Year 5–6 · Secondary admissions

The 11+ and grammar schools

Grammar schools select pupils by academic ability. The test, deadlines and score rules are local, so check the admission policy for every school you may name.

  • 11+ an entrance or selection test
  • Separate test registration and school application
  • 31 Oct national secondary application deadline
  • No guarantee a pass may still face oversubscription rules

What you need to know

  1. There is no single national 11+. Areas and schools use different tests, subjects, registration dates, catchments and score rules. Start with the school and council admissions pages.
  2. Registering for the test is not applying for the school. Families usually register for the selection test separately, then still name the grammar school on the home council's secondary application.
  3. Results should come before the preference deadline. Admission authorities should take reasonable steps to give the selection result before 31 October so families can rank schools with better information.
  4. Passing does not promise a place. If more qualified children apply than there are places, the published oversubscription criteria decide priority.

How to plan

Make a deadline sheet

Record test registration, test day, result, school application and evidence deadlines separately.

Read the admission policy

Check catchment, qualifying score, sibling rules, pupil-premium priority and how distance is measured.

Use all sensible preferences

Ranking only one school does not improve the chance of receiving it. Include a realistic non-selective choice.

Keep preparation proportionate

Use the official familiarisation material first and protect sleep, confidence and ordinary Year 5 learning.

Questions parents ask

Do all areas have grammar schools?

No. Grammar schools exist only in some areas, and a family may apply across council boundaries through its home council.

Does passing mean my child gets a place?

No. It means the child can be considered. Catchment, score, distance and other published criteria may decide among qualified applicants.

Can we appeal?

Yes, after a refusal. The appeal panel's approach differs depending on whether the child passed and whether a local review took place.

Source: GOV.UK, school admissions criteria for selective schools
Last checked against GOV.UK: