Grammar schools are state-funded secondary schools that select pupils by academic ability, usually through the 11-plus exam. Comprehensive schools admit pupils of all abilities from their local area. Grammar schools are only available in around a third of English local authorities, so for most families a comprehensive is the only realistic state option.
What is a grammar school, and how does selection work?
A grammar school is a state-funded, non-fee-paying secondary school that selects its intake by academic ability. Selection typically happens through the 11-plus — a set of tests in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and Maths sat in Year 6 (age 10 to 11), usually in September or October before secondary transfer. Children who meet the pass mark are offered grammar school places; those who do not attend other local schools instead.
The 11-plus is administered differently by area. In some local authorities (such as Kent, Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire), almost all state secondary places go through the selective system. In others, a small number of grammar schools sit alongside a majority of non-selective schools, meaning most children attend comprehensives by default. England had approximately 163 state grammar schools as of the mid-2020s; the Schoosl Standards and Framework Act 1998 prevents new ones from being opened.
What is a comprehensive school?
A comprehensive school admits pupils of all academic abilities from its local catchment area. The admissions criteria do not include academic tests; they typically use oversubscription criteria such as distance from the school, sibling links, and (for faith schools) religious affiliation. Comprehensive schools include community schools, voluntary-aided schools, academies, and free schools. The large majority of secondary pupils in England attend comprehensives.
Comprehensive schools teach the full National Curriculum to a mixed-ability intake, though many set pupils by ability in specific subjects — particularly Maths and English — from Year 7 or Year 8. Teaching quality and outcomes vary considerably between comprehensives, as they do between grammar schools.
How do grammar and comprehensive schools compare?
| Factor | Grammar school | Comprehensive school |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | Selective (11-plus pass required) | Non-selective (proximity, siblings, faith) |
| Fees | Free (state-funded) | Free (state-funded) |
| Availability | ~36 local authorities in England | Available nationwide |
| Ofsted inspection | Subject to Ofsted like all state schools | Subject to Ofsted like all state schools |
| Class composition | Academically selected cohort | Mixed ability intake |
| Setting/streaming | Often sets by ability in subjects | Varies — many set in Maths and English |
| Sixth form provision | Usually included | Many have attached sixth forms; some don't |
| Average GCSE outcomes | Tend to be high | Vary widely by school |
Does grammar school entry improve GCSE results?
Grammar school pupils on average achieve higher GCSE grades than the national average, but this comparison is misleading without context. Grammar schools select the highest-achieving pupils from their area, so their intake is not comparable to the general population. When researchers compare grammar school pupils with similar-ability pupils at comprehensive schools, the academic advantage of the grammar school is smaller than raw averages suggest.
The Education Endowment Foundation and academic researchers have consistently found that selective education systems do not improve overall outcomes for a region — they tend to raise outcomes for those who pass the 11-plus while slightly reducing them for those who do not, partly by concentrating higher-prior-attainment pupils in one school. For the individual pupil who passes and attends, a well-resourced grammar school with a high-aspiration culture can be a positive environment. The question is whether your child will pass — and if not, what the local non-selective alternative looks like.
Which local authorities still have grammar schools?
Grammar schools are concentrated in a small number of areas. The most grammar-dense areas include Kent (over 30 grammars), Buckinghamshire (entirely selective state system in parts), Lincolnshire, the Wirral, Slough, Reading, Trafford and parts of Birmingham. London has a small number of grammar schools in specific boroughs.
If you do not live in or near one of these areas, grammar school entry either requires moving house, paying for private transport to a distant school, or is simply not a realistic option. Check your local authority's secondary transfer arrangements in Year 5 to understand what is available in your area.
What if my child does not pass the 11-plus?
In fully selective areas like Buckinghamshire, children who do not pass the 11-plus attend secondary modern schools, which are also state-funded but cater to the non-selected cohort. In partially selective areas — where only a few grammar schools exist alongside comprehensives — children who do not pass attend the local comprehensive instead.
Non-selective schools can be excellent. Many comprehensive schools consistently achieve outstanding Ofsted ratings and strong GCSE outcomes; the school's leadership, culture and teaching quality matter more than its admissions policy. If you are in a mixed area, visiting schools, reviewing recent Ofsted reports and looking at published performance data gives a more reliable picture than the grammar/non-grammar distinction alone.
Is tutoring for the 11-plus advisable?
Many families use tutors or revision guides to prepare for the 11-plus. The tests assess verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and Maths skills, some of which can be improved with practice. However, intensive tutoring is most effective for children whose ability is genuinely close to the pass mark; it cannot reliably transform a child significantly below the threshold into a grammar school entrant, and it can be stressful for children who are being pushed beyond their comfortable range.
Parents considering 11-plus preparation should be realistic about their child's starting point and talk to the child about what they want. Grammar schools can be academically brilliant environments for children who thrive in high-expectation settings; they can be anxiety-inducing for children who were borderline passes and feel consistently outpaced by their peers.
Frequently asked questions
Are grammar schools better than comprehensives?
Not categorically. Grammar schools achieve high average results partly because they select high-achieving pupils — a pupil who passes the 11-plus and attends a good comprehensive nearby may do just as well academically. The quality of teaching, pastoral care, extracurricular offer and school culture matter more than whether the school is selective.
Can my child sit the 11-plus if they live outside the grammar school area?
In most areas, yes — you can apply to a grammar school outside your local authority, subject to your child meeting the pass mark. However, places are usually offered to local children first (by distance or feeder school) after all qualifying applicants are ranked. Living far from the grammar school reduces the chances of a place even if the test is passed.
What are the entry requirements for grammar school sixth forms?
Grammar school sixth forms typically require five or more GCSEs at grade 6 or above, with grade 6 or 7 in subjects to be studied at A-level. Some grammar sixth forms accept high-achieving pupils from other schools (including comprehensives) for Year 12 if they meet the grade threshold — it is worth asking the school directly.
Do grammar schools take pupils with SEND?
Yes. Grammar schools are state schools and must comply with the SEND Code of Practice. If a pupil with additional needs passes the 11-plus, they are entitled to a place and to reasonable adjustments during their education. Pupils with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan that names a grammar school must be offered a place regardless of whether they sat or passed the 11-plus.
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