About Gresham's School
Gresham's School is a leading independent co-educational boarding and day school in Holt, Norfolk, founded in 1555. As an independent school, fees apply. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own entrance examination and interview. Gresham's is known for its outstanding music, sports and creative arts programmes.
Gresham's School provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. A-Level A*–B: 75%.
About the Gresham's School Entrance Assessment
Gresham’s School is a co-educational independent boarding and day school in Holt, Norfolk (ages 2–18), founded in 1555. Entry to Year 7 is by the school’s own entrance assessment, and applications are made directly to the school — not through the Local Authority.
The assessment typically covers English, Mathematics and reasoning, usually with a taster day and an interview. As an independent school, Gresham’s sets its own assessment and standards; fees apply, with academic, art, drama, music and sport scholarships (from Year 7, 9 and Sixth Form) and means-tested bursaries available.
Registration, assessment dates and open events are published on the school’s own admissions pages each year. Because Gresham’s is independent, you apply to and are offered a place by the school directly, on its own timetable.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Gresham's School
Gresham's School Admissions Criteria
Gresham's School is a leading independent co-educational boarding and day school in Holt, Norfolk, founded in 1555. As an independent school, fees apply. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own entrance examination and interview. Gresham's is known for its outstanding music, sports and creative arts programmes.
- ✓Register with Gresham's School via their admissions office (greshams.com).
- ✓Sit the school's own entrance assessment (English, Mathematics and Reasoning).
- ✓Attend an interview.
- ✓Academic, music, sport and art scholarships available.
- ✓Means-tested bursaries available for eligible families.
Gresham's School Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the None 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 Gresham's School)
- 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 — Gresham's School 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | May 2025 |
| 📌 Registration closes | Mid-July 2025 (varies by school) |
| 📌 GL Assessment 11+ Entrance Test | September 2025 (English + Maths + Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) |
| 📌 Test results released | Mid-October 2025 |
| 📌 CAF deadline (apply via Local Authority) | Friday 31 October 2025 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 2 March 2026 |
How to Apply to Gresham's School via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register your child for the GL Assessment 11+ Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Default) when registration opens. Closes Mid-July 2025 (varies by school). There is no fee to sit the GL Assessment test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Gresham's School
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 2025. 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 2025, 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 Gresham's School 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 2025. 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 2 March 2026. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Gresham's School's waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Gresham's School
Practice Papers for Gresham's School
Gresham's School uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — 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 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
Academic Performance at Gresham’s School
Gresham’s has a strong academic record at GCSE, A‑Level and the IB Diploma, with many leavers progressing to Russell Group universities. As an independent it sets its own standards through its entrance assessment.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Co‑curricular at Gresham’s
- ✓Pastoral: a strong house system across day and boarding on a 200-acre estate.
- ✓Co‑curricular: renowned music, drama and sport, plus the Dyson STEAM building.
- ✓Boarding/day: day, weekly and full boarding options.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gresham’s School
Is Gresham's a state or independent school?
Gresham's School is a co-educational independent boarding and day school in Holt, Norfolk - it is fee-paying, not a state grammar.
How do I apply to Gresham's for Year 7?
You apply directly to the school. Entry is by the school's own entrance assessment, a taster day and an interview.
Does Gresham's use the GL Assessment 11+?
No. As an independent school it sets its own entrance assessment - it is not part of the state GL 11+ system.
Are there scholarships and bursaries?
Yes - academic, art, drama, music and sport scholarships (Year 7, 9 and Sixth Form) and means-tested bursaries are available.
How to Prepare for the Gresham's School 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.