The 11+ in Rossendale and Bury: A Parent's Guide to BRGS and Bury Grammar
For families in Rossendale, Bury and North Bolton, “the 11+” usually means one of two things: the entrance exam for Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School (BRGS), or the entrance exam for an independent school such as Bury Grammar School. They are different tests, taken at different times, and children need preparing for them in slightly different ways.
I’m Joe, a qualified teacher (QTS) and former SEND specialist. I tutor 11+ candidates at home across Rossendale, Bury and North Bolton, and online. This guide explains what the local exams involve and how to prepare without turning Year 5 into a year of stress.
Exam arrangements change. The details below were correct to the best of my knowledge when this was written, but always confirm dates, papers and registration deadlines on the school’s own admissions page before you plan around them.
The two local routes at a glance
| Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School | Bury Grammar School | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of school | State-funded selective grammar | Independent (fee-paying) |
| When the exam is sat | Early in the autumn term of Year 6 | January of Year 6 |
| What is tested | English, maths and verbal reasoning | English and maths, followed by an interview |
| Style | Multiple-choice papers | The school’s own written papers |
| Register | With the school, before the exam, as well as applying through your council | Directly with the school |
The big practical difference is timing. A child sitting the BRGS exam has only a few weeks of Year 6 before the test, so nearly all of the preparation happens in Year 5 and the summer before Year 6.
What the 11+ actually tests
The 11+ is hard for a simple reason: much of it is not taught in primary school.
- Verbal reasoning (VR): vocabulary, word relationships, codes and logic puzzles made of words.
- Non-verbal reasoning (NVR): spotting patterns and sequences in shapes and diagrams. Not every school tests this, but the skills help with maths and problem solving.
- Maths: the Year 5 and Year 6 curriculum, often including topics a child’s class has not reached yet, at speed.
- English: comprehension that asks children to infer and explain, plus accurate grammar, punctuation and spelling. Independent schools usually add a piece of writing.
A bright child can know everything on the paper and still struggle because of the clock. In my experience, pace is the number one hurdle: some papers leave less than a minute per question.
When should we start?
Most families I work with begin structured preparation in January of Year 4 or September of Year 5. That gives enough time to introduce unfamiliar reasoning topics gently and build confidence steadily, rather than cramming in the final months.
Starting in Year 5 is very common and works well. Starting in the summer before Year 6 is possible for a child who is already strong in maths and English, but it leaves little room for anything to go wrong.
A sensible preparation plan
1. Find the starting point. A friendly initial assessment shows exactly where your child is secure and where the gaps are, so no time is wasted.
2. Close the gaps in maths and English. Reasoning skills sit on top of solid core skills. Fractions, long multiplication and reading stamina come first.
3. Teach the reasoning question types. VR and NVR questions come in recognisable families. Once a child has been shown how each type works, they stop being a surprise.
4. Build speed gradually. Short, gentle timed practice turns time pressure into a routine rather than a panic.
5. Practise full papers late, not early. Whole papers are for the final stretch, when they build confidence instead of denting it.
How tutoring helps
A good 11+ tutor does three things a pile of practice books cannot: explains why an answer is right, notices the habits that cost marks, and keeps a child calm and believing in themselves.
I work with children who are:
- Anxious about exams, who know the content but freeze under test conditions.
- Bright but slow, who need to learn how to pace a paper and spot clues quickly.
- Neurodivergent or have additional needs. Many neurodivergent children are excellent problem solvers once they are taught how to access reasoning questions. I break concepts into small, stress-free steps and adapt to how your child processes information.
- Year 4 and 5 pupils who want a steady roadmap through the whole 11+ curriculum without burnout.
What does 11+ tuition cost locally?
Specialist 11+ agencies can charge £100 an hour or more. My rates are:
- Weekly face-to-face sessions at home: £45 per hour
- Weekly online sessions: £40 per hour
- Small group tuition (2-6 children): £40 per hour
That includes tailored plans, learning resources, exam strategy, milestone tracking and feedback after every session.
Is the 11+ right for my child?
It is worth asking honestly. A grammar or independent school suits children who enjoy being stretched, but a child who is pushed through years of preparation they hate may not thank you for it. An initial assessment gives you a realistic picture, and if the 11+ is not the right path, the same tuition still strengthens the maths and English they need for Year 6 and secondary school.
Next steps
If your child is in Year 4 or 5 in Rossendale, Bury, Ramsbottom or North Bolton and you are thinking about the 11+, start with a friendly, stress-free assessment. Read more about 11+ tuition, or book your child’s initial 11+ assessment.