About Rugby High School
Rugby High School is a selective girls' grammar school in Rugby, Warwickshire, admitting 150 girls per year (co-educational Sixth Form). It is part of the West Midlands Grammar Schools Partnership (Warwickshire Consortium). The school uses the shared GL Assessment entrance test — registration via westmidlandsgrammarschools.co.uk. Results released 16th October 2026.
Rugby High School provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Rugby High School
Rugby High School is a girls 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.
Rugby High 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 Rugby High School
Rugby High School Admissions Criteria
Rugby High School is a selective girls' grammar school in Rugby, Warwickshire, admitting 150 girls per year (co-educational Sixth Form). It is part of the West Midlands Grammar Schools Partnership (Warwickshire Consortium). The school uses the shared GL Assessment entrance test — registration via westmidlandsgrammarschools.co.uk. Results released 16th October 2026.
- ✓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.
- ✓Scores weighted: English & VR 50%, NVR 25%, Maths 25%.
- ✓Achieve the Warwickshire Consortium qualifying standardised score.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after girls (highest priority).
- ✓Girls within the school's catchment area who achieve the qualifying score.
- ✓All other qualifying girls, ranked by score then distance.
Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 — Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High School's waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Rugby High School
Rugby High School selects through the shared West Midlands Grammar Schools entrance test (GL Assessment), sat once for the partnership's schools — two age-standardised multiple-choice papers, weighted 50% English and verbal reasoning, 25% non-verbal reasoning and 25% mathematics.
- English & verbal reasoning: comprehension, vocabulary and word-based logic.
- Non-verbal & spatial reasoning: pattern recognition and visual problem-solving.
- Mathematics: Key Stage 2 arithmetic and problem-solving.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Rugby High School
Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Rugby High School is a high-achieving girls' grammar rated Outstanding by Ofsted, with consistently strong GCSE and A-Level results and many students progressing to competitive universities, including Oxbridge and the Russell Group.
- GCSE & A-Level: consistently strong results across a broad curriculum.
- Sixth form: a co-educational sixth form (boys admitted since 2018).
- Specialism: specialist status in science and languages.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Rugby High School
Admission to Year 7 is through the shared West Midlands Grammar Schools entrance test (the Warwickshire 11+), set by GL Assessment and used across the partnership's 19 schools in Birmingham, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Walsall and Wolverhampton — so a child sits it once. It is two multiple-choice papers of around an hour each, taken in one sitting, weighted 50% English and verbal reasoning, 25% non-verbal reasoning and 25% mathematics; scores are age-standardised, and Rugby-area applicants typically need a standardised score of around 211 to be competitive. Families register through the partnership and name the school on the Local Authority preference form.
The school admits around 150 girls to Year 7 and uses a catchment split into an East Warwickshire area and an inner priority circle. After children with an EHCP and looked-after children, qualified girls are prioritised by catchment and then by test score, so demand is high. Always confirm the current arrangements in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Rugby High School is a selective girls' grammar for ages 11–18, with a co-educational sixth form, on Longrood Road in Bilton, Rugby, Warwickshire (CV22 7RE), with around 800 pupils. Founded in 1903 and an academy since 2012, it holds specialist status in science and languages, organises pupils across four houses, and carries the motto 'She Sets Heights In Her Heart'.
The school combines academic ambition with a friendly ethos and a wide programme of music, sport, debating and volunteering, working in close partnership with the neighbouring Lawrence Sheriff School. For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rugby High School
How do I apply to Rugby High School for Year 7?
Applications to Rugby High 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 Rugby High School on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does Rugby High School use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — Rugby High 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 Rugby High School?
Rugby High 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 Rugby High School have?
Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High School's waiting list.
Is Rugby High School a state school or fee-paying?
Rugby High 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 Rugby High 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 Rugby High School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Rugby High 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.