--- type: "Article" title: "Lancaster, Skipton, Clitheroe & Ermysted's 11+ (FSCE) Guide" description: "Lancaster Girls', Skipton Girls' High, Clitheroe Royal Grammar and Ermysted's use the FSCE 11+. For children sitting in 2027: last year's dates, places and prep." resource: https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-lancaster-skipton-clitheroe-ermysteds tags: ["11+", "pip"] timestamp: 2026-10-15T14:43:26Z image: https://pip11plus.com/info-hub-cards/exam-types-pip.jpg --- ๐Ÿ“ Exam Types # Lancaster, Skipton, Clitheroe & Ermysted's 11+ (FSCE) ![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png) **By the Pip team** Updated 15 October 2026 If your child is in Year 5 now, they'd sit the FSCE 11+ at Lancaster Girls', Skipton Girls' High, Clitheroe Royal Grammar or Ermysted's in autumn 2027, for September 2028 entry. None of the four has published 2028 entry dates yet, so we show how the 2026 sitting ran as last year's pattern. If your child is in Year 4 now, they'd sit in 2028 for 2029 entry. Lancaster Royal Grammar School isn't FSCE, as its test has a separate verbal reasoning paper. The four FSCE schools set two papers, both in English and maths. For practice material, see [FSCE past papers and free alternatives](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-past-papers). **TL;DR** - **Four FSCE schools:** Lancaster Girls', Skipton Girls' High, Clitheroe Royal Grammar and Ermysted's. - **Lancaster Royal Grammar is not FSCE.** Its school pages list verbal reasoning, maths and English tests. - The test is **two papers**: Adventure (multiple choice) and Beacon (short written answers), each in English and maths. - **Year 5 now?** Your child sits in **2027**. **Year 4 now?** They sit in **2028**. - 2028 entry dates **aren't published yet**. Last year all four tested on **Saturday 26 September 2026**, in Year 6. - Last year registration opened between **13 April and 1 June**, so watch the school pages from spring 2027. Year 5 now Sits in 2027 Papers 2, English and maths Each paper Typically 45 to 60 min Last year's test Sat 26 Sep 2026 ## Which of these four schools use the FSCE 11 plus? All four used FSCE for September 2027 entry: **Lancaster Girls' Grammar School**, **Skipton Girls' High School**, **Clitheroe Royal Grammar School** and **Ermysted's Grammar School**. Each set the same two-paper format, in English and maths only. None has published its 2028 entry policy yet (checked 15 October 2026), and none has said it's changing test. FSCE is Future Stories Community Enterprise, a not-for-profit linked to Reading School. For the wider picture, see our [FSCE 11+ explained](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-explained) guide and the full list in [which schools use FSCE](https://pip11plus.com/which-schools-use-fsce-11-plus). ### Is Lancaster Royal Grammar School an FSCE school? No. Lancaster Royal Grammar School (the boys' school) described three tests for 2027 entry: verbal reasoning, mathematics and English, with no non-verbal reasoning paper. Its own pages don't name the test provider. Some third-party guides say it is GL Assessment, but we couldn't confirm that from the school. Some tutoring sites also mix up the two Lancaster schools, so check which school you are reading about. Last year Lancaster Royal Grammar tested on the same Saturday, 26 September 2026. It has **164** day places plus **12** boarding places, with priority to City of Lancaster residents. For a boy, practise reasoning as well, using our [FSCE vs GL vs CSSE comparison](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-vs-gl-vs-csse-11-plus). ## What are the dates and places at each school? None of the four has published dates for the 2027 sitting yet, so the table shows last year's dates as a guide. Every school asks families to register for its own test, and none shares scores with another. | School | Pupils | 2027 sitting (2028 entry) | Last year: 2026 registration | Last year: 2026 test | Year 7 places | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Lancaster Girls' Grammar | Girls | Not published yet | 1 Jun to noon 9 Sep 2026 | Sat 26 Sep 2026 | 145 | | Skipton Girls' High School | Girls | Not published yet | Closed midnight Wed 19 Aug 2026 | Sat 26 Sep 2026 | 120 (check, see below) | | Clitheroe Royal Grammar | Mixed | Not published yet | Noon 1 Jun to noon 4 Sep 2026 | Sat 26 Sep 2026 | 180 | | Ermysted's Grammar | Boys | Not published yet | Noon 13 Apr to noon 31 Aug 2026 | Sat 26 Sep 2026 | 128 | After the test, every family applies through its home council on the Common Application Form by 31 October of Year 6. For 2028 entry that's **31 October 2027**, with offers on **1 March 2028**. Skipton's published places vary between sources (120 or 116), so check the school's booklet. In short, the Year 7 places are **180** at Clitheroe Royal Grammar, **145** at Lancaster Girls', **128** at Ermysted's and **120** at Skipton Girls' High. _How last year ran: all four schools tested on 26 September 2026, with results between 9 and 19 October. Use it as a guide until 2027 sitting dates are out._ ## How does each school decide who qualifies? Each school sets its own rule, and reaching the standard never guarantees a place. The table shows last year's published approach (2027 entry), which may change for 2028. | School | Qualifying rule | What happens next | | --- | --- | --- | | Lancaster Girls' | A "pass mark" is set after the test, using the whole cohort. Scores are standardised, combined and ranked. | Passing does not guarantee a place. Offers on 1 March, and last year families had until 15 March to accept. | | Skipton Girls' High | A girl must reach the required standard in each of the two tests. | Priority order: looked-after children, Pupil Premium or Universal Credit, Priority Area, then the rest. Ties go to distance. | | Clitheroe Royal Grammar | Papers are age weighted and children are ranked within catchment categories (immediate, wider, outside). | Pupil Premium gets priority inside each category. Last year families had to tell the school about Pupil Premium or free school meals by 4 September. | | Ermysted's | Children must reach the required standard. Scores are released only to children who miss it. | Looked-after, then catchment, then outside catchment. Pupil Premium, siblings and distance then decide. Offers on 1 March. | Ermysted's asked every family to register, and Lancaster Girls' says a child should sit its test only once. For how age standardisation and cut-offs work, see [FSCE pass marks and scores](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-pass-mark-and-scores). **Pro tip: plan around the category, not just the score** At Clitheroe and Skipton, priority rules decide who is ranked first. Read the oversubscription criteria before the test, and send any Pupil Premium or free school meals evidence by the school's deadline. ## What is the FSCE test format at these schools? The test is two papers in English and maths: **Adventure** uses multiple choice, and **Beacon** uses short written answers. The school documents say each paper typically lasts **45 to 60 minutes**. - **No reasoning:** there is no verbal or non-verbal reasoning paper. - **Content:** Key Stage 2 English and maths up to the end of Year 5. - **Instructions:** pre-recorded audio gives every child the same timings. - **Marking:** machine-read answer sheets, then scores are age-standardised and the two scores added. Last year Skipton's test ran from about 9.30am to 12.15pm, and Clitheroe's from 8.30 or 9.00am (staggered) to about 12.30pm. For paper by paper detail, read [Adventure, Beacon, Compass and Discovery](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-adventure-beacon-compass-discovery-papers). ### What should my child bring to the test? Lancaster's guide lists two black pens (erasable Frixion pens are allowed), a clear water bottle, tissues, a nut-free snack and glasses if needed. Pencils, rulers, protractors, calculators, scrap paper, phones and dictionaries are not allowed, and there are clocks in the rooms. On the answer sheet, shade one oval from A to D for multiple choice, and write one character per box in Beacon. Working space in the booklet is not marked. See [the answer sheet guide](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-answer-sheet-guide) and [test day guide](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-test-day). Always check your own school's letter, as rules can differ. ## What could we not confirm? We took every date, place number and rule above from each school's own 2027 entry admissions documents, the latest published. We couldn't confirm four things. - **Skipton's places:** sources give 120 or 116. - **Lancaster Royal Grammar's test provider:** the school does not name it. - **2027 sitting dates (2028 entry):** none were published on 15 October 2026. - **Exact paper timings:** the documents say "typically" 45 to 60 minutes. Admissions rules change each year, so always check the school's own admissions page before you rely on a date. ## When should I register, and what if I miss it? No 2028 entry dates are out yet. Last year registration opened between 13 April and 1 June 2026 and closed between 19 August and 9 September, so check each admissions page from spring 2027. Last year's rules for missing the deadline were different at each school. Check the 2028 entry policy when it's out, as these may change. - **Ermysted's:** had a late testing route the following spring. - **Skipton Girls' High:** considered late applicants after March, with testing in May. - **Clitheroe Royal Grammar:** took no late applications. - **Lancaster Girls':** we found no late-test rule, so ask the school. Our free [FSCE 2027 Info Pack](#fsce-info-pack-card) is for children sitting in 2027. It sets out the two papers and the key facts in one PDF. ## How should my child prepare for these schools? The best preparation is strong everyday English and maths, because FSCE tests what primary school has taught. The consortium's own advice is to work well at school, read widely, practise mental arithmetic in real-life settings, play reasoning and logic games, and use the official familiarisation guides. ### Start with the official familiarisation guide Each school links one on its admissions page. Do it with your child once, so the audio instructions and answer sheet feel familiar. ### Practise both paper styles Mix multiple choice with questions where your child writes the answer. Our [free FSCE style practice papers](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-practice-papers) and [practice questions](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-practice-questions-and-writing-prompts) cover both, with mark schemes. ### Keep short, regular maths and vocabulary habits Regular practice through Year 5 beats a weekend cram. Use [maths questions](https://pip11plus.com/maths-questions) for fluent methods and word problems, and [vocabulary games](https://pip11plus.com/ks2-games-arcade/11-plus-vocabulary-games/) for comprehension. **Pro tip: practise the boring parts** Rehearse shading one oval and writing one character per box. The machine-read sheet only counts what is shaded or written clearly, and it takes two minutes to practise. **Pro tip: don't chase a magic pass mark** The reality is that Lancaster Girls' sets its pass mark after the test, and we found no fixed figure published for the other three. Aim for steady accuracy rather than a target score from a tutoring site. FSCE is an independent provider, and Pip is not affiliated with it. Our [comparison page](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-vs-gl-vs-csse-11-plus) shows how FSCE differs from GL and CSSE. ## Frequently asked questions **Is Lancaster Royal Grammar School FSCE?** No, its school pages described verbal reasoning, maths and English tests for 2027 entry. Lancaster Girls' Grammar School is the Lancaster school that uses FSCE. **Which of these schools use the FSCE 11 plus?** Lancaster Girls' Grammar School, Skipton Girls' High School, Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and Ermysted's Grammar School all used FSCE for September 2027 entry. None has published its 2028 entry policy yet, or said it's changing test. **When is the test for 2028 entry?** The dates aren't published yet. Last year all four schools tested on Saturday 26 September 2026, in Year 6, so a child in Year 5 now would expect to sit in autumn 2027. **When does registration open?** Not announced for 2028 entry yet. Last year it opened between 13 April and 1 June 2026 and closed between 19 August and 9 September, so check each school's page from spring 2027. **How long is each FSCE paper?** The school documents say each paper typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Check your school's letter for exact timings. **What is the pass mark?** It differs by school. Lancaster Girls' sets its pass mark after the test, and the others use a required standard. Reaching it doesn't guarantee a place. **Does the test include reasoning?** No. The four FSCE schools set English and maths only, with no verbal or non-verbal reasoning. ![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png) Written by **The Pip team** The Pip team builds Pip, the 11+ and KS2 practice app for children in years three to six. We write these guides from real exam formats and past papers. ## Keep reading [Which Schools Use the FSCE 11+?](https://pip11plus.com/which-schools-use-fsce-11-plus): Exam Types Every FSCE grammar school, by year of entry. 6 min read ยท Exam Types [FSCE 11+ Test Day Guide](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-test-day): Exam Types What happens on the morning of the test. 6 min read ยท Exam Types [FSCE Pass Marks and Scores](https://pip11plus.com/fsce-11-plus-pass-mark-and-scores): Exam Types How standardised scores and cut-offs work. 6 min read ยท Exam Types ## Sitting an FSCE 11+ next year? Pip gives your child adaptive FSCE practice in English and maths, with vocabulary and comprehension built in. [Download Pip on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/pip-11-practice/id6775690698) [Get Pip on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pip11plus.app) [Available at Amazon Appstore](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HKGJ4HTP) [Free practice papers](https://pip11plus.com/11-plus-printables) Free forever ยท no sign-up