 64.1% | |
| Carre's Grammar School | Boys | 120 | GL Assessment | 28.3% | 54.3% | |
| Kesteven & Grantham Girls' School (KGGS) | Girls | 120 | GL Assessment | 52.2% | 67.5% | |
| Kesteven & Sleaford High School (KSHS) | Girls | 120 | GL Assessment | 34.4% | 60.4% | |
| Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School | Girls | 140 | GL Assessment | 52.2% | 67.5% | |
| Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough (QEHS) | Mixed | 180 | GL Assessment | 41.2% | 54% | |
| Skegness Grammar School | Mixed | 120 | GL Assessment | — | — | |
| Spalding Grammar School (SGS) | Boys | 150 | GL Assessment | — | — | |
| Spalding High School | Girls | 150 | GL Assessment | 42.3% | 61.4% | |
| The King's School, Grantham | Boys | 150 | GL Assessment | 62.6% | 71.5% |
Lincolnshire Grammar Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
What 11+ exam do Lincolnshire grammar schools use?
Most Lincolnshire 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 Lincolnshire grammar schools distinctive?
Lincolnshire opens 11+ registration on Friday 9 January 2026 — the earliest of any English consortium. The registration deadline is 31 March — also the earliest.
What else should families know about the Lincolnshire 11+?
Lincolnshire's 11+ consists of TWO test papers on TWO separate weekends: Verbal Reasoning on the first Friday/Saturday of September, Non-Verbal Reasoning the following Friday/Saturday.
Nearby Regions
Many families consider grammars in neighbouring regions to maximise options. Explore: