Spalding Grammar School vs The Boston Grammar School
Both are grammar schools in Lincolnshire, 14.3 miles apart. Side-by-side on official DfE, Ofsted and council admissions data.
Side by side
| Spalding Grammar School | The Boston Grammar School | |
|---|---|---|
| Phase | Secondary | Secondary |
| Gender | Boys | Boys |
| Pupils on roll | 1,023 | 924 |
| Free school meals | 8.1% | 15.6% |
| Ofsted rating | Good | Not published |
| Attainment 8 — 2025/26 | 59.9 | 54.7 |
| 11+ test board | GL Assessment | GL Assessment |
| Admission system | qualifying score is the minimum; places then go in score order (distance only breaks ties) | pass/fail then criteria order (score doesn't give priority after passing) |
| Places offered — 202627 | 146 | 136 |
| First preferences per place — higher means more competition for a first-preference place | 1.05 | 1.2 |
Qualifying scores
Spalding Grammar School
220 (2026 entry)
Total standardised score ≥ 220 across two papers (VR paper + NVR/spatial paper). LCGS: Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools.
The Boston Grammar School
220 (2026 entry)
Total standardised score ≥ 220 across two papers (VR paper + NVR/spatial paper). LCGS: Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools.
Who gets priority
Where a school is oversubscribed, these are the first criteria applied, in order. This is usually what decides an application.
Spalding Grammar School
- Looked after and previously looked after children who reach the qualifying standard
- Qualified boys living in Spalding or the feeder parishes of South Lincolnshire — if more than 150, the qualifying score is raised
- Qualified boys from outside, highest score first, until 150
Source: school admissions policy.
The Boston Grammar School
- Looked after and previously looked after children who reach the qualifying standard
- Boys registered for free school meals in the last six years (Pupil Premium)
- A sibling at the school at the time of admission
- Nearest first (straight line, measured by Lincolnshire County Council)
Source: school admissions policy.
Choosing between them
Both schools admit boys, so the decision usually comes down to the admission criteria above and how far each one reaches. The figures on this page are the published ones — they describe intakes and results, not what either school would be like for your child. The right choice depends on your family's own priorities and circumstances.
Other Lincolnshire comparisons
- Boston High School vs Bourne Grammar School
- Boston High School vs Carre's Grammar School
- Boston High School vs Kesteven and Sleaford High School Selective Academy
- Boston High School vs Queen Elizabeth's Grammar Alford - A Selective Academy
- Boston High School vs Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle
- Boston High School vs Skegness Grammar School
- Boston High School vs Spalding Grammar School
- Boston High School vs Spalding High School
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