UK Rank #100 In-site school
Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy
Brixham, Torbay
Ofsted: Good Mixed
Consortium guide
Torbay 11 Plus
The Torbay selective route covers the local grammar schools around Torquay. It is a compact route with a shared testing pattern, a small school list, key deadlines and school-specific admissions rules after the result. The practical questions are as important as the academic ones: which schools are covered, what the papers test, how boys' and girls' options differ, and how the coastal journey fits a normal school week.
3 schools GL Assessment 6 downloads
7 key dates
01 / Route overview
What this route covers
The Torbay route is a small South Devon selective route centred on the grammar options around Torquay. It is very different from a county-wide 11 Plus system. The school list is short, the geography is local, and the questions become practical quite quickly: which schools are covered, how the test is structured, and what the school journey looks like around Torbay.
The test is provided by GL Assessment and focuses on English and maths across two papers. The English paper is designed around comprehension and language skills, while the maths paper looks at mathematical knowledge and problem solving. The papers are multiple choice and usually sat close together, with a break between them.
The school context is the part that gives the route its shape. Torquay Boys’ Grammar School and Torquay Girls’ Grammar School are the most obvious grammar options, with Churston Ferrers also part of the local selective picture and other linked local provision appearing in route data. The route is compact enough to compare school by school, but the schools do not all offer the same setting or daily routine.
Torbay also has the familiar selective-admissions distinction between reaching the qualifying standard and receiving a place. The score is age-standardised and the qualifying standard can vary by year, then each school applies its own admissions policy. The route page is therefore about the local test and the local school map, not just the idea of “passing the 11 Plus”.
Schools using this route
These are the schools currently linked to the Torbay route.
UK Rank #99 In-site school
Torquay Boys' Grammar School
Torquay, Torbay
Ofsted: Good Boys only
UK Rank #118 In-site school
Torquay Girls' Grammar School
Torquay, Torbay
Ofsted: Outstanding Girls only
02 / Selection test
Exam format and structure
The Torbay 11 Plus includes multiple choice papers which assess your child on their maths and English comprehension.
Paper structure
Paper 1 (GL Assessment):
See the papers and topics below.
Paper 2 (GL Assessment):
See the papers and topics below.
The first of two papers will be used to assess your child’s competency in English. The test will last approximately 50 minutes and is supplied by GL Assessment.
The maths paper will be taken on the same day, with a short break between the two papers. This paper, also delivered by GL Assessment, lasts around 50 minutes and assesses your child on their capabilities with different mathematical skills.
03 / Scoring
Pass mark and score guidance
Your child’s Torbay 11 Plus test mark undergoes a standardisation process to ensure no child has an unfair advantage based off their age. There is then a qualifying standard set across all the selective schools which your child must meet to be considered for a place. There is no fixed pass mark and it varies from year to year but aims to select around the top 25% of candidates.
After your child meets the qualifying standard, the school then applies their own admissions criteria to allocate places.
04 / Applications
Key dates and how to apply
To register your child for the Torbay 11 Plus Test, complete the online application on the school website. This is required whether you live in Torbay or are applying from outside the area.
Key dates
Registration Opens
Monday 3rd March 2025
Provisional Registration Deadline
Wednesday 16th July 2025
Final Registration Deadline
Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Test Date
Saturday 20th September 2025
Results Day
Monday 13th October 2025
Common Application Form Deadline
Friday 31st October 2025
National Offer Day
Monday 2nd March 2026
Application steps
Register online
Visit the Torbay Council website, or the website of the schools where you wish to sit the test, during the registration window and complete the application form. You’ll need to provide your child’s details and the primary school they attend.
Test centre for non-Torbay schools
You will be assigned a test centre where your child can sit the Torbay 11 Plus in September if they do not attend a Torbay school.
Keep your confirmation email
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email which you should keep to refer to it later.
05 / Resources
Practice papers and familiarisation materials
These local PDF copies are useful for format practice and timing; dates, paper formats, and registration details can change, so the current admissions page remains the source to trust.
Maths
06 / Linked schools
Schools on this route
These are the schools currently mapped to the Torbay route in Grammar School Hub.
Search workspace
Search and filter schools
Search by school or area, then narrow the shortlist by school type, Ofsted, or test pattern where it helps.
Compare up to 4 schools
3 schools
No schools selected to compare yet.
UK Rank #118
Torquay Girls' Grammar School
Torquay / Torbay
Ofsted: OutstandingGirls only
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- Moderate
- Attainment 8
- 68.6
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 94.2%
UK Rank #99
Torquay Boys' Grammar School
Torquay / Torbay
Ofsted: GoodBoys only
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- High
- Attainment 8
- 70.8
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 98.8%
UK Rank #100
Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy
Brixham / Torbay
Ofsted: GoodMixed
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- Moderate
- Attainment 8
- 71.2
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 97.9%
07 / Shortlisting
Admissions points to compare school by school
Once the route itself is clear, treat the linked schools as separate choices. This is usually where travel, oversubscription rules, and school fit start to matter most.
Torbay tends to reward clear, local thinking. The route is small enough that parents can usually get to the meaningful comparison quickly: which school feels right, which journey is sustainable, and which option still looks strongest once admissions detail is layered back in.
Check these before you rank schools
- How the journey into Torquay or nearby schools would feel on an ordinary school day
- Whether boys', girls', or mixed local options suit your child better
- How the route's Saturday test and autumn timeline fit the rest of Year 6
- Which schools remain strongest once travel and admissions detail are weighed together
08 / Preparation
How to prepare for this route
Supporting your child’s preparation for the Torbay 11 Plus makes a huge difference. Here are some practical steps you can take to help them succeed:
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5 to give them ample time to confidently build the skills they need.
Use Practice Papers
Work through Torbay-11-Plus-style test papers in simulated test conditions. This helps your child get accustomed to the format and practices exam technique.
Focus on Weak Areas
Track your child’s progress to identify the areas and topics they find the most difficult to succeed in.
Encourage Daily Reading
Reading regularly strengthens their vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills, which help out with the the English and reasoning papers.
Try Online Tools
Use online platforms that offer Torbay 11 plus test papers specific practice questions and personal feedback to help make revision more engaging and effective.
Keeping preparation consistent, structured, and positive can help your child feel confident and ready for the test on the day.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which Torbay schools share the local selective route?
The Torbay route is centred on the Torquay grammar schools and Churston Ferrers, so it is a small South Devon route rather than a sprawling county-wide system.
Can a Torbay result still depend on the named school?
Yes. The local route is shared, but the boys', girls' and co-educational options still have different places, policies and journeys across Torbay.
What makes Torbay a local route?
Torbay is centred on a small South Devon school group around Torquay rather than a large county-wide grammar system. The test is shared, but the final picture is shaped by a short school list, local travel and school-level admissions rules.
Who usually manages registration or applications for Torbay?
The live process usually sits with the Torbay schools and their admissions processes. The official pages remain the source of truth for registration windows, test venues, access arrangements and final admissions instructions for the relevant year.