About Slough Grammar Schools
Slough hosts 3 grammar schools coordinated through the Slough Consortium: Langley Grammar, Herschel Grammar, St Bernard's Catholic Grammar, and Upton Court Grammar. The Consortium runs a single common test. Slough draws applicants from across Berkshire, west London, and Buckinghamshire. Langley Grammar consistently ranks in the UK Top 30 state schools by Sunday Times Parent Power.
History & Tradition
Slough's grammar tradition is primarily 20th-century. Langley Grammar (founded 1916), Herschel Grammar (1972), Upton Court Grammar (1965). St Bernard's Catholic Grammar serves the Catholic community. The Slough Consortium was formalised in the 1990s to coordinate admissions across the borough.
The Entry Test
The Slough Consortium 11+ uses GL Assessment papers — English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Children sit a single test on one Saturday in September.
Slough 11+ at a Glance
7 Things You Should Know About Slough Grammar Schools
Researched facts about the region's selective schools — drawn from official sources, school websites and education research.
- 1Slough is one of England's 11 fully-selective LAs — all 4 state grammars participate in a single consortium with one shared registration and test.
- 2Langley Grammar School is the highest-ranked Slough grammar — placing at #29 in the Sunday Times Parent Power 2026 with 77% GCSE 9-7 and 85% A-Level A*-B.
- 3St Bernard's Catholic Grammar gives priority to baptised Catholic candidates — applicants need both a Catholic priest's reference and a high test score to be admitted as a top priority candidate.
- 4Upton Court Grammar is the largest by intake of the Slough Consortium — admitting approximately 200 pupils per year.
- 5Herschel Grammar School is named after astronomer Sir William Herschel — who lived in Slough. The school has a distinctly scientific identity and strong A-Level Sciences.
- 6Slough's location at the western edge of London makes its grammars accessible to families from Hounslow, Hillingdon, Buckinghamshire and West London — significantly increasing competition for places.
- 7The Slough Consortium test pass mark is approximately 121 standardised — children scoring 121+ are deemed eligible. The schools then apply distance and other oversubscription criteria.
| Rank | School Name | Gender | PAN | 11+ Exam | GCSE 9-7 | A-Level A*-B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #29 | Langley Grammar School#29 | Mixed | 180 | GL Assessment | 77.0% | 85.0% |
| #52 | Upton Court Grammar School#52 | Mixed | 180 | GL Assessment | 82.2% | 76.2% |
| #70 | Herschel Grammar School#70 | Mixed | 140 | GL Assessment | 73.0% | 75.7% |
Slough Grammar Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the top-ranked grammar schools in Slough?
In the 2026 Sunday Times Parent Power tables, the highest-ranked Slough grammar schools include Langley Grammar School, Upton Court Grammar School, Herschel Grammar School. Full rankings plus GCSE and A-Level results for every school are in the table above.
What 11+ exam do Slough grammar schools use?
Most Slough 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 Slough grammar schools distinctive?
Slough is one of England's 11 fully-selective LAs — all 4 state grammars participate in a single consortium with one shared registration and test.
What else should families know about the Slough 11+?
Langley Grammar School is the highest-ranked Slough grammar — placing at #29 in the Sunday Times Parent Power 2026 with 77% GCSE 9-7 and 85% A-Level A*-B.
Nearby Regions
Many families consider grammars in neighbouring regions to maximise options. Explore: