Grammar schools in St. Helens
There are no grammar schools in St. Helens.
Grammar schools are state secondaries that select by ability, usually through an 11+ test. Only 46 of the 226 local authorities in the UK still have any — St. Helens is one of the majority that does not, so local state secondaries admit without a selective test.
The nearest is Carrickfergus Grammar School, about 8.3 miles away in Mid and East Antrim. Most grammar schools accept out-of-area applicants, though distance is often a tie-breaker when a school is oversubscribed.
Nearest grammar schools to St. Helens
Straight-line distance from the centre of St. Helens — not a travel time.
| School | Area | Distance | Intake | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrickfergus Grammar School | CARRICKFERGUS | 8.3 miles | — | — |
| Glenlola Collegiate | BANGOR | 9.0 miles | — | — |
| The Blue Coat School | Liverpool | 9.2 miles | Mixed | Good |
| Larne Grammar School | LARNE | 9.4 miles | — | — |
| Bangor Grammar School | BANGOR | 9.7 miles | — | — |
| Belfast High School | NEWTOWNABBEY | 11.8 miles | — | — |
Published admissions priorities
These are extracts from school-specific arrangements for the entry years shown, in priority order. They are not the full policy or a prediction of an offer. Check the linked arrangement for test eligibility, deadlines and all remaining priorities.
The Blue Coat School — 2026 entry
- Up to 27 places: highest-scoring Free School Meals-eligible applicants who achieve the required entrance test score (published source)
- All other places: highest-scoring remaining applicants (published source)
Schools in St. Helens
St. Helens has 72 open schools. Browse all St. Helens schools with Ofsted ratings, catchment areas and admission criteria, or see them on the map.
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