Calm Eleven

Applying to both

Grammar and independent, side by side

Plenty of families apply to both. The trick is seeing the two timetables on one page.

One year, two timetables

Grammar schools test first, in September. Independent schools test later, from late November into January. That means one steady routine can carry your child through both, without starting again.

My child is in

September 2027 entry

  1. Summer 2026 · Year 5Grammar registrationRegister for grammar tests. Some areas close in June or July.
  2. September 2026 · Year 6Grammar testsGrammar tests come first.
  3. October 2026Grammar results, independent registrationGrammar results arrive. Most independent schools close registration around now.
  4. End of October 2026Council applicationName your grammar (and other state) schools on your council application.
  5. Late November 2026 to January 2027Independent tests and interviewsIndependent papers, the ISEB Pre-Test or the Consortium, then interviews in January.
  6. February 2027Independent offersIndependent offers usually arrive in February.
  7. Early March 2027Grammar and state offersNational Offer Day. Now you can compare everything and decide.

September 2028 entry

  1. Summer 2027 · Year 5Grammar registrationRegister for grammar tests. Some areas close in June or July.
  2. September 2027 · Year 6Grammar testsGrammar tests come first.
  3. October 2027Grammar results, independent registrationGrammar results arrive. Most independent schools close registration around now.
  4. End of October 2027Council applicationName your grammar (and other state) schools on your council application.
  5. Late November 2027 to January 2028Independent tests and interviewsIndependent papers, the ISEB Pre-Test or the Consortium, then interviews in January.
  6. February 2028Independent offersIndependent offers usually arrive in February.
  7. Early March 2028Grammar and state offersNational Offer Day. Now you can compare everything and decide.

September 2029 entry

  1. Summer 2028 · Year 5Grammar registrationRegister for grammar tests. Some areas close in June or July.
  2. September 2028 · Year 6Grammar testsGrammar tests come first.
  3. October 2028Grammar results, independent registrationGrammar results arrive. Most independent schools close registration around now.
  4. End of October 2028Council applicationName your grammar (and other state) schools on your council application.
  5. Late November 2028 to January 2029Independent tests and interviewsIndependent papers, the ISEB Pre-Test or the Consortium, then interviews in January.
  6. February 2029Independent offersIndependent offers usually arrive in February.
  7. Early March 2029Grammar and state offersNational Offer Day. Now you can compare everything and decide.

Independent offers usually come with a deadline to accept and pay a deposit, often before grammar offers arrive in early March. Check each school's terms carefully.