The Ultimate Guide to Burnley Grammar School Admissions

If you live in Burnley and want a grammar school place for your child, here is the short answer. There is no grammar school in Burnley itself, but Burnley children can sit the entrance test for two free state grammar schools nearby: Clitheroe Royal Grammar School (CRGS) and Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School (BRGS). There are also fee-paying independent schools within reach, such as Stonyhurst College and Westholme School.

The big local fact is this: Burnley is inside the "wider catchment area" for Clitheroe Royal Grammar School. The wider catchment covers all of Lancashire's districts plus Blackburn with Darwen, so it puts Burnley children ahead of applicants from outside that area, but not ahead of most other Lancashire towns. But both grammar schools hold their test on the same Saturday in September, so you usually have to choose one.

This guide explains, in plain English, how each option works for a Burnley family: the tests, the Lancashire County Council application, the buses from Burnley and the key dates for children starting secondary school in September 2027.

🤔 Three words to know first

• Grammar school: a free state school that chooses pupils by an entrance test, often called the 11+.
• Independent school: a private school that charges fees and sets its own entrance assessment. Some help with fees through bursaries.
• Catchment area: the area a school gives extra priority to when it has more qualified children than places.

Lancashire has four state grammar schools in total. The other two are in Lancaster, which is too far for a daily journey from Burnley. Most Burnley secondary schools are comprehensive, so there is no test. The guide below focuses on the selective schools Burnley families realistically choose.

🏫 Which selective schools can a Burnley child apply to?

Burnley has no grammar school of its own, but four selective schools are within daily travelling distance: two free grammar schools and two independent schools. Here is a closer look at each one, from a Burnley point of view.

1. Clitheroe Royal Grammar School: free and selective (mixed)

Clitheroe Royal Grammar School (CRGS) is a mixed state grammar school about 13 miles north-west of Burnley town centre, and it is free to attend. It is more than 450 years old: a royal grant from Philip and Mary set it up as a free grammar school in 1554. Clitheroe later had a separate girls' grammar school too, and the two were joined in 1985. The CRGS history page tells the story.

Years 7 to 11 are taught at the Main School on Chatburn Road, and the Sixth Form has its own site on York Street. CRGS takes 180 pupils into Year 7. Its 2026 GCSE results were outstanding, with 99% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English and maths.

For the daily journey, Burnley children can use the CG1, a term-time school bus that Transdev runs for CRGS pupils from Nelson and Burnley. It calls at Burnley Bus Station and goes through Padiham and Read. Seats are limited, and pupils already at the school are given priority, so book soon after you accept a place. See the CRGS transport page.

The test: two papers, both testing English and maths. Paper 1 is multiple choice and Paper 2 needs short written answers. The papers are written by Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE). They cover the primary curriculum up to the end of Year 5 and are age-weighted, so younger children in the year are not at a disadvantage. There is no verbal or non-verbal reasoning paper and no interview. The test is sat on a Saturday in late September of Year 6, and registration runs from June to early September. The school publishes free familiarisation guides on its admissions page.

What Burnley parents should know about catchment: CRGS has two catchment zones. The "immediate" catchment is a list of Ribble Valley parishes, including villages on Burnley's doorstep such as Read, Sabden and Simonstone. The "wider" catchment is made up of the Lancashire districts (Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire and Wyre) plus Blackburn with Darwen. Addresses in the immediate catchment are not counted as wider catchment. If more children reach the required standard than there are places, CRGS ranks them in this order:

1. Looked-after and previously looked-after children
2. Immediate catchment children who qualify for Pupil Premium
3. Other immediate catchment children
4. Wider catchment children (including Burnley) who qualify for Pupil Premium
5. Other wider catchment children (including Burnley)
6. Children outside the catchment who qualify for Pupil Premium, then all other children

Within each group, children are ranked by test score. So a Burnley child usually needs a strong score, but comes ahead of children from outside the catchment. If your child gets, or has ever had, free school meals, tell the school in writing before the registration deadline, because this can move your child up a group.

2. Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School: free and selective (mixed)

Many Burnley families do not realise that Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School (BRGS) in Waterfoot is only about 8 miles away by road, closer than Clitheroe. It is a free, mixed state grammar with 180 Year 7 places. The school traces its history to 1701, when a bequest from John Kershaw paid for a grammar school in Rossendale. It moved to its Waterfoot site in 1913 and joined Star Academies in 2023, as its history page explains.

BRGS teaches boys and girls from 11 to 18, with a sixth form. In June 2026, Ofsted judged it Exceptional in all seven areas of its report card, and in its 2026 GCSE results, 99% of pupils achieved grades 9 to 5 in English and maths.

Getting there from Burnley is straightforward. The 743 school bus runs from Croft Street in Burnley through Dunnockshaw and Crawshawbooth to Waterfoot. See the BRGS travel page for the school's bus services.

The BRGS test is different from the CRGS test. It is set by GL Assessment and has three papers: verbal reasoning, maths and English. It is sat in late September of Year 6, and registration closes in mid-September. GL Assessment offers free familiarisation materials, and if your child just misses the standard, you can ask the school for a review.

The catch is priority. BRGS first fills places with children from named "Area 1" and "Area 2" primary schools, mainly in Rossendale (see the BRGS admission arrangements for 2027/28). No Burnley primary schools are on these lists, so Burnley children compete in the final "all other children" group, ranked by score. For September 2026 entry, 96 of the 180 places went to that group, so it is possible, but competitive.

3. Stonyhurst College: independent and selective (mixed)

Stonyhurst College is a Catholic independent day and boarding school near Hurst Green, in the Ribble Valley. It has a remarkable history. It was founded in 1593 by Fr Robert Persons, a Jesuit priest, at Saint-Omer in France, and it describes itself as the oldest Jesuit school in the world still running without a break. Its About us page has more.

Stonyhurst is for boys and girls aged 3 to 18, in two schools: St Mary's Hall for younger pupils and the College for older ones. Its sixth form results stand out. The school's academic results page says government data puts the College 16th out of 2,540 schools and colleges for A level progress.

Stonyhurst runs three daily bus routes for day pupils, and one of them starts in Burnley. The Burnley bus route serves Burnley, Whalley and nearby villages, for day pupils from Year 5 to the sixth form.

Stonyhurst says it welcomes applications at any time of year. For Year 7 entry, children take online assessments in English, maths and cognitive ability, and also have an interview, a taster day and a reference from their primary school. The school also asks for a short handwritten personal statement from your child.

Stonyhurst links means-tested bursaries to its scholarships and named awards. In other words, a bursary is only possible once your child has been offered a scholarship or award, so register first and ask about awards early. Read its fee support page carefully and see the Stonyhurst fees page for costs.

4. Westholme School, Blackburn: independent and selective (mixed)

Westholme School is a mixed independent school on the west side of Blackburn. It opened in 1923 with just three pupils, started by two teachers, Miss Emily Singleton and Miss Ivy Richmond, and it celebrated its centenary in 2023. Today all three parts of the school share one site on Meins Road. The Westholme history page has the full story.

Westholme takes children from Reception age to 18, and the main entry points are Reception, Year 7 and Year 12. Its 2026 exam results included 45% of GCSE entries at grades 9 to 7.

The school runs 11 coach routes for 2026/27, booked online through Vectare, including one that serves Burnley. Check the route map for the stop nearest to you.

Year 7 applicants sit assessments in English, maths and reasoning, followed by an interview. Westholme also gives academic scholarships at Year 7.

Westholme offers means-tested bursaries. The process is simple to follow: first register your child, then fill in the online bursary form, and the school then carries out a detailed assessment of your family's circumstances. See its scholarships and bursaries page and fees page for details.

Other names you may hear: QEGS Blackburn is free but non-selective (it uses "fair banding"), and we cover it in our guide to Blackburn grammar school admissions. Families on the Colne side sometimes ask about the Skipton grammar schools. At Ermysted's Grammar School, out-of-catchment places are ranked by Pupil Premium, brothers at the school and then distance, not by score. For most Burnley families, that makes Skipton a long shot. Bury Grammar School is covered in our Bury grammar school guide.

🔍 CRGS, BRGS, Stonyhurst and Westholme: at a glance

Distances are approximate road miles from Burnley town centre. Details accurate as of October 2026. Always check each school's website for the latest admissions information.

🚌 Getting there from Burnley

Travel matters, because your child will make this journey every day for five years.

• To CRGS: the CG1 school bus runs from Nelson through Burnley Bus Station, Padiham and Read to the Chatburn Road site, leaving Burnley at about 7:45am. Places fill quickly, so check the CRGS transport page and book early.
• To BRGS: the 743 school bus runs from Croft Street in Burnley through Dunnockshaw and Crawshawbooth to Waterfoot, leaving at about 7:35am. See the BRGS travel page for the school's bus services.
• To Stonyhurst: the school runs a Burnley bus route for day pupils, serving Burnley, Whalley and nearby villages.
• To Westholme: the school lists coach routes, including one that serves Burnley.

Will the council pay for travel? Usually not. Lancashire County Council only gives free school transport to the nearest suitable school, and it does not count a grammar school as a reason to travel further. Families who get free school meals or the maximum Working Tax Credit may get help to one of their three nearest schools, if it is 2 to 6 miles away. Read the Lancashire free school transport rules before you decide.

📆 Key dates for September 2027 entry (children now in Year 6)

If your child is in Year 6 now, the grammar school tests have already happened. The council deadline is very close.

If your child is in Year 5: for this year, CRGS registration ran from 1 June to 4 September 2026, and BRGS registration closed on 14 September 2026. Expect similar windows in summer 2027, with the tests in late September 2027, but always check the new dates on each school's website.

Dates accurate as of October 2026. Always confirm on the school websites and the Lancashire County Council secondary admissions page.

✅ How places are given out

There is no fixed pass mark. After the test, each grammar school tells you whether your child reached the "required standard". This is set each year, after the test, based on how all the children scored. Reaching it does not guarantee a place. It only means your child can be ranked using the priority rules above.

Competition is real. In its latest admissions handbook, CRGS says 458 children applied to sit the test for 180 places, about two and a half children for every place.

One Lancashire rule that catches families out: you can list up to three schools on your Lancashire form. If your child qualifies for a school you ranked higher than CRGS or BRGS, the council offers that higher school instead. So put the grammar school first if it really is your first choice.

CRGS or BRGS? Because the tests are on the same morning, think about catchment, travel and test style. For most Burnley children, CRGS offers the better priority. BRGS is closer by road but gives Burnley children no priority. The tests also differ: CRGS tests English and maths only, while BRGS adds verbal reasoning.

📚 Your 11+ preparation timeline

Year 4: reading and number confidence

Read every day and talk about the books. Learn times tables well. These skills matter in every test, and CRGS tests the primary curriculum directly.

Year 5: decide which test to aim for

Visit open evenings (CRGS held its 2026 open evening in July). Choose CRGS or BRGS, because your child can only sit one on test day. Use the free familiarisation materials from FSCE or GL Assessment so the question styles feel familiar. Register as soon as the window opens.

Summer before Year 6: practise calmly

Short, regular practice is better than long sessions. If you choose BRGS, add verbal reasoning practice. For CRGS, focus on reading comprehension, written answers and maths problem-solving.

Year 6: test day and the council form

Sit the test in late September, wait for the result in October, then complete your Lancashire application by 31 October. For a full step-by-step overview, see our complete guide to 11+ exams.

🌟 Give your Burnley child the best chance, whatever your budget

Aiming for Clitheroe Royal Grammar or BRGS? Our Burnley learning centre on Colne Road runs 11+ mock exams and practice in the skills the tests check: reading, written English, maths problem-solving and, for BRGS, verbal reasoning. We also help children who simply need to rebuild their confidence. Find out more about our 11+ tuition support and tuition in Burnley.

We teach in small groups of no more than six, with one-to-one help where it is needed. Learning Cubs is Ofsted-registered (registration number 2597663), and many families qualify for funded or subsidised places.

Step 1: Check if your family qualifies for a funded place (it takes about two minutes).

Step 2: Book a free assessment, so we can build the right plan for your child.

Families in nearby towns may also find our grammar school guide for Bolton families useful.

Burnley grammar school admissions FAQs

Are there grammar schools in Burnley?

No. There is no grammar school in Burnley itself. The nearest free state grammar schools are Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, about 13 miles away, and Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School in Waterfoot, about 8 miles away.

Is Burnley in the catchment area for Clitheroe Royal Grammar School?

Yes. The whole of Burnley is in CRGS's wider catchment area, which also covers the rest of Lancashire's districts and Blackburn with Darwen. Wider catchment children come after immediate catchment children, but ahead of children from outside the catchment, if they reach the required standard.

Can my child sit both the CRGS and BRGS tests?

Usually not. For September 2027 entry, both tests were held on the morning of Saturday 26 September 2026. CRGS says all four Lancashire grammar schools normally test on the same day, so most families choose one.

Is there a school bus from Burnley to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School?

Yes. The CG1 school bus runs from Nelson through Burnley Bus Station, Padiham and Read to CRGS. Places are limited, so book early.

Do I apply to CRGS through the council?

You do both. First you register your child for the test with CRGS. Then you name CRGS on your Lancashire County Council application by 31 October. Independent schools like Stonyhurst and Westholme are not on the council form.

Sources and useful links

• Clitheroe Royal Grammar School: Admissions
• Clitheroe Royal Grammar School: Admissions Handbook 2027–2028
• Clitheroe Royal Grammar School: Determined Admissions Policy 2027–2028
• Clitheroe Royal Grammar School: Transport
• Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School: Admissions
• Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School: Allocation of Places 2026/27 (PDF)
• Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School: Determined Admission Arrangements 2027/28 (PDF)
• Stonyhurst College: Application procedures
• Stonyhurst College: Fee support
• Westholme School: Admissions
• Westholme School: Scholarships and bursaries
• Lancashire County Council: Applying for a secondary school place
• Lancashire County Council: Free transport to school
• Ermysted's Grammar School: Admission into Year 7

Last updated: 20 October 2026