Caistor Grammar School Review 2026: Top Grammar School in the East Midlands

In 1630, Francis Rawlinson of South Kelsey left money to establish a school at Caistor, and nearly 400 years later, that endowed institution stands as one of the finest selective schools in England. Just inside the gates down Church Street, you'll notice something immediately: children engaged, teachers purposeful, the rhythm of a community that has learned to value both academic rigour and genuine care. Caistor Grammar School ranks 307th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 7%, and 182nd for A-level results (top 7% ). Recent results tell a consistent story of excellence. In summer 2024, nearly a fifth of sixth form students achieved all A* grades at A-level. Nearly 60% of GCSE entries reached grades 7 or above. The school was named Sunday Times Parent Power State Secondary School of the Year for the East Midlands in 2025, a honour reflecting three decades of sustained achievement. With around 680 students aged 11 to 18, Caistor remains selectiveyet welcoming, academic yet human.

The school occupies a distinctive site in the heart of Market Rasen's market town, just off the main square via a narrow lane running down to the parish church. The physical layout is steep and somewhat cramped, lending the campus an intimate, village-like character. Multiple buildings, each with history and named significance, mark the evolution of the school: Casterby House, once a private residence and boarding house, now serves as the sixth form centre and overlooks the churchyard. The Newbolt Centre honours the English poet Henry Newbolt, a former student whose work left its imprint on the school's identity. The Olympic Torch Building, constructed in 2013, celebrates five students who carried the torch for the London 2012 Olympics, as well as Jordan Duckitt, one of the seven young athletes selected to light the cauldron. Lindsey House, remodelled from a purpose-built boarding house into contemporary teaching and dining space, was officially opened in 2001 by Lord Puttnam of Queensgate and upgraded in 2011 with renovated music facilities. The Manning Building, added in 1984, and newer technology blocks from 1993-1994 sit alongside the traditional teaching block from the 1930s.

Headteacher Shona Buck, who took up the position in September 2022, brings fresh energy to an institution with deep roots. Buck became the school's 28th head. Staff turnover is notably low, indicating stability and long-term commitment to the school's mission. The atmosphere students describe is one of mutual support and genuine academic engagement. Parents consistently praise the pastoral care, and the community is often described as close-knit: friendships form quickly, people tend to know one another across year groups, and pupils look out for each other. The overwhelming message from families is that Caistor stands head and shoulders above other Lincolnshire grammar schools, hence the clamour for places.

GCSE Results

In 2024, 59% of GCSE entries achieved grades 9-7, compared to the England average of 54%. An Attainment 8 score of 71.1 sits well above the England average. The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is a genuine focus, with 81% of pupils achieving grades 5 or above across the full suite of subjects. Progress 8 value-added is consistently positive, with 2024 showing a score of 0.68, indicating pupils make well-above-average progress from their starting points. The school ranks 1st among all schools in Market Rasen for GCSE outcomes, which is unsurprising given its selective entry. With a pass rate of 93% at grades 5+ in both English and mathematics (far above the England average), and nearly universal entry into the full English Baccalaureate, students here achieve not just high grades but breadth of attainment.

A-Level Results

Summer 2024 delivered the school's best A-level results in recent years. Nearly one-fifth of students achieved all A* grades across their subjects. At the higher end, 73% of grades reached A*-B, well above the England average of 47%. With 28% of entries at A* and 26% at A, the school consistently places its sixth formers among the highest achievers in England. The average point score per entry was 43.8 (equivalent to a grade B+), compared to the England average of 35.5. The school's A-level ranking sits at 182 (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 7% in England.

The school's curriculum is traditional and rigorous, with modern languages compulsory to GCSE level. Students study ten GCSEs including English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, a modern language (French, German, or Latin), Triple Science, and a humanities subject. Two optional subjects are selected from Art, Computer Science, Design & Technology, additional languages, History, Music, PE, and Religious Education. Key Stage 4 students also receive Personal Development, PSHCE, and Careers guidance alongside PE. Some gain Level 2 Further Mathematics.

At A-level, breadth is carefully curated. Most students study three A-levels, though some pursue four. Specialist subjects such as A-level Psychology (introduced in 2019) and the newly added A-Level Sociology and BTEC Engineering (September 2025) expand student choice. The Extended Project Qualification became available in 2017, allowing academically ambitious students to pursue independent research alongside their main subjects.

Teaching quality, repeatedly observed by inspectors, reflects expert subject knowledge. Teachers establish very good relations with students and maintain high expectations without oppressiveness. Lessons are well-planned, with varied tasks designed to engage and challenge. The curriculum integrates knowledge across subjects, ensuring that historical reasoning skills developed in History lessons are reinforced in English and Geography, for example. Students develop the habits of resilience, independent thinking, and critical reasoning that prepare them for success in competitive university courses.

In the 2024 leavers cohort (95 students), 68% progressed to university, 18% into employment, 3% into apprenticeships, and 1% into further education. For sixth form specifically, the academic pipeline is particularly strong. An internal retention rate of 94% means most Year 11 students progress naturally into the sixth form. The vast majority of A-level leavers continue into higher education, apprenticeship, or employment pathways, with 92% of recent cohorts achieving sustained progression into education or employment after sixth form, above the England average of 79%.

Oxbridge represents a realistic pathway. In the measurement period, 18 students applied to Oxbridge, with 4 receiving offers, reflecting approximately 22% success at offer stage. One student subsequently accepted a place at Cambridge. Beyond Oxbridge, the university pipeline extends across the Russell Group. Sixth form leavers regularly secure places at institutions including Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Warwick. Students with medical aspirations find solid support; the school has a track record of securing medical school places through rigorous teaching and mentorship.

Caistor is a selective grammar school with competitive entry at 11+. Prospective students must pass the Lincolnshire Consortium 11+ entrance exam, which assesses verbal and non-verbal reasoning through two one-hour papers taken on consecutive Saturdays in September. The pass mark is a combined total of 220 across both papers, designed to identify the top 25% of the ability range. With approximately 189 applications for just 96 places (oversubscription at 1.97:1), successful candidates must not only pass the test but navigate the allocation criteria.

Qualified candidates are prioritised as follows: looked after children; then pupils residing within the 6.5-mile straight-line catchment from the Head Master's Office to the applicant's home (catchment candidates); finally, those from outside the catchment, allocated by verbal reasoning score. Applications open in May and close in August. Year 7 Open Evening is scheduled for 6 May 2026, with information about 11+ testing for September 2027 entry.

For sixth form entry, internal Year 11 students are automatically offered a place if they meet minimum requirements: GCSE grade 4 in Mathematics and English Language or Literature, plus four GCSE passes at grades 9-6 with a minimum grade 6 in each subject to be studied at A-level. External applicants can access the sixth form, with just 6 planned admission places for new entrants, allocated on GCSE point score. A Sixth Form Open Evening is scheduled for 29 January 2026, for September 2025 entry.

Extra-curricular life at Caistor is substantial, with the school running over 50 weekly clubs spanning academic, creative, and physical pursuits. The House system facilitates inter-year mixing, with each House engaging in music, sporting, and drama competitions. This structure ensures that extracurricular participation reaches across the entire ability range, not merely the most exceptional.

Drama & Performance

The annual school musical is the flagship theatrical event. In 2025, the production of Grease sold out three nights before a single note was played. The production showcases ensemble talent across cast, choir, orchestra, and tech team, with the school credited for maintaining professional standards across all areas. Previous productions including Crazy for You have been similarly celebrated. All students are welcome to audition regardless of musical background, and the school newsletter, Caistor Focus, published twice yearly since 2019 and edited by English department staff, celebrates these cultural moments for the wider community. The school also produces student-directed pieces and participates in drama festivals beyond the school gates.

Music: A Defining Strength

Music occupies a central place in school life. Two major concerts per year, Christmas and end-of-year performances, invite soloist and ensemble participation. The School Choir and School Orchestra are core ensembles, and students are actively encouraged to perform. Individual instrumental lessons are delivered by Lincolnshire Music Service teachers and school staff specialists, with lessons taking place on a rotating timetable during the school day. Students are expected to provide their own instruments, though the school advises on hire. Small ensembles, including string quartets and other configurations, form throughout the year depending on student interest and ability.

The music facilities themselves have been substantially upgraded. In 2010, Caistor secured government funding for Building Schools for the Future to extend Lindsey House with renovated music facilities. These were completed by Christmas 2010 and officially opened on 24 May 2011. The dedication to musical development reflects the school's specialist music status within its broader curriculum offer.

Sports & Physical Activities

The school holds specialist sports college status, a designation that has driven improvements in curriculum breadth, competitive opportunity, and standards. Playing fields, located a 10-minute run from the main school site, host regular lessons and fixtures. Football, netball, hockey, rugby, and cricket are core sports. Due to the school's size (relatively small intake per year), teams typically have just one representation per year group; students seeking elite competition understand this structure. Nevertheless, fixtures against local and regional schools are regular, and representative honours for county and regional selections are common among the student body.

Physical education is compulsory to GCSE level, and sports remain available as optional subjects. The school's sports college designation has facilitated access to better equipment and opportunities for specialist coaching, benefiting all pupils regardless of elite status.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Caistor is an accredited Duke of Edinburgh Centre. Over 100 students per year participate across Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels. The scheme develops resilience, empathy, and social responsibility, qualities the school prioritises in its broader mission. Students gain practical experience in navigation, expedition planning, and personal challenge beyond the classroom.

Academic & Interest Clubs

The school runs over 50 weekly clubs. While the full list is not publicly itemised in detail, known offerings include debating and public speaking (aligning with the school's humanities specialist status), coding and computing clubs, science societies including the Med Soc (medical society) and Eng Soc (engineering society), Young Enterprise, and subject mentoring schemes. Sixth formers can launch new clubs if existing options don't match their interests, fostering entrepreneurship and self-direction.

Sixth Form Specific Opportunities

Sixth form students access Casterby House, their own dedicated base with teaching rooms, study space, and social areas. The Coffee Club, operating throughout the day in the Lower Lindsey Dining Room, provides additional study and socialisation space. Leadership development is central to sixth form life. Students take roles as House Officials, Sixth Form Council members, Prefects, and Performing Arts and Sport Leadership award holders. A Young Enterprise scheme and wellbeing mentor roles offer further pathways. The school's volunteer scheme runs on Wednesday afternoons, with recent placements including Caistor Rock Foundation, Caistor Heritage Centre, and local nursing homes for students considering healthcare careers.

Enrichment programmes provide Performing Arts Leadership Award, Sport Leadership Award, private study, work experience placements, volunteering, the Extended Project Qualification, and Duke of Edinburgh Gold level. All of this infrastructure reflects the school's recognition that sixth form is both an academic and personal transition, where students develop independence and leadership alongside subject mastery.

The Ofsted inspection of May 2022 rated the school Good across all categories: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. Inspectors noted that pupils enjoy lessons and show independence in learning; sixth formers benefit from personalised support and high expectations. The school fosters an environment where pupils take pride in their education. Behaviour management is consistent and effective, contributing to a calm atmosphere conducive to learning.

Pastoral care is consistently highlighted as a school strength. The close-knit community, around 680 pupils in an intimate setting, means staff know students individually. A dedicated SENCO leads support for pupils with additional needs. The school holds the Inclusion Quality Mark, reflecting commitment to accessible education for all learners. Individual tutors and dedicated staff oversee each student's wellbeing and progress.

School hours run from approximately 8:50am to 3:20pm. The school day comprises nine periods across five days, with breaks at mid-morning and mid-afternoon and a one-hour-and-five-minute lunch break that allows students to pursue extracurricular interests at the split site. No boarding facilities are available; all students are day pupils.

Attendance rates are notably high at 97%, exceeding the England average and reflecting genuine student engagement. Phone rules are strict: devices are expected to stay out of sight and silent during the school day, a stance presented as protecting learning time and supported by parents and staff.

Transport information is available through the school website. The school occupies a compact site on Church Street, Caistor, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN7 6QJ. Most students travel from surrounding areas including Grimsby, Brigg, and Market Rasen, using a combination of school transport (arranged by LA), parents, and public routes.

Competitive entry: With nearly two applications for every place, admission is not guaranteed despite strong performance. Verbal reasoning test scores determine allocation beyond the catchment prioritisation. Families preparing children for the 11+ should begin structured familiarisation from Year 4 or early Year 5.

Exam pressure: As a selective grammar school, the culture emphasises academic achievement. This suitsambitious, resilient learners who thrive on challenge. Families seeking a less academically pressured environment should consider non-selective alternatives.

Catchment constraints: The 6.5-mile straight-line catchment from the school gates means students living outside this radius depend entirely on test performance for allocation. Families should verify their distance before relying on entry.

Limited external sixth form intake: Only 6 external places exist for sixth form entry. Students completing Year 11 at Caistor transition automatically if they meet minimum requirements; external applicants face extremely limited opportunity.

Single-sex streaming at A-level: While girls join the sixth form as day students, creating a mixed-gender sixth form, the selective intake and strong performance mean many students find themselves among peers of notably similar academic ability, which suits some and intimidates others.

Caistor Grammar School stands as one of England's finest selective schools, combining rigorous academics with genuine pastoral care and enrichment. Founded in 1630, it has evolved into a modern institution that takes its heritage seriously whilst preparing students for contemporary futures. Results consistently exceed national benchmarks; behaviour and attitudes are exemplary; and the sense of community among staff, students, and families is palpable. The school delivers exactly what it promises: an enviable academic education within a caring community where lively minds are challenged and talents developed. Best suited to academically ambitious families within or able to test into the catchment who value a balanced, well-rounded education alongside top-tier results. The primary challenge is securing a place; those who succeed will find themselves in a genuinely outstanding school.