GCSE rank #100 In-site school
Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy
Brixham, Torbay
Ofsted: Good Mixed
Consortium guide
Torbay 11 Plus
Understand how the Torbay selective route works, which schools share it, what the assessment usually looks like, and the practical checks to make before building a shortlist.
3 schools GL Assessment 7 key dates
Last checked 29 Mar 2026
Applies To
The Torbay 11 Plus is used by the 4 selective schools in the Torbay Selective Schools
Test Format
The test provider is GL Assessment, and includes content in the areas of maths and English across 2 papers.
Eligibility
Any child in Year 6 can sit the Torbay 11 Plus.
Places Available
There are around 700 places on offer across the four grammar schools in the Torbay Selective Schools.
Admissions
There is no official figure on how many pupils sit the Torbay 11 Plus annually however the test is known to be highly competitive.
01 / Route overview
What this route covers
The Torbay 11 Plus is an entrance exam set by GL Assessment. Used exclusively by grammar schools within the Torbay area, the exam is designed to assess whether pupils meet the level required for grammar school entry.
In this section
- What the route covers
- Which schools use it
- What to compare next
Torbay 11 Plus is a shared route used by 4 schools, so it helps to get clear on the test, timeline, and school list before narrowing further.
Once the Torbay route itself is clear, the shortlist usually improves when you compare travel, admissions rules, and school fit instead of treating every school on the route as interchangeable.
Schools using this route
These are the schools currently linked to the Torbay route.
GCSE rank #99 In-site school
Torquay Boys' Grammar School
Torquay, Torbay
Ofsted: Good Boys only
GCSE rank #118 In-site school
Torquay Girls' Grammar School
Torquay, Torbay
Ofsted: Outstanding Girls only
What to compare next
- Travel time and how realistic the school day looks from home
- Oversubscription and admissions rules applied after the test result
- School type, setting, and whether the environment suits your child
- Any route-specific deadlines, forms, or extra steps to keep alongside the shared test
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.
In this section
- Paper structure
- Subjects covered
- Stages or provider
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.
In this section
- Score mix
- Threshold notes
- How marks are described
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.
In this section
- Registration timing
- Test day
- Application steps
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.
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.
In this section
- Travel and realism
- Oversubscription rules
- School-by-school fit
The shared route keeps the testing process simpler, but the final shortlist usually depends on how each linked school applies its admissions rules and how practical each option still looks once travel is taken seriously.
Check these before you rank schools
- Travel time and how realistic the school day looks from home
- Oversubscription and admissions rules applied after the test result
- School type, setting, and whether the environment suits your child
- Any route-specific deadlines, forms, or extra steps to keep alongside the shared test
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:
In this section
- What to practise
- How to plan
- How to stay grounded
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.
09 / FAQs
Questions families often ask
Use these answers as a planning guide, then confirm the live admissions details for your application year.
In this section
- Common questions
- Decision checks
- Application-year details
Does one Torbay selective route result cover every school on this page? +
In broad terms, yes: the shared Torbay selective route route lets one test result support several school applications. The important caveat is that final admissions rules can still differ between the schools using that route.
Does a qualifying score guarantee a place? +
No. A strong or qualifying result may keep a school in play, but final offers still depend on the admissions policy, oversubscription rules, and how competitive that year is.
What should parents compare once the route itself is clear? +
Parents usually make better decisions when they compare boys’ and girls’ options, whether the Torbay schools fit your child equally well, and what the daily journey looks like once you move beyond the admissions headline. That turns a broad route into a realistic shortlist instead of a wish list.
Who usually manages registration or applications for Torbay? +
The live process usually sits with the Torbay schools and their admissions processes. This page helps you understand the route, but the final registration and admissions instructions should always be checked on the live official pages for the relevant year.