Loading...Grammar Schools in England: Complete County Guide 2026–27
England has 163 state grammar schools concentrated in a small number of counties and London boroughs. This guide covers every selective area: which exam format each uses, when registration opens and closes, typical pass marks, and what practice your child needs.
Jump to the county table London boroughs FAQs
This guide covers:
- Every county and London borough with state grammar schools
- GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE exam formats explained
- Registration deadlines — the most commonly missed step
- Pass marks and competition levels by area
- What practice materials your child needs for each format
163 state grammar schoolsAcross England
3 exam formatsGL, CEM and CSSE
93,000 pupils per yearCompeting for 19,000 places
Deadlines from MayThe most common avoidable mistake
On this page: Exam formats · County table · Kent · Medway · Buckinghamshire · Lincolnshire · Essex · London · Birmingham · Trafford · Gloucestershire · Other areas · National timeline · FAQs
The single most important thing to know
Missing the registration deadline ends the application. Grammar school 11 plus registration closes months before the September exam — in some areas as early as May. There is no late entry. There is no appeal process. The preparation year is lost and the child must wait twelve months for the next opportunity.
This happens every year to families who have spent months preparing. Add every registration deadline to your calendar the moment you identify your target schools, then set a reminder two weeks before each one.
Understanding the exam formats
Before choosing practice materials, identify which format your child’s target schools use. Preparing for the wrong format wastes time and can leave significant gaps.
GL Assessment
Used by approximately 80% of state grammar schools in England, including all schools in Kent, Lincolnshire, Buckinghamshire, Trafford, Sutton, Barnet and Redbridge. GL delivers four separate papers: Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics and English. Papers are taken on paper, not online, and each is timed separately — usually on a single test day, though some areas split across two dates.
GL papers are predictable in format and respond well to structured practice using published past papers and practice sets.
CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring)
Used in Birmingham, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Shropshire. CEM papers interleave different question types within each paper rather than separating by subject — a format designed to reduce the effectiveness of rote practice. CEM does not release official past papers, which makes preparation harder without specialist materials. Vocabulary breadth and the ability to switch quickly between question types under time pressure are the two most important skills.
CSSE (Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex)
A bespoke format used exclusively by Essex’s grammar schools. One CSSE registration covers all ten consortium schools. The test combines English and Mathematics in two papers with a distinctive question style. Standard GL Assessment practice is not sufficient preparation for CSSE — CSSE-specific materials are required.
Bespoke exams
Several highly competitive schools — including Queen Elizabeth’s Boys’, Henrietta Barnett, Tiffin Schools and St Olave’s — set their own papers or use bespoke GL-format processes that differ from standard consortium tests. These require specific preparation beyond generic 11 plus practice.
Every selective area at a glance
| Area | Schools | Exam format | Registration deadline | Exam date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent | 38 | GL Assessment | Typically June | September |
| Medway | 6 | GL Assessment (separate from Kent) | Typically June | September |
| Buckinghamshire | 13 | GL Assessment | Typically June | September |
| Lincolnshire | 15 | GL Assessment (two Saturdays) | Typically June | Two consecutive Saturdays, September |
| Essex / CSSE | 10 | CSSE bespoke | Typically May — earliest deadline | September |
| Barnet | 4 | GL / bespoke | QE Boys: 8 July 2026 | September / October |
| Sutton | 5 | GL Assessment (two-stage) | Typically late June | September (Stage 1), October/November (Stage 2) |
| Kingston | 3 | Bespoke GL two-stage | Typically June/July | September (Stage 1), October/November (Stage 2) |
| Redbridge | 2 | GL Assessment | Typically June | September |
| Bexley | 5 | GL Assessment | Typically June | September |
| Enfield | 1 | Bespoke (Latymer) | Verify with school | Autumn term |
| Bromley | 2 | GL / bespoke (varies by school) | Verify with each school | September / Autumn |
| Birmingham & Warwickshire | ~13 | GL Assessment (shared test) | Typically May/June — can close early | September |
| Trafford / Manchester | 6 | GL Assessment | Typically June | September |
| Gloucestershire | 7 | CEM | Typically June | September |
| Hertfordshire | 3 | GL Assessment | Typically June/July | September |
| Berkshire / Reading | 2 selective | Bespoke | Typically June | Autumn term |
| Wiltshire | 2 | CEM | Typically June | September |
| Devon | 7 | GL Assessment | Typically June | September |
| Yorkshire | 6 | GL (mostly) | Varies by school | Varies by school |
| Lancashire | ~5 | Varies by school | Verify individually | Varies |
| Wirral | 2 | GL Assessment | Typically June | September |
| Shropshire | ~4 | CEM | Verify individually | September |
| Slough | 2 | GL Assessment | Typically June | September |
Always verify deadlines directly with your target school’s admissions page. Dates confirmed for 2026 entry; 2027 entry dates typically follow the same pattern.
County guides
Kent — 38 grammar schools
Kent is England’s largest fully selective county. All 38 grammar schools use a single county-wide test — the Kent Test — administered by GL Assessment. A child who reaches the qualifying threshold is eligible to list up to four grammar school preferences on the Kent County Council common application form.
Kent Test at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam provider | GL Assessment |
| Subjects tested | English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning |
| Registration deadline | Typically June 2026 — verify with Kent County Council |
| Exam date | September 2026 (Year 6) |
| Results | Mid-October 2026 |
| Qualifying score | Aggregate of 332, with no individual paper below 107 |
| Application form deadline | 31 October 2026 (national LA deadline) |
Important: Medway is not part of the Kent Test
Despite being geographically within Kent, Medway is a separate unitary authority with its own test. Families applying to both Kent and Medway schools must complete two separate registrations. See the Medway section below.
Kent school clusters and competition
Kent grammar schools are spread across clusters: Maidstone, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, Folkestone, Thanet, Dover and Ashford. The most competitive schools — The Judd School and Tonbridge Grammar School — require scores significantly above the 332 qualifying mark. Families targeting West Kent super-selectives should expect to need a score well above the threshold to stand a realistic chance of a place.
County guides
Medway — 6 grammar schools
Medway operates its own selective test — the Medway Test — separately from the Kent Test. Registering for the Kent Test does not cover Medway schools.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam provider | GL Assessment |
| Subjects tested | English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning |
| Registration | Separate from Kent Test — register with Medway Council directly |
| Registration deadline | Typically June 2026 — verify with Medway Council |
| Exam date | September 2026 |
Medway’s six grammar schools include Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School (boys, Rochester) and Fort Pitt Grammar School (girls). The cluster of schools in the Medway towns means in-catchment qualifying children typically have multiple realistic options.
Practise Medway 11 plus papers
County guides
Buckinghamshire — 13 grammar schools
Buckinghamshire is one of England’s last fully selective counties. All children sit the same standardised county test — there is no opting out. Results inform secondary school allocation for every child in the county.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam provider | GL Assessment |
| Subjects tested | Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, English, Maths |
| Registration deadline | Typically June 2026 — one registration covers all 13 schools |
| Exam date | September 2026 |
| Results | October 2026 |
| Key note | All Buckinghamshire children take the test; grammar places require a qualifying score |
Buckinghamshire grammar schools include Aylesbury Grammar School, Aylesbury High School, Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, Dr Challoner’s High School, John Hampden Grammar School and Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School among others.
Practise Buckinghamshire 11 plus papers
County guides
Lincolnshire — 15 grammar schools
Lincolnshire maintains one of England’s larger selective systems with schools in Lincoln, Grantham, Boston, Skegness, Louth, Caistor, Spalding and Sleaford. The two-Saturday format is distinctive and requires specific planning.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam provider | GL Assessment |
| Test format | Two papers: Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal/Spatial Reasoning — taken on two consecutive Saturdays in September |
| Registration deadline | Typically June 2026 — verify with Lincolnshire County Council |
| Exam dates | Two consecutive Saturdays in September 2026 |
| Key note | Both Saturdays are compulsory — plan travel and logistics for both dates |
Practise Lincolnshire 11 plus papers
County guides
Essex / CSSE — 10 grammar schools
Essex grammar schools are concentrated around Chelmsford, Colchester and Southend. They use the CSSE format — a bespoke test that requires specific preparation. One CSSE registration covers all ten consortium schools.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam provider | CSSE (bespoke — not GL Assessment) |
| Subjects tested | English and Mathematics — two papers with CSSE-specific question styles |
| Registration deadline | Typically May 2026 — one of the earliest deadlines nationally |
| Exam date | September 2026 |
| Out-of-county applicants | Must register directly regardless of school attended |
| Critical note | Standard GL practice is insufficient — CSSE-specific preparation is essential |
CSSE grammar schools include Southend High School for Boys, Southend High School for Girls, Westcliff High School for Boys, Westcliff High School for Girls, and six schools across Chelmsford and Colchester. Check the CSSE website in April each year — the deadline is earlier than most families expect.
Practise CSSE Essex 11 plus papers
London boroughs
London grammar schools — 19 schools across 6 boroughs
London’s grammar schools are among the most competitive in England. Several operate two-stage selection processes and bespoke exam formats that differ significantly from county grammar school tests. Each borough is independent — registration and formats vary and must be checked for each target school individually.
Barnet — 4 schools (includes two national super-selectives)
| School | Type | Exam format | Registration deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Elizabeth’s Boys’ School (QE Boys) | Boys | GL Assessment — two papers | 8 July 2026 — earliest major deadline in England |
| The Henrietta Barnett School | Girls | GL Assessment — two-stage | Typically early July 2026 |
| St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School | Girls, Catholic | Own paper | Typically early July 2026 |
| Mill Hill County High School | Mixed, selective band | GL Assessment | Verify with school |
QE Boys: approximately 3,500 applicants for 180 places. A score in roughly the top 5–6% of the sitting is required. Preparation should begin at least 12 months before the exam. The 8 July 2026 registration deadline is the earliest hard deadline among major grammar school applications in England — do not miss it.
Families applying to both Barnet and Sutton super-selectives face two simultaneous registration processes with similar deadlines. Build both calendars together.
Sutton — 5 schools (two-stage process)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Schools | Sutton Grammar, Wilson’s School, Nonsuch HS for Girls, Wallington County Grammar, Wallington HS for Girls (plus Greenshaw HS — selective band) |
| Exam provider | GL Assessment — two-stage |
| Stage 1 | Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning; identifies eligible candidates |
| Stage 2 | October/November 2026 — shortlisted candidates only; papers not released publicly |
| Registration deadline | Typically late June 2026 — verify with each school |
| Competition | Over 1,000 applicants per school for approximately 180 places |
Kingston — 3 schools (Tiffin Schools)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Schools | Tiffin School (boys), Tiffin Girls’ School, plus Coombe Boys (selective band) |
| Exam provider | Bespoke GL two-stage (own process) |
| Stage 1 | Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning |
| Stage 2 | October/November 2026 — shortlisted candidates only |
| Registration deadline | Typically June/July 2026 — verify with each school |
| Competition | Thousands of applicants for fewer than 200 places per school |
Redbridge — 2 schools
Ilford County High School (boys) and Woodford County High School for Girls share a single GL Assessment test administered by the London Borough of Redbridge. Standardised qualifying score approximately 104. Common catchment area applies to both schools.
Bexley — 5 schools (fully selective borough)
Bexley is one of eleven fully selective local authority areas in England — all state secondary schools operate selective entry. GL Assessment tests cover all five grammar schools. Registration is managed by the London Borough of Bexley with a deadline typically in June 2026.
Enfield — Latymer School
Latymer School (mixed) is Enfield’s selective state school and is highly competitive. It runs its own bespoke 11 plus examination — check the school’s admissions page directly for format and deadlines.
Bromley — 2 schools
Newstead Wood School (girls) uses GL Assessment. St Olave’s Grammar School (boys) uses its own bespoke exam and is among the most competitive grammar schools in England. Registration deadlines differ between the two schools — check each admissions page individually.
Practise London 11 plus papers
Regional guides
Birmingham and Warwickshire — shared GL Assessment test
Birmingham and Warwickshire operate a shared entrance test. One sitting covers both authorities — a significant practical advantage for West Midlands families.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam provider | GL Assessment (switched from CEM in 2023) |
| Subjects tested | Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning |
| Shared test | One test covers both Birmingham Consortium and Warwickshire grammar schools |
| Registration deadline | Typically May/June 2026 — Birmingham windows can close earlier than expected; check each target school individually |
| Competition | Exceptionally high in Birmingham — King Edward VI schools among the most competitive state schools in England |
Warwickshire grammar schools are in Stratford-upon-Avon, Rugby and Leamington Spa. Warwickshire switched from CEM to GL Assessment in 2023.
Practise Birmingham and Warwickshire 11 plus papers
Regional guides
Trafford / Greater Manchester — 6 schools, qualifying score 334
Trafford is the main selective area in Greater Manchester, home to the Altrincham Grammar Schools. The Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium uses GL Assessment with a qualifying score of 334 — one registration covers all consortium schools.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam provider | GL Assessment |
| Qualifying score | 334 |
| Registration | One registration covers all Trafford consortium schools |
| Registration deadline | Typically June 2026 — verify with Trafford Council |
| Exam date | September 2026 |
Practise Trafford and Manchester 11 plus papers
Regional guides
Gloucestershire — 7 schools, CEM format
Gloucestershire uses CEM tests — one of the few areas outside Birmingham where children face the interleaved CEM format. Preparation differs significantly from GL Assessment regions. CEM does not release official past papers, making specialist preparation materials particularly important.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam provider | CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) |
| Format | Interleaved question types within each paper — vocabulary and time pressure are critical |
| Official past papers | Not available — specialist preparation materials required |
| Registration deadline | Typically June 2026 — verify with Gloucestershire County Council or each school |
Gloucestershire grammar schools include Sir Thomas Rich’s School and The Pate’s Grammar School among seven schools across Cheltenham and Gloucester.
Practise Gloucestershire 11 plus papers
Other selective areas
Other counties and selective areas
Hertfordshire — 3 schools
Dame Alice Owen’s School (mixed), Watford Grammar School for Boys and Watford Grammar School for Girls each manage their own admissions independently — no consortium. Dame Alice Owen’s is among the most competitive grammar schools in England. Registration typically June/July 2026. GL Assessment format.
Practise Hertfordshire 11 plus papers
Berkshire / Reading — selective schools
Reading School (boys) and Kendrick School (girls) use their own bespoke entrance exams — not standard GL Assessment. Both are highly competitive regionally. Registration typically June 2026.
Practise Berkshire 11 plus papers
Wiltshire — 2 schools, CEM format
South Wiltshire Grammar School and Bishop Wordsworth’s Grammar School use CEM format tests. CEM-specific preparation is required. Registration typically June 2026.
Practise Wiltshire 11 plus papers
Devon — 7 schools
Seven grammar schools across Torquay, Paignton and Exeter operate a consortium approach with shared registration. GL Assessment format. Registration typically June 2026.
Yorkshire — 6 schools
North Yorkshire schools including Skipton Girls’ High School and Ermysted’s Grammar School; West Yorkshire selectives in Calderdale and Kirklees. Each school manages its own admissions — no county consortium. Registration deadlines vary from May to July 2026; check each school individually. Mostly GL Assessment.
Practise Yorkshire 11 plus papers
Lancashire — selective schools
Lancashire has a small number of grammar schools including Clitheroe Royal Grammar School. Each school operates independently. Check each school’s admissions page directly for format and deadlines.
Practise Lancashire 11 plus papers
Wirral — 2 schools
The Wirral has two state grammar schools using GL Assessment. Registration typically June 2026 — verify with Wirral Council.
Practise Wirral 11 plus papers
Shropshire — CEM format
Shropshire selective schools including Adams’ Grammar School use CEM format tests. CEM-specific preparation required. Check each school’s admissions page directly.
Practise Shropshire 11 plus papers
Slough — 2 schools (fully selective borough)
Slough is one of eleven fully selective local authorities in England. Slough Grammar School and Herschel Grammar School use GL Assessment. Registration typically June 2026.
Practise Berkshire and Slough 11 plus papers
National timeline
The national 11 plus timeline: what happens when
The 11 plus is not a single national exam. It is a collection of different tests, run by different bodies, on different timetables. This timeline covers the typical pattern — always verify the specific dates for your target schools.
| Period | Action |
|---|---|
| January–March (Year 5) | Research target schools. Identify exam formats. Begin regular practice across all question types. |
| April (Year 5) | Registration opens for most areas. CSSE Essex deadline typically falls in May — check now. Set calendar reminders for every target school deadline. |
| May–July (Year 5) | Most registration deadlines fall in this window. QE Boys closes 8 July. Kent, Buckinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Sutton and most other areas close in June. Late registration is never accepted. |
| September (Year 6) | Most 11 plus exams sit in the first or second Saturday of September. Lincolnshire sits across two consecutive Saturdays. |
| October (Year 6) | Results released for most areas. Kent results mid-October. Sutton and Kingston Stage 2 sittings take place October/November. |
| 31 October (Year 6) | National deadline for LA common application form. List all secondary school preferences including grammar schools by this date. |
| March (Year 6) | National offer day. Secondary school places allocated. |
11 plus practice
Practice resources by area and format
11 Plus Practice Tests
The main hub for grammar and private school 11 plus practice across all major formats and regions.
Verbal Reasoning Practice
All major verbal reasoning question types for GL Assessment and CEM formats, with method guidance.
Open verbal reasoning practice
Non-Verbal Reasoning Practice
Figure matrices, figure classification, series and analogies for GL and CEM.
Open non-verbal reasoning practice
Maths 11 Plus Practice
Arithmetic, word problems and data interpretation pitched at 11 plus level.
English 11 Plus Practice
Comprehension, vocabulary and grammar for GL Assessment English papers.
CAT4 Practice Tests
CAT4 preparation by year group and reasoning battery — for independent school entry and school profiling.
Expert guidance
11 plus guidance from a Chartered Psychologist
Rob Williams is a Chartered Psychologist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and psychometric test designer with more than 25 years of experience in reasoning test design, school entrance assessment and selection measures. This guide applies psychometric principles to 11 plus preparation: understand the format, target genuine weaknesses, build method before adding time pressure, and avoid last-minute cramming.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
How many grammar schools are there in England?
Approximately 163 state grammar schools remain in England. They are heavily concentrated in Kent (38 schools), London (19), Lincolnshire (15), Buckinghamshire (13) and Essex (10). Around 93,000 pupils sit 11 plus tests each year, competing for approximately 19,000 places.
What is the difference between GL Assessment and CEM?
GL Assessment is used by approximately 80% of state grammar schools and offers structured, predictable paper formats across Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths and English — responding well to published practice papers. CEM (used in Birmingham, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Shropshire) interleaves question types within each paper, is harder to prepare for with rote practice, and does not release official past papers. The preparation approach differs significantly between the two.
Can I register late for the 11 plus?
No. Registration deadlines are enforced without exception. There is no late entry and no appeal for a missed deadline. The preparation year is lost and the child must wait twelve months. Set calendar reminders the moment you identify your target schools.
Do I need to register separately for each school?
It depends on the area. Kent, Buckinghamshire, CSSE Essex, Trafford and Lincolnshire use consortium registrations that cover multiple schools in one application. London schools, Hertfordshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire and most bespoke-format schools require individual registration with each school. Check the admissions page of every target school.
What is a realistic 11 plus preparation timeline?
For highly competitive schools — QE Boys, Tiffin, Sutton, Altrincham — 12 to 18 months of regular practice is standard among successful applicants. For less competitive county grammars, six to twelve months of consistent practice is typically sufficient. Steady practice over time is more effective than intensive last-minute cramming.
Does qualifying for the 11 plus guarantee a grammar school place?
No. Reaching the qualifying threshold makes a child eligible to be considered — it does not guarantee a place. Each school applies oversubscription criteria (typically distance, siblings, faith or looked-after children status) when more children qualify than places exist.
Is the 11 plus the same as CAT4?
No. The 11 plus is a selective admissions test for state grammar and independent school entry. CAT4 is a cognitive abilities profile used by schools to understand a pupil’s reasoning strengths — it is not an admissions test, though some schools use it in their selection process. Some skills overlap, but the purpose and format differ. See our CAT4 guide.
What is the best way to prepare for the 11 plus?
Identify the format your target school uses first. Then follow a structured approach: build familiarity with all question types, teach a reliable method for each, practise weaker areas with targeted short sets, introduce mixed practice, add timing only once accuracy is stable, and complete one or two realistic mock papers in the weeks before the exam. Avoid volume-based drilling with no error analysis.
Registration deadlines and exam formats change annually. Always verify dates and formats directly with your target school’s admissions page before making any preparation or registration decisions. This guide was last updated August 2026 and covers the 2026–27 admissions cycle (Year 6 children sitting exams in autumn 2026 for September 2027 entry).