Essex 11 Plus
Essex and Southend grammar school admissions are managed by the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), Telephone: 01245 348257. The office is open 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, term time only.
The schools have one common selection test except from Chelmsford County High School for Girls, who have opted to administer their own tests from 2013. All selective places are awarded on the basis of a pupil’s ability, as defined by their test score.
Also The King John School, which is partially selective school, administers its own admission’s test.
Beyond that, places are allocated according to the criteria of the individual schools, all of which vary. All the links below take you to the Admissions Policies of the schools in the Consortium.
If you wish your child to take the 11+ test, you need to complete not only the CAF but also a Supplementary Information Form in order to register for the selective test. The form can be completed on-line on the CSSE website or can be obtained from the CSSE or any school that offers selective places. For Chelmsford County High; the form can be downloaded from the school’s website.
N.B. If you are applying for both a selective and non-selective place at the same school it counts as a single preference on the CAF (Common Application Form), not two preferences.
Forum discussions on this region can be found here.
Recommended Practice Materials for Essex
Book suggestions coming soon.
Essex Schools
Find out more about the schools in Essex
The Schools Admissions Code, that came into effect in 2012, stated that by law, schools must take all reasonable steps to inform parents of the outcome of tests before the closing deadline for the Common Application form (CAF) on October 31st.
Essex and Southend grammar school admissions are managed by the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), Telephone: 01245 348257. The office is open 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, term time only.
The schools have one common selection test except from Chelmsford County High School for Girls, who have opted to administer their own tests from 2013. All selective places are awarded on the basis of a pupil’s ability, as defined by their test score.
Also The King John School, which is partially selective school, administers its own admission’s test.
Beyond that, places are allocated according to the criteria of the individual schools, all of which vary. All the links below take you to the Admissions Policies of the schools in the Consortium.
If you wish your child to take the 11+ test, you need to complete not only the CAF but also a Supplementary Information Form in order to register for the selective test. The form can be completed on-line on the CSSE website or can be obtained from the CSSE or any school that offers selective places. For Chelmsford County High; the form can be downloaded from the school’s website.
N.B. If you are applying for both a selective and non-selective place at the same school it counts as a single preference on the CAF (Common Application Form), not two preferences.
Chelmsford County High School for Girls
Chelmsford County High School is part of a group of Grammar schools who will be using a common admissions test on the same date. The other schools in this group are Woodford County High School for Girls, Ilford County High School for Boys, the Slough Consortium of Grammar schools, Reading School and Kendrick. There are other schools in the wider geographical area that will use the same test. Applicants to these schools may only take the test once. The raw marks will be shared with the schools. If a child is found to have taken the test twice, the raw scores for the first attempt will be used.
Applicants who wish to attend a test for another school on the same day will not be permitted to sit the test at CCHS on an alternative date. This will not be classed as an exceptional circumstance.
Admissions Information for September 2023 entry
| PLACES | 150 in Year 7 |
|---|---|
| CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS | LA forms: 31st October 2023 Test Registration closing date: 16th June 2022 at 4pm Registration opens 28th April 2022 |
| OPEN EVENING | Virtual event |
| 11+ TEST DATES | September 2023 |
| TEST TYPES | Two 60 minute papers, each one comprising a mixture of questions testing: Verbal ability (tests vocabulary, comprehension, verbal reasoning) Numerical reasoning (tests the ability to solve mathematical problems) Non-verbal reasoning (tests the ability to see how objects relate to each other) The verbal reasoning does not consist of the usual verbal reasoning questions, but comprises of an English component consisting of comprehension and literacy. Familiarisation Test |
| PASS MARK | The first 80% of places will be allocated in order of rank by the academic score to girls living within 12.5 miles radius of the school. The next 20% of places will be allocated from the ranked list irrespective of distance. |
| TEST FORMAT | TBC |
| EXAMINER | TBC |
| 11+ TEST RESULTS | Posted Mid October 2023 TBC |
| ALLOCATIONS | 1st March 2024 |
| ADMISSIONS | Chelmsford County High School Broomfield Road Chelmsford CM1 1RW Tel: 01245 352592 Admissions Policy 2023 Essex Council Tel: 0845 603 2200 Email: admissions@essex.gov.uk |
| FAMILIARISATION MATERIALS |
The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE)
In 2014, the CSSE announced that there will be changes in their testing arrangements. The papers are more in line with KS2 Level 5 in English and Maths. There will be not be a Verbal Reasoning paper on its own; but the English paper will incorporate an element of verbal reasoning.
There will be two papers, English and Maths, each 1 hour long and worth 60 marks.
The English paper will comprise:
– Comprehension, grammar and vocabulary questions
– Two pieces of creative writing
– Applied reasoning (literacy/verbal)
The Maths paper will comprise:
– Questions consistent with KS2 National Curriculum
– Applied reasoning (maths/non-verbal reasoning)
Details can be found on the CSSE website here
Admissions Information for September 2023 entry
| CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS | 31st October 2023 for CAF form CSSE SIF registration will open for 2023 entry from 16th May 2023 |
|---|---|
| 11+ TEST DATE | Sat 23rd September 2023 |
| TEST TYPES | Maths and English, 60 mins each (English includes creative writing). Maths is standard format, English contains a mixture of multiple choice and standard format questions. |
| TEST FORMAT | Maths – standard English – Mixture of multiple choice/standard |
| EXAMINER | Papers are written by teachers from the schools (Actual Past exam papers for Maths and English can be purchased from the Consortium website) |
| 11+ TEST RESULTS | October 2023 TBC |
| ALLOCATIONS | 1st March 2024 |
| ADMISSIONS | Essex Consortium Tel: 01245 348257 CSSE 11+ Guide 2023 Essex Council Tel: 0845 603 2200 Email: admissions@essex.gov.uk |
| APPROPRIATE PRACTICE MATERIALS | Free familiarisation papers |
More information and advice can also be found in the Essex section of the 11+ Forum
Historical Pass Marks as at entry 2017 see Here
School information
Note that King Edward VI and the Royal Grammar School, are both co-educational in the 6th form.
*Enquiry Visit – a re-visit to discuss your application.
| SCHOOL | ADMISSIONS | GENDER | PLACES | OPEN EVENING |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Edward VI Grammar School Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3SX (01245) 353510 | Admissions Policy 2023 | Boys | 150 places in Year 7 | 21st October 2022 |
| Colchester County High School For Girls Norman Way, Colchester, Essex CO3 3US 01206 576973 | Admissions Policy 2023 | Girls | 192 places in Year 7 | Virtual Tours |
| Colchester Royal Grammar School 6 Lexden Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3ND 01206 509100 | Admissions Policy 2023 | Boys | 128 places in Year 7 | Information video |
The King John School, Benfleet
The King John School is a partially selective mixed school, but not part of the CSSE. The school has 350 places in Year 7. Children who live in catchment for the school, or who have brothers or sisters already attending the school, do not need to take the entrance test and are given priority. Up to 15% are selected by general ability. In the event of two or more children with tie scores, priority is given to the child living closest to the school.
Admissions Information for September 2024 (to be updated)
| PLACES | 320 places |
|---|---|
| OPEN DAY | September 2023 |
| CLOSING DATE | Test Registration – TBC CAF form – 31st October 2023 |
| TEST DATES | October 2023 TBC |
| TEST TYPE | Verbal Reasoning (multiple choice) 50 minutes |
| TEST FORMAT | Multiple Choice |
| EXAMINER | GL Assessment |
| RESULTS | October 2023 |
| ALLOCATION | 1st March 2024 |
| ADMISSIONS | The King John School Admissions Policy 2023 |
| APPROPRIATE PRACTICE MATERIALS | Verbal Reasoning |
Essex Consortium – Southend Schools
The 11+ test for Southend schools are administered by CSSE (The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex), see details above for the 11+ test.
See also Southend Borough Council website for details.
There are four fully selective grammar schools in Southend – the Southend and Westcliff High Schools for Girls and Boys. In addition there are two partially selective schools – Cecil Jones College and Shoeburyness High School, and two “bilateral” schools where a grammar stream runs alongside non-selective streams – St. Bernard’s High School and St. Thomas More High School.
All Southend schools are co-educational in the 6th form.
*Enquiry visit – a re-visit to dicuss your application
| SCHOOL | ADMISSIONS | GENDER | PLACES | OPEN EVENING |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southend High School for Boys Prittlewell Chase Southend-on-Sea Essex SS0 0RG 01702 606200 governors@shsb.org.uk | Admissions Policy 2023 | Boys only | 150 places in Year 7 | 29th June 2023, 4:30pm-8pm |
| Southend High School for Girls Southchurch Boulevard Southend-on-Sea SS2 4UZ 01702 588852 office@shsg.org | Admissions Policy 2023 | Girls only | 180 places in Year 7 | Virtual Guide |
| Cecil Jones College Eastern Avenue, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS2 4BU 01702 440000 enquiries@ceciljones.net | Admissions Policy 2023 | Mixed | 200 places in Year 7, of which 20 are selected on general ability | 29th September 2022 |
| Shoeburyness High School Caulfield Road, Shoeburyness, Essex, SS3 9LL 01702 292286 | Admissions Policy 2023 | Mixed | Partially selective, 310 places in Year 7 of which 31 are selected on general ability | 23rd September, 6pm-8:30pm |
| St. Bernards High School Milton Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7JS 01702 343583 | Admissions Policy 2023 | Girls | Catholic, 145 places in Year 7 of which 63 are selective | 23rd September 2022, 5th July 2023, 6pm-9pm |
| St. Thomas More High School Kenilworth Gardens Westcliff-on-Sea Essex SS0 0BW 01702 344933 | Admissions Policy 2023 | Boys | Catholic, 150 places in Year 7 of which 30 are selective | 7th July 2022 4pm-7pm |
| Westcliff High School for Boys KENILWORTH GARDENS WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA ESSEX SS0 0BP 01702 475443 | Admissions Policy 2023 | Boys only | 154 places in Year 7 | 28th June 2022 5-9pm |
| Westcliff High School for Girls Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff-On-Sea, Essex, SS0 0BS 01702 476 026 | Admissions Policy 2023 | Girls only | 184 places in Year 7 | 5th July 2022 5-8pm |
Essex 11+ – Further Information
With grateful thanks to our 11+ Forum member “Moved” for her contribution to this page.
The Essex 11+ test is taken in one of the local high schools. You can choose which school – it does not have to be your first choice, within the limit of girls at Girls Schools and boys at Boys Schools.
Nervous children may be better at St. Bernard’s and St. Thomas More as fewer children take the exam there.
Only Colchester Royal Grammar School has a 13+ entry system.
| OPEN DAY | September 2023 |
|---|---|
| CLOSING DATE | Test Registration – TBC CAF form – 31st October 2023 |
| TEST DATES | October 2023 TBC |
| TEST TYPE | The Headteachers of the schools believe that children should have a sound understanding of the National Curriculum Maths and English stage 2 level 4/5. Be familiar with reading and comprehension , with a reading age greater than 11. Understand the principles of spelling, punctuation and grammar. |
| TEST FORMAT | Multiple Choice and Written |
| EXAMINER | CSSE |
| RESULTS | October 2023 |
| ALLOCATION | 1st March 2024 |
| PRACTICE MATERIALS | Verbal Reasoning |
English Exam Information
The English papers are written by one of the teachers from the Essex High Schools. The previous two years’ English papers can be purchased from the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex -CSSE but older papers are not available. Suitable practice material for the English paper can be hard to obtain and many local tutors write their own papers in the appropriate format.
The paper usually has about 30 marks allocated to comprehension skills. These are often subtle and quite difficult. The format is tick box style, with some written answers: for example,
- Wording Matching “Find the word in the text that means …” (10+ marks)
- Punctuating a piece of direct speech (6-8 marks)
The English paper is a comprehension, usually from a 19th century text. There are 50 marks. Past texts used for comprehension have been as follows:
- 1997 The Road to Wigan Pier – George Orwell (old style paper) (pub. date 1937)
- 1999 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Mark Twain (pub. date 1876)
- 2000 Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte (pub. date 1847)
- 2001 Kipps – H. G. Wells (pub. date 1905)
- 2002 Far from the Madding Crowd – Thomas Hardy (pub. date 1874)
- 2003 Tobermory – H. H. Munro (pub. date 1909?)
- 2004 Silas Marner – George Eliot (pub. date 1861)
- 2005 The Snow Geese – William Fiennes (pub. date 2002)
- 2006 The Mill on the Floss – George Eliot (pub. date 1860)
- 2007 Tess of the d’Urbervilles – Thomas Hardy (pub. date 1891)
- 2008 The Destructors – Graham Greene (pub. date 1954)
- 2009 Longitude – Dava Sobel (pub. date 1995)
- 2010 Bleak House – Charles Dickens (pub. date 1852-1853)
- 2010x Hard Times – Charles Dickens (pub. date 1854)
- 2011 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – Louis de Bernières (pub. date 1994)
- 2011x Atonement – Ian McEwen (pub. date 2001)
Maths Exam Information
The Maths papers are written by one of the teachers from the Essex High Schools. The previous two years’ Maths papers can be purchased from the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex-CSSE but older papers are not available.
Maths needs the development of problem solving skills – Primary Maths Challenge style questions are helpful. The maths paper is tough, harder than the GL Assessment papers. It begins with arithmetic on the first page, there are questions involving area, bar charts, angles, percentages, ratio, BIDMAS, algebra, etc. Often the questions are not straightforward and the final question has been of the standard expected for the junior maths challenge (aimed at bright year 8 children).
Essex Schools
Review detailed information about schools in Essex.
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Page updated on 24th November 2022
