What is the timeline for grammar school admissions?

Overview of Grammar School Admissions

Grammar school admissions in the UK provide selective entry to academically rigorous secondary schools for Year 7 (age 11), with approximately 163 state-funded grammar schools serving 25% of secondary pupils in selective areas like Kent, Buckinghamshire, and Birmingham.

These schools originated after the 1944 Education Act, which established selective education based on academic ability. Today, they operate in 23 local authorities with fully selective systems, admitting pupils through 11+ exams.

Government data shows around 22,000 pupils admitted annually via entrance tests from providers like GL Assessment or CEM Select. The timeline for grammar school admissions starts in Year 5 or 6, with registration dates often in June or July, exams in September, and offers on national offer day in March for September intake.

Families must check local coordinated admissions schemes, oversubscription criteria like catchment areas, and priority for looked after children. Preparation involves practice tests and open days to understand the process fully.

What Are Grammar Schools?

Grammar schools are state secondary schools that admit pupils based on academic ability demonstrated through the 11+ entrance exam, prioritizing high performers in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English.

The selection process uses exams from GL Assessment or CEM Select. Pass marks often target the top 25%, such as a score of 332+ out of 420 for Kent grammars, with published admission numbers (PAN) averaging 180 places per school.

Exam components typically include verbal reasoning (VR) for vocabulary and comprehension, non-verbal reasoning (NVR) for patterns and logic, maths covering mental arithmetic and problem-solving, English testing spelling, grammar, and reading.

Examples vary by area: Wilson’s Grammar School in Sutton uses CEM, while Tiffin Girls uses GL. Families should review each school's admissions policy for details on fair banding, random allocation, or highest score first in oversubscription.

Key Eligibility Requirements

All Year 6 pupils in state primary schools qualify to register, but oversubscription criteria prioritise looked-after children, siblings, catchment area residents, then highest 11+ scores or distance. The DfE School Admissions Code 2021 sets mandatory criteria that all grammar schools must follow. These rules ensure fair access to selective places for Year 7 September intake.

Looked-after children and those in permanent care receive the highest statutory priority from the Department for Education. This group includes children in care or previously looked-after, as defined in the code. Schools must admit them first during oversubscription.

Next comes sibling priority, often covering full, half, or step siblings already on roll at the school. Catchment or priority areas follow, with examples like Birmingham's three-mile radius map. Academic merit via 11-plus exam scores and straight-line distance measurements complete the list.

• Published Admission Number (PAN) examples: Colchester Royal Grammar School offers 96 places, Judd School provides 120 places.
• Parents check the school's admissions policy for exact definitions of siblings and catchment.
• Prepare proof of address and birth certificate for the application form.

Families should review local authority coordinated schemes early in the grammar school admissions timeline. Open days and prospectuses detail these criteria clearly. Contact the admissions office for specific queries on eligibility.

Standard Timeline by Academic Year

The grammar school admissions timeline spans 18 months from Year 5 open days to Year 7 national offer day, with key milestones including registration (May-June), exams (September-October), and offers (March 1st).

Parents start with open days in March of Year 5 to visit selective schools and review prospectuses. Registration follows in May-June via local authority portals, demanding proof of address and birth certificates.

Entrance exams occur in September-October, with results released by late October. Families then submit the secondary school application form in November-December through their home council, listing preferences based on 11-plus scores.

Offers arrive on national offer day, March 1st, under the coordinated admissions scheme. Late applications go on waiting lists, prioritised by oversubscription criteria like distance or sibling priority.

For 2024, check LA websites: Bucks registration closed June 4th, Birmingham June 28th. Details follow in subsections on registration and preparation.

Year 5: Registration Period

Registration opens May 1st and closes June 30th in most areas (e.g., Buckinghamshire, Kent), requiring online forms via local authority portals with proof of address and birth certificate.

Begin by attending open days in March-April to assess schools like Tiffin Grammar or Wilson Grammar. Review the admissions policy, published admission number (PAN), and oversubscription criteria such as catchment area or looked after children priority.

1. 1Attend open days or review prospectus (March-April).
2. 2Register online via LA portal (search 'your council' + 'grammar registration').
3. 3Submit birth certificate and address proof by June 30th.
4. 4Receive confirmation email with centre number (July).

For 2024, deadlines included Bucks (May 3-June 4), Birmingham (June 3-28), Trafford (May 1-June 30). Required documents cover passport or birth certificate, plus council tax bill or utility bill for proof of address.

Year 5: Entrance Exam Preparation

Begin preparation January Year 5 with Bond Assessment Papers, progressing to GL/CEM-specific mocks by July; aim for 6-12 months study (2-3 hours weekly) using CGP 11+ books and Bond Online.

Focus on 11-plus exam components: verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths test, and English test. Practice builds literacy skills, numeracy skills, comprehension, and mental arithmetic for GL Assessment or CEM Select formats.

Experts recommend resources like GL Select test provider materials, CEM-specific (Durham University style), Bond 11+ Complete set, and online platforms. Schedule one full mock weekly in August-September to master exam technique, time management, and multiple choice sections.

Entrance Exams Schedule

11+ exams occur September 7th-21st across England, with single-day tests (2-2.5 hours total) at designated centres. Multiple-area testing is allowed up to 6 regions, such as Bucks + Barnet + Kent. This flexibility helps families target several grammar school admissions options.

Key 2024 dates by consortium include Bucks on Sept 11, Birmingham and Sutton on Sept 14, Trafford on Sept 18, and Kent and Barnet on Sept 21. Tests use either GL Assessment (60-80 questions, 50min sections) or CEM Select (VR/NVR/Maths combo). Parents should check the admissions booklet for exact formats per area.

On test day, arrive by 8:30am at the allocated centre. Bring photo ID and admit card, but no calculators. Prohibited items include mobile phones, smartwatches, and revision notes.

Test day logistics emphasise focus and preparation. Centres assign seats by postcode, and invigilators enforce strict rules like no rough paper beyond provided sheets. Practice with bond papers and mock exams builds familiarity with time management and exam technique.

Typical Test Dates

Buckinghamshire grammars test September 11th, Birmingham September 14th, Kent September 21st (latest date), with most consortia scheduling second weekend of September. These dates form the core of the grammar school admissions timeline. Families often apply to multiple consortia for broader chances in selective schools.

Some areas like Kent grammar offer multiple sittings, such as AM/PM sessions, to manage demand. Centre allocations depend on postcode or catchment area. Check the application portal after online registration for your slot.

Preparing for consortium exams involves targeting verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and maths test sections. Use practice tests tailored to GL or CEM styles. This aligns with the overall preparation timeline from Year 5 onwards.

Results and Offers Timeline

Exam results release October 2nd-31st (area-specific), with standardised scores (e.g., 111+ pass for GL areas); National Offer Day is March 1st when LA portals reveal place allocations.

The sequence starts with results in October, followed by the November 15th preference deadline for primary school year 6 parents submitting choices via their local authority portal. Parents then face the January 31st National Closing date for coordinated admissions schemes across selective school areas.

By March 1st Offers day, families learn allocations based on entrance exam scores, oversubscription criteria like highest score first, and priorities such as looked after children or sibling priority. Score examples include Kent (332/420 raw = 111 standardised), Bucks (121+ standardised), and Sutton (360+/400 raw).

Respond to offers online by March 4th; you can hold multiple offers until National Offer Day. This allows time to consider options like waiting lists, appeal process, or reserve lists in grammar school admissions.

Exam Results Release

Results post online October 1st-31st via school portals (password from registration), showing standardised scores: GL areas typically 111+, CEM 100+ average with school-specific thresholds.

Check your school portal or email 6-8 weeks post-exam for the 11-plus exam outcome. These scores apply to all schools in the area, with allocation favouring the highest score first under many admission criteria.

Examples from 2024 include Bucks on October 4th (121 pass), Birmingham on October 18th (school-reported), Kent on October 25th via Kent Test, and Sutton on October 18th. Scores convert from raw marks to age-standardised format, with a mean of 100 and standard deviation of 15, reflecting academic ability in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths test, and English test.

Prepare by reviewing your child's results against local pass marks for Buckinghamshire grammar, Birmingham grammar, Kent grammar, or others. Use this time for open days, prospectus checks, and ranking preferences before the November 15th deadline in the application process.

Appeal and Waiting Lists

Unsuccessful candidates join automatic waiting lists ranked by score or distance. These lists move until September 30th, as all grammar schools must maintain them under DfE rules. Parents should check their local authority portal regularly for updates.

The appeal process runs alongside waiting lists through independent panels. Families exercise appeal rights within 20 school days of March 1st offers, with deadlines to lodge by March 22nd. Hearings typically occur in May or June, requiring new evidence for success.

Waiting lists follow oversubscription criteria like highest score first or distance from school. Reserve lists are mandatory per DfE admissions code, offering fair chances post-national offer day. Contact the school for your position on the list.

For appeals, prepare a clear case with supporting documents such as teacher assessments or medical evidence. Panels ensure procedural fairness and natural justice. In a 2023 Kent case study, places filled via appeals and waiting lists after initial allocations.

Regional Variations (UK Focus)

England has 36 selective areas with 163 grammars. Kent leads with 38 schools using GL tests, Bucks has 13 schools with a 121+ pass mark, Birmingham offers 8 schools via CEM, while Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have no state grammars.

These regional variations affect the entire grammar school admissions timeline. Parents must check local catchment areas and cross-border rules early, as testing dates and providers differ sharply between counties.

Cross-border testing allows children from neighbouring areas to sit exams in one location, with results shared via coordinated systems. This simplifies applications but requires careful review of reciprocal agreements and data sharing policies.

Families applying across county borders should confirm eligibility through the local authority portal. Shared tests prevent multiple sittings, streamlining the process for year 6 pupils targeting year 7 entry.

This table highlights key differences in 11-plus exam setups. Note how GL and CEM formats demand tailored preparation, like bond papers for GL or CEM Select practice.

Next Steps After Admission

Accepted pupils receive induction day invitations (April-May) and transition booklets, with summer schools (e.g., Tiffin Girls 4-day programme) and peer mentoring starting June for September intake.

Parents must act quickly to secure the place. The first step involves accepting the offer online by March 4th, often through the local authority application portal. This confirms commitment before national offer day deadlines.

Following acceptance, schools arrange induction day events where new Year 7 pupils meet their form tutor and tour facilities. These sessions introduce the safeguarding policy and outline pastoral care expectations. Families also receive homework agreements and uniform policies.

• Accept the offer online by March 4th via the secondary school admissions portal.
• Attend induction day to meet form tutor, tour the school, and discuss SEN provisions.
• Complete uniform and homework agreement by July, including home-school agreement details.
• Join summer transition events with peer buddies assigned for smooth September intake.
• Receive GCSE options booklet in Year 9 to plan future pathways.

Specific schools offer tailored support. For example, Wilson's Grammar hosts an April open morning for new Year 7 entrants, while Judd School provides a summer reading list to build literacy skills. These steps ensure a strong start in the grammar school admissions timeline.