All Grammar Schools

What Are Grammar Schools?

Grammar schools are state secondary schools in England and Northern Ireland which have a selective entrance procedure known as the 11 Plus. There are no grammar schools in Scotland or Wales. Grammar schools do not charge tuition fees but some have a boarding option and so do charge for accommodation and meals during term time. Grammar schools are seen as academically-focused due to their selection of around the top 25% of children based on academic achievement. Some grammar schools also offer places to talented musicians or artists.

League table for grammar schools in England (GCSE results 2024)

School Name	Type of school	Number of pupils	Pupils included in progress 8	Progress 8 score	Attainment 8 score	Grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSEs	EBacc average point score
Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet	Grammar School	188	169	1.22	86.6	100.00%	8.67
St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School	Grammar School	126	106	1.27	85.8	100.00%	8.45
The Tiffin Girls' School	Grammar School	180	152	1.06	84.8	100.00%	8.1
Sutton Grammar School	Grammar School	135	121	1.16	82.6	100.00%	7.33
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys	Grammar School	119	101	1.09	83.3	100.00%	8.03
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls	Grammar School	148	129	0.97	82.3	100.00%	7.96
King Edward VI Handsworth School	Grammar School	158	147	0.81	77.3	100.00%	7.32
Chesham Grammar School	Grammar School	181	152	0.84	76.7	100.00%	7.51
Kendrick School	Grammar School	97	90	1.07	84.4	100.00%	8.28
Reading School	Grammar School	150	131	0.89	81.1	100.00%	8
St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School	Grammar School	157	151	0.93	76.7	100.00%	7.35
Chelmsford County High School for Girls	Grammar School	151	135	0.76	80.6	100.00%	7.96
Colchester Royal Grammar School	Grammar School	124	102	1.1	83.4	100.00%	7.99
Southend High School for Girls	Grammar School	178	164	0.74	75.8	100.00%	7.04
Tonbridge Grammar School	Grammar School	175	133	0.75	79.3	100.00%	7.85
King Edward VI School	Grammar School	90	73	1.21	81.7	100.00%	7.85
Wallington High School for Girls	Grammar School	211	188	0.92	79.3	99.50%	7.23
Wilson's School	Grammar School	190	161	1.27	85.6	99.50%	8.5
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys	Grammar School	182	149	1.32	79.9	99.50%	7.37
Dr Challoner's Grammar School	Grammar School	186	142	1.18	77.5	99.50%	7.51
Ilford County High School	Grammar School	178	164	0.87	77.4	99.40%	7.54
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls	Grammar School	179	172	1.05	80.9	99.40%	7.5
Dr Challoner's High School	Grammar School	180	138	1.11	78.2	99.40%	7.67
Herschel Grammar School	Grammar School	154	144	0.76	75.4	99.40%	7.21
Upton Court Grammar School	Grammar School	165	156	0.85	77.6	99.40%	7.58
Colchester County High School for Girls	Grammar School	159	133	0.99	80.8	99.40%	7.76
Dartford Grammar School for Girls	Grammar School	179	173	0.82	75.3	99.40%	7.25
Lawrence Sheriff School	Grammar School	118	111	0.89	77.1	99.20%	7.29
Stratford Girls' Grammar School	Grammar School	120	95	1.07	79.9	99.20%	7.31
The Henrietta Barnett School	Grammar School	104	88	1.1	86.4	99.00%	8.57
The Latymer School	Grammar School	191	178	0.74	81	99.00%	8
Nonsuch High School for Girls	Grammar School	209	195	1.03	81.3	99.00%	7.62
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls	Grammar School	200	163	1.02	81.6	99.00%	8.12
Tiffin School	Grammar School	185	169	0.86	79.2	98.90%	7.79
Woodford County High School	Grammar School	179	165	0.79	78.3	98.90%	7.76
The Blue Coat School	Grammar School	179	167	0.77	80.1	98.90%	7.86
Langley Grammar School	Grammar School	181	175	0.75	76.7	98.90%	7.17
Newport Girls' High School Academy	Grammar School	88	83	0.49	73.2	98.90%	6.99
Urmston Grammar Academy	Grammar School	150	141	0.88	75.9	98.70%	7.39
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford	Grammar School	150	138	1.11	83.6	98.70%	8.3
The Skinners' School	Grammar School	159	135	0.99	74.1	98.70%	7.21
Pate's Grammar School	Grammar School	149	117	1.01	83.7	98.70%	7.99
Sir Thomas Rich's School	Grammar School	159	137	0.91	76.9	98.70%	7.03
Heckmondwike Grammar School	Grammar School	207	199	0.97	78.1	98.60%	6.84
The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe	Grammar School	202	182	1.13	75.1	98.50%	7.23
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School	Grammar School	128	125	0.98	79.3	98.40%	7.46
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School	Grammar School	191	177	0.75	75.7	98.40%	7.37
Sale Grammar School	Grammar School	189	169	0.8	75.4	98.40%	7.14
Aylesbury High School	Grammar School	183	170	0.82	76.3	98.40%	7.16
Dartford Grammar School	Grammar School	184	175	1.11	78.4	98.40%	7.83
King Edward VI Five Ways School	Grammar School	179	164	0.68	77.1	98.30%	7.54
Southend High School for Boys	Grammar School	180	170	0.74	73.9	98.30%	6.58
Westcliff High School for Boys Academy	Grammar School	181	166	0.93	77.3	98.30%	7.52
Bexley Grammar School	Grammar School	223	214	0.49	74.7	98.20%	7.35
Newstead Wood School	Grammar School	159	142	1.05	80.2	98.10%	7.36
Stretford Grammar School	Grammar School	158	156	0.8	73.8	98.10%	6.93
South Wilts Grammar School	Grammar School	160	134	0.79	75	98.10%	6.78
Marling School	Grammar School	157	140	0.64	71.3	98.10%	6.36
Wallington County Grammar School	Grammar School	147	130	0.95	77.7	98.00%	7.19
Colyton Grammar School	Grammar School	150	134	0.99	79.8	98.00%	7.9
Denmark Road High School	Grammar School	152	133	0.94	77	98.00%	7.23
Sir William Borlase's Grammar School	Grammar School	143	121	0.56	73.8	97.90%	7.1
Aylesbury Grammar School	Grammar School	186	162	0.86	75.7	97.80%	7.08
Beaconsfield High School	Grammar School	180	150	0.95	76.5	97.80%	7.02
Westcliff High School for Girls	Grammar School	172	163	0.9	76.9	97.70%	7.46
Loreto Grammar School	Grammar School	157	130	1.07	76.3	97.50%	7.24
Devonport High School for Girls	Grammar School	121	117	0.78	75.4	97.50%	7.16
Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School	Grammar School	204	197	0.89	70.3	97.50%	6.9
Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School	Grammar School	190	175	0.82	76	97.40%	7.39
The Judd School	Grammar School	189	140	0.85	78.4	97.40%	7.37
Alcester Grammar School	Grammar School	153	146	0.57	73.2	97.40%	7.09
Queen Mary's Grammar School	Grammar School	150	145	0.6	74.3	97.30%	7.21
Queen Mary's High School	Grammar School	148	146	0.55	72.1	97.30%	7.06
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School	Grammar School	150	140	0.55	72.8	97.30%	6.83
Wolverhampton Girls' High School	Grammar School	145	138	0.54	74.2	97.20%	7.07
Wycombe High School	Grammar School	180	165	0.9	75.5	97.20%	7.33
The Rochester Grammar School	Grammar School	168	162	0.67	71.6	97.00%	6.88
Townley Grammar School	Grammar School	219	212	0.66	76.2	96.80%	6.88
Saint Ambrose College	Grammar School	178	151	1.04	73.7	96.60%	6.61
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls	Grammar School	146	142	0.76	70.2	96.60%	6.77
Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School	Grammar School	174	169	0.36	72	96.60%	7.06
Rugby High School	Grammar School	117	105	0.66	73.9	96.60%	6.88
The King's School, Grantham	Grammar School	173	158	1.1	70.7	96.50%	6.48
King Edward VI Aston School	Grammar School	140	134	0.14	69.3	96.40%	6.32
Beths Grammar School	Grammar School	191	188	0.53	72	96.30%	6.42
Royal Latin School	Grammar School	170	153	0.59	73.1	95.90%	6.73
Bournemouth School	Grammar School	180	161	0.71	73.3	95.60%	6.99
Poole Grammar School	Grammar School	181	150	0.52	71	95.60%	6.55
Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School	Grammar School	155	129	0.55	72.3	95.50%	6.44
Devonport High School for Boys	Grammar School	179	173	0.3	68.9	95.50%	5.88
Oakwood Park Grammar School	Grammar School	156	147	0.62	64.9	95.50%	6.16
Lancaster Girls' Grammar School	Grammar School	144	140	0.69	73.7	95.10%	7.06
Haberdashers' Adams	Grammar School	143	118	0.46	71.2	95.10%	6.6
Bournemouth School for Girls	Grammar School	178	161	0.54	71.7	94.90%	6.38
Lancaster Royal Grammar School	Grammar School	172	151	0.59	72	94.80%	6.34
The Crypt School	Grammar School	152	142	0.6	71.1	94.70%	6.57
John Hampden Grammar School	Grammar School	182	171	0.84	73.2	94.50%	6.88
Burnham Grammar School	Grammar School	179	174	0.7	69.9	94.40%	6.22
Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School	Grammar School	144	120	0.78	70.1	94.40%	6.85
Stroud High School	Grammar School	159	145	0.86	74.9	94.30%	6.72
Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School	Grammar School	191	176	0.49	70.8	94.20%	5.36
Bourne Grammar School	Grammar School	240	226	0.68	68.1	94.20%	6.66
West Kirby Grammar School	Grammar School	184	162	0.42	68.3	94.00%	6.39
Cranbrook School	Grammar School	149	59	LOWCOV	69.1	94.00%	6.76
Caistor Grammar School	Grammar School	100	96	0.68	71.1	94.00%	7.03
Wirral Grammar School for Boys	Grammar School	157	151	0.36	65.7	93.60%	6.2
Dane Court Grammar School	Grammar School	172	170	0.69	68.6	93.60%	6.53
King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys	Grammar School	150	143	0.78	72	93.30%	6.35
The North Halifax Grammar School	Grammar School	180	175	0.18	68.4	93.30%	6.13
Invicta Grammar School	Grammar School	249	240	0.79	71.1	92.80%	6.94
The Crossley Heath School	Grammar School	179	164	0.49	72.6	92.70%	6.93
Parkstone Grammar School	Grammar School	176	166	0.43	67.8	92.60%	5.96
Wilmington Grammar School for Boys	Grammar School	148	143	0.65	66.5	92.60%	6.09
Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys	Grammar School	160	140	0.25	66	91.90%	5.82
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith	Grammar School	161	151	0.35	65	91.90%	5.92
Ripon Grammar School	Grammar School	129	107	0.72	69.1	91.50%	6.48
Kesteven and Sleaford High School Selective Academy	Grammar School	141	135	0.67	65.3	91.50%	6.27
Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy	Grammar School	150	144	0.17	66	91.30%	5.49
Rainham Mark Grammar School	Grammar School	236	228	0.26	63.2	91.10%	6.05
Calday Grange Grammar School	Grammar School	221	209	0.31	64.7	91.00%	6.17
Weald of Kent Grammar School	Grammar School	302	269	0.76	70.1	90.70%	6.46
Plymouth High School for Girls	Grammar School	116	108	0.24	65.3	90.50%	5.82
Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School	Grammar School	167	149	0.43	66.9	90.40%	6.03
Torquay Girls Grammar School	Grammar School	155	143	0.35	68.8	90.30%	6.65
Upton Hall School FCJ	Grammar School	159	156	0.91	68.2	89.90%	6.58
Highworth Grammar School	Grammar School	217	203	0.65	68.8	89.40%	6.54
Skipton Girls' High School	Grammar School	112	109	0.45	66.9	89.30%	6.26
Gravesend Grammar School	Grammar School	185	170	0.18	63.2	89.20%	6.13
Torquay Boys' Grammar School	Grammar School	156	145	0.34	66.9	89.10%	6.11
Wirral Grammar School for Girls	Grammar School	180	174	0.38	67.3	88.90%	6.22
Maidstone Grammar School	Grammar School	216	212	0.5	66.6	88.40%	6.27
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School	Grammar School	154	152	0.15	63.2	88.30%	5.82
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys	Grammar School	235	201	0.46	64.2	88.10%	6.1
Dame Alice Owen's School	Grammar School	210	180	0.93	73.5	88.10%	7.04
Ribston Hall High School	Grammar School	151	145	0.24	64.8	86.80%	5.83
Fort Pitt Grammar School	Grammar School	149	148	0.64	66.5	86.60%	6.37
Sir Roger Manwood's School	Grammar School	159	134	0.21	63.2	86.20%	5.98
Holcombe Grammar School	Grammar School	137	133	0.15	59.9	86.10%	5.66
The Norton Knatchbull School	Grammar School	205	199	0.32	64.2	85.90%	6.18
Ermysted's Grammar School	Grammar School	120	118	0.59	65.8	85.80%	6.3
Maidstone Grammar School for Girls	Grammar School	183	179	0.57	66.3	85.80%	6.37
The Harvey Grammar School	Grammar School	139	136	0.24	62.9	85.60%	5.88
Borden Grammar School	Grammar School	123	122	0.26	63.1	85.40%	5.86
The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough	Grammar School	191	186	0.27	62.4	84.80%	6.05
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School	Grammar School	203	195	0.3	64.5	84.70%	6.14
Watford Grammar School for Boys	Grammar School	222	207	0.72	66.5	84.70%	6.54
Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School	Grammar School	176	168	1.04	69.5	84.10%	6.05
Spalding High School	Grammar School	148	137	0.63	65.1	83.80%	6.23
Barton Court Grammar School	Grammar School	141	136	0.38	66	83.70%	6.29
Parmiter's School	Grammar School	211	197	0.74	68.3	83.40%	6.44
St Clement Danes School	Grammar School	240	218	0.74	63.8	82.10%	5.95
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle	Grammar School	124	118	0.29	62.1	81.50%	5.95
Watford Grammar School for Girls	Grammar School	209	189	0.74	66.9	81.30%	6.26
The Folkestone School for Girls	Grammar School	174	173	0.29	61.8	81.00%	5.63
Dover Grammar School for Boys	Grammar School	127	126	0.54	59.1	79.50%	5.33
Chatham Grammar	Grammar School	179	167	0.36	60.1	78.20%	5.77
King Edward VI Grammar School	Grammar School	143	139	0.33	61.8	77.60%	5.93
Highsted Grammar School	Grammar School	148	147	-0.04	60.6	76.40%	5.78
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar Alford - A Selective Academy	Grammar School	93	83	0.28	59.1	76.30%	5.7
Spalding Grammar School	Grammar School	149	136	0.3	59.8	75.80%	5.29
Boston High School	Grammar School	116	110	0.37	59.9	72.40%	5.49
Dover Grammar School for Girls	Grammar School	124	121	0.17	59.2	71.80%	5.67
St Anselm's College	Grammar School	162	146	0.03	55.6	71.60%	5.02
Hockerill Anglo-European College	Grammar School	133	98	0.38	60.7	69.90%	6.06
The Bishop's Stortford High School	Grammar School	168	158	0.23	56.1	68.50%	5.4
Skegness Grammar School	Grammar School	107	99	-0.02	52.4	67.30%	4.83
Carre's Grammar School	Grammar School	109	104	-0.01	57.2	67.00%	5.4
Greenshaw High School	Grammar School	294	280	0.38	55	66.00%	4.89
St Bernard's High School	Grammar School	169	160	0.57	55.5	64.50%	4.83
Queens' School	Grammar School	266	252	0.2	53.5	62.80%	4.89
The Boston Grammar School	Grammar School	135	129	-0.43	51.3	62.20%	4.69
St Thomas More High School	Grammar School	178	173	0.32	49.8	57.30%	4.12
Chancellor's School	Grammar School	205	199	0.35	52.9	56.60%	4.93
Ashlawn School	Grammar School	265	262	-0.08	49.2	50.60%	4.77
The Spires College	Grammar School	211	204	-0.15	43.6	40.30%	3.7
Shoeburyness High School	Grammar School	300	285	-0.89	36.9	30.30%	2.95
The Maplesden Noakes School	Grammar School	206	200	-0.55	36.7	18.00%	3.01

Which Counties Have Grammar Schools?

Grammar schools are found in specific areas of England and Northern Ireland. In England, there are 164 grammar schools, with Kent, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and Surrey being well-known for having a large number. Smaller numbers are found in Greater London and the West Midlands. Northern Ireland has 69 grammar schools. The entrance test varies depending on the local authority in which the grammar school is situated.

Why Are They Called Grammar Schools?

The word ‘grammar’ originally refers to Latin grammar. Latin was brought to Britain by the Romans, and a form of Latin was spoken for some years after the Roman occupation. Following this, Latin became the written language of scholarship and religion, and was thought suitable for children (primarily boys) to study at school. Happily, both girls and boys now learn the same subjects, and whilst Latin remains a subject at some schools, all grammar schools teach in English.

History of Grammar Schools

Grammar schools have a complex history, not without controversy. In 1944, the Education Act split schools into three types: grammars, secondary moderns, and technical colleges. Each local authority was given the ability to determine the split of schools with their individual geographical area. Grammars were intended to cater for the top 20% of academically able children, with others attending secondary modern schools, or, if they wished to learn a trade, a technical college. Whilst grammars still exist, there are far fewer now than there were previously, and some feel they should be abolished altogether.