Torbay 11+ Guide for Parents

What Is the Torbay 11+?

The Torbay 11+ is the selective school entrance test used for grammar school entry and selective-stream entry in Torbay.

Torbay Council explains that children who want to attend a selective school need to sit a selective test. Children also need to sit a test if they want to be considered for the selective stream at The Spires College.

Torbay’s selective schools use the same test results, so pupils only need to sit the selective test once. The test can usually be taken at one selective school, and the result can be used by the other Torbay selective schools according to their admissions policies.

Sitting the test, or receiving a positive guidance letter, is not the same as being offered a school place. Parents must still apply through the normal Local Authority school application process.

Which Schools Use the Torbay 11+?

Torbay Council lists four selective school routes:

The Spires College is not a grammar school in the same way as the three grammar schools. It is a bilateral school with both mainstream and selective places. Parents applying for a selective place at The Spires College must indicate this correctly on the application.

Who Provides the Torbay 11+ Test?

Current school guidance states that the Torbay 11+ test uses papers designed by GL Assessment.

This is an important accuracy point because Torbay preparation should be based on the current English and Maths GL Assessment route, not on outdated or generic four-subject 11+ assumptions.

What Does the Torbay 11+ Assess?

The Torbay 11+ assesses:

• English
• Mathematics

Torquay Girls’ Grammar School states that only English and Maths are tested. Churston Ferrers Grammar School also states that the test focuses strictly on English and Maths and that there are no Verbal Reasoning or Non-Verbal Reasoning papers.

In practical preparation terms, pupils should build confidence across:

• English comprehension
• Vocabulary
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar
• Reading accuracy
• Careful question interpretation
• Maths arithmetic
• Maths word problems
• Key Stage 2 number, measurement, geometry and data
• Multi-step problem solving
• Checking calculations
• Working accurately under time pressure

Torbay 11+ Test Format

The Torbay selective test consists of two papers:

The test is designed around standard primary school learning. Churston Ferrers Grammar School states that the test assesses the core knowledge and skills a child would be expected to have learned by the end of Year 5.

The Spires College states that there is no threshold score that has to be achieved in each individual skill area. Instead, the overall score is used to rank results, and raw scores are converted to age-standardised scores to take account of each child’s age in months.

Testing Once and Applying to More Than One School

The selective schools in Torbay coordinate the 11+ test together. The same test is taken at the same time at each school.

A child can take the test at any one of Torbay’s selective schools and apply for a place at other Torbay selective schools, because the schools liaise to ensure that the relevant information is available for admissions consideration.

Churston Ferrers Grammar School also states that a child can only sit the Torbay 11+ at one selective school in Torbay. It is usually sensible to register with the school the family most hopes the child will attend, while remembering that the result can be used for other Torbay selective schools that use the same assessment.

Guidance Letters, CAF and Offers

After the test, parents receive guidance about whether an application to a Torbay selective school may be successful. This guidance is intended to help parents decide which schools to name on the secondary school application.

A guidance letter is not an offer of a place. Parents must still complete the Local Authority Common Application Form and list the schools they want to apply for.

If the child lives in Torbay, the school application is made through Torbay Council. If the child lives outside Torbay, parents normally apply through their own home local authority.

Torbay Council offers one secondary school place. If more than one preference can be offered, the offer will be for the highest available preference.

The Spires College Selective Stream

The Spires College is a bilateral school with a limited number of selective places as well as mainstream places.

Students who reach the designated standard in the Torbay 11+ test can apply for a place in the selective stream. Parents should make sure they indicate clearly on the Local Authority application that they want the child to be considered for a selective place at The Spires College.

If a child is not successful in gaining a selective place, the application may still be treated as one for a non-selective place according to the school’s admissions arrangements. Parents should read The Spires College admissions information carefully because bilateral applications can be more complex than ordinary grammar school applications.

Access Arrangements and Special Circumstances

If a child has special educational needs, a disability, medical needs or usual classroom test arrangements, parents should contact the relevant school early and provide any evidence required.

Torquay Girls’ Grammar School and Churston Ferrers Grammar School both advise parents to raise special needs or medical requirements before the test so that appropriate arrangements can be considered.

If a child cannot take the test because of illness, religious observance or another significant accepted reason, parents should contact the school at the earliest opportunity and follow the current school guidance. Evidence may be required.

Pupil Premium and Free Familiarisation Support

Some Torbay selective schools provide or signpost extra familiarisation support for children eligible for Pupil Premium or Free School Meals.

Parents whose child may be eligible should check the current school admissions page and ask the school early. Support arrangements can depend on the school and admissions year.

Familiarisation material is useful for understanding question style, but pupils still need regular practice in English, Maths, word problems, vocabulary and SPAG.

Scholars Tutorial Preparation Route for Torbay

On the Scholars Tutorial platform, Torbay 11+ preparation should prioritise English, Maths, Maths word problems, SPAG and vocabulary.

The Scholars Tutorial 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE mixed sets can be useful if a child is preparing for several 11+ areas. However, for Torbay alone, English and Maths should remain the priority.

Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning should be added only if the child is also preparing for another 11+ exam area that tests those subjects.

Scholars Tutorial Online Categories

Scholars Tutorial organises 11+ preparation into clear categories. For Torbay, the most relevant areas are English, Maths, Maths Word Problems, SPAG, Foundation and selected Advanced practice.

11+ Core Subjects

• 11+ English
• 11+ Maths
• 11+ Maths : Word Problems

11+ Mock Exams

• 11+ SPAG — useful for English accuracy, vocabulary and language confidence.
• 11+ GL CEM ISEB FSCE — useful only if the child is also preparing for broader mixed 11+ exam areas.

11+ Foundation

• 11+ Foundation English
• 11+ Foundation Maths

11+ Advanced

• 11+ Advanced English
• 11+ Advanced Maths
• 11+ Advanced VOCAB
• 11+ Advanced SPAG
• Creative Writing, if also preparing for other schools or tests that include writing

English Preparation for Torbay

The English paper rewards strong comprehension, vocabulary and language accuracy. Pupils should become confident reading unfamiliar passages and answering questions carefully.

Your child should practise:

• reading comprehension
• retrieving information from a passage
• inference
• vocabulary in context
• synonyms and antonyms
• spelling accuracy
• grammar and punctuation
• sentence structure
• proofreading
• careful reading of question wording

Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:

• 11+ English
• 11+ SPAG
• 11+ Foundation English
• 11+ Advanced English
• 11+ Advanced VOCAB
• 11+ Advanced SPAG

Maths Preparation for Torbay

The Maths paper is based on primary school learning and tests both fluency and problem solving. Pupils should be confident with Key Stage 2 Maths up to the end of Year 5.

Your child should practise:

• times tables and mental maths
• written addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
• fractions
• decimals
• percentages
• ratio and proportion
• measurement and units
• area, perimeter and volume
• geometry and angles
• statistics and data handling
• number patterns
• word problems
• multi-step problem solving
• checking calculations carefully

Useful Scholars Tutorial subjects include:

• 11+ Maths
• 11+ Maths : Word Problems
• 11+ Foundation Maths
• 11+ Advanced Maths

Should Torbay Pupils Practise VR or NVR?

For Torbay alone, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning are not core test areas. Current official guidance from Churston Ferrers Grammar School states that there are no Verbal Reasoning or Non-Verbal Reasoning papers.

VR and NVR practice may still be useful if the child is also preparing for another 11+ area such as Buckinghamshire, Bexley, Kent, Medway, Slough, West Midlands, Redbridge, Trafford or Wirral.

If Torbay is the only target area, preparation time is usually better spent on English, Maths, word problems, vocabulary, SPAG and timed paper discipline.

Printed Paper Sets for Torbay 11+ Preparation

Printed paper sets are useful because they help pupils practise concentration, timing, answer selection and full-paper discipline.

Useful Scholars Tutorial printed paper sets include:

• 11+ English Practice Papers
• 11+ Maths Practice Papers
• 11+ Maths : Word Problems Practice Papers
• 11+ SPAG Practice Papers
• 11+ Foundation English Practice Papers
• 11+ Foundation Maths Practice Papers
• 11+ Advanced English Practice Papers
• 11+ Advanced Maths Practice Papers
• 11+ Advanced VOCAB Practice Papers
• 11+ Advanced SPAG Practice Papers

For Torbay preparation, prioritise English and Maths printed practice. Add mixed, VR or NVR papers only if the child is also preparing for other 11+ routes.

Multiple Choice Format and Answer Technique

GL Assessment preparation should include careful answer technique. Pupils need to work accurately under time pressure and avoid avoidable marking mistakes.

Scholars Tutorial printed paper sets support Multiple Choice Format practice.

This helps pupils learn how to:

• read each question carefully
• identify key information
• use rough working effectively
• eliminate incorrect options where appropriate
• avoid rushing
• check calculations and reasoning
• mark answers accurately
• manage time across English and Maths papers

Suggested Weekly Torbay 11+ Preparation Plan

A balanced weekly Torbay preparation plan could include:

• 2 days per week: English comprehension, vocabulary or SPAG
• 2 days per week: Maths arithmetic or topic practice
• 1 day per week: Maths word problems
• 1 day per week: printed English or Maths paper practice
• 1 day per week: mistake review and weak-topic revision

Pupils closer to the test can gradually increase timed practice. Pupils still building foundations should use shorter focused sessions and review mistakes carefully.

Common Torbay 11+ Preparation Mistakes

Avoid these common mistakes:

• assuming Torbay is a four-subject 11+ with VR and NVR papers
• using generic GL material without checking that only English and Maths are needed
• practising Maths arithmetic but not word problems
• ignoring vocabulary, SPAG and comprehension
• doing papers without reviewing mistakes
• starting timed work before the child understands the question types
• focusing only on speed instead of accuracy
• registering late for the test
• forgetting that test registration is separate from the Local Authority application
• assuming a guidance letter is an offer of a place
• not indicating the selective stream correctly when applying for The Spires College
• not checking each school’s admissions policy and oversubscription rules

How Parents Can Support at Home

Parents can make Torbay 11+ preparation more effective by keeping it focused on the correct subjects and by checking admissions steps early.

Helpful habits include:

• check the latest admissions pages for all target schools
• register for the Torbay 11+ within the official window
• complete the Local Authority school application separately
• build Maths fluency through short regular practice
• practise word problems every week
• read daily and discuss vocabulary
• use SPAG practice to strengthen English accuracy
• review mistakes after each test
• keep a notebook of weak topics
• use online practice to target gaps
• use printed papers for exam discipline
• check access-arrangement needs early
• focus on confidence as well as scores

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Advice

Torbay 11+ preparation should focus on the actual current test areas: English and Mathematics.

Pupils should build strong reading comprehension, vocabulary, SPAG, Maths, word-problem and timed paper skills, supported by regular mistake review.

Parents should remember that the Torbay selective schools use the same test results, but test registration is separate from the Local Authority school application. A guidance letter is helpful, but it is not an offer of a place.

The Scholars Tutorial online platform helps pupils strengthen the key test areas through organised subject categories, while printed paper sets help children practise with realistic exam discipline.

By combining online practice, printed paper sets, timed English and Maths work, careful mistake review and up-to-date admissions checking, pupils can build the confidence and accuracy needed for the Torbay 11+.