Ashlawn School Admission Guide (2026-2027)

Ashlawn's academic selective route uses the West Midlands GL test covering English, mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Our 11+ GL practice papers — with full video explanations for every question — cover all four areas and are well suited to preparation for Ashlawn's selective stream.

ExamTutor practice papers with tutor video explanations cover English, mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning — the areas tested by the West Midlands entrance test used for Ashlawn's academic places. Follow these steps to prepare:

As a bilateral school, Ashlawn's published GCSE figures reflect its full comprehensive intake rather than the selective stream alone, so they sit around the national average overall.

• GCSE (2025, whole school): an Attainment 8 score of about 50 (50.4) and Progress 8 close to zero (-0.08); selective-stream pupils achieve substantially higher.
• Sixth form: a broad co-educational sixth form with a wide A-Level and vocational offer supporting university and apprenticeship progression.
• Inspection: rated Good by Ofsted at its most recent graded inspection (3–4 June 2025), with all areas including sixth form judged Good — a two-grade improvement on the previous (2022) inspection.

Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.

For its non-selective places, Ashlawn admits under Warwickshire's normal criteria, with a designated priority area around Hillmorton and Rugby (distance-based, after looked-after children and siblings).

For its academic selective places, two priority areas apply: up to about 15 places for children living in the Eastern Area of Warwickshire, and up to about 16 places for children living within a 10-mile circle centred on the Rugby Water Tower. Within each, Pupil Premium pupils meeting the qualifying score are prioritised, then others by score; out-of-area qualifiers are considered next.

Always confirm the current priority areas, qualifying scores and full oversubscription criteria in the school's admissions policy.

Ashlawn School is on Ashlawn Road in Hillmorton, Rugby, Warwickshire. Tracing its roots to 1952 and now an academy within the Transforming Lives Educational Trust, it is a large co-educational school of around 1,600 pupils with a sizeable sixth form, and recent inspections have praised its calm, purposeful culture and ambitious curriculum.

Beyond the classroom, the school offers a broad programme of sport, music, drama and enrichment, with extensive grounds and facilities. For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.

How do I apply to Ashlawn School for Year 7, and is it selective?
Ashlawn is a co-educational bilateral school: most of its 256 Year 7 places are non-selective (apply via your Warwickshire Common Application Form, no test), but up to 56 places are selective — 31 academic and 25 modern-languages aptitude. For a selective place you must register and sit the relevant test, then name Ashlawn on your CAF by 31 October 2026.

What test does Ashlawn use for its academic selective places?
The West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test, provided by GL Assessment — the same shared test used by the Warwickshire grammar schools. It is two multiple-choice papers (each about 50–60 minutes) covering English/comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Scores are age-standardised.

How many selective places are there, and how are they split?
Up to 56 of the 256 Year 7 places are selective: 31 academic places (for applicants meeting the automatic qualifying score in the West Midlands test) and 25 modern-languages aptitude places (via a separate aptitude test). If fewer than 56 qualify, the remaining places become non-selective.

How are the 31 academic places allocated?
After looked-after children, up to about 15 places go to qualifying applicants in the Eastern Area of Warwickshire and up to about 16 to those living within a 10-mile priority circle centred on the Rugby Water Tower. Within each group, Pupil Premium pupils who meet the qualifying score are prioritised, then others by rank order of score.

When is the entrance test and when are results released?
For 2027 entry, applicants are allocated a session across Saturday 12 or Sunday 13 September 2026; results are sent by Friday 16 October 2026 — before the Common Application Form deadline of Saturday 31 October 2026.

What is the modern-languages aptitude route?
Separately from the academic test, Ashlawn offers up to 25 places to applicants who score most highly in a modern-languages (ML) aptitude test. It is a distinct application and assessment from the West Midlands academic test, so you can apply for either or both routes.

Does meeting the qualifying score guarantee a selective place?
No. Passing the test makes a child eligible, but Ashlawn is oversubscribed for its selective places, so places are then allocated using the priority-area and oversubscription criteria. Children outside the priority areas are considered only after in-area applicants.

What are Ashlawn's results and Ofsted rating?
As a bilateral school its whole-school GCSE figures reflect its full comprehensive intake — a 2025 Attainment 8 of about 50, around the national average — while selective-stream pupils achieve substantially higher. Ofsted rated the school Good at its most recent graded inspection (June 2025), a marked improvement on its previous inspection.

Where can I find Ashlawn School's official admissions policy?
The full admissions policy (2027–28), including the selective and aptitude criteria, the Eastern Area and Rugby Water Tower priority areas and the automatic qualifying scores, is published on the school's website and via Warwickshire County Council. Always confirm the current details there.