About Lawrence Sheriff School
Lawrence Sheriff School is a selective boys' grammar school (co-educational Sixth Form) in Rugby, Warwickshire, admitting 150 boys per year, founded in 1567. It is part of the West Midlands Grammar Schools Partnership (Warwickshire Consortium) and uses the shared GL Assessment entrance test. Lawrence Sheriff is one of the partner schools sharing sixth-form provision with Rugby High School.
Lawrence Sheriff School provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Lawrence Sheriff School
Lawrence Sheriff School is a boys state grammar school in England that uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test to select pupils 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 your local 11+ consortium 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.
Lawrence Sheriff School 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 Lawrence Sheriff School
Lawrence Sheriff School Admissions Criteria
Lawrence Sheriff School is a selective boys' grammar school (co-educational Sixth Form) in Rugby, Warwickshire, admitting 150 boys per year, founded in 1567. It is part of the West Midlands Grammar Schools Partnership (Warwickshire Consortium) and uses the shared GL Assessment entrance test. Lawrence Sheriff is one of the partner schools sharing sixth-form provision with Rugby High School.
- ✓Register at westmidlandsgrammarschools.co.uk (opens 5th May 2026, closes 26th June 2026 at 4pm).
- ✓Sit two GL Assessment multiple-choice papers covering English/VR, NVR and Mathematics.
- ✓Achieve the Warwickshire Consortium qualifying standardised score.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after boys (highest priority).
- ✓Boys within the school's catchment area who achieve the qualifying score.
- ✓All other qualifying boys, ranked by score then distance.
Lawrence Sheriff School 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 — Lawrence Sheriff School 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 late June 2026 (varies by school). There is no fee to sit the GL Assessment test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Lawrence Sheriff 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 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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 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 Lawrence Sheriff School's waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Lawrence Sheriff School
Lawrence Sheriff School selects through the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test (GL Assessment), shared across the wider West Midlands partnership — two multiple-choice papers of around 50–60 minutes, age-standardised.
- English & verbal reasoning (50%): comprehension, vocabulary and verbal logic.
- Mathematics (25%): Key Stage 2 arithmetic and problem-solving.
- Non-verbal & spatial reasoning (25%): pattern recognition and spatial awareness.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Lawrence Sheriff School
Lawrence Sheriff School 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 Lawrence Sheriff 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.
Academic Performance at Lawrence Sheriff School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Lawrence Sheriff School is a high-achieving boys' grammar with a strong academic record at GCSE and A-Level, a particular focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and a strong community spirit, alongside good progression to leading universities.
- GCSE & A-Level: consistently strong results across a broad curriculum.
- Sixth form: a mixed sixth form admitting girls as well as boys.
- Specialism: a strong focus on STEM subjects, with an extensive extracurricular programme.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Lawrence Sheriff School
Admission to Year 7 is through the West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test, set by GL Assessment and shared across the wider West Midlands partnership (the Birmingham, Warwickshire and Shropshire/Walsall/Wolverhampton consortia), so a child sits one test for several schools. It is two multiple-choice papers of around 50–60 minutes, divided into timed sections covering English comprehension, verbal reasoning, mathematics and non-verbal/spatial reasoning (weighted 50% English and verbal reasoning, 25% mathematics, 25% non-verbal/spatial reasoning); results are age-standardised. The school uses an Automatic Qualifying Score and a Minimum Academic Score (around 210 and 205 respectively in a recent year).
The catchment has two parts: an Eastern Priority Area covering Rugby and many named parishes, and a wider Priority Circle of about 10.004 miles measured from the Rugby Water Tower — catchment children take priority over those in the circle, who in turn take priority over applicants from further afield. After children with an EHCP and looked-after children, places are ranked by score within these areas, with limited places for Pupil Premium and Service Premium pupils from outside. Always confirm the current catchment map and criteria in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Lawrence Sheriff School is a selective boys' grammar for ages 11–18, with a mixed sixth form, on Clifton Road in Rugby, Warwickshire (CV21 3AG), with around 800–900 pupils. Founded in 1878 and named after Lawrence Sheriff, the Elizabethan founder of Rugby School, it became an academy in 2014 and is one of three selective schools in Rugby (alongside Rugby High School and Ashlawn).
The school emphasises a balanced education that combines academic achievement with character development, with a strong STEM focus and an extensive extracurricular programme including sport, the arts and trips abroad. For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lawrence Sheriff School
How do I apply to Lawrence Sheriff School for Year 7?
Applications to Lawrence Sheriff School 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 Lawrence Sheriff School on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does Lawrence Sheriff School use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — Lawrence Sheriff School 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 Lawrence Sheriff School?
Lawrence Sheriff School 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 Lawrence Sheriff School have?
Lawrence Sheriff School 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 Lawrence Sheriff School 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 Lawrence Sheriff School's waiting list.
Is Lawrence Sheriff School a state school or fee-paying?
Lawrence Sheriff School 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 Lawrence Sheriff School 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 Lawrence Sheriff School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Lawrence Sheriff School 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.