Year 5 · September 2028 entry

Year 5: the calm year to get organised

Most of the 11+ is decided by good organisation in Year 5. Here's the whole year, laid out.

What to do now

Registration usually opens in spring. Put a reminder in your diary now, because some areas close in June or July.
Start a calm routine: 20 minutes a day, with rest at weekends. Forty weeks is plenty.
Check whether you live in the school’s catchment or priority area, if it has one.

Visit on open days this spring, summer and autumn, and build your shortlist.
Note when registration closes. For most schools it’s the autumn of Year 6, and the Consortium closes in early November.
Start a calm routine: 20 minutes a day, with rest at weekends.

On each London school page, you can sign up for reminders to check that school’s dates at each stage.

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.
September 2027 · Year 6The testMost grammar tests are sat in September, early in Year 6.
October 2027ResultsYou find out whether your child has reached the qualifying standard, before you apply.
End of October 2027Council applicationApply through your home council, naming grammar schools as preferences. This is the national deadline for secondary applications.
Early March 2028OffersNational Offer Day. Your council tells you which school has offered your child a place.

2026 to summer 2027 · Year 5Visit and shortlistOpen days, a long list, then a shortlist. Note each school’s registration deadline.
Autumn 2027 · Year 6RegisterMost schools close registration in the autumn of Year 6, often in October or early November.
Late November 2027 to January 2028TestsThe ISEB Pre-Test, the London 11+ Consortium test or the school’s own papers.
January 2028InterviewsOften a one-to-one conversation, a group activity or a taster morning.
February 2028OffersOffers arrive, usually with a deadline to accept and pay a deposit.