Which schools use the 11 Plus? Finding the right route for 2027

State grammar schools use academic selection for their main Year 7 intake, commonly through a test called the 11 Plus. Some independent schools also describe their entrance process as “11+”. These schools do not all use one exam, one provider or one application form. Start with the exact school and its admission arrangements.

Named grammar-school test groups

A shared test does not mean identical admission rules. Check each school’s qualifying requirements, priority categories, catchment where relevant, and any score-sharing choices. The school where a child takes the exam may simply be their allocated test venue.

Other routes to investigate

• Buckinghamshire uses the Secondary Transfer Test. The official 2028 entry timeline is the starting point for families planning tests in 2027.
• Kent has the Kent Test route. Its grammar-school application guidance explains that being assessed suitable does not guarantee a place: each school applies its own admissions criteria.
• The King Edward VI Foundation’s test page describes the shared West Midlands entrance test. Its detailed information currently concerns 2027 entry, so use it to locate the participating schools and check their next-cycle arrangements.

Schools elsewhere may use a school-specific assessment, a shared first stage followed by another stage, or a different local selection process. Geography alone is not proof that two schools accept the same test result. In particular, do not buy preparation materials solely because a third-party county list assigns one provider to every school.

Independent schools have a separate process

The London 11+ Consortium is an independent-school group, including Channing School and Godolphin and Latymer. It is distinct from London’s state grammar-school tests. Other independent schools run their own assessments or use another shared assessment; their registration, interviews, offers, fees and bursary processes must be checked directly.

The word “Grammar” in a school’s name does not establish whether it is state-funded or independent. Check the school’s official admissions and fees information before applying. Likewise, a mixed sixth form does not necessarily mean the school admits both boys and girls in Year 7.

Northern Ireland uses a different transfer system

SEAG’s official website explains its Entrance Assessment for Primary 7 pupils and links the member schools that use its outcomes. That is a separate route from an English council school-place application. Check the intended school’s admission criteria and the relevant transfer-year information.

Make a reliable shortlist

Create one row per school with these fields, then fill them from official sources:

1. 1Exact school name, location, funding type and Year 7 eligibility.
2. 2Intended entry year and the test or consortium it accepts.
3. 3Registration portal, deadline and any score-sharing requirement.
4. 4Subjects, response format and official familiarisation materials for that cycle.
5. 5Academic qualification and oversubscription criteria, including address rules.
6. 6School-place application route and any supplementary form.

If the 2028 details are not published, record that gap and a date to check again. A current school list can help you discover options, but an old provider label should not determine a year of preparation.

Once the shortlist is clear, read how to get into a grammar school for the full process and the age and year-group guide to check the correct cohort.