If your child is considering a grammar school in Slough, understanding the 11 Plus Slough Consortium should be your starting point. The four grammar schools in the Consortium share a common entrance test, so your child only needs to sit one 11 Plus examination to be considered for these schools.
For children seeking Year 7 entry in September 2027, the Slough Consortium 11 Plus examination is scheduled for Saturday 19 September 2026 and is provided by GL Assessment. The registration period for this test has now closed. (Herschel Grammar School)
The Consortium’s four schools are:
- Herschel Grammar School
- Langley Grammar School
- St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School
- Upton Court Grammar School
Although the schools share the entrance test and eligibility standard, parents still need to understand each school’s individual admissions arrangements before making their preferences.
For the most reliable and current information, parents should check the official Herschel Grammar School 2027 admissions information and the Slough Consortium’s official 11 Plus information.
What Is the Slough Consortium 11 Plus?
The Slough Consortium is a group of four selective grammar schools that use a shared 11 Plus entrance exam.
This means your child does not normally need to sit four separate entrance tests if you are considering more than one of the Consortium schools. The schools use the same examination papers and common eligibility criteria.
The four schools are co-educational:
| Grammar School | Location |
| Herschel Grammar School | Slough |
| Langley Grammar School | Langley |
| St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School | Slough |
| Upton Court Grammar School | Upton |
However, sitting the Consortium test is not the same as applying for a school place. After receiving the test result, parents must still apply through their home local authority’s secondary school application process.
Who Provides the Slough 11 Plus Exam?
The Slough Consortium 11 Plus is currently provided by GL Assessment.
This is an important update for parents using older preparation material. The Consortium previously used CEM, but GL Assessment took over the test from September 2023 onwards.
For 2027 entry, the assessment consists of two papers, with each paper taking approximately one hour, including instructions and example questions. The papers are taken on the same day with a short break between them.
The current format broadly assesses:
- English comprehension
- Technical English, including grammar, punctuation and spelling
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Mathematics
The exact preparation should therefore reflect the current GL Assessment structure rather than relying solely on old CEM practice papers.
What Is Tested in the Slough Consortium 11 Plus?
The test is divided into verbal and non-verbal skills.
Verbal Skills
The verbal element includes areas such as:
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Verbal Reasoning
English content is based around the skills children develop through the Key Stage 2 curriculum, while Verbal Reasoning requires children to apply logic to written information.
Regular reading can therefore be valuable. Encourage your child to read different types of texts and discuss unfamiliar words, meanings, conclusions and information contained within passages.
Non-Verbal Skills and Maths
The non-verbal element includes:
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Shapes and patterns
- Visual problem-solving
- Spatial reasoning
- Mathematics
Maths covers key areas of the Key Stage 2 curriculum, including number, algebra, measures, shape and space, and handling data.
Your child should therefore develop mathematical understanding alongside the ability to apply it to unfamiliar problems.
What Is the Slough 11 Plus Qualifying Score?
The current Slough 11 Plus qualifying score is 111.
A total standardised score of 111 or above means that a child is considered eligible for consideration for a place at a Slough Consortium grammar school. This score represents approximately the top 35% of the test cohort.
It is important not to describe 111 simply as a guaranteed “pass mark”.
Achieving 111 or above does not guarantee a grammar school place. Grammar schools can receive more eligible applications than they have places available. In these circumstances, each school applies its published oversubscription criteria.
Parents should therefore research the admissions policy of each grammar school they are considering.
Slough Consortium 11 Plus Dates for September 2027 Entry
For children applying for Year 7 entry in September 2027, the published timetable included:
| Stage | Date |
| 11 Plus registration opens | 1 May 2026 |
| 11 Plus registration closes | 5 June 2026 |
| Slough Consortium 11 Plus test | 19 September 2026 |
| Results | Mid-October 2026 |
| Secondary school application deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| National Offer Day | 1 March 2027 |
These dates are confirmed in the current 2027 admissions information.
Important: Registration for the September 2027 test has already closed. If your child is applying for a later year, check the Consortium’s latest information rather than relying on these dates.
How to Prepare for the Slough Consortium 11 Plus
Effective 11 Plus preparation should be based on the actual test your child will take.
1. Understand the GL Assessment Format
Before buying practice books or papers, understand what your child will be assessed on.
Because the Slough Consortium uses GL Assessment, preparation should include the relevant verbal, English, Maths and non-verbal question types.
Starting with untimed questions can help your child understand the techniques. Once accuracy improves, gradually introduce timed practice.
2. Develop 11 Plus English Skills
11 Plus English preparation should cover comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Regular reading is particularly useful because it exposes children to unfamiliar vocabulary and different writing styles.
You can also support targeted preparation through Adnan Khan Tutoring’s 11 Plus English lessons.
3. Strengthen 11 Plus Maths
Your child should be comfortable with core 11 Plus Maths topics before moving heavily into timed practice.
Useful areas include:
- Number
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Percentages
- Ratio
- Measurement
- Geometry
- Data
- Problem-solving
The aim is to develop both accuracy and flexibility so your child can apply familiar concepts to unfamiliar questions.
4. Practise Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning can feel unfamiliar to children who have never encountered these question types.
Introduce the underlying techniques first. Your child can then practise increasingly challenging questions while learning how to recognise patterns, relationships and logical rules.
Adnan Khan Tutoring provides dedicated 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning and 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning support.
5. Use Mock Exams to Measure Progress
11 Plus mock exams can help your child become familiar with timed conditions and identify areas that need further work.
However, a mock score should not be treated as a guarantee of the actual result. Look at the mistakes behind the score.
Ask:
- Which topics caused difficulty?
- Was the mistake caused by a knowledge gap?
- Did your child run out of time?
- Were there careless errors?
- Has performance improved since the previous assessment?
Our 11 Plus mock exams can form part of a structured preparation programme.
How Can Adnan Khan Tutoring Help?
Preparing for the Slough Consortium 11 Plus requires more than completing large quantities of practice questions. Your child needs to understand the test, identify their weaknesses and develop the skills needed to work accurately under time pressure.
At Adnan Khan Tutoring, our online 11 Plus tuition can include:
- One-to-one and small-group lessons
- English and Maths preparation
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- GL-style practice
- Mock examinations
- Regular assessments
- Targeted support
- Personalised learning plans
- Homework and practice resources
Our 11 Plus tuition in Slough is designed around your child’s current ability and preparation needs.
What Happens After the 11 Plus?
The 11 Plus is only one part of the admissions process.
For September 2027 entry, parents were due to receive results in mid-October 2026. Those results could then be considered when completing the Common Application Form, which had a deadline of 31 October 2026. National Offer Day was scheduled for 1 March 2027.
If your child achieves the qualifying score, you still need to name your preferred grammar school on the appropriate application form. Meeting the eligibility standard does not automatically secure a place.
This distinction is particularly important for families considering several highly competitive schools.
FAQs About the Slough Consortium 11 Plus
How many grammar schools are in the Slough Consortium?
There are four: Herschel Grammar School, Langley Grammar School, St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School and Upton Court Grammar School. They share the same 11 Plus entrance test. (Herschel Grammar School)
What exam board does the Slough Consortium use?
The Consortium uses GL Assessment. The current test consists of two papers covering verbal and non-verbal skills, including English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
What is the Slough 11 Plus qualifying score?
The current qualifying score is 111. A child achieving 111 or above is considered eligible for consideration for a Consortium grammar school place.
Does scoring 111 guarantee a grammar school place?
No. A score of 111 or above makes a child eligible, but schools can be oversubscribed. Their published admissions and oversubscription criteria determine how places are allocated. (Herschel Grammar School)
Does my child need to sit four separate 11 Plus exams?
No. The four Slough Consortium grammar schools share the same entrance test, so a child only needs to sit the Consortium test once when being considered for these schools. (Herschel Grammar School)
Prepare for the Slough Consortium 11 Plus
The 11 Plus Slough Consortium provides a shared entrance assessment for four grammar schools, but successful preparation depends on understanding the current GL Assessment format and your child’s individual strengths and weaknesses.
Focus on building strong English and Maths foundations, developing reasoning skills, practising under timed conditions and reviewing mistakes carefully. Most importantly, use the current Consortium guidance rather than relying on older information about CEM or previous test formats.
For additional support, explore Adnan Khan Tutoring’s 11 Plus preparation and see how structured online tuition can help your child prepare for the Slough grammar school entrance test.
