About Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS)
Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS) is a selective state school for girls aged 11–18 in Lancaster, Lancashire, founded in 1907. LGGS uses the FSCE entrance test — testing Maths and English only. The 2026 exam will take place on Saturday 26th September 2026. Registration opens June 2026. 145 places available, with priority given to girls living within the City of Lancaster.
Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS) provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 68.3%. A-Level A*–B: 68.8%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS)
Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS) Admissions Criteria
Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS) is a selective state school for girls aged 11–18 in Lancaster, Lancashire, founded in 1907. LGGS uses the FSCE entrance test — testing Maths and English only. The 2026 exam will take place on Saturday 26th September 2026. Registration opens June 2026. 145 places available, with priority given to girls living within the City of Lancaster.
- ✓Register for the LGGS entrance exam via the school website — registration opens June 2026 and closes in September 2026.
- ✓Sit the FSCE entrance test on Saturday 26th September 2026 — Maths and English papers only (no VR or NVR).
- ✓Papers based on the KS2 National Curriculum up to the end of Year 5 — both multiple-choice and short written answers.
- ✓Girls must achieve the required standard to be eligible for a place.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after girls who achieve the pass mark (highest priority).
- ✓Girls eligible for Pupil Premium who live in the City of Lancaster and achieve the pass mark.
- ✓Girls whose home address is in the City of Lancaster who achieve the pass mark.
- ✓Girls from outside the City of Lancaster who achieve the pass mark, ranked by score.
- ✓Apply via Lancashire LA CAF by 31st October 2026.
Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS) 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 FSCE 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 Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS))
- 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 — Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS) 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | May 2026 |
| 📌 Registration closes | late June 2026 (varies by school) |
| 📌 FSCE Entrance Test | September 2026 (English and Maths) |
| 📌 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 Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS) via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register your child for the FSCE Entrance Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Lancashire) when registration opens. Closes late June 2026 (varies by school). There is no fee to sit the FSCE test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS)
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 FSCE Entrance Test
Your child sits the FSCE test in September 2026. The test typically covers English and Mathematics, 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 Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS) 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 Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS)'s waiting list — managed by the school itself.
Subjects Tested at Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS)
LGGS selects by competitive entrance test, in recent years produced by FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) — two standardised papers taken on the same day, both covering English and mathematics, with a mix of multiple-choice and short written answers.
- English: reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and written response.
- Mathematics: numerical reasoning and problem-solving.
Note: the test provider/format has changed in recent years — confirm the current arrangements with the school.
Independent 11+ Practice Papers for Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS)
Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS) uses the FSCE entrance test (English and Mathematics). 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 Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS) 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.
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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.
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Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS) consistently ranks among the top-performing state schools in the UK, with strong results at GCSE and A-Level and a tradition of academic achievement and leadership development, alongside a broad curriculum and notable success in sport, music and drama.
- GCSE & A-Level: consistently strong results across a broad curriculum.
- Sixth form: a co-educational sixth form with strong university progression.
- Enrichment: regional and national success in hockey, netball, athletics, choirs and orchestras.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Lancaster Girls' Grammar School
Admission to Year 7 is by competitive entrance examination. In recent years LGGS's test has been produced by FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) — two standardised papers taken on the same day, both covering English and mathematics (a mix of multiple-choice and short written answers) and designed to assess ability holistically. There is no fixed pass mark; pupils are ranked by score, with broadly the top 25% reaching the required standard. As test arrangements have changed in recent years, always confirm the current format and provider with the school.
The school has a defined catchment built around the City of Lancaster district. After looked-after children within the district and then Pupil Premium pupils within the district, priority runs through other qualified girls in the district, with applicants from outside considered once in-district pupils have been accommodated; distance is used in allocation. Families register for the LGGS test and name the school on the Local Authority application form. Always confirm the current arrangements in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Lancaster Girls' Grammar School (LGGS) is a selective girls' grammar for ages 11–18 (with a co-educational sixth form) on Regent Street in Lancaster, Lancashire (LA1 1SF), with around 750 pupils in the lower school. Founded in 1907 to provide high-quality education for girls in the Lancaster area, it is non-denominational and has continuously modernised while maintaining a tradition of excellence.
The school fosters an ethos of mutual respect, ambition and integrity, with strong provision in sport, music and drama alongside a wide enrichment programme. For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Lancaster Girls' Grammar School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Lancaster Girls' Grammar School for Year 7?
Register with the school for its entrance test (sat in September) and name LGGS on your Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) by 31 October 2026.
What entrance test does Lancaster Girls' Grammar School use?
Its entrance test, in recent years produced by FSCE (Future Stories) rather than a shared consortium provider — two standardised papers sat on the same day, covering English and Mathematics (a mix of multiple-choice and short written tasks), based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum. Because providers can change, confirm the current format with the school.
Is Lancaster Girls' Grammar School selective, and is it free?
Yes. Lancaster Girls' Grammar School is a selective state grammar school for girls and, as a state-funded school, charges no fees.
When does the entrance test take place?
In September. For September 2027 entry it falls in the autumn of 2026. The two papers are sat on the same day in September; confirm the exact date with the school.
When are the results released?
In October 2026, before the Local Authority application deadline, so you can list LGGS on your CAF in time.
When is National Offers Day in 2027?
National Offers Day is 1 March 2027, when Local Authorities tell families which secondary school place their child has been allocated.
Does Lancaster Girls' Grammar School have a catchment area?
LGGS offers places to qualifying girls by rank of test score; geographical and priority arrangements can apply in oversubscription. Check the school's current admissions policy.
How many Year 7 places does Lancaster Girls' Grammar School offer?
Check LGGS's website for the current number of Year 7 places.
How can my child prepare for the LGGS entrance test?
Because the FSCE test is built on the Key Stage 2 curriculum (up to the end of Year 5) and avoids verbal and non-verbal reasoning, focus on applying English and maths skills rather than drilling reasoning. No past papers are published and the format changes yearly, so practise broadly. ExamTutor offers practice papers with full video explanations.