Ermysted's Grammar School 11+ Exam 2027: What Parents Need to Know

Ermysted's Grammar School is one of the most highly regarded boys' grammar schools in the North of England, and from 2027 entry it joins the FSCE network — replacing the GL Assessment test it has used historically. If your son is preparing for the 2027 admissions cycle, this guide covers the school, the new FSCE format, and how to prepare effectively.

About Ermysted's Grammar School

Ermysted's Grammar School is a selective boys' grammar school located in Skipton, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales in North Yorkshire. The school was founded in 1492 (with roots traced to the bequest of Peter Toller, completed by Stephen Ermysted in the early 16th century), giving it more than 500 years of educational history — making it one of the oldest schools in England.

The school has an outstanding academic record, consistently among the highest-performing state schools in Yorkshire and the wider North of England. A high proportion of leavers progress to Russell Group universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. Beyond academics, Ermysted's has a strong tradition in sport (especially rugby), music, the Combined Cadet Force, and outdoor pursuits — the latter benefiting from its Dales location.

Ermysted's has a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 128 boys for Year 7 (per the school's admissions information). Students come from across Skipton, Craven, the Yorkshire Dales, and parts of East Lancashire — the school's published catchment includes Beamsley, Bradley, Burnsall, Carleton, Cracoe, Embsay, Gargrave, Grassington, Kettlewell, Kirkby-in-Malhamdale, Skipton, Thornton-in-Craven, and Threshfield. Distance from the school is used as a tiebreaker if oversubscribed.

Ermysted's and the FSCE

Ermysted's is moving from GL Assessment to the FSCE 11+ exam for 2027 entry onwards. Boys sitting the test in September 2026 (for entry in September 2027) will be the first Ermysted's cohort to face the FSCE format. This aligns Ermysted's with its sister school Skipton Girls' High (already on FSCE since 2022/23) and matches the regional move towards skills-based grammar admissions.

The change is significant for families who have been preparing in the GL Assessment style — the FSCE does not test Verbal Reasoning or Non-Verbal Reasoning at all, so VR/NVR drilling is no longer relevant.

What Is the FSCE 11+ Exam?

The FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) 11+ exam is a modern admissions test developed at Reading School in Berkshire. In use since 2022, it has been adopted by twelve grammar schools and consortia nationally, including the Gloucestershire G7 schools and now Ermysted's.

The FSCE does not test Verbal Reasoning or Non-Verbal Reasoning. Instead, it assesses students through integrated English and Mathematics tasks, creative writing, and short written responses. The exam rewards genuine academic ability — strong reading, confident writing, mathematical reasoning, and clear thinking.

Key Dates for 2027 Entry

Per the school's published admissions calendar:

• Test registration opens — 12:00 noon, Monday 13 April 2026
• Test registration closes — 12:00 noon, Monday 31 August 2026
• Entrance Test date — morning of Saturday 26 September 2026
• Common Application Form deadline — typically 31 October 2026 (confirm with your home local authority)
• National Allocation Day — 1 March 2027

To be eligible for 2027 entry, an applicant must have been born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016.

How to Register

Registration is completed online through the school's website. Parents provide their son's details and primary school information. There is no fee to sit the test.

If your son needs access arrangements for the exam (extra time, separate room, etc.), request these during registration with appropriate supporting evidence.

Catchment and Eligibility

Ermysted's is a state-funded grammar school with no tuition fees. The school has a published catchment area listed above; applications from outside the catchment are accepted but may be deprioritised if the school is oversubscribed. Distance from the school is used as the standard tiebreaker.

Always check the school's current admissions policy for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria.

Preparation Advice for the FSCE

Here is how to prepare your son for the FSCE at Ermysted's:

Stop Drilling VR and NVR

If you have been preparing for the GL Assessment, set aside the VR and NVR practice books. They will not help with the FSCE.

Encourage Extensive Reading

Reading widely and regularly is the single most effective FSCE preparation strategy. Encourage your son to read fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and quality journalism every day. Discuss what he reads — focus on comprehension, inference, vocabulary, and the author's purpose. Our FSCE 11+ English Comprehension course provides structured practice.

Develop Creative Writing

Creative writing is a major part of the FSCE. Regular practice builds confidence and skill. Vary the prompts, encourage planning and revision, and focus on structure, vocabulary, sentence variety, and accuracy. Timed practice is essential. The FSCE 11+ Creative Writing course offers guided exercises.

Strengthen Maths Skills

The FSCE tests mathematical reasoning in context. Your son should be confident with the KS2 curriculum and able to apply his knowledge to word problems and unfamiliar situations. The FSCE 11+ Mathematics course covers the relevant areas.

Build Vocabulary and Critical Thinking

A rich vocabulary and the habit of independent reasoning help across every section of the FSCE. The FSCE 11+ Vocabulary and Language and FSCE 11+ Critical Thinking courses develop these skills systematically.

Master Exam Technique

The FSCE 11+ Exam Strategy course covers time management, question analysis, and exam-day technique for the FSCE format.

Recommended FSCE Preparation Resources

LearningBro offers a full set of FSCE 11+ courses:

• FSCE 11+ English Comprehension
• FSCE 11+ Mathematics
• FSCE 11+ Creative Writing
• FSCE 11+ Vocabulary and Language
• FSCE 11+ Critical Thinking
• FSCE 11+ Exam Strategy

For a comprehensive overview of the FSCE, read our FSCE 11+ Complete Guide.

Final Thoughts

Ermysted's Grammar School is one of the most academically successful boys' grammars in the North, and its switch to the FSCE for 2027 entry brings it into line with other progressive grammar schools that have moved away from heavily-coachable VR and NVR formats. The FSCE rewards the underlying skills that predict long-term academic success: reading, writing, reasoning, and clear thinking.

For Year 5 boys preparing for the September 2026 test (for September 2027 entry), this is the first FSCE cohort at Ermysted's — start preparing on the right format from day one. Best of luck.