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Lancashire 11+ 4 schools Local area

Updated for 2026 admissions cycle

Best Grammar Schools in Lancashire

The grammar schools in Lancashire do not cohere into one county-wide system; they appear instead in separate pockets around Lancaster, Clitheroe, and Rossendale. That fragmented pattern gives Lancashire a more regional and topographical character than counties where grammar education is concentrated in one obvious centre.

girls' and co-ed options GL Assessment, FSCE Lancashire Data checked 8 May 2026 Uses published 2025 GCSE measures and verified local admissions data
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Top schools

Top grammar schools in Lancashire

Previewing the top 4 grammar schools in Lancashire by GCSE results. The full table ranks schools by GCSE results and adds competition level, catchment detail, and local admissions context.

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  1. Rank #1

    Clitheroe Royal Grammar School

    High competition / GL Assessment

    GCSE score 69.8
  2. Rank #2

    Lancaster Royal Grammar School

    High competition / GL Assessment

    GCSE score 68.4
  3. Rank #3

    Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

    High competition / GL Assessment

    GCSE score 67.9
  4. Rank #4

    Lancaster Girls' Grammar School

    High competition / FSCE

    GCSE score 67.2

Area map

Map of grammar schools in Lancashire

Open map viewSee the shortlist spatially

School ranking

Full grammar school ranking in Lancashire

This table ranks schools by GCSE results. Before saving a school, check catchment or distance rules, Ofsted, competition level, admissions detail, and daily journey.

Compare up to 4 schools

Next checks

Compare schools and guides for Lancashire

Open focused comparisons and guides for the routes, admissions rules, and journeys that matter in Lancashire.

Comparisons

Compare nearby schools

Compare Clitheroe Royal Grammar School with Lancaster Royal Grammar School Compare Clitheroe Royal Grammar School with Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School Compare Lancaster Royal Grammar School with Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School

Explore other areas

Compare nearby grammar-school areas

Nearby areas can share similar routes, school mix, or journey patterns while still leading to different daily choices.

Regional overview

Best Grammar Schools in North West

19 grammar school profiles in 6 counties across North West, covering 5 local clusters in total, with local area hubs for route, admissions and journey detail.

 Standalone area

Best Grammar Schools in Lancaster

2 grammar school profiles in Lancaster, Lancashire, with the local admissions route and journey in view.

 Shared route

Best Grammar Schools in Skipton

2 grammar school profiles in Skipton, North Yorkshire. The linked Yorkshire guide covers shared test dates, downloads, and route detail.

 Shared route

Best Grammar Schools in Calderdale

2 grammar school profiles in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. The linked Yorkshire guide covers shared test dates, downloads, and route detail.

Lancashire overview

Lancashire grammar schools at a glance

4 grammar schools are mainly spread across Clitheroe, Lancaster, and Rossendale. The school list changes by town cluster before results or inspection grades come into play.

Schools 4 schools
Main places Lancaster, Ribble Valley, and Rossendale
School mix Girls' and co-ed
Tests Mostly GL

What stands out

Lancashire is split between Lancaster, Ribble Valley, and Rossendale. Travel, school type, test route and admissions detail change between those places.

School mix and route

The area mixes girls' schools and co-ed options. Most schools here use GL Assessment, with Lancaster Girls' Grammar School as the main exception because it uses FSCE. Distance and catchment rules matter at every school here. These schools are very competitive.

Where they are

Where Lancashire grammar schools are concentrated

Lancaster, Ribble Valley, and Rossendale give Lancashire its main grammar-school shape.

Test route

Most schools here use GL Assessment, with Lancaster Girls' Grammar School as the main exception because it uses FSCE.

School mix

The area mixes girls' schools and co-ed options.

Admissions

Distance and catchment rules matter at every school here. These schools are very competitive.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a two-school cluster through Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Lancaster Girls' Grammar School. Together they provide girls' and co-ed options.

Ribble Valley

Clitheroe Royal Grammar School is the only grammar school based here, so this part of Lancashire has one co-ed grammar option.

Rossendale

Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School is the only grammar school based here, so this part of Lancashire has one co-ed grammar option.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Where are Lancashire grammar schools mainly concentrated?

Lancashire grammar schools are mainly concentrated in Lancaster, Ribble Valley, and Rossendale.

What types of grammar schools are in Lancashire?

The area mixes girls' schools and co-ed options.

Which test routes are used in Lancashire?

Most schools here use GL Assessment, with Lancaster Girls' Grammar School as the main exception because it uses FSCE.

Which admissions detail varies most in Lancashire?

Distance and catchment rules matter at every school here. These schools are very competitive.