How it works and what families can expect
If you’re considering a grammar school in Slough for your child, understanding how the Slough Consortium 11 Plus works is an important step in your journey. The 11 Plus is a selective entrance exam used to determine entry into Slough’s highly sought-after grammar schools.
At Teachitright, we’ve been helping children successfully prepare for the Slough Consortium 11 Plus for almost 20 years. Our structured, supportive courses are designed specifically for Year 4 and Year 5 pupils, helping them build the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed in the GL Assessment exam used by the consortium.
This guide explains:
- How the Slough Consortium 11 Plus works
- What the exam includes
- How Teachitright supports families preparing for the exam
How does the Slough Consortium 11 Plus work?
The Slough Consortium is made up of four grammar schools:
- Langley Grammar School
- St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School
- Herschel Grammar School
- Upton Court Grammar School
Key facts about the Slough Consortium 11 Plus:
- Test provider: GL Assessment
- When it’s taken: September of Year 6
- Who takes it: Pupils from Slough and surrounding areas who apply to sit the exam
- Format: Two papers taken on the same day
- Purpose: To assess suitability for grammar school education
How the test is structured:
The Slough Consortium 11 Plus includes two multiple-choice papers, each lasting approximately 60 minutes, covering:
- Verbal Reasoning & English
- Mathematics & Non-Verbal/Spatial Reasoning
The Slough Consortium 11 Plus is designed to assess a child’s academic ability and problem-solving skills.
What’s tested in the Slough Consortium 11 Plus?
The GL Assessment exam focuses on three core skill areas:
Verbal Skills (English & Verbal Reasoning)
- Reading comprehension
- Grammar and spelling
- Vocabulary
- Verbal reasoning tasks (e.g., word codes, letter sequences, logical connections)
A strong command of vocabulary and the ability to interpret written information are crucial for this section.
Mathematics Skills
- Based on the Key Stage 2 Maths curriculum, including Year 6 content
- Covers: number operations; fractions, decimals and percentages; algebra and ratio; word problems and data handling
Mathematical questions often require both number fluency and logical reasoning.
Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning
- Pattern recognition
- Completing sequences
- 2D and 3D shape manipulation
- Spotting relationships between shapes
This section assesses the ability to solve visual and spatial problems without relying on language skills.
Slough Consortium 11 Plus scoring and results
Scores are standardised to account for the child’s age, meaning younger children in the year group are not disadvantaged.
The scores from each section are combined to create an overall total.
Each school within the consortium may have its own admissions criteria and qualifying scores, so it’s essential to check directly with the individual schools.
How Teachitright supports Slough Consortium 11 Plus preparation
Teachitright has supported thousands of pupils preparing for the Slough Consortium 11 Plus, helping them gain entry to their chosen grammar schools with an outstanding pass rate.
Online and in-person 11 Plus tuition courses
We offer both:
- In-centre tuition across Slough and surrounding areas
- Interactive online masterclasses, perfect for flexible learning at home
Year 4 Grammar School Courses
Our grammar school courses for pupils in Year 4 provide an introduction to 11 Plus skills, with a focus on building strong Maths, English and reasoning foundations, as well as developing problem-solving skills and vocabulary.
Year 5 Grammar School Courses
Our grammar school courses for pupils in Year 5 provide comprehensive coverage of all GL Assessment topics, as well as timed practice, and the development of exam techniques and strategies. We incorporate regular assessments and provide feedback to monitor progress, and we aim to build skills and confidence ahead of the exam in Year 6.
Mock exams
Our mock exams are held under exam conditions to help children get used to a real test environment. Through taking mock exams, pupil’s strengths can be identified, as well as areas they can focus on developing further.
Why start 11 Plus preparation early?
- 11 Plus test skills are not always taught in depth at school – particularly verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and advanced problem-solving.
- Vocabulary development is essential and takes time to build.
- Early preparation builds confidence, reduces stress, and allows time to master key strategies.
Our experience shows that starting in Year 4 or early Year 5 gives children the best chance to approach the exam fully prepared.
Next steps: How to get started
If your child is aiming for one of the Slough Consortium grammar schools, Teachitright is here to support their 11 Plus journey with:
- Tailored tuition for the GL Assessment exam
- Year 4 foundation grammar school courses
- Year 5 in-depth grammar school courses
- Mock exams to build confidence and familiarity
Visit our Slough Consortium 11 Plus Tuition page to learn more about our courses.
Or explore our full range of 11 Plus courses to find the right option for your child.
The Slough Consortium 11 Plus is competitive, but with the right support, your child can face it with confidence. Teachitright’s experienced teachers, structured programmes, and proven track record are here to guide your child every step of the way.
If you’d like to discuss how we can help your child prepare, please get in touch to request full course information.
