How to prepare for the Colyton Grammar School 11+

The exam at a glance

Colyton Grammar School’s Year 7 entry test for September 2028 is based on the school’s own paper. For this exam, children are assessed in Maths and English only. Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning are not part of the test, so preparation is best kept tightly focused on strong core skills in those two subjects.

The school describes its main point of entry as Year 7 in the autumn term, with separate in-year testing for some other year groups. For families aiming for September 2028 entry, the test will be taken in the autumn of Year 6.

The school pages available publicly confirm the subjects and that Colyton runs its own selective admissions process, but they do not clearly publish the exact paper structure for 2028 entry on the pages reviewed. That means details such as whether the papers are sat on paper or computer, the precise length of each paper, and the order of the day should be treated as school-confirmed only when published for your child’s cohort.

What parents can safely assume now is:

there are two core areas to prepare: Maths and English;
success is likely to depend on secure Key Stage 2 skills used accurately under test conditions;
because there are only two subjects, depth matters more than trying to cover every possible 11+ style question type.

Once the school releases the 2028-entry testing information, check the admissions page promptly for any practical details about arrival times, equipment, timings and how the test day is organised.

Registration and key dates

Colyton Grammar School handles its own admissions testing. The school’s Joining Our School page is the starting point for registration, and it says that the registration portal for the current cycle has closed. For September 2028 entry, parents should expect to register through the school when the new application window opens.

For the most recently published cycle reviewed, the school gave these dates for Year 7 entry:

registration opened: 31 March 2026;
registration deadline: 31 July 2026;
test date: 12 September 2026.

The school page reviewed does not publish exact dates for September 2028 entry yet. So for your child’s cohort, it is safest to treat the school’s previous pattern as a guide only: registration usually opens in late March, closes at the end of July, and the test is typically in September.

After sitting the test, parents must still complete the usual local authority secondary application as part of the national admissions process. In Devon, the local authority explains that parents apply for a secondary school place through its admissions system and that the national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October.

Practical steps for parents:

Check the school’s admissions page from spring onwards.
Register with Colyton Grammar School during the school’s testing window.
Read any instructions carefully for supporting information or candidate details.
Submit your local authority secondary school application by the published national deadline.
List schools in your genuine order of preference.

If you want a simple way to keep track, see Free email alerts for this school's key dates. You can also bookmark The Colyton Grammar School 11+ guide (format, catchment, dates) for updates when the next admissions round is published.

Who can apply: catchment and admissions

Colyton Grammar School is a selective co-educational academy and says that it is responsible for its own admissions criteria. The school also makes clear that Year 7 in the autumn term is its main point of entry.

On the pages reviewed, the school does not clearly set out catchment rules, oversubscription priorities or a published cut-off standard for Year 7 entry. Because those details are crucial and can change, parents should not rely on forum posts or older summaries. Instead, check the school’s current admissions policy and admissions arrangements as soon as they are published for the relevant year.

In practical terms, that means:

do not assume there is or is not a catchment area unless the current policy says so;
do not assume a past distance rule, score threshold or pass mark still applies;
read the school’s own admissions documents in full before making travel or tutoring decisions.

The school website also refers to in-year admissions testing for Years 7 and 8, but that is separate from the normal Year 7 entry route.

Because selective schools can be oversubscribed, it is wise to think about admissions in two layers: first, preparing your child to perform well in the entrance test; second, understanding how places are ranked and allocated once testing is complete. For Colyton, the second layer should be taken only from the latest published school policy.

A month-by-month preparation plan

For a child sitting the test in September of Year 6, a calm, steady build through Year 5 is usually more effective than a late rush. Since Colyton tests only Maths and English, a focused plan works well.

September to December of Year 5

Keep preparation light and skills-based. Around 1 to 2 hours a week in short sessions is enough for most children at this stage.

Maths: secure number facts, place value, written methods, fractions, decimals and basic problem solving.
English: build vocabulary, reading stamina, comprehension habits, spelling accuracy and clear sentence writing.
Read aloud and discuss meaning, tone and evidence in the text.
Notice any weak spots early rather than racing ahead.

January to March of Year 5

Increase gently to around 2 to 3 hours a week. Start working more deliberately in the style of an entrance test, but keep most work untimed.

Introduce short comprehension tasks using fiction and non-fiction.
Practise arithmetic accuracy alongside multi-step word problems.
Work on handwriting or written presentation if that is an issue for your child.
Teach your child to show method clearly in Maths and to support answers with evidence in English.

April to June of Year 5

This is a good stage to become more structured. Aim for 3 hours a week, split over several sessions.

Begin mixed-topic Maths practice rather than isolated topics only.
Use longer comprehension pieces and ask for fuller written answers.
Start short timed sections to build pace without creating pressure.
Review errors carefully: was it knowledge, reading, attention or timing?

July to August before Year 6

Summer is often when preparation becomes more test-aware, but children still need rest. Around 3 to 4 hours a week is usually plenty.

Start sitting occasional timed papers or half-papers.
Practise moving on from a difficult question and returning later if allowed.
Keep vocabulary, reading and mental arithmetic ticking over.
Avoid doing full papers too often; review quality matters more than quantity.

September of Year 6, just before the test

In the final weeks, keep work purposeful and calm. Focus on confidence, routine and accuracy rather than cramming.

Use a small number of realistic timed papers.
Revisit common error patterns.
Make sure your child knows practical test habits: reading instructions carefully, checking work, and keeping an eye on time.
In the last few days, reduce workload and prioritise sleep and normal routines.

If your child is already working securely above age-related expectations in both subjects, you may need less time than this. If they have gaps in either Maths or English, begin by fixing those gaps before doing lots of test papers.

Subject by subject: what to practise

Maths

Because Colyton tests Maths directly, the most useful preparation is strong curriculum-based understanding used quickly and accurately. Children should be comfortable with arithmetic, place value, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio basics where taught, measures, geometry, and straightforward algebraic thinking if it appears within upper Key Stage 2 expectations.

Question types in school-set Maths papers commonly reward:

accurate written calculation;
multi-step word problems;
careful reading of mathematical information;
working with tables, charts or data;
showing clear method where appropriate.

Good practice methods include short daily arithmetic, one or two longer reasoning problems each week, and regular review of mistakes. Encourage your child to underline key information in word problems, estimate before calculating, and check whether the answer is sensible.

English

For English, prepare for a combination of reading and written response rather than reasoning-style drills. The exact balance for 2028 entry is not yet published on the pages reviewed, so the safest approach is broad preparation across comprehension, vocabulary and written accuracy.

Useful areas to practise are:

reading comprehension using fiction and non-fiction;
finding evidence in the text;
explaining language choices and tone in simple but precise terms;
vocabulary in context;
spelling, punctuation and grammar accuracy;
clear, organised written answers.

If the school later confirms a creative writing element, add regular planning and short composition practice. Until then, it is sensible not to over-specialise. A child who reads widely, answers comprehension questions with evidence, and writes accurately in full sentences is building exactly the right foundation.

To improve steadily, ask your child not just what the answer is, but how they know. That habit helps in both comprehension and written explanation.

Practice papers and mock exams

Practice papers are most helpful when they are used sparingly and reviewed properly. For Colyton Grammar School, the aim is not to expose your child to every possible 11+ format, but to strengthen performance in Maths and English under realistic conditions.

Start with skills practice first. Then, once your child is secure in the basics, bring in timed work gradually. A good pattern is:

teach or review the topic;
practise a few questions untimed;
try a short timed set;
mark it carefully;
log mistakes by type;
redo only the weak areas.

For school-specific practice, use Free Colyton Grammar School practice papers (one per tested subject, with answers). For an overview of format and updates, see The Colyton Grammar School 11+ guide (format, catchment, dates). If you want reminders when the school publishes new admissions information, sign up for Free email alerts for this school's key dates.

If you book a mock exam, choose one for confidence-building and experience rather than as a verdict on your child. The most useful mock gives practice in timing, instructions, concentration and recovery after a tricky question. One or two well-chosen mocks are usually enough; too many can drain confidence.

After any paper or mock, spend more time on review than on the sitting itself. Ask:

Which questions were lost through weak knowledge?
Which were lost through rushing or not reading properly?
Did timing slip at the start, middle or end?
Were written answers too brief in English?
Were methods unclear or incomplete in Maths?

That kind of review leads to improvement far faster than simply doing more papers.

On the day

In the final 24 hours, keep life as normal as possible. A regular bedtime, familiar food and a calm morning routine matter more than any last-minute worksheet.

Check the school’s instructions the night before.
Pack any required items early.
Leave plenty of travel time.
Avoid discussing score targets on the journey.
Remind your child that one hard question does not mean a bad paper.

Useful messages for children are simple and steady: read carefully, start confidently, keep moving, and check if there is time. If they feel stuck, they should take a breath, do the next manageable question and come back later if possible.

After the test, try not to conduct a full post-mortem. Most children remember the questions they found hard and forget the ones they answered well. A quiet treat and a change of subject usually helps more than detailed analysis.

After the exam: results, allocation and appeals

After the entrance test, families are usually told whether the child has met the school’s required standard or how the school will use the result within its admissions process. The exact wording and timing for Colyton’s 2028-entry results have not yet been published on the pages reviewed, so parents should wait for the school’s instructions for that cohort.

Whatever the school’s testing timeline, families must still complete the local authority secondary application. Devon County Council explains that secondary school applications close on 31 October, and national offer day for secondary places is 1 March or the next working day.

Place allocation is not simply the same thing as sitting the test. In selective admissions, children may need to reach the school’s required standard and then be ranked or prioritised under the school’s published admissions policy if there are more eligible applicants than places.

If you are not offered a place, the normal next steps are:

read the allocation information carefully;
join the waiting list if available;
consider an appeal if you believe there are grounds.

Appeals are governed by the School Admission Appeals Code. The practical details for Colyton appeals should be checked on the school’s admissions information for the relevant year.

What has changed recently

From the official pages reviewed, the clearest current position is that Colyton Grammar School is using its own selective test and that the school’s admissions page currently says the registration portal for the latest cycle has closed. The school also states that deadlines and testing for the previous Year 7 cycle have passed.

No separately announced recent change to the exam board, test subjects, catchment rules, place numbers or admissions criteria was clearly published on the pages reviewed. If the school publishes updated admissions arrangements for 2028 entry, families should rely on that new documentation rather than older guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Does Colyton Grammar School test Verbal Reasoning or Non-Verbal Reasoning?

No. For 2028 entry, the verified format is Maths and English only.

Who runs the Colyton Grammar School entrance test?

The school runs its own test. Parents should register through Colyton Grammar School when the new admissions window opens.

When is the Colyton Grammar School 11+ exam usually held?

The exact 2028-entry date has not yet been published on the pages reviewed. The most recent published cycle had a September test date, so families should expect the exam to be typically in September and check the school site for confirmation.

Is there a catchment area for Colyton Grammar School?

The pages reviewed do not clearly publish catchment or priority details. Check the school’s current admissions policy for the exact rules for your child’s year.

When do we also need to apply through the local authority?

You still need to submit your normal secondary school application through your local authority. Devon says the secondary application closing date is 31 October.

How early should we start preparing?

For most children, a gentle start in Year 5 works well. Begin with core Maths and English skills, then add timed practice gradually closer to the test.

📄 Free Colyton Grammar School practice papers Start free and track readiness for Colyton Grammar School 🔔 Email me this school's key dates

Sources

Colyton Grammar School - Joining Our School: School runs its own admissions process; main entry point is Year 7 in the autumn term; the page says the registration portal for Year 7 entry in September 2027 is closed; deadline and test for the latest cycle have passed; in-year admissions testing is available for Years 7 and 8.
Colyton Grammar School: School describes itself as a selective co-educational academy in the state sector.
Devon County Council - Apply for a secondary school place: Parents must apply for a secondary school place through the local authority; secondary application closing date is 31 October; national offer day is 1 March or the next working day.

Preparing for other schools in Devon

Written by ElevenReady from the school's published information and reviewed by a person before publishing. Last reviewed 4 October 2026. Exam arrangements change. Check the school's admissions page for the current year.