About Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle
The Royal Grammar School (RGS), Newcastle is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 7–18 on Eskdale Terrace in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, with a Metro station by its main entrance. Despite its historic name it is a fee-paying independent school, not a state grammar.
Founded in 1525 and originally beside St Nicholas’ Cathedral, RGS moved to Jesmond in 1906 and became fully co-educational in 2008. It is one of the leading independent schools in the North East, known for strong academic results and an extensive co-curricular programme.
About the CEM-style 11+ Test for Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle
Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle is a co-educational independent school in England that historically used the CEM 11+ entrance test (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, University of Durham) for Year 7 admission. Note that many schools have transitioned to GL Assessment or bespoke entrance tests since CEM 11+ was retired in 2022 — verify the current format on the school's website. The school admits approximately a limited number of Year 7 pupils each September, and applications are made directly to Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle (registration fee payable).
The CEM-style 11+ format traditionally consists of one or two papers covering English (comprehension, cloze passages, vocabulary), Mathematics (numerical reasoning, problem-solving), Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. CEM scores are age-standardised so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. The CEM-style is the established alternative reference format to GL Assessment.
For 2026 entry, the Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle entrance exam is held in January of Year 6, with results and offers issued in February-March (varies by school).
Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (available places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle
- Type: Independent (fee-paying) co-educational day school, ages 7–18*
- Main 11+ entry: Year 7, by the school’s own assessment taken in January of Year 6
- Assessment: an online Quest assessment, with selected candidates invited to a group activity, plus a current school report
- Registration: complete the registration form (by early December if applying for a bursary, early January otherwise); a non-refundable registration fee applies
Applications are made directly to RGS rather than via any local-authority co-ordinated scheme. Families are encouraged to visit on the November Open Morning, then register; the child sits the January assessment and offers follow on performance together with the school report. Bursaries are available and require an earlier application.
Fees are charged per term and reviewed annually. Confirm the current fees, dates and bursary details directly with the school.
CEM Practice Papers for Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle
Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle uses its own online Quest assessment. 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
How to Prepare for the Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle 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 Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle (GCSE & A-Level Results)
The Royal Grammar School, Newcastle is one of the North East’s leading independent schools, with strong results at GCSE and A-Level.
- GCSE: a high proportion of top GCSE grades across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level: a strong sixth form supporting applications to highly competitive universities.
- Progression: high rates of progression to leading universities, including Russell Group institutions.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle
Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. Places are open to families from across Newcastle and the wider North East and beyond, and are allocated on the basis of the entrance assessment rather than where a family lives.
RGS is on Eskdale Terrace in Jesmond with a Metro station at its main entrance, drawing pupils from across Tyneside and beyond; despite its name it has no state catchment, as entry is by assessment.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
RGS combines academic strength with an extensive co-curricular programme, giving pupils a wide choice of sport, music, drama, clubs and activities alongside dedicated pastoral support.
The school has a long history dating to 1525 and became fully co-educational in 2008. For the full list of co-curricular activities, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle
How do I apply to Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle for Year 7?
Applications to Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle are made directly to the school. Register on the school's website (registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies)), pay the registration fee, sit the entrance exam, and attend an interview if shortlisted.
Does Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle use the CEM 11+ test?
Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle historically used the CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) 11+ entrance test. Since CEM 11+ was retired in 2022, many schools have transitioned to GL Assessment or developed bespoke entrance tests. Practice papers in the CEM-style format remain valuable preparation as the topic areas (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) are still tested in most formats.
What's the difference between CEM and GL Assessment?
Both test similar subjects (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) but differ in style: CEM was designed to be less coachable with broader vocabulary and varied question types per paper; GL Assessment has more structured, predictable papers per subject area. Many former CEM schools now use GL Assessment after CEM 11+ was retired in 2022.
How many Year 7 places does Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle have?
Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle admits a limited number of Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly.
When is the 11+ test for Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle?
For 2026 entry, Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle's 11+ entrance assessment is held in January of Year 6 (Independent school entrance exam, CEM-style format). Registration closes Typically November-December of Year 5 (varies).
What's the pass mark / qualifying score for Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle?
Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle sets its own qualifying mark each year based on the standardised score distribution of applicants. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) according to performance in the entrance assessment.
Is Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle a state school or fee-paying?
Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle is an independent fee-paying school. Registration fees, entrance exam fees, and tuition fees apply. Bursaries and scholarships are typically available for academically able pupils from lower-income families — check the school's website for details.
How can my child prepare for the Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete CEM-style 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question, and downloadable resources covering English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the test for best results.
Where can I find Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Royal Grammar School (RGS) Newcastle 2026 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, current test format, qualifying mark, supplementary forms, and any school-specific application requirements.