Devon Grammar Schools: Your Complete 11+ Guide
Key Takeaways
- Devon has one grammar school, Colyton Grammar, with approximately 120 Year 7 places
- Colyton uses a two-stage selection process with GL Assessment papers and extended assessments
- Places are allocated purely on test performance with no distance or sibling priority
- Preparation must cover both multiple-choice reasoning and extended writing and problem-solving
Devon is home to one of England's most well-known grammar schools, Colyton Grammar School, which attracts applications from across the south-west and beyond. Unlike areas with multiple grammar schools, Devon's selective provision is concentrated in a single school, making the competition for places particularly intense. This guide covers everything families need to know about the Devon grammar school system, from the entrance exam format to the admissions process and preparation strategies. Whether you live in Exeter, Torbay, East Devon or further afield, understanding how the system works will help you make informed decisions about your child's 11+ journey.
Colyton Grammar School is Devon's sole grammar school, offering 120 places via a competitive two-stage selection process. The first stage uses GL Assessment papers, the second involves extended assessments at the school. Places are awarded entirely on test performance, making thorough preparation across all exam components essential.
Colyton Grammar School: An Overview
Colyton Grammar School, located in the small town of Colyton in East Devon, is the county's sole grammar school. It is co-educational and consistently achieves outstanding academic results, regularly appearing among the top-performing state schools in England.
The school offers approximately 120 Year 7 places each year, but receives well over 1,000 applications, making it one of the most competitive grammar schools in the country. Children travel from across Devon, Somerset and Dorset to attend, and the school provides an extensive bus network to support this wide catchment area.
Colyton's curriculum is broad and ambitious, with particular strengths in science, mathematics, languages and the humanities. The school also offers a strong extracurricular programme, including music, drama, sport and a wide range of academic enrichment activities.
Because Colyton is the only grammar school in Devon, there is no backup grammar option within the county. This means families should have realistic conversations about alternative secondary schools early in the process. High-performing comprehensives in Devon, such as those in Exeter, Torbay and the South Hams, offer excellent education, and securing a place at one of these schools alongside a Colyton application is a sensible approach.
The school has Academy status and manages its own admissions process, so parents must register directly with Colyton rather than through the local authority.
The Colyton Grammar Entrance Exam
Colyton Grammar School uses a two-stage selection process. The first stage is a standardised test, typically administered by GL Assessment, covering English, mathematics and reasoning. This is held in September of Year 6 at a local test centre.
Children who achieve a sufficiently high score in the first stage are invited back for a second round, which takes place at the school itself later in September or early October. The second stage typically includes further assessment in English and mathematics, often with a greater emphasis on problem-solving, extended writing and higher-order thinking.
This two-stage approach means that Colyton's selection process is more demanding than a single-test system. Children need to perform consistently well across multiple papers on different days, which requires both strong academic skills and the ability to manage exam pressure over a sustained period.
The standardised scores from both rounds are combined to produce a final ranking, and places are offered to the highest-scoring candidates. There is no interview component, and the process is designed to be as objective as possible.
Registration typically opens in May and closes in June. Parents must register through the Colyton Grammar School website. EdifyPod Nexus helps children prepare for multi-stage selection processes by building both core skills and the exam stamina needed to perform well across multiple papers.
How to Prepare for the Colyton 11+
Given the two-stage nature of the Colyton entrance exam, preparation needs to be deeper and more sustained than for a standard single-paper 11+. Start by building strong foundational skills in Year 4: reading widely, practising mental arithmetic daily, and developing a love of problem-solving.
In Year 5, introduce formal 11+ practice across all four areas, English comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. For the first stage, the GL Assessment format is standard, so familiarity with multiple-choice question types and time management under exam conditions is essential.
For the second stage, preparation should focus on extended responses. This means practising writing under timed conditions, both creative and analytical, and tackling multi-step maths problems that require explanation and justification. Colyton values depth of thinking, so children who can explain their reasoning and show working clearly have an advantage.
Mock exams are particularly important for Colyton applicants because of the two-stage format. Simulating the experience of performing well across multiple test sessions helps children build the resilience needed on the actual exam days.
Parents should also be prepared for the emotional dimension of the process. With such intense competition, it is important to frame the 11+ as an opportunity rather than a pass-or-fail event. A child who feels supported and encouraged will approach the exam with greater confidence than one who feels the weight of parental expectation. Explore structured preparation at edifypod.com/11plus to ensure coverage of every exam component.
Admissions Process and Practical Considerations
The admissions timeline for Colyton Grammar School follows a well-defined pattern. Registration opens in May via the school's website, with a firm deadline in June. Parents who miss the registration window cannot enter their child for the test.
The first-stage test takes place in September at designated test centres across the south-west. Parents receive details of their child's allocated test centre after registration. The second stage, for those who qualify, is held at the school in late September or early October.
Results are communicated to parents in October. The school provides each child's standardised score and indicates whether a place is being offered, the child is on the waiting list, or the application has been unsuccessful. Families must then submit their common application form to Devon County Council by 31 October.
Travel is a significant consideration for families further from Colyton. The school day is long, and adding a lengthy commute can be tiring for an 11-year-old. Colyton operates a comprehensive school bus service, but parents should verify that their area is covered and factor in the daily travel time when deciding whether to apply.
Finally, it is worth noting that Colyton's admissions policy gives no priority based on distance, siblings or feeder schools. Places are allocated purely on test performance, which makes the exam result the sole determining factor. EdifyPod Nexus helps families focus preparation on the specific skills Colyton's two-stage process demands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grammar schools are in Devon?
Devon has one grammar school, Colyton Grammar School in East Devon. It is co-educational and offers approximately 120 Year 7 places each year.
What makes Colyton's 11+ different from other areas?
Colyton uses a two-stage selection process. The first stage is a GL Assessment test; the second stage, held at the school, includes further English and maths assessment with extended responses.
Does Colyton give priority to local children?
No. Colyton allocates places purely based on test performance, with no priority for distance, siblings or feeder schools.