Best Grammar Schools in England: A Regional Guide

Important note: school rankings, entry requirements, and competition levels change year to year. The information below is correct as of 2025 but parents should always verify current admissions information directly with each school before applying.

England's 163 state grammar schools are concentrated in specific counties and London outer boroughs. The most competitive schools attract applications from across the country. This guide covers the top schools by region, including what exam board is used and roughly how competitive each area is.

London and Outer London Grammar Schools

London's grammar schools are in the outer boroughs — not Inner London, which is fully comprehensive. The schools in Barnet, Kingston, Sutton, and Bromley are among the most competitive in England. Here is a selection of the most prominent:

Kent Grammar Schools

Kent has 36 grammar schools — more than any other county in England. The Kent Test uses GL Assessment format. Some of the most prominent Kent grammars:

For families in Kent, our Kent 11 Plus tutors guide covers the specific Kent Test format and Stage 2 assessment process in detail.

Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools

Buckinghamshire is one of the last remaining fully selective counties — all state secondary schools are either grammar or secondary modern. The Buckinghamshire 11 plus has recently transitioned to a mix of GL Assessment and CEM-style testing.

• Royal Latin School, Buckingham — one of the oldest grammar schools in England, boys and girls
• Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, Aylesbury — mixed grammar, strong sixth form
• Aylesbury Grammar School — boys' grammar
• Aylesbury High School — girls' grammar
• Dr Challoner's Grammar School, Amersham — boys' grammar, consistently high results
• Dr Challoner's High School, Little Chalfont — girls' grammar, associated school

West Midlands and Birmingham Grammar Schools

Birmingham uses the CEM (Durham University) exam format, which differs significantly from GL Assessment. The West Midlands grammar landscape includes both state grammar and prestigious independent schools:

• King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys — state selective, extremely competitive, uses CEM format
• King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls — state selective, one of the top girls' schools in the Midlands
• Handsworth Grammar School — boys' grammar in Birmingham
• Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls — highly regarded girls' grammar in North Birmingham
• King Edward's School Birmingham — independent, fee-paying (approx £13,100/yr), not a state school. Uses its own entrance exam. Often included in local discussions but technically a private school.

Lincolnshire Grammar Schools

Lincolnshire has six state grammar schools, less competitive than London or Kent but still academically rigorous:

• Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough — mixed grammar, good results
• Caistor Grammar School — mixed grammar, rural area with lower competition than urban grammars
• Lincoln Christ's Hospital School — large mixed grammar in Lincoln city

How to Choose the Right Grammar School for Your Child

League table position is only one factor. When choosing which grammar schools to apply to, parents should also consider:

• Distance from home — for oversubscribed schools, children who live closer are ranked higher as tiebreaker after the qualifying score. A competitive application within reasonable distance beats a borderline application at a school far away.
• Subject strengths — some grammar schools have exceptional science departments; others are known for arts, music, or languages. If your child has a clear strength, research which school nurtures it best.
• Co-ed vs single-sex — evidence on outcomes is mixed, but personal preference and learning style matter. Some children thrive in single-sex environments; others do not.
• Sixth form provision — if your child is aiming for university, look at sixth form results, A-level subject breadth, and enrichment programmes.
• Pastoral care reputation — grammar schools can be academically intense environments. A school with strong pastoral support and emphasis on wellbeing matters as much as academic results.

Super-Selective vs Standard Grammar Schools

The distinction between super-selective and standard grammar schools is important for preparation strategy:

• Standard grammar schools select the top 25% academically in their local area. Competition exists but is manageable with structured preparation. Most grammar schools outside London fall into this category.
• Super-selective grammar schools effectively select only the top 5% nationally. QE Boys, Henrietta Barnett, Tiffin (boys and girls) — these schools require exceptionally high scores and draw applicants from across the country. Preparation for these schools requires longer timelines and more intensive tuition.

Frequently Asked Questions