Grammar School Guide (11+)

11+ Admissions Guide

Preparing for a Grammar School Place in Year 7?

Discover how the 11+ process works, what different areas test, and how CFC Academy helps children prepare with confidence.

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Overview Admissions Timeline Exam Boards & Content London & Nearby Areas Calendars by Area Preparation Tips Download Checklist How We Help FAQ Sources

What is a grammar school?

Grammar schools are state-funded secondary schools that select pupils based on academic ability using an entrance test, commonly known as the “11+”. They remain part of the state system, so there are no tuition fees, but they are concentrated in specific parts of England.

How selection works

  • Entry is usually through an admissions test in Year 6, after which oversubscription rules may still apply (for example distance, priority areas or school-specific criteria).
  • Results are often released before the 31 October national application deadline so families can make informed school preferences.
  • A qualifying score usually means your child can be considered for a place — it does not guarantee one.

Typical Year 5–6 Timeline

A simple view of the journey from registration to Year 7 offers.

1

Spring–Summer (Year 5)

Register for the test

Registration windows open at different times depending on the area or school. Some open as early as March, while others run later in spring or summer.

2

Summer (Year 5)

Build preparation steadily

Focus on strong KS2 English and Maths foundations, then build up timed practice in reasoning and exam technique.

3

September (Year 6)

Sit the 11+ test

Most selective tests take place in early to mid‑September, although some school-run processes may continue into autumn.

4

Mid‑October (Year 6)

Receive results

Many areas release results before the CAF deadline, allowing families to rank schools more confidently.

5

31 October / 1 March

Submit CAF and receive offers

Submit your Common Application Form by 31 October, then check your school offer on National Offer Day, 1 March.

Exam Boards & What’s Tested

GL Assessment

Widely used across England. Depending on the area, papers may cover English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non‑Verbal Reasoning. Many GL tests use multiple‑choice answer formats.

View free GL familiarisation materials

CSSE (Essex)

The CSSE consortium uses two written papers: English and Mathematics. This differs from many GL-style multiple‑choice formats and usually requires more written practice.

Visit the official CSSE website

School-specific / local processes

Some schools or boroughs run their own entrance process or use two‑stage testing. Always confirm subjects, timings and the exact format on official admissions pages before preparing.

Tailoring practice to the correct format can make a big difference.

London & Nearby Areas at a Glance

Short summaries are below; full calendars and key dates follow in the next section.

Sutton (Selective Eligibility Test – SET)

  • One shared first‑stage test for Sutton grammar schools (and Greenshaw’s selective places), followed by school-specific second stages for some schools.
  • Tests are usually held in September, with stage‑2 assessments later for selected applicants.

Kingston (Tiffin School – Boys)

  • School-run two‑stage admissions process.
  • Registration usually opens in June of Year 5, with assessments later in the autumn term.

Barnet (QE Boys & Henrietta Barnett)

  • Queen Elizabeth’s School: entrance testing typically takes place in September.
  • The Henrietta Barnett School: usually a two‑round process with an initial round followed by school-set papers.

Redbridge (Ilford County High & Woodford County High)

  • GL-style exam with a shared process.
  • Families should pay close attention to catchment and admissions criteria.

Bexley (Beths, Bexley Grammar, Chis & Sidcup, Townley)

  • Bexley Selection Test registration opens earlier than many areas.
  • The borough has moved to Quest Assessments from 2026 onwards.

Bromley (St Olave’s & Newstead Wood)

  • St Olave’s: two‑stage process including English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non‑Verbal Reasoning in the first stage.
  • Newstead Wood: school-run selection test using GL-style assessment.

Buckinghamshire

  • A county-wide transfer test is used across Buckinghamshire grammar schools.
  • The qualification score is commonly 121.

Kent

  • All Kent grammar schools use the Kent Test.
  • Usually includes multiple‑choice papers plus a writing task used in review processes.

Medway

  • Six grammar schools use the shared Medway Test.
  • The papers cover English, Maths and Reasoning, with dates set annually by Medway Council.

Slough Consortium

  • One shared GL test is used by several consortium grammar schools.
  • Registration usually opens in late spring or early summer.

Essex (CSSE Consortium)

  • Two written papers in English and Maths.
  • Preparation should include written responses, not just multiple‑choice practice.

South‑West Hertfordshire

  • Partially selective consortium with academic, music and (for some schools) sports aptitude routes.
  • Families should review the exact route and test type that applies to their child.

Calendars by Area (2026–2027 Entry)

These are publicly listed windows and anchor dates. Always re-check the official link before taking action, as dates may change.

Choosing an area will scroll to the section and open its calendar automatically.

  • Registration opens: Fri 1 May 2026
  • Access arrangements deadline: Fri 12 Jun 2026
  • Registration closes: Fri 31 Jul 2026
  • SET (Stage 1): Tue 15 Sep 2026
  • Stage 2 (girls): Sat 26 Sep 2026; Stage 2 (boys): Sat 3 Oct 2026
  • CAF deadline: Sat 31 Oct 2026; Offers: Mon 1 Mar 2027

  • Registration opens: Fri 5 Jun 2026; closes: Fri 4 Sep 2026 (12:00)
  • Stage 1 test: Fri 2 Oct 2026
  • Stage 1 outcomes / Stage 2 invites: Fri 16 Oct 2026
  • Stage 2 tests: mid‑Nov 2026 (by invitation)
  • CAF deadline: Sat 31 Oct 2026; Offers: Mon 1 Mar 2027

  • Entrance test request opens: Fri 1 May 2026
  • Request deadline: Wed 8 Jul 2026 (12:00)
  • Entrance test: Wed–Thu 16–17 Sep 2026
  • CAF deadline / Offers follow national timeline: 31 Oct 2026 / 1 Mar 2027

  • Registration: Wed 1 Apr 2026 to Wed 1 Jul 2026
  • Round 1 exam: early Sep 2026; results: late Sep 2026
  • Round 2 (school-set): early Oct 2026 (by invitation)
  • CAF deadline / Offers: 31 Oct 2026 / 1 Mar 2027

  • Open evenings: Thu 30 Apr 2026
  • Registration: Fri 1 May 2026 to Mon 15 Jun 2026 (5pm)
  • Test day: Fri 18 Sep 2026
  • Results: mid‑Oct 2026; CAF: 31 Oct 2026; Offers: 1 Mar 2027

  • Registration window: Sun 1 Mar 2026 to Tue 31 Mar 2026
  • Test dates: 2–10 Sep 2026 (Bexley primaries); 7–10 Sep 2026 (grammar schools / test centres)
  • Results: early Oct 2026; CAF: 31 Oct 2026; Offers: 1 Mar 2027
  • Provider: Quest Assessments from 2026 onwards

Saint Olave’s uses a two-stage admissions process. Always re-check the official school site before acting.

  • Registration opens: Mon 8 Jun 2026
  • Registration closes: Mon 29 Jun 2026
  • Stage 1 – Selective Eligibility Test (SET): Fri 18 Sep 2026
  • Stage 1 results / Stage 2 invitations: mid‑Oct 2026
  • Stage 2 entrance test (for invited candidates): Fri 13 Nov 2026
  • CAF deadline: Sat 31 Oct 2026; Offers: Mon 1 Mar 2027
  • Official school pages: Year 7 admissions · Entrance test information

  • Registration form (SIF) opens: Fri 1 May 2026, 8:30am
  • Registration closes: Tue 30 Jun 2026, 10:00pm
  • Selection test dates: Fri 25 Sep 2026 (full day) and Sat 26 Sep 2026 (morning only)
  • Results: October 2026 (emailed before the CAF deadline)
  • CAF deadline: Sat 31 Oct 2026; Offers: Mon 1 Mar 2027
  • Official school pages: Year 7 admissions · About the selection test

Buckinghamshire publishes exact dates annually; the pattern below is typical.

  • Registration: May–Jun (published each year by Buckinghamshire Council)
  • Practice test: early Sep; Transfer test: mid‑Sep
  • Results: around mid‑Oct; CAF: 31 Oct; Offers: 1 Mar
  • Qualification score: 121

Kent County Council confirms detailed dates each year; the pattern below is typical.

  • Registration: Jun–Jul (Year 5); tests in early Sep (Year 6)
  • Format: two GL multiple‑choice papers (English/Maths; Reasoning) plus a writing task used in review or appeal processes if needed
  • Results: mid‑Oct; CAF: 31 Oct; Offers: 1 Mar

  • Registration: opens Fri 1 May 2026; closes Fri 5 Jun 2026
  • 11+ exam: Sat 19 Sep 2026
  • Results: mid‑Oct 2026
  • CAF is submitted through your home local authority in the usual way

  • Registration opens: Tue 12 May 2026 (09:00)
  • Exam date: Sat 19 Sep 2026
  • Results: mid‑Oct 2026; CAF: 31 Oct 2026; Offers: 1 Mar 2027

  • Registration: Wed 1 Apr 2026 to Fri 5 Jun 2026
  • Academic ability test: Sat 5 Sep 2026
  • Music aptitude assessments and other selective routes may have separate stages or dates depending on school
  • Results are usually released before the 31 Oct 2026 CAF deadline
  • National Offer Day: Mon 1 Mar 2027

Medway Council confirms dates each year, so families should always check the official page before acting.

  • Typical registration window: late May to mid‑June
  • Test days: usually mid‑September, with separate arrangements for Medway and non‑Medway pupils
  • Format: GL multiple‑choice papers in English, Maths and Reasoning
  • Results / CAF / Offers: results around mid‑October; CAF by 31 Oct; National Offer Day on 1 Mar
  • Official Medway hub: Medway Test

Preparation Tips

  • Start little-and-often in Year 5: build secure KS2 English and Maths first, then add timed practice later.
  • Use official familiarisation materials: especially for GL-style areas where free sample content is available.
  • Check the exact format: some areas use written English/Maths papers, others use multiple‑choice reasoning formats, and some schools use two-stage testing.
  • Plan registrations early: some deadlines close in June or July, while Bexley opens and closes much earlier than many other areas.
Free Download

Download Our 11+ Parent Checklist

A simple printable checklist to help families stay on top of registrations, test dates, CAF deadlines and next steps.

Download Checklist (PDF)

How CFC Academy Supports Your Child

11+ Small‑Group Programme

Weekly, exam‑focused sessions covering English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non‑Verbal Reasoning, with regular timed drills and feedback.

  • Structured weekly preparation
  • Timed practice and exam technique
  • Feedback to build confidence and close gaps

From £120/month for weekly small-group 11+ tuition.

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1‑to‑1 Tuition for Stronger Foundations

Personalised support in core subjects to strengthen understanding, improve exam technique and tackle gaps early.

  • Personalised lesson planning
  • Targeted support for weaker topics
  • Ideal alongside 11+ preparation

From £100/month (1 subject) or £90/subject/month for 2–3 subjects.

Book a Free Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common parent questions about grammar school entry and the 11+ process.

A grammar school is a state-funded secondary school that selects pupils based on academic ability through an entrance test, usually known as the 11+.

No. A qualifying score usually means your child can be considered for a place, but oversubscription rules may still apply, such as distance, priority area, or school-specific criteria.

It depends on the area or school. Common subjects include English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non‑Verbal Reasoning. Some areas use written English and Maths papers instead.

Many families begin gentle preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5. A strong foundation in KS2 English and Maths is often more important than rushing into heavy test practice too early.

Families usually submit their Common Application Form (CAF) by 31 October of Year 6. Many grammar school test results are released before this date.

We support children through structured 11+ preparation in English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non‑Verbal Reasoning, with regular practice, feedback and confidence-building.

Sources & Official Links