Grammar schools in Retford
There are no grammar schools in Retford.
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, and Nottinghamshire is not one of them, so every state secondary in Retford admits without a selective test.
The nearest is The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough, about 8.7 miles away in Lincolnshire. Most grammar schools accept out-of-area applicants, though distance is often a tie-breaker when a school is oversubscribed.
Nearest grammar schools to Retford
Straight-line distance from the centre of Retford — not a travel time.
| School | Area | Distance | Intake | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough | Gainsborough | 8.7 miles | Mixed | Good |
| Caistor Grammar School | Market Rasen | 27.8 miles | Mixed | Good |
| The King's School, Grantham | Grantham | 30.7 miles | Boys | Good |
| Carre's Grammar School | Sleaford | 31.0 miles | Mixed | Good |
| Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School | Grantham | 31.0 miles | Girls | Outstanding |
| Kesteven and Sleaford High School Selective Academy | Sleaford | 31.3 miles | Girls | Not judged |
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 Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough — 2026 entry
- Looked after and previously looked after children who reach the qualifying standard (published source)
- Children with a brother or sister on roll (published source)
- Children of staff (published source)
Caistor Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked after and previously looked after children who reach the qualifying standard (published source)
- Qualified children living within 6.5 miles (straight line) — highest verbal reasoning score first (published source)
- Up to 12 places for Pupil Premium (Ever 6) children outside the catchment — highest score first (published source)
The King's School, Grantham — 2026 entry
- Looked after and previously looked after children — by score (published source)
- Up to 20 places for boys on the full Pupil Premium living within 30 miles — by score (published source)
- Boys living within 30 miles (straight line) — by score (published source)
Carre's Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked after and previously looked after children who reach the qualifying standard (published source)
- Children registered for free school meals in the last six years (Pupil Premium) (published source)
- Children with a sibling at a Community Inclusive Trust secondary school (published source)
Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School — 2026 entry
- Looked after and previously looked after children who reach the qualifying standard (published source)
- Girls with a sibling at the school when the application is made (published source)
- Girls eligible for free school meals living within 12 miles of the school (published source)
Kesteven and Sleaford High School Selective Academy — 2026 entry
- Looked after and previously looked after children who reach the qualifying standard (published source)
- Children registered for free school meals in the last six years (Pupil Premium) (published source)
- Children with a sibling at a Community Inclusive Trust secondary school (published source)
Schools in Retford
Retford has 20 open schools. Browse all Retford schools with Ofsted ratings, catchment areas and admission criteria, or see them on the map.
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