Grammar school open days: 2027 dates and booking checks

Grammar school open events follow each school’s own calendar. An autumn evening, spring tour and offer-holder induction serve different purposes, so check both the event date and who may attend. For exams taken in 2027, families will usually be considering September 2028 entry; an event advertised for “2027 entry” concerns a different intake.

Begin checking during Year 5, or earlier if local arrangements require it. Do not assume the next autumn open evening will come before test registration. Gloucestershire’s published timetable for September 2028 entry places its test in Year 5: see the council’s grammar-school admissions page.

2027 events published by schools

The examples below were checked on 11 October 2026. They are a starting point, not a complete national calendar. Follow the school link before making travel plans because capacity, arrangements and dates can change.

These are the events the schools have announced, rather than a guarantee that every session is intended exclusively for the September 2028 intake. Check the school’s attendance rules and whether both the parent and child need a ticket. A Sixth Form open evening is not a Year 7 visit.

Which type of visit should you book?

• Open evening: useful for meeting departments and hearing an introductory presentation. Ask how the staged activities relate to an ordinary school day.
• Open morning or school-day tour: useful for seeing lessons, corridors and break-time routines, where the school offers this.
• Individual or accessible visit: contact admissions if a large event would make it difficult for your child to take part. An alternative appointment is subject to the school’s arrangements.
• Offer-holder event or induction: usually concerns children already offered a place. It does not replace researching the school before applying.

A simple booking and visit record

1. 1Find the school’s official admissions or open-events page. Record the year of entry you are considering and the event’s intended age group.
2. 2Save both dates: when booking opens and when the event happens. Set a reminder for booking rather than assuming places will remain available.
3. 3Check the number of tickets, arrival time, accessibility, parking or public transport, and any rules about younger siblings.
4. 4Choose three questions that matter most to your child. Use our open-day questions checklist to prepare.
5. 5After visiting, record the staff member’s answer, a supporting policy or web link, and anything you still need confirmed.

Keep a row for each school with: event and booking dates; confirmation received; travel plan; questions; follow-up contact. Include a non-selective option in your visits so your child can compare real schools, rather than treating one examination result as their only route.

If the event is full or you cannot attend

Ask admissions about a cancellation list, a future tour, an online presentation or a prospectus. If an alternative visit is unavailable, request a short call about your key concern and read the current admissions, SEND, behaviour and charging policies. A virtual tour can show facilities but may not answer questions about daily routines.

Before finalising your shortlist, test the everyday journey and review transport options. A visit is most useful when it helps you decide whether your child could manage an ordinary week at that school.