A selective boys grammar school in Spalding, Lincolnshire, serving ages 11-18 with a sixth form and around 995 pupils on roll.
Spalding Grammar School
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At a glance
Spalding Grammar School is a boys' selective grammar in Lincolnshire with about 995 pupils and a sixth form. Its public motto language is direct: inspire, challenge, enrich, respect, responsibility and resilience. The school presents itself as a community where academic success is important because it opens up next steps, not as an end in itself.
The curriculum aims to develop skills, knowledge, understanding and intellectual curiosity, with sixth-form study, enrichment, careers education, drama, music, trips, student leadership and design and technology all part of the school picture. The sixth form has its own overview, admissions criteria, academic and personal development work, UCAS support and destinations information.
Year 7 admission uses the Lincolnshire 11+ process: verbal reasoning, followed by non-verbal reasoning and spatial awareness. The published admission number is 150 and the qualifying level is a total standardised score of at least 220 across the two papers, with priority-area and score-order rules relevant when demand exceeds places.
Spalding comes across as a selective school with a measured but positive outcomes record: Ofsted Good, positive Progress 8, high grade 5+ English and maths performance and a sixth form that supports progression beyond the town as well as into local routes.
Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Lincolnshire and England.
Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Lincolnshire and England.
Latest 2024/25 Year 11 destination mix compared with Lincolnshire and England.
January 2025 school census
Whole-school roll of 995 pupils; 994 had a recorded ethnic group.
| Recorded group | Share | Category | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|
| White British | 60.7% | White | 604 |
| Any other White background | 10.8% | White | 107 |
| Indian | 8% | Asian | 80 |
| Any other ethnic group | 5.3% | Other | 53 |
| Any other Asian background | 2.9% | Asian | 29 |
| Pakistani | 2.9% | Asian | 29 |
| African | 2.1% | Black | 21 |
| Chinese | 1.7% | Asian | 17 |
| Any other mixed background | 1.5% | Mixed | 15 |
| White and Asian | 1.5% | Mixed | 15 |
| Any other Black background | 0.9% | Black | 9 |
| White and Black African | 0.8% | Mixed | 8 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.4% | Mixed | 4 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.2% | Asian | 2 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.1% | White | 1 |
| Unclassified | 0.1% | Unclassified | 1 |
A designated transport area has priority before outside applicants; if qualified demand exceeds 150 within that area, the qualifying score can rise to control admissions.
EHCP naming the school
Qualified children with an Education, Health and Care Plan naming the school are admitted before other allocations.
Looked-after and previously looked-after children
Qualified looked-after and previously looked-after children have first priority after EHCP admissions.
Designated transport area priority
If more than 150 pupils qualify, applicants living in Spalding and the listed feeder parishes are considered before applicants outside that area.
Score order where needed
If qualified demand still exceeds 150 within the priority area, the aggregate score can be raised; outside-area applicants are then considered by score where places remain.
Distance and random tie-break
Tied aggregate scores are separated by direct distance to the school, then by an independent lottery if required.
Spalding Grammar School currently uses GL Assessment. The published format currently lists 2 papers. Scores are published as age-standardised.
Shared exam route
Spalding Grammar School uses the shared Lincolnshire route. Use these common practice resources for the route, then check the full consortium guide for the complete set and current test guidance.
View all Lincolnshire practice papersGL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning Test Booklet 1
GL Assessment Verbal Reasoning Paper 1
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning Test Booklet 2
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning Test Booklet 3
Paper 1
Verbal reasoning
Verbal reasoning test
The first Lincolnshire 11+ paper is verbal reasoning, answered on an optical mark-reading sheet.
Paper 2
Non-verbal reasoning
Non-verbal reasoning and spatial awareness test
The second Lincolnshire 11+ paper covers non-verbal reasoning and spatial awareness.
Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning are included in the published format.
English, Maths and Science are not listed in the current published format.
Verbal reasoning
The first Lincolnshire 11+ paper is verbal reasoning, answered on an optical mark-reading sheet.
Non-verbal reasoning
The second Lincolnshire 11+ paper covers non-verbal reasoning and spatial awareness.
English
Maths
Science
Registration opens
7 January 2026
PastRegistration closes
31 March 2026
PastVerbal reasoning test
11 or 12 September 2026
The date depends on the test centre route.
Non-verbal reasoning and spatial awareness test
18 or 19 September 2026
The date depends on the test centre route.
11+ results
9 October 2026
Results are emailed to parents at midday.
Secondary CAF deadline
31 October 2026
National offer day
1 March 2027
Register for the Lincolnshire 11+ tests
Registration opens on 7 January 2026 and closes on 31 March 2026 for the September 2026 test cycle.
Open registration pageSit the two Lincolnshire 11+ papers
Verbal reasoning is tested on 11 or 12 September 2026, followed by non-verbal reasoning and spatial awareness on 18 or 19 September 2026.
Check key datesSubmit the secondary CAF
The Lincolnshire secondary application deadline is 31 October 2026, with allocations made on 1 March 2027.
Check key datesLatest official destinations data currently covers 2022/23 study leavers.
Recent trend
This follows the school's published overall GCSE score across the subjects pupils take. Higher is better.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 63.7 | 74.2 | 49.4 |
| 2022/23 | 60.9 | 71.8 | 47.0 |
| 2023/24 | 59.8 | 72.1 | 46.7 |
| 2024/25 | 58.8 | 72.3 | 46.8 |
Recent trend
This follows the published average A-level result for the school's sixth form. Higher is better.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | B average (40.8 points) | 44.0 points | 37.5 points |
| 2022/23 | B- average (35.2 points) | 40.5 points | 33.7 points |
| 2023/24 | B- average (35.3 points) | 41.3 points | 34.5 points |
| 2024/25 | C+ average (34.2 points) | 41.8 points | 35.0 points |
Recent trend
This follows the share of pupils moving into a sustained destination after Year 11, such as education, apprenticeships, or employment.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 99% | 99.1% | 94.1% |
| 2022/23 | 99% | 98.9% | 93.9% |
| 2023/24 | 99% | 99.0% | 93.3% |
| 2024/25 | 98% | 98.7% | 91.8% |
Latest year breakdown
| In education | 94% |
|---|---|
| In apprenticeships | 2% |
| In employment | 2% |
Latest inspection: 7 February 2024
Local rivals appear first, followed by nearby alternatives where the journey and admissions route are still comparable.
Same Lincolnshire area and similar boys' selective route
Same Lincolnshire area and similar boys' selective route
Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.
Similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
Similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
Similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
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Best Grammar Schools in Lincolnshire
Compare 15 Lincolnshire grammar schools for 2026: GCSE ranking table, Ofsted, Lincolnshire route, admissions rules, competition, and school profiles.
Best Boys' Grammar Schools in the UK
Explore the best boys grammar schools in the UK with a national ranking parents can filter by county and Ofsted before comparing schools by route and journey.
Best Grammar Schools in the UK
Explore the best grammar schools in the UK with a national ranking that can be filtered by county, school type, and Ofsted before moving into local admissions detail.
Best Grammar Schools by A-level Results
Explore the best grammar schools by A-level results in the UK, ranked by the published share of students achieving AAB or better at A level.
Related guides are still being added.
FAQ
Spalding Grammar School currently uses GL Assessment.
1. Register for the Lincolnshire 11+ tests: Registration opens on 7 January 2026 and closes on 31 March 2026 for the September 2026 test cycle. 2. Sit the two Lincolnshire 11+ papers: Verbal reasoning is tested on 11 or 12 September 2026, followed by non-verbal reasoning and spatial awareness on 18 or 19 September 2026. 3. Submit the secondary CAF: The Lincolnshire secondary application deadline is 31 October 2026, with allocations made on 1 March 2027.
Registration opens: 7 January 2026. Registration closes: 31 March 2026. Verbal reasoning test: 11 or 12 September 2026. Non-verbal reasoning and spatial awareness test: 18 or 19 September 2026. 11+ results: 9 October 2026. Secondary CAF deadline: 31 October 2026. National offer day: 1 March 2027
Spalding Grammar School is currently rated Good following the latest published inspection dated 7 February 2024.