Best Slough Grammar Schools 2026/27

There are four selective grammar schools in the Slough Consortium of Grammar Schools, three of which are co-educational and covered on this page: Langley Grammar School, Herschel Grammar School and Upton Court Grammar School. All admit pupils through the same shared 11+ examination, so a single registration covers every consortium school.

Slough grammar schools use the Slough Consortium 11+ examination, provided by GL Assessment. Children sit two multiple-choice papers covering verbal reasoning, English, mathematics and non-verbal reasoning. Papers are standardised by age, and a child needs a total standardised score of 111 or above, which places them in roughly the top 35% of candidates, to be considered eligible for a place.

For September 2027 entry, registration for the Slough Consortium 11+ was open from 1 May 2026 to 5 June 2026, and the test was held on Saturday 19 September 2026 (for children then in Year 5). Results are released online in mid-October 2026. You must also list your chosen schools on your home council's secondary application form by 31 October 2026.

Yes. There is no catchment restriction on sitting the Slough Consortium 11+, and children from outside the borough are welcome to register. In practice the schools are heavily oversubscribed by out-of-borough families: at three of the four Slough grammars, more than 60% of places go to children living outside Slough, including from Hounslow, Hillingdon, Ealing and Windsor.

Achieving the qualifying score of 111 makes a child eligible but does not guarantee a place. When a school is oversubscribed with eligible candidates, places are usually allocated by each school's admissions criteria, with home-to-school distance a key factor. Living closer to a school generally improves your chances, so families should read each school's individual admissions policy carefully before applying.

Yes. Langley Grammar School, Herschel Grammar School and Upton Court Grammar School are all co-educational, admitting both boys and girls. (St Bernard's Catholic Grammar, the fourth consortium school, is a separate Catholic grammar and is not covered on this page.)

It depends on what you are looking for. Langley Grammar School, Herschel Grammar School and Upton Court Grammar School are all rated Ofsted Outstanding and have excellent academic records. Upton Court has historically ranked among the best mixed grammar schools in England. The best choice often comes down to results, location and how far you live from each school.

Yes. Langley, Herschel and Upton Court all run their own sixth forms offering A-levels, and each is known for strong post-16 results. Entry to sixth form is separate from the 11+ and is based on GCSE grades, so requirements and subject options vary by school; check each school's sixth form admissions page for the latest criteria.

Because the Slough Consortium uses GL Assessment, preparation should cover verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and maths, with plenty of timed, multiple-choice practice to build speed and accuracy. Working through realistic, GL-style practice papers, such as the Prep4All 11+ practice papers, helps children get used to the format, manage timing under exam conditions and target the standardised score of 111 needed to qualify.