Grammar school admissions run to strict, non-negotiable deadlines. Miss a registration window and your child cannot sit the test - no exceptions. This guide collates every key date for 2026-2027 entry across the regions most relevant to families in London and the South East.

How the 11+ Admissions Process Works

Children in Year 6 sit the 11+ exam to compete for selective grammar school places starting Year 7 in September 2027. The process runs in four stages.

May - Jul 2026
Register with school or consortium
Sep 2026
Sit the 11+ exam at a test centre
Oct 2026
Receive results and eligibility
31 Oct 2026
Submit Common Application Form (CAF)

Most 11+ exams use GL Assessment papers testing English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Note: CEM papers have been discontinued. Essex (CSSE) uses bespoke English and Maths only; Sutton uses a school-written SET.

Registration is separate from applying

Registering for the 11+ test is NOT the same as applying for a school place. After results in October, you must ALSO submit a CAF to your local authority by 31st October 2026. Both steps are required.

National Deadlines

These two dates apply to every grammar school in England.

31 Oct 2026CAF deadline - submit to your home local authority
1 Mar 2027National Secondary School Offers Day

Key Dates by Region

Click any region to expand its registration deadlines, exam dates and results day.

London Borough of Redbridge
Ilford County High (Boys) & Woodford County High (Girls)
2 Schools · GL Assessment▼
One registration covers both schools. A catchment area applies.
Ilford County High & Woodford County High GL Assessment
1 May 2026Registration opens on Redbridge Council website
15 Jun 2026Registration closes at 5pm
18 Sep 2026Exam day - GL papers: English & VR (1hr), Maths & NVR (1hr). Pass mark: 104+
Mid-Oct 2026Results emailed to parents
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
1 Mar 2027National offers day
Registerredbridge.gov.uk/11-plus → (opens 1 May 2026)
Sterling Study has helped children from Ilford and Woodford prepare for and pass the Redbridge 11+.Book a free assessment →
London Borough of Barnet
QE Barnet, St Michael's Catholic Grammar, The Henrietta Barnett School
3 Schools · GL Assessment▼
All three schools have different registration windows. Register separately for each.
Queen Elizabeth's School (QE) Barnet - Boys GL Assessment
1 May 2026Entrance test request form available on school website
8 Jul 2026Request form deadline at 12 noon
16-17 Sep 2026Entrance exam - two GL papers: English and Maths (both ~50 min, multiple-choice)
1 Oct 2026Provisional results emailed to parents
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
Registerqebarnet.co.uk/admissions → (opens 1 May 2026)
The Henrietta Barnett School - Girls GL Assessment
1 Apr 2026Registration opens
1 Jul 2026Registration closes
Early Sep 2026Stage 1 exam - GL papers in English, Verbal Reasoning and NVR (~50 min each)
Early Oct 2026Stage 2 exam (invitation only)
Mid-Oct 2026Final results released
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
Registerhbschool.org.uk/admissions → (opens 1 Apr 2026)
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School - Girls GL Assessment
14 Apr 2026Registration opens
7 Jul 2026Registration closes at 4pm
11 Sep 2026Entrance test - two 50-minute GL Assessment papers
Mid-Oct 2026Results to parents
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
Registerstmichaelsca.org.uk/admissions → (opens 14 Apr 2026)
Sterling Study prepares children for QE Barnet, Henrietta Barnett and St Michael's - all three Barnet grammar schools.Book a free assessment →
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Essex - CSSE Consortium
KEGS, Southend High, Westcliff High, Colchester Royal Grammar and 6 more
10 Schools · CSSE Bespoke▼
One registration covers all 10 CSSE schools. Bespoke papers: English (60 min + 10 min reading) and Maths (60 min) only - no VR or NVR. Chelmsford County High for Girls has its own separate process.
CSSE 10 Schools CSSE Bespoke
12 May 2026Registration opens at 9am on csse.org.uk
19 Jun 2026Registration closes at 5pm
19 Sep 2026CSSE exam day - English and Maths written papers. Reserve date: 29 Sep
Mid-Oct 2026Results to parents. Minimum qualifying score: 303
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
1 Mar 2027National offers day
Registerreg.csse.org.uk → (opens 12 May 2026 at 9am)
Sterling Study prepares children for the Essex CSSE exam with specialist English and Maths tuition.Book a free assessment →
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London Borough of Bexley
Beths, Bexley, Chislehurst & Sidcup, Townley Grammar
4 Schools · Quest Assessments▼
One registration covers all four schools. Tests verbal ability, English comprehension, numerical reasoning and NVR.
Bexley Selection Test - All Four Schools Quest Assessments
1 Mar 2026Registration opens
31 Mar 2026Registration closes
2-10 Sep 2026Exam window - Bexley primary schools 2-10 Sep; grammar school test centres 7-10 Sep
Early Oct 2026Results to parents
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
1 Mar 2027National offers day
Registerbexley.gov.uk → Bexley Selection Test (1-31 Mar 2026)
Sterling Study has helped children secure places at Beths, Bexley, Chislehurst and Sidcup, and Townley Grammar.Book a free assessment →
London Borough of Bromley
Newstead Wood School, St Olave's Grammar School
2 Schools▼
Both schools have different exam formats and registration windows. Register separately for each.
Newstead Wood School - Girls GL Assessment
1 May 2026Registration opens
30 Jun 2026Registration closes
25-26 Sep 202611+ exam - two GL papers: VR and NVR
Mid-Oct 2026Results to parents
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
Registernewsteadwood.co.uk/admissions → (opens 1 May 2026)
St Olave's Grammar School - Boys School's Own Papers
8 Jun 2026Registration opens
29 Jun 2026Registration closes
18 Sep 2026Stage 1 (SET) - English, Maths, VR, NVR (multiple-choice)
Mid-Oct 2026Stage 1 results to parents
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
13 Nov 2026Stage 2 exam (invitation only) - written English and Maths
1 Mar 2027National offers day
Registersaintolaves.net/admissions → (opens 8 Jun 2026)
Sterling Study prepares children for both Newstead Wood and St Olave's Grammar School.Book a free assessment →
London Borough of Enfield
The Latymer School
1 School · GL Assessment▼
The Latymer School - Mixed (Inner Area catchment applies) GL Assessment
17 Mar 2026Test registration opens
2 Jun 2026Registration closes
3-5 Sep 2026Entrance test - GL Maths (30 min), GL VR (30 min), school-written English (60 min). Child invited to one of three dates
Oct 2026Results to parents
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
1 Mar 2027National offers day
Registerlatymer.co.uk/admissions → (opens 17 Mar 2026)
Sterling Study has helped children from the Enfield and North London area prepare for and pass The Latymer School entrance test.Book a free assessment →
London Borough of Sutton
Nonsuch, Wilson's, Sutton Grammar, Wallington County, Wallington High for Girls
5 Schools · School-Written SET▼
Register once for all five schools. The SET tests English and Maths only (no VR/NVR). Stage 2 is by invitation.
Stage 1 - Selective Eligibility Test (All Five Schools) School SET
TBCRegistration opens - check sutton.gov.uk
TBCRegistration closes
15 Sep 2026Stage 1 SET - two MC papers: English and Maths (~45 min each)
Mid-Sep 2026Stage 1 results to parents
Registersutton.gov.uk → SET registration (dates TBC)
Stage 2 - Nonsuch & Wallington High for Girls Written Papers
26 Sep 2026Stage 2 exam - written English and Maths
Mid-Oct 2026Stage 2 results to parents
Stage 2 - Wilson's, Wallington County & Sutton Grammar (Boys) Written Papers
3 Oct 2026Stage 2 exam - written English and Maths
10 Oct 2026Wilson's Aptitude Test Day (Wilson's only, by invitation)
Mid-Oct 2026Final results to parents
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
1 Mar 2027National offers day
Sterling Study prepares children for all five Sutton grammar schools - Nonsuch, Wilson's, Sutton Grammar, Wallington County and Wallington High for Girls.Book a free assessment →
Hertfordshire - South West Herts Consortium
Parmiter's, Queens', Rickmansworth, St Clement Danes, Watford Grammar (Boys & Girls), Dame Alice Owen's
7 Partially Selective▼
No fully selective grammar schools in Hertfordshire. These are partially selective schools with academic places via the Secondary Transfer Test. Dame Alice Owen's has its own separate process.
South West Herts Transfer Test (6 Schools) GL Assessment
1 Apr 2026Registration opens
5 Jun 2026Registration closes
5 Sep 2026Academic ability test
7 Sep 2026First-round music aptitude test
21-25 Sep 2026Second-round music test
15 Oct 2026Transfer test results day
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
1 Mar 2027National offers day
Dame Alice Owen's School - Mixed (separate process) GL Assessment
29 Apr 2026Registration opens
10 Jun 2026Registration closes
1 Sep 2026Exam Part 1 - VR and first-round musical aptitude test
26 Sep 2026Exam Part 2 (qualifying candidates) - English and Maths
23 Oct 2026Round 2 results day
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
Sterling Study prepares children for the South West Herts Transfer Test and Dame Alice Owen's School.Book a free assessment →
Buckinghamshire - TBGS Consortium
Aylesbury Grammar, Beaconsfield High, Dr Challoner's, Wycombe High and 9 more
13 Schools · GL Assessment▼
All 13 schools share one test. One registration covers all 13. Buckinghamshire is a fully selective county.
TBGS Secondary Transfer Test - All 13 Schools GL Assessment
1 May 2026Registration opens
2 Jun 2026Registration closes
8 Sep 2026Practice test day
10 Sep 2026Exam day - Secondary Transfer Test
9 Oct 2026Results to parents
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
1 Mar 2027National offers day
Registerbuckinghamshire.gov.uk → TBGS registration (opens 1 May 2026)
Sterling Study prepares children for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test, covering all 13 TBGS grammar schools.Book a free assessment →
Kent
32 schools including The Judd School, Tonbridge Grammar, Weald of Kent, Simon Langton and more
32 Schools · GL Assessment▼
All 32 schools use the Kent Test. Dates for 2026-2027 have not yet been published - typically released in May. This page will be updated when confirmed.
The Kent Test - All 32 Grammar Schools GL Assessment
May 2026Key dates to be published by Kent County Council
Summer 2026Registration window - dates TBC
Sep 2026Kent Test exam day - exact date TBC
Oct 2026Results to parents - date TBC
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline (national - confirmed)
1 Mar 2027National offers day (confirmed)
Registerkent.gov.uk → Kent Test registration (dates publish May 2026)
Sterling Study has helped children pass the Kent Test and secure places at schools including The Judd School, Tonbridge Grammar and Weald of Kent.Book a free assessment →
Medway
Chatham Grammar, Rainham Mark, Rochester Grammar, Strood Academy and more
7 Schools · GL Assessment▼
Medway has its own separate 11+ test and registration process, administered by Medway Council - completely independent of the Kent Test. You must register separately for Medway even if also applying to Kent schools.
Medway Test - All 7 Schools GL Assessment
Spring 2026Registration opens on Medway Council website
TBCRegistration closes - check medway.gov.uk
Sep 2026Medway Test exam day - GL papers: English, Maths, VR and NVR
Oct 2026Results to parents
31 Oct 2026CAF deadline
1 Mar 2027National offers day
Registermedway.gov.uk → Medway Test (check for 2026 dates)
Sterling Study has helped children pass the Medway Test and secure places at Chatham Grammar, Rainham Mark and Rochester Grammar.Book a free assessment →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should we start preparing for the 11+?+
Most children start structured 11+ preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5 - approximately 18 months before the exam. This gives enough time to build fluency in Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning (which are not taught at school), strengthen Maths and English, and build exam confidence through regular timed practice.
What exam format does the 11+ use?+
Almost all grammar schools now use GL Assessment papers, testing Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths, and English. CEM (Durham University) papers have been discontinued. Essex (CSSE) uses bespoke English and Maths only; Sutton uses a school-written SET.
Do we need to register separately for each school?+
It depends on the area. In Redbridge, Bexley, Essex (CSSE), Buckinghamshire and Sutton, one registration covers all consortium schools. In Barnet and Bromley, you must register separately for each school you are applying to.
What happens if we miss the registration deadline?+
Late registrations are not accepted at any grammar school in England. If you miss the window, your child cannot sit the test for that cycle.
Does passing the 11+ guarantee a grammar school place?+
No. Passing means your child meets the academic qualifying standard - but grammar schools are often heavily oversubscribed. Places are allocated based on each school's admissions criteria (distance, catchment area, sibling priority). You must also submit the CAF by 31st October 2026.
What does Sterling Study offer for 11+ preparation?+
Sterling Study offers a full structured 11+ programme for children in Years 4, 5 and 6. Weekly live classes cover Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, led by PhD-qualified scientists from Imperial College and UCL. We also offer free diagnostic assessments, free GL Assessment practice papers, and regular mock exams. Our 11+ pass rate is 65% - more than double the national average.
What Our Students Say
★★★★★ 4.9/5 on Google Reviews
★★★★★
“I used to get loads of questions wrong on verbal reasoning. My tutor showed me tricks that actually made sense. The exam felt easy and I got into Kent Grammar. I was so happy!”
Student photo
Krit
Secured a place at Kent Grammar School
★★★★★
“I was really nervous about the 11+ but my tutor made it less scary. We practised loads and I knew what to expect. When I found out I got in I literally screamed!”
Student photo
Preet
Secured a place at Kent Grammar School
★★★★★
“The practice papers we did were just like the real exam. I went in and recognised all the question types. I got into Medway Grammar and I could not believe it when I found out!”
Student photo
Akshaj
Secured a place at Medway Grammar School
★★★★★
“Maths was the bit I was most worried about but my tutor helped me figure out where I kept going wrong. By the end I actually enjoyed it. I passed and got into Kent Grammar!”
Student photo
Chelsey
Secured a place at Kent Grammar School
★★★★★
“I used to get loads of questions wrong on verbal reasoning. My tutor showed me tricks that actually made sense. The exam felt easy and I got into Kent Grammar. I was so happy!”
Student photo
Krit
Secured a place at Kent Grammar School
★★★★★
“I was really nervous about the 11+ but my tutor made it less scary. We practised loads and I knew what to expect. When I found out I got in I literally screamed!”
Student photo
Preet
Secured a place at Kent Grammar School
★★★★★
“The practice papers we did were just like the real exam. I went in and recognised all the question types. I got into Medway Grammar and I could not believe it when I found out!”
Student photo
Akshaj
Secured a place at Medway Grammar School
★★★★★
“Maths was the bit I was most worried about but my tutor helped me figure out where I kept going wrong. By the end I actually enjoyed it. I passed and got into Kent Grammar!”
Student photo
Chelsey
Secured a place at Kent Grammar School
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