Exam boards
FSCE 11+
By ExamKind Editorial TeamFacts checked 19 October 2026Last reviewed 19 October 2026
In short
FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) writes curriculum-based 11+ tests for a growing group of grammar schools. Its tests draw on what children learn at primary school up to the end of Year 5, some papers need short written answers, and FSCE does not issue past papers because the content changes every year. Gloucestershire and Trafford move to FSCE for 2028 entry, with Gloucestershire testing in July of Year 5.
Changes to who writes the test
These areas and schools change their test provider between entry years, so check which year your child is applying for.
Gloucestershire moves from GL Assessment to FSCE for September 2028 entry.
The G7 appointed FSCE as the new admissions test provider for entry to Year 7 from 2028 onwards, after a competitive tender.
Source: Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire), checkedTrafford moves from GL Assessment to FSCE for September 2028 entry.
FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise)
Source: Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Trafford), checked
Who uses FSCE, by entry year
Built from each area's and school's checked admissions information. A school is listed when its own record names the test for that year; areas list the schools on their own pages.
September 2027 entry(Year 6 now)
Areas
- Calderdale: Calderdale grammar schools joint entrance test
Schools with a checked record (9)
Essex and Southend (CSSE)
Kirklees
North Yorkshire
Reading
For 15 of the areas we cover, the test provider for September 2027 entry is not confirmed yet, so they are not listed here. See every area's test.
September 2028 entry(Year 5 now)
Areas
- Gloucestershire: Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass)
- Trafford: Trafford grammar schools consortium 11+ test
Schools with a checked record (12)
For 28 of the areas we cover, the test provider for September 2028 entry is not confirmed yet, so they are not listed here. See every area's test.
The format
What the source says
- the Key Stage 2 curriculum up to the end of Year 5Source: FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise), checked
- individually tailored to the needs of each schoolSource: FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise), checked
The same provider can set a different test in each area. These are the tests it writes for the areas we cover.
Calderdale grammar schools joint entrance test
Calderdale; September 2027 entry.
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Papers | Three papers: two in maths and English, and one in creative writing. | Source: The Crossley Heath School, checked |
| Number of papers | 3 | Source: The Crossley Heath School, checked |
| What it tests | English, maths and creative writing. | Source: The Crossley Heath School, checked |
| Answer format | A mix of multiple-choice and written-response questions. | Source: The Crossley Heath School, checked |
Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (FSCE: Adventure, Beacon, Compass)
Gloucestershire; September 2028 entry.
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Papers | Adventure (English and Maths; multiple choice); Beacon (English and Maths; short written answers); Compass (Art & Design, Computing, Design & Technology, English, Geography, History, Languages, Maths, Music, Physical Education and Science; multiple choice) | Source: Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire), checked |
| Number of papers | 3 | Source: Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire), checked |
| What it tests | Maths and English form the main part; foundation subjects also assessed | Source: Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire), checked |
| Answer format | mixed | Source: Sir Thomas Rich's School, checked |
| Timings | each paper typically 45-60 minutes; three papers, possibly in any order, with a break possible between them | Source: Sir Thomas Rich's School, checked |
| How it is marked | marked by computer and age-standardised | Source: Sir Thomas Rich's School, checked |
| Official practice material | familiarisation materials on every Gloucestershire grammar school website from the end of September (2026) | Source: Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire), checked |
Trafford grammar schools consortium 11+ test
Trafford; September 2028 entry.
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Papers | Two papers of about one hour each, with questions on verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and maths. | Source: Stretford Grammar School, checked |
| Number of papers | 2 | Source: Stretford Grammar School, checked |
| What it tests | Verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and maths. | Source: Stretford Grammar School, checked |
Does FSCE publish past papers?
No past papers; the content changes every year.Source: FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise), checked
Who is FSCE?
The schools that use it describe FSCE like this: a not-for-profit subsidiary of Reading School used by twelve schools and consortiaFSCE: ReachChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire).The source says: FSCE, a not‑for‑profit subsidiary of Reading School, develops bespoke admissions assessments designed specifically for selective state grammar schools.
View the official source. FSCE also says its Year 7 tests are individually tailored to the needs of each schoolFSCE: TailoredChecked 9 Oct 2026 against FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise).The source says: Tests that are individually tailored to
View the official source.
Which schools use FSCE?
Official school and consortium sources confirm:
- Reading School uses FSCE tests. See Reading 11+.
- Gloucestershire: FSCE from 2028 entry, tested in July of Year 5Gloucestershire: change to FSCE testsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire).The source says:
The Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test for entry into Year 7 in September 2028 will take place on Saturday 3 July 2027.
View the official source. See Gloucestershire 11+. - Trafford: FSCE from 2028 entry; Year 5 testing from 2029 entryTrafford: change to FSCE testsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Trafford).The source says:
For entry to Year 7 in 2028, the test provider will be FSCE and the admissions test will be held in September of Year 6.
View the official source. See Trafford 11+.
For children now in Year 6 (2027 entry), Gloucestershire and Trafford still use their previous test. Always check the entry year on your area page. Our dated list of FSCE schools, by entry year is on this page.
What is in an FSCE test?
FSCE content is based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum up to the end of Year 5FSCE: what the tests coverChecked 9 Oct 2026 against FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise).The source says: Content from the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum taught in primary schools up to
View the official source. Each school or consortium chooses which papers to use. For Gloucestershire's 2028-entry test the papers are Adventure (English and maths, multiple choice), Beacon (English and maths, short written answers) and Compass (subjects from across the primary curriculum, multiple choice)FSCE: PapersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire).The source says: Adventure Paper: English and Maths, with Multiple Choice Answer options; ... Beacon Paper: English and Maths, where you respond with Short Written Answers; ... Compass Paper: any of the following subjects you learn at school:
View the official source.
Other FSCE schools may use a different combination, so check your own school's information. Our guide to the FSCE papers has more detail as each school publishes it.
Are there FSCE past papers?
No. FSCE says there are no past papers; the content changes every yearFSCE: past papersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise).The source says: FSCE does not issue past papers and our test content changes every year;
View the official source. Reading School adds that there are no commercially available practice test papers for FSCE testsFSCE: Reading schoolChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Reading School.The source says: Please note: there are no commercially available practice test papers for the FSCE Ltd tests.
View the official source. FSCE and its schools publish familiarisation guides instead, which show the style of questions and how to answer them. We explain what this means for preparation on FSCE past papers: why there are none.
Does my child need a tutor for FSCE?
FSCE's own position is clear: children do not need a tutor, and its website and familiarisation guides give all the information neededFSCE: what it says about tutoringChecked 9 Oct 2026 against FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise).The source says: All the information you and your child will need can be found on this website and in our Familiarisation Guides.
View the official source. Whether to use extra help is your family's choice. Because the test follows the school curriculum, a child who is secure in their Year 5 English and maths, and who reads widely, is building the right foundations either way.
How can you prepare calmly for an FSCE test?
- Read the familiarisation guide for your school or area together, so the format is not a surprise.
- Make sure Year 5 maths and English feel secure, especially for written answers where children need to show clear thinking.
- Practise short written answers: answering exactly what the question asks, in full sentences where needed.
- Keep curiosity alive: for the wider-curriculum paper, Gloucestershire's schools suggest activities such as visiting museums, exploring new genres of books and applying maths to everyday lifeFSCE: Glos prep adviceChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire).The source says:
To support this, activities such as visiting museums, exploring new genres of books, and applying mathematical learning to everyday life can all be valuable ways to prepare.
View the official source. - Plan around the date. If your area tests in July of Year 5, your timeline is shorter than for a September test. See when to start.
Related pages
- 11+ exam boards explained
- GL vs FSCE: how preparation changes
- The 11+ formats compared
- FSCE past papers: why there are none
- The FSCE papers explained
Sources
Facts on this page come from archived official sources checked on 9 October 2026: FSCE (about and projects pages), Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire 2028-entry admissions), Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Trafford 2028-entry admissions) and Reading School.
ExamKind is independent and is not connected with FSCE or any school. How we make our content.
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