Rugby High School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 120
Ofsted Rating: Good
Rugby High School
Rugby High School is a selective girls’ grammar school in Rugby, Warwickshire, known for its strong academic performance and supportive environment. The school also admits boys into its thriving sixth form, promoting equality, opportunity and excellence across all stages of education.
Established in 1931, Rugby High delivers a broad and ambitious curriculum designed to develop confident, independent and resilient learners. Its ethos focuses on high achievement, integrity and personal growth, encouraging students to aim high while becoming considerate and responsible members of the community.
Academic results at Rugby High are consistently impressive, with many pupils progressing to Oxbridge and other top Russell Group universities. Beyond the classroom, students enjoy a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, from music and sport to debating, volunteering and leadership roles. Admissions are managed through the Warwickshire 11 Plus process, administered by GL Assessment.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Rugby High School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Rugby High School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Rugby High 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 Rugby High School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Rugby High School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Rugby High School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Rugby High School’s Key Information
The key information, such as student intake and contact information, for Rugby High School below is regularly updated.
School Address
Full Address:
Rugby High School, Longrood RoadRugby
Warwickshire
CV22 7RE
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is some parking within the school as well as on-street parking nearby.
Additional parking off site
Car Park: Alwyn Rd, Bilton, Rugby, CV22 7RD, 0.5 miles from the school.
Rugby High School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Rugby High School is a welcoming, ambitious community where pupils achieve highly and behave exceptionally well.
Academic strength: The curriculum is broad, challenging and builds strong subject knowledge across all key stages.
Teaching and curriculum: Skilled teachers inspire enthusiasm for learning, with reading and discussion at the heart of lessons.
Behaviour and culture: Pupils are respectful, motivated and proud of their school, creating a calm, positive environment.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leaders know the school well, staff feel supported, and safeguarding is strong and effective.
Rugby High School Exam Format
Entry to Year 7 at Rugby High School is based on performance in the Warwickshire 11 Plus test, administered by GL Assessment and used by all grammar schools in the county.
The Rugby High School Entry Exam: Overview
Each paper lasts around 60 minutes, and pupils record their answers on separate multiple-choice sheets. All results are age-standardised to ensure fairness. Test weightings are 50% for English and Verbal Reasoning, 25% for Non-Verbal Reasoning, and 25% for Mathematics.
Paper One:
The first paper focuses on English comprehension, verbal reasoning, and elements of mathematics. It tests skills such as reading accuracy, vocabulary, logic, and problem-solving under timed conditions.
Paper Two:
The second paper covers non-verbal and spatial reasoning, along with further maths and verbal reasoning sections. This paper assesses pattern recognition, spatial awareness, and logical thinking.
GL 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
While there is no fixed pass mark, students typically need a standardised score around 210–220 to be competitive for a place at Rugby High School, depending on the strength of the cohort and oversubscription criteria.
Catchment Area
Rugby High School has two defined priority areas for admissions, with Priority Area 1 receiving the highest priority.
Priority Area 1 covers East Warwickshire, including the town of Rugby and its surrounding villages.
Priority Area 2, known as the Eastern Priority Circle, is a 10-mile radius centred on the Rugby Water Tower and includes Priority Area 1 within it.
Up to 50 places are allocated to applicants living in Priority Area 1. Families are encouraged to view the Warwickshire County Council priority area maps and click on their home address to confirm which area they live in.
Additional Eligibility
If more pupils meet the qualifying standard than there are available places, Rugby High School applies the following oversubscription criteria:
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Looked-after and previously looked-after children
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Pupils eligible for Pupil Premium living within the priority area
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Other pupils in the priority area
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Pupils living outside the priority area, ranked by score
Click here to view the full Rugby High School admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Rugby High School
Here are some ways you can help your daughter feel confident and well-prepared:
School-specific 11 Plus revision
Prepare your child for the 11 Plus with a school-specific 11 Plus Essentials Pack, carefully designed to reflect Rugby High School’s assessment style.
Each pack includes carefully selected guides and 11 Plus revision papers covering the subjects assessed by Rugby High School, helping your child focus their preparation on what matters most.
It is designed to provide a strong foundation for home study, whether used independently or alongside tutoring support.
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
Use Exam Papers
Target Weak Areas
Target Weak Areas
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 Rugby High 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.
Rugby High School’s Key Dates and Application Information
These are the dates relevant to the 11 Plus entry exam and registration for Rugby High School.
Entry Exam Registration Deadline
Entry Exam Date
Entry Exam Date
Entry Exam Results Date
Common Application form (CAF) Deadline
Rugby High School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Rugby High School, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the Rugby High School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyEntrance Test Entry Form
Register your child for the Warwickshire 11 Plus exam by completing the online registration form on the Warwickshire County Council website. The registration window opens on Tuesday 6 May 2025 and closes on Friday 27 June 2025 at 4:00 PM. Only those registered within this period will be eligible to sit the test.
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Rugby High School listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed, failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
Rugby High School FAQs
You must register your child for the Warwickshire 11 Plus test and list Rugby High School as a preference on your local authority’s Common Application Form before the deadline.
The Warwickshire 11 Plus, set by GL Assessment, includes two multiple-choice papers of around 60 minutes each, covering English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths, and Non-Verbal/Spatial Reasoning.
Entry is highly competitive, with priority given to pupils achieving strong scores in the 11 Plus who live within the designated priority areas.
Yes. The school has two priority areas; Priority Area 1 (East Warwickshire, including Rugby and nearby villages) and Priority Area 2 (a 10-mile circle around Rugby Water Tower). Priority Area 1 has higher admission priority.