South West England Grammar Schools: Devon, Gloucestershire & Wiltshire Guide

Grammar Schools in Devon, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire

Devon is home to five grammar schools: Colyton Grammar School (a mixed school in East Devon), Torquay Boys' Grammar School, Torquay Girls' Grammar School, Plymouth High School for Girls, and Devonport High School for Boys. These schools are spread across the county, with the Torquay cluster being the most accessible for families in South Devon and the Plymouth schools serving the west of the county. Colyton Grammar School, near Axminster, draws pupils from a wide rural catchment.

Gloucestershire has a notable concentration of grammar schools, particularly around Cheltenham and Stroud. The county's grammar schools include Cheltenham Bournside (partially selective), Marling School (boys, Stroud), Stroud High School (girls), Pate's Grammar School (mixed, Cheltenham), Denmark Road High School (girls, Gloucester), The Crypt School (boys, Gloucester), The Rich's School (boys, Gloucester), and Sir Thomas Rich's. This cluster makes Gloucestershire one of the strongest grammar school areas outside the traditional heartlands.

Wiltshire has a smaller selective provision, centred on Bishop Wordsworth's School (boys, Salisbury) and South Wilts Grammar School (girls, Salisbury). These schools serve families across Wiltshire and neighbouring parts of Hampshire and Dorset.

The geographic spread of schools across these three counties means most families will focus on the grammar schools nearest to them. However, families on county borders may have options in more than one area, and it is worth checking whether schools in adjacent counties accept out-of-area applicants. Most south-west grammar schools welcome external candidates from outside their immediate area.

Test Formats Across the South-West

Test formats in the south-west vary by county and sometimes by individual school. In Devon, the grammar schools generally use tests that assess English, mathematics, and reasoning. Colyton Grammar School, for example, uses a GL Assessment-style test. The Torquay and Plymouth schools have historically used similar formats, though families should always check the current year's arrangements on each school's website.

In Gloucestershire, the grammar schools use a common entrance test administered by GL Assessment. This test typically covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English, and mathematics. The test is held in September of Year 6, and results are shared with whichever Gloucestershire grammar schools the family has applied to. This common test system is convenient for families applying to multiple schools in the county, as children sit one test rather than several.

In Wiltshire, Bishop Wordsworth's and South Wilts Grammar use their own entrance test, which covers English and mathematics. The format may include reasoning elements depending on the year. Registration is through each school's admissions office, and the test is typically held in September.

Despite the variation in specific formats, the underlying skills being tested are remarkably consistent across the south-west: strong reading comprehension, mathematical fluency, problem-solving ability, and often verbal and non-verbal reasoning. A thorough preparation programme that covers all these areas will serve your child well regardless of which specific school they are applying to.

EdifyPod Nexus provides comprehensive coverage across all these skill areas, with Eddy adapting the focus and difficulty to match your child's current level. This personalised approach is particularly valuable in the south-west, where families may be targeting schools with slightly different test formats.

Registration and Admissions Across the South-West

Registration processes in the south-west are managed at the county or school level, so families must check the specific requirements for each school they are interested in. In Gloucestershire, registration for the common entrance test typically opens in May of Year 5, with a deadline in June or early July. Families register through the county council's admissions team, and the test is held in September.

In Devon, each grammar school manages its own registration. Colyton Grammar, the Torquay schools, and the Plymouth schools each have their own portals and deadlines. Most open registration in the spring of Year 5 with deadlines in early summer. Because there is no common registration system across Devon, families applying to multiple schools need to complete separate applications for each.

In Wiltshire, registration for Bishop Wordsworth's and South Wilts Grammar is through each school's admissions office. The timeline is similar to other areas, with registration opening in spring and the test in September.

All south-west grammar schools follow the national admissions timeline for the common application form, with a deadline of 31 October. National offer day is 1 March. Families should list their preferred schools in genuine order of preference and include at least one non-selective school as a backup.

Open days and school visits are available at all south-west grammar schools, typically in June and September. Visiting is particularly important in this region because the schools have very different characters, from the rural setting of Colyton Grammar to the urban environments of the Gloucester schools. Seeing each school in person helps families make informed preference decisions.

Families living near county borders should check whether they can apply to grammar schools in the adjacent county. Most south-west grammar schools accept out-of-area applicants, though some give priority to local candidates when scores are tied.

Preparation Strategy for South-West Grammar Schools

Preparing for south-west grammar school entrance follows the same principles as preparation for selective schools elsewhere: start early, focus on core skills, and build exam technique through regular timed practice. Begin in Year 4 or early Year 5 with a baseline assessment to identify your child's strengths and weaknesses.

For English, establish a daily reading habit across a range of genres. South-west grammar school tests typically include comprehension passages that require inference, deduction, and vocabulary knowledge. Supplement reading with regular comprehension exercises and, where the test includes writing, weekly practice in creative and analytical writing styles.

For mathematics, build fluency in arithmetic first. Confident mental calculation is the foundation for everything else in the maths paper. Then work systematically through the Year 5 and early Year 6 curriculum: fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, geometry, data handling, and word problems. Practise multi-step problems regularly, as these are where the test differentiates between good and excellent candidates.

For reasoning, introduce verbal and non-verbal reasoning practice in Year 5. In Gloucestershire, where the common test includes both reasoning types, this is particularly important. Work through a broad range of question types to develop flexible thinking. Verbal reasoning benefits from vocabulary work, while non-verbal reasoning improves with spatial and pattern-based exercises.

EdifyPod Nexus supports south-west grammar school preparation by adapting to your child's level and providing targeted practice across all tested areas. For families who want expert guidance, edifypod.com/11plus offers Group and 1-to-1 Tutoring with experienced tutors who understand the various test formats used across Devon, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire.

In the final months before the September test, sit at least three full-length mock papers under timed conditions. Review each mock carefully, focusing on areas where marks were lost. This cycle of practice, review, and targeted improvement is the most effective way to maximise your child's performance on test day.