About Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS)
Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) is a co-educational grammar school near Brixham, South Devon, rated Highly Commended State Secondary School of the Year 2026 by The Times. It is part of the Torbay Consortium along with Torquay Boys' Grammar and Torquay Girls' Grammar. The 11+ consists of two GL Assessment multiple-choice papers taken on the same day. There is no fixed pass mark — places are allocated to the highest-scoring candidates.
Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 60.9%. A-Level A*–B: 78.9%.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS)
Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) is a co-educational state grammar school in England that selects pupils through the Torbay Consortium 11+ (set using GL Assessment papers) for Year 7 admission. The school admits approximately 150 Year 7 pupils each September, and applications must be made through your home Local Authority via the Common Application Form (CAF) — never directly to the school.
The GL Assessment 11+ is one of two main 11+ test providers in England (the other being CEM, now retired in many regions). The Devon test typically consists of multiple papers covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Scores are standardised against the cohort age distribution, so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. Each school sets its own qualifying mark (pass mark).
For 2027 entry, the GL Assessment test is sat in September 2026 and results are released to parents on Mid-October 2026 — crucially, before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026, giving parents time to consider results before listing school preferences. National Offers Day is Monday 1 March 2027, when Local Authorities issue Year 7 secondary school offers.
Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the 11+ test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (150 places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS)
Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) Admissions Criteria
Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) is a co-educational grammar school near Brixham, South Devon, rated Highly Commended State Secondary School of the Year 2026 by The Times. It is part of the Torbay Consortium along with Torquay Boys' Grammar and Torquay Girls' Grammar. The 11+ consists of two GL Assessment multiple-choice papers taken on the same day. There is no fixed pass mark — places are allocated to the highest-scoring candidates.
- ✓Register directly with Churston Ferrers or another Torbay Consortium school.
- ✓Sit two GL Assessment multiple-choice papers (approx. 45–50 minutes each) on Saturday 19th September 2026.
- ✓Papers assess English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- ✓There is no fixed qualifying score — the top 130 candidates are ranked and offered places.
- ✓No catchment area applies — all applications considered equally regardless of home address.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children are given top priority.
- ✓Children achieving the highest scores in the Torbay 11+ test (Category A: top 130 places).
- ✓Where a tie-break is required, distance from the school (straight-line) is used.
Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 150 Year 7 admission number, the Board of Governors / Trust applies the following criteria in priority order. Final ranking uses the standardised score achieved in the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test (above the qualifying standard set by Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS))
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium / Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME)
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school
- Children with sibling(s) currently attending the school
- Children of staff (where staff member has worked at the school for 2+ years)
- Children ranked by total standardised score (highest first) up to the published admission number
- Tiebreak: distance from home to school (straight-line measurement) for children with equal scores
Key Dates & Deadlines — Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | May 2026 |
| 📌 Registration closes | late June 2026 (varies by school) |
| 📌 GL Assessment 11+ Entrance Test | September 2026 (English + Maths + Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) |
| 📌 Test results released | Mid-October 2026 |
| 📌 CAF deadline (apply via Local Authority) | Friday 31 October 2026 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 1 March 2027 |
How to Apply to Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register your child for the GL Assessment 11+ Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Devon) when registration opens. Closes late June 2026 (varies by school). There is no fee to sit the GL Assessment test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS)
Visit during Year 5 or early Year 6 to meet staff and pupils and decide whether to list this school on your CAF.
Step 3 — Sit the GL Assessment Entrance Test
Your child sits the GL Assessment in September 2026. The test typically covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised scores age-adjusted.
Step 4 — Receive your standardised test results
Test results are released to parents on Mid-October 2026, BEFORE the Common Application Form deadline. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
Step 5 — Complete your Common Application Form (CAF)
List Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) as one of your preferences on the CAF submitted via your home Local Authority (not the school's LA, unless they are the same). You can usually list 3-6 preferences depending on your LA.
Step 6 — Submit the CAF by the deadline
Submit your CAF by Friday 31 October 2026. Late applications are processed only after all on-time applications have been allocated, dramatically reducing your chance of a place.
Step 7 — Receive your school offer on National Offers Day
Offers are issued via your Local Authority on Monday 1 March 2027. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS)'s waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS)
Churston Ferrers Grammar School selects through the Torbay Consortium 11+ (GL Assessment), shared across the three Torbay grammar schools — two externally-marked multiple-choice papers of about 45–50 minutes each, age-standardised, with no officially published pass mark.
- English: comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and reasoning.
- Mathematics: Key Stage 2 problem-solving and numerical understanding.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS)
Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Churston Ferrers Grammar School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Churston Ferrers Grammar School consistently performs well in the league tables and was rated Good by Ofsted in 2023, with outstanding behaviour and attitudes (and a strong record in earlier inspections). In a recent year around 65% of GCSE grades were 7 or above (about 77% at grade 6+), and at A-Level roughly 37% of grades were A*/A with close to two-thirds at A*–B.
- GCSE: around 65% of grades at 7 or above in a recent year.
- Sixth form: strong A-Level outcomes with a broad subject offer.
- Progression: strong progression to leading universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Churston Ferrers Grammar School
Admission to Year 7 is through the Torbay Consortium 11+, produced by GL Assessment and sat by applicants to all three Torbay grammar schools (Churston Ferrers, Torquay Boys' Grammar and Torquay Girls' Grammar) — so a child sits it once. It is two externally-marked multiple-choice papers of about 45–50 minutes each, covering English (comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and reasoning) and mathematics (Key Stage 2 problem-solving), with age-standardisation applied; there is no officially published pass mark.
The school offers roughly 130–150 Year 7 places and, unusually, operates no catchment area — all applicants are considered equally regardless of home address, with straight-line distance used only as a tie-break; children with an EHCP naming the school who reach the standard are admitted first. Always confirm the current admission number and criteria in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Churston Ferrers Grammar School is a co-educational grammar near Brixham in South Devon (Greenway Road, Churston Ferrers, TQ5 0LN), drawing pupils from across Torbay, the South Hams and beyond. Founded in 1957, it is an academy and a Specialist Humanities College, with the motto 'Learning to create a better world' and a focus on independent thinking, personal development and student wellbeing.
Alongside strong results, the school offers a notably rich extracurricular timetable — from rugby, netball, chess and debating to a Birdwatching Club, textiles and Sailing Theory, plus outdoor adventures and trips. For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Churston Ferrers Grammar School
How do I apply to Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) for Year 7?
Applications to Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) are made through your home Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) — not directly to the school. Your child must sit the GL Assessment 11+ test (registration closes late June 2026 (varies by school)), then list Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test for Year 7 admission, taken in September 2026 (English + Maths + Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning). The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised age-adjusted scores.
What is the pass mark / qualifying score for Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS)?
Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) sets its own qualifying mark each year. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) up to the admission number of 150 places.
How many Year 7 places does Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) have?
Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) admits 150 Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places fairly.
When are GL Assessment results released in 2026?
For 2027 Year 7 entry, GL Assessment test results are released on Mid-October 2026 — before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
When is National Offers Day for Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) in 2027?
National Offers Day for Year 7 secondary school places in England is Monday 1 March 2027. Offers are issued by your home Local Authority — not directly by the school. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS)'s waiting list.
Is Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) a state school or fee-paying?
Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) is a state-funded grammar school — there are no tuition fees. As a state grammar, it is academically selective via the GL Assessment 11+ test, but pupils who pass the test do not pay to attend.
How can my child prepare for the Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete GL Assessment 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question (covering all GL topic areas — English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning), and downloadable resources. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the September 11+ test.
Where can I find Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS)'s official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Churston Ferrers Grammar School (CFGS) 2027 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, qualifying mark, supplementary forms (if any), and any school-specific application requirements.