It might be difficult to find your way around the 11 Plus the first time as a parent. How do you aid your kid in getting ready for Upton Court Grammar School 11 Plus Exam? What kind of exam structure is it? What stores sell test papers? We’ve provided parents with a “Upton Court Grammar School 11 Plus Tips” in this article that seeks to address all of your concerns.

Upton Court Grammar School, Slough

Upton Court Grammar School, previously known as Slough Grammar School, is an Outstanding school that has recently undergone a £25million refurbishment to its site. This page has everything you need to know about QE Boys, Barnet and can help you get started with the admissions process. You can also find helpful information about the 11 plus exam, such as exam practice resources, information about exam boards and key dates in the calendar.  

School details:

Address: Upton Court Grammar School, Lascelles Rd, Slough, Berkshire, SL3 7PR

County: Berkshire

Type of school: Co-educational grammar school

Age range: 11-18

Ofsted rating: Outstanding

Number of pupils: 1034

Admissions to Year 7: 165

Open evening (2024 entry): TBC

11+ exam date (2024 entry): September 2023 – exact date TBC

Exam board: CEM

Admissions phone number: 01753 522892

Admissions email address: office@uptoncourtgrammar.org.uk

A Brief Overview of Upton Court Grammar School and its Performance

The school was originally formed in 1912 and was originally split into Slough Grammar School for Boys and Slough High School for Girls until they merged in the 1980s. According to Ofsted Upton Court is known as a multicultural school (almost 50% of its students speak English as a second language) that is committed to its international school status and is proud of its understanding of other cultures and languages. Last year 100% of students achieved a level 5 or above for GCSE Maths and English, and 63% of all GCSE grades awarded were levels 7-9 (old style A or A*). 79% of A-level students accepted a university place, 30% of which were with courses at Russell Group universities. In 2017 it was named the Best Mixed Grammar School in England.

 Upton Court Grammar School 11 Plus Admissions Process: 2024 Entry

If you plan on sending your child to Upton Court Grammar School in September 2024 then it is important to take note of these key dates:

If the school is oversubscribed in terms of the number of students who pass the 11 Plus, then the school gives priority to students who fulfill certain criteria; for example:

1. Looked after children
2. Children eligible for pupil premium (up to 15 places)
3. Children whose parents have worked at the school for two years or more
4. Children who attend designated feeder schools
5. Children in rank order of performance in the entrance exams
6. Children within the closest proximity to the school

Preparing for Upton Court Grammar School’s 11 Plus Exam

As Upton Court Grammar School tends to be oversubscribed, it is a good idea to start preparing for the 11 Plus exam early. There are four grammar schools in Slough and they all set the same papers. Students can expect to sit two papers, normally taken on the same day, lasting between 45 minutes to an hour each. The questions are generally multiple choice and combine English and Verbal Reasoning in one paper and Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning in the other. A familiarisation booklet, produced by CEM, gives some information on the content of the tests and a few sample questions, which is an excellent place to start your revision.

If your child is in Year 4, then you may want to refer to this guide to the Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning tests, as well as these top ten tips on how to pass the 11 Plus. If your child is already in Year 5, don’t panic – this guide can help your child to become 11 Plus exam ready in just under six months, and there are also intensive revision courses on offer for those who need a last-minute boost.

Upton Court Grammar School 11 Plus Exam Sample Test Papers and Resources

Upton Court Grammar School uses the CEM exam board for its 11 Plus exam, and you can find out exactly what this entails here. CEM exams tend to be much more time-pressured, and so it’s a good idea to get your child to complete lots of papers under timed conditions so that they can get used to the timings. Many of the English and Maths questions are similar to the National Curriculum, but the Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning questions will be less familiar, and so it is worth focusing on those too.

The school’s website gives lots of handy familiarisation documents which break down how to approach different question types, for example comprehension questions, Maths questions, picture questions, and word choice questions.  

English and Verbal Reasoning

11+ English and Verbal Reasoning Book 1 | Answer 1

Maths

11+ Maths Test Book 1 | Answer Sheet 1

Non-Verbal Reasoning

11+ Non Verbal Reasoning Book 1 | Answer Sheet 1

11+ Non Verbal Reasoning Book 2 | Answer Sheet 2

Additional Information about Upton Court Grammar School

The school offers an excellent range of extracurricular activities including Bhangra dance, Amnesty International, BBC Schools Report, Philosophy Club, Basketball, Duke of Edinburgh and Debating. The recent multi-million pound refurbishment has expanded the school’s facilities immensely, with new science labs, classrooms, a sports hall, changing rooms, and multi-use games area, and the Head says that the school now boasts ‘world-class facilities as well as a world-class curriculum’. 

Upton Court Grammar School FAQs

Where is the catchment area for Upton Court Grammar School?

There is no designated catchment area for this school. However, in the event that the school is oversubscribed (for example, there are more students with a high enough score who have put Upton Court Grammar School as their first choice than there are places), then priority may be given to those who live closest to the school. 

What is the 11 plus exam pass mark?

Candidates must achieve a standardised score of 111 or above to be eligible to apply for a place.

When will I get the results?

Results will be available online in October, and will always be visible in plenty of time for you to complete the Common Application Form.

Can I appeal for a place?

There are two possible reasons for an appeal. Firstly, if your child scored 111 or above, but was not offered a place due to the school being oversubscribed. Secondly, if your child scored below 111, but you believe that there are extenuating circumstances which mean that your child did not perform to the best of their ability on examination day. In either of these cases, you need to contact the school’s admissions team directly. 

Can I have the paper remarked?

Re-marks can be made, but at the cost of £50 per paper. However, the original marking process is incredibly stringent – every paper is marked twice – which means that it is incredibly unlikely your child’s mark will be changed. According to this website, no changes have ever been made to a pupil’s mark.

Where can I find Upton Court Grammar School’s Admission Policy?

You can find all the necessary information about Upton Court Grammar School’s Admission policies and arrangements here;

How many grammar schools are there in Slough?

There are four grammar schools in Slough: Upton Park Grammar School, Langley Grammar School, Herschel Grammar School and St. Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School.

Does Upton Court Grammar School have a uniform?

Yes, it does have a uniform; you can find the list for girls and boys here. 

You can also access further 11 plus exam resources below:

11 Plus Mock Exam 

A Guide to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests

11 plus Exam: Parental Guide For Grammar School Entry

11+ Maths Exam: Helping Your Child to Prepare and Pass in 2022

Meet the 11+ Online Tutors Delivering Results

When Should you Start to Prepare Your Child for the 11 Plus Exam