Calm Eleven

Grammar schools

Applying to grammar schools at 11+

Grammar admissions start earlier than most parents expect. Here's the whole route, calmly laid out.

How grammar admissions work

Grammar schools are state schools that select by ability. There are no fees, but there is a test. Your child sits it early in Year 6. You then apply for a place through your home council, alongside every other family applying for secondary school.

Each area does things slightly differently. Some areas share one test across several schools, and some schools set their own. What every area has in common is the order of events below.

Don't miss this

Some areas close test registration in June or July of Year 5. That's more than a year before your child starts secondary school. Check the dates for every school on your list well before the summer holidays.

The timeline

My child is in

September 2027 entry

  1. Spring and summer 2026 · Year 5Register for the testRegistration usually opens in spring. Some areas close in June or July, so check every school early.
  2. September 2026 · Year 6The testMost grammar tests are sat in September, early in Year 6.
  3. October 2026ResultsYou find out whether your child has reached the qualifying standard, before you apply.
  4. End of October 2026Council applicationApply through your home council, naming grammar schools as preferences. This is the national deadline for secondary applications.
  5. Early March 2027OffersNational Offer Day. Your council tells you which school has offered your child a place.

September 2028 entry

  1. Spring and summer 2027 · Year 5Register for the testRegistration usually opens in spring. Some areas close in June or July, so check every school early.
  2. September 2027 · Year 6The testMost grammar tests are sat in September, early in Year 6.
  3. October 2027ResultsYou find out whether your child has reached the qualifying standard, before you apply.
  4. End of October 2027Council applicationApply through your home council, naming grammar schools as preferences. This is the national deadline for secondary applications.
  5. Early March 2028OffersNational Offer Day. Your council tells you which school has offered your child a place.

September 2029 entry

  1. Spring and summer 2028 · Year 5Register for the testRegistration usually opens in spring. Some areas close in June or July, so check every school early.
  2. September 2028 · Year 6The testMost grammar tests are sat in September, early in Year 6.
  3. October 2028ResultsYou find out whether your child has reached the qualifying standard, before you apply.
  4. End of October 2028Council applicationApply through your home council, naming grammar schools as preferences. This is the national deadline for secondary applications.
  5. Early March 2029OffersNational Offer Day. Your council tells you which school has offered your child a place.

Year 6 now?

Grammar tests for this year have been sat. Make sure every grammar school is on your council application. Offers arrive on National Offer Day, in early March. If you are also applying to independent schools, see applying to both.

Registration for a grammar test is not the same as applying for a place. You must still name the school on your council application by the national deadline at the end of October.

For grammar school families

Start steady, stay steady