Ripon Grammar School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school, Boarding
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
Places per year: 117
Ofsted Rating: Good
Ripon Grammar School
Ripon Grammar School is a selective co-educational grammar school with boarding in North Yorkshire. Established in the 16th century, it has a long tradition of academic excellence and offers both day and boarding places for students aged 11 to 18.
The school is recognised for exceptional results and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. Pupils can take part in sport, music, drama, enrichment clubs and leadership roles, supporting both personal growth and academic success.
Consistently ranked among the top state schools in the country, Ripon Grammar has a strong record of students progressing to leading universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. Admission to Year 7 is through the 11 Plus entrance exam, with places awarded to those meeting the required standard.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Ripon Grammar School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Ripon Grammar School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Ripon Grammar School
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for Ripon Grammar School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Ripon Grammar School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Ripon Grammar School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Ripon Grammar School Key Information
At 11 Plus Hero, we understand that there is a lot of information to take in and keep track of for 11 plus preparation, which can be difficult when this is accessed in various places. To help, we have collated key information, including dates and deadlines, admissions policies, boarding fees and school statistics, all in one place for easy reading.
School Address
Full Address:
Ripon Grammar School16 Clotherholme Road
Ripon
North Yorkshire
HG4 2DG
Contact Information
Parking in the school
On-site parking at Ripon Grammar School is limited. For open days and entrance test dates, visitors are advised to travel by public transport or use nearby street parking.
Additional parking off site
Free parking is available in the Blossomgate car park, HG4 2AJ, approximately a 20-minute walk.
Alternatively, parking is available at Marshall Way (259 spaces), 5 Marshall Way, Harrogate, HG4 2BT, £1.40 for 3 hours.
Ripon Grammar School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Good, with Outstanding for personal development and sixth-form provision.
Academic strength: Pupils achieve very highly in GCSEs and A levels, supported by an ambitious curriculum and strong subject knowledge from teachers.
Teaching and curriculum: Teaching is challenging and ambitious, though support for pupils with SEND is not always applied consistently across lessons.
Behaviour and culture: Behaviour is generally very good, with respectful relationships and positive attitudes, though consistency can dip in a small number of classrooms.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leaders are ambitious and effective, staff morale is positive, and safeguarding arrangements are rigorous and well established.
Ripon Grammar Exam Format
Entry to Year 7 at Ripon Grammar School is determined by performance in the GL Assessment 11 Plus exam. All applicants must sit the test, which takes place at the school or at an authorised local centre. The entrance exam is usually held in mid-September of Year 6 and includes three multiple-choice papers:
Ripon Grammar School 11 Plus Exam: Overview
Each paper lasts around 50 minutes and is marked using age-standardisation to ensure fairness. Scores are combined to rank candidates. There is no set pass mark, but successful pupils typically perform strongly across all areas. The highest 150 scorers are considered for offers, subject to oversubscription rules and boarding availability.
Paper One
Verbal reasoning
Paper Two
English (comprehension and literacy)
Paper Three
Mathematics (based on Key Stage 2 content)
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
There is no set pass mark, but successful pupils typically perform strongly across all areas. The highest 150 scorers are considered for offers, subject to oversubscription rules and boarding availability.
Catchment Area
Ripon Grammar School does operate a catchment area meaning priority is given to applicants who live within this area, when applications exceed places. The catchment area is defined by North Yorkshire County Council for Year 7 entry. Candidates living outside the catchment can still apply, but they are considered after those inside, under the oversubscription rules.
Additional Eligibility
When applications exceed the number of places, the following order of priority applies:
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Looked-after and previously looked-after children
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Pupils eligible for Pupil Premium
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Applicants living within the designated priority area, ranked by score
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Other candidates, ranked by score regardless of address
For boarding students, allocation is based on suitability for boarding (assessed through a supplementary form and interview), exam performance, and available boarding capacity. Click here to view the full Ripon Grammar Admissions Policy
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Ripon Grammar School
Since the entrance test is provided by GL Assessment, preparation should concentrate on building strong skills in multiple-choice English, mathematics and verbal reasoning. Effective approaches for success include:
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This allows plenty of time for steady progress without creating too much pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.
Encourage Daily Reading
A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re currently working on setting up a network of local test centres to offer in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely match the format used by Ripon Grammar School. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for your child to practise under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available just yet, you can register your interest by completing the form below. We’ll get in touch as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
Key Events for Admission to Ripon Grammar School
It can be tricky to keep track of the numerous dates and deadlines for admission to Ripon Grammar School, but 11 Plus Hero is here to help guide you through.
Registration Opens
Registration Closes
11+ exam at Ripon Grammar School
Results Published
CAF Application Deadline
National Offer Day
Ripon Grammar School Application Process
For Year 7 entry to Ripon Grammar School, parents must complete the following essential steps in the admissions process.
Admissions Policy
Make sure you read the Ripon Grammar School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyRegister for the entrance exam
The registration form is available on the Ripon Grammar School website and must be submitted before the deadline, usually at the end of June. Families applying for boarding places also need to complete a separate suitability for boarding form.
Visit School WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
The CAF must be submitted to your local authority by 31 October 2025. Ripon Grammar School should be included as one of your preferred school choices.
Ripon Grammar School FAQs
You need to register for the Ripon Grammar entrance exam (usually by late June) via the school’s website. Also, submit the Common Application Form (CAF) through your local authority by 31 October, naming Ripon Grammar as a preference.
The exam (by GL Assessment) takes place around mid-September in Year 6. It has three multiple-choice papers: Verbal Reasoning; English (comprehension & literacy); and Mathematics (Key Stage 2 content). Each paper lasts about 50 minutes, with results age-standardised.
Entry is very competitive: only 117 places are available each year (including about 14 boarding). Because many applicants take the test, your child generally needs high scores across all papers to have a strong chance.
Yes. When places are oversubscribed, priority is given to looked-after/previously looked-after children, Pupil Premium eligible pupils, and applicants living within the school’s priority area. Those outside the area are considered next by exam ranking.