When do you apply for grammar school places?

Understanding Grammar School Admissions Timeline

Grammar school admissions in the UK follow a structured timeline with national offer day on 1 March, but local authorities set varying deadlines from 31 October to 15 January. This national framework from the Department for Education ensures coordinated admissions for secondary school transfer from Year 6 to Year 7. Parents applying for grammar school places must navigate both national and local rules to secure a spot for the September intake.

The coordinated admissions scheme covers all state-funded schools, including selective grammar schools. Local authorities handle the application process, allowing Year 6 parents to rank preferences like first choice grammar school alongside non-selective options. Missing local deadlines risks an unsuccessful application or reallocation to lower preferences.

Variations arise across England's 164 local authorities, with some requiring 11+ registration separate from the main school places application. For instance, areas like Kent and Buckinghamshire have early closing dates. Always check your local council's calendar for open days, testing dates, and prospectus details.

Here is a checklist of key dates to mark for a successful grammar school application:

• Application open date: Typically early September for next school year start.
• 11+ registration: Often August to mid-October, varies by selective area.
• Closing date: Between 31 October and 15 January per local authority.
• Testing dates: Usually September to October for entrance exams.
• National offers day: 1 March, with acceptance deadline shortly after.

National vs Local Authority Deadlines

While national offer day remains fixed at 1 March annually, most of England's local authorities set application closing dates between 31 October and 15 January. This aligns with the DfE School Admissions Code, promoting fair access to grammar school places. Local variations reflect catchment area needs and oversubscription criteria like siblings priority or distance priority.

The table below compares the national framework with examples from key grammar school areas. It highlights how deadlines differ, affecting the grammar school application timeline for Year 6 parents.

Follow this 3-step verification process to confirm deadlines. First, find your local authority via Gov.uk admissions finder. Second, check the council website calendar for opening date and closing date.

Third, download the admissions booklet PDF for details on 11 plus exam, exam venues, and supplementary forms. Contact the LA for proof of address or special needs arrangements. This ensures your application avoids common mistakes like late submissions.

Primary to Secondary Grammar School Applications

Year 6 parents applying for grammar school Year 7 places must navigate coordinated admissions schemes processing first, second, and third preferences across 36 selective local authorities. These schemes handle the primary to secondary transition for pupils moving from Year 6 to Year 7. Local authorities coordinate applications to ensure fair allocation of school places.

The preference ranking system prioritises first preferences according to the DfE School Admissions Code. Admissions teams allocate places starting with top choices if pupils meet the 11+ exam pass mark. This applies in selective areas where grammar schools use entrance exam results as key criteria.

Here is a simple flow for the application process: the local authority receives all applications, ranks pupils by 11+ scores, then allocates offers on 1 March, known as national offer day. Year 6 parents submit preferences via the LA application portal, often online. Check your council's site for specifics like catchment area rules or siblings priority.

For example, in Kent, high scorers get first preference grammar schools before others. Unsuccessful first choices roll to second or third preferences. Parents can join waiting lists or start the appeal process if needed after results.

Standard Application Window (England)

England's standard secondary application window opens 1 September and closes between 31 October-15 January depending on your local authority, with most applications processed online via council portals. Year 6 parents use Gov.uk to find their LA's application portal. Paper applications remain an option in some areas.

Follow this numbered application timeline:

1. 11 September: Applications open on your LA's site.
2. 2October: Sit the secondary transfer test, or 11+ exam.
3. 331 October to 15 January: Submit by the closing date set by your council.
4. 4February: Receive test results by post or online.
5. 51 March: National offer day brings school place decisions.
6. 615 March: Respond by the acceptance deadline.

Mark key dates in your calendar, like school open days in September. Late applications face exceptional circumstances rules only. Always confirm with your local council education team for exact times.

For instance, a family in Buckinghamshire applies online by early November, gets results mid-February, and accepts or appeals by mid-March. This ensures smooth September intake for the new school year.

11+ Exam Registration Dates

11+ registration typically opens June-July and closes September, with tests held first two Saturdays in September across 36 selective authorities like Kent using GL Assessment (120 questions, 2¼ hours). Parents register via school websites or LA portals for the grammar school test. Tests cover verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English.

Key selective areas had these 2024 dates:

• Kent: Tests 12-14 September, registration 1 July-5 September.
• Buckinghamshire: Test 7 September, registration June-August.
• Trafford: Tests in September, registration May-August.
• Birmingham: Test 14 September, registration 1 June-31 July.
• Sutton: Tests September-October window, registration summer months.

Check for supplementary forms or SIF alongside registration. Providers like GL, Bond, or CEM set the format. Practice with mock exams to prepare.

Exam venues are local centres with invigilators. Request access arrangements for special needs by the deadline. After results, use scores for your grammar school application.

Key Deadlines by UK Region

England's 163 grammar schools use coordinated LA schemes, while Northern Ireland's 68 grammars have independent testing. Wales and Scotland have minimal or no grammar systems. House of Commons Library 2023 notes 5% of pupils attend grammars.

Selective areas cluster in south-east England, like Kent and Buckinghamshire, with patches in the Midlands and north. Imagine a map highlighting these zones: Kent dominates the south-east, Lincolnshire spans the east midlands, and Trafford sits near Manchester. Year 6 parents check local authority portals for exact boundaries.

Northern Ireland stands apart with its PPTC consortium handling all 68 grammars. Wales ended grammars in the 1970s, favouring comprehensives, while Scotland's system remains fully non-selective. Families weigh 11+ preparation against catchment priorities.

Application timelines vary by region, so track opening dates from September for England and April for NI. Use school open days and prospectuses to list preferences. Common pitfalls include missing closing dates or ignoring oversubscription criteria like siblings or distance.

England (September Start)

England's 36 selective local authorities process applications for 163 state grammars with September Year 7 starts, where Kent leads with 38 schools serving thousands of pupils annually. Parents submit via LA online portals by county deadlines. Coordinated schemes rank up to three preferences.

Key counties differ in test providers and dates. Kent uses GL Assessment with a 31 October deadline, while Buckinghamshire opts for CEM and a 15 November close. Lincolnshire sets 31 December for GL tests.

Passmarks guide preparation: Kent required 332 in 2024, Bucks used 121 scaled scores. Register early for entrance exams, often in September. National offer day falls on 1 March for secondary school transfer.

Northern Ireland Process

Northern Ireland's 68 grammar schools use the Post-Primary Transfer Consortium (PPTC) test on 25 November 2023, with results in January and offers by 17 May 2024. This contrasts England's coordinated admissions, as NI grammars draw from a larger cohort share. Parents face a £60 fee for registration.

The timeline unfolds clearly: registration opens April to June, tests cover English and Maths on 25 November, scaled scores release in January. Submit preferences by 27 February via local council portals. Offers arrive on 17 May, with acceptance deadlines soon after.

1. 1April-June: Registration period with fee payment.
2. 225 November: Transfer Test at designated venues.
3. 3January: Receive scaled scores online.
4. 427 February: Rank school preferences.
5. 517 May: National offer day with acceptance process.

Recent 2024 controversy surrounds test abolition proposals, yet the process holds for now. Families prepare via mock exams and tutoring, noting special needs adjustments. Unsuccessful applicants explore waiting lists or appeals.

In-Year and Mid-Year Applications

In-year admissions for mid-year moves, such as house relocations, operate outside main cycles via Fair Access Protocols, with grammar schools adding Year 7 places only if vacancies exist.

The in-year process for Year 7 and above falls under local authority handling, which must process moves within 20 school days as per DfE code. Grammar schools rarely expand mid-year classes due to statutory limits of 30 pupils per class. Parents should check for openings before starting a school places application.

To find vacancies, follow these steps: first, use the DfE vacancy portal for national listings. Next, review LA weekly lists from your local council. Finally, contact the school directly for the latest on grammar school admissions availability.

For grammar school applications mid-year, submit an online or paper application through the LA portal, including proof of address and any supplementary information form. Looked-after children and those under Fair Access get priority. If unsuccessful, join waiting lists or consider the appeal process.

Transfer Windows

Formal transfer windows vary: Kent accepts Year 7 in-year apps by 31 May, while Bucks processes rolling applications with priority to looked-after children and siblings.

In Kent, the Year 7 deadline is 31 May, with tests available in term 6 of Year 6. Bucks offers rolling admissions and 11+ retests in September for late movers. Trafford requires applications within six weeks of moving into the area.

Northern Ireland holds mid-year tests in November for selective school entry. These windows align with local authority timelines, so check the admission policy on school websites or council portals for exact dates. DfE caselaw stresses fairness in mid-year processing to avoid disadvantaging families.

Use this table as a quick reference for application timelines in key grammar school areas. Always verify with the local authority for updates on closing dates and entrance exams.

Late Applications and Appeals

Late applications after LA deadlines face lower priority under equal preference criteria, but appeals panels citing exceptional circumstances like house moves offer a path forward. Local authorities consider these under DfE guidelines, treating them equally if places remain available. Year 6 parents often pursue this during the secondary school transfer process.

The appeal process starts within 21 days of offer refusal on national offer day. Panels review cases independently, focusing on admission criteria breaches or new evidence. Successful appeals can secure grammar school places even after the closing date.

Prepare supporting documents like proof of address changes or medical notes for exceptional circumstances. Contact your local council education team promptly to discuss options. Waiting lists may also reallocate places post-acceptance deadline.

Grammar school admissions vary by area, such as Buckinghamshire grammar or Kent grammar policies. Review each school's prospectus and admission policy online. Experts recommend acting quickly to avoid missing the September intake.

Extension Policies

Only 8% of LAs grant formal extensions; common approvals include house purchase completion post-deadline or medical emergencies with GP evidence. These align with DfE Mandatory Code exceptions for exceptional circumstances. Parents applying for grammar school places must provide clear proof.

Key scenarios for extensions include three main cases. First, a house move after 31 October, where councils like Bucks exchange papers. Second, serious illness backed by a doctor's note during the application window.

• Third, return from abroad with a school report confirming 11+ preparation challenges.
• Always submit via the online application portal or paper application with supporting documents.
• Check the coordinated admissions scheme for your unitary authority.

Appeal success hinges on evidence; for instance, judicial review overturned rejections in selective areas. Gather references and contact the admission appeal panel early. This supports a smooth primary to secondary transition for Year 6 pupils.

Preparation Timeline Before Applying

Start 11+ preparation 18 months ahead: Year 4 for Buckinghamshire CEM practice, Year 5 mocks, Year 6 open days September and registration by 31 August. This grammar school application timeline helps Year 6 parents plan the primary to secondary transition smoothly. Early action builds confidence for the 11 plus exam.

Focus on entrance exam components like verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths test, and English test. Use CGP/GL books from Year 5 Spring for targeted practice. Select a tutor then to match your child's needs in selective school areas.

Attend school open days in Year 6 September to explore grammar school admissions. Register for tests by the closing date, often 31 August. Submit the LA application by December for September intake.

GL Assessment sets passmarks based on exam difficulty, with scaled scores indicating performance. Aim for strong results to meet admission criteria like academic ability. Check local council education portals for exact testing dates and venues.

• Complete 15 mocks minimum to simulate real conditions.
• Target 120+ scaled score for competitive edge.
• Visit 5+ schools to rank preferences.