11+ Essex - CSSE Grammar School Admissions
11+ Essex - CSSE
The majority of the schools in Essex use one common entrance exam, which is administered by the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE). The exception to this is Chelmsford County High School for Girls, who have chosen to administer their own exam operated by Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE) Ltd.
The CSSE 11+ Examination comprises two tests. An English paper which lasts 60 minutes with 10 minutes additional reading time, and a maths paper which lasts 60 minutes.
Places are allocated at the schools according to their own criteria.
Essex operates an 'opt-in' system for the 11+. If you wish to enter your child, you need to complete the Common Application Form (CAF) along with a Supplementary Information Form, which can be completed online or obtained from the CSSE.
For bilateral schools, an application for a selective place and an application for a non-selective place at the same school counts as a single preference on the CAF.
Click on the school that you are interested in:
- Chelmsford County High School for Girls
- Colchester County High School for Girls
- Colchester Royal Grammar School (boys)
- King Edward VI Grammar School (boys)
- Shoeburyness High School (mixed)
- Southend High School for Boys
- Southend High School for Girls
- St Bernard's High School and Arts College (girls)
- St Thomas More High School for Boys
- Westcliff High School for Boys
- Westcliff High School for Girls
You may also find the following pages helpful
- How can you make sure your child does well in the 11+?
- What is the mental impact of the 11+ on children?
- Which subjects are tested in the 11+?
- What exam boards are used for the 11+?
Chelmsford County High School for Girls
Gender: Girls
Number of places in Year 7: 180
Phone: 01245 352592
Email: [email protected]
Confirmed dates for 2026 entry
Registration opens: 2nd April 2025
Registration closes: 4th June 2025
Date of Exam: 3rd September 2025
Type of Exam: FSCE
Subjects Tested: Maths, English (including a creative writing element)
Date of results: Mid-October 2025
Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) required?: Yes - Essex CAF applications between 1st September 2025 and 31st October 2025
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More information about Chelmsford County High School for Girls
Colchester County High School for Girls
Gender: Girls
Number of places in Year 7: 192
Phone: 01206 576973
Email: [email protected]
Confirmed dates for 2026 entry
Registration opens: 13th May 2025
Registration closes: 27th June 2025
Date of Exam: 20th September 2025
Type of Exam: CSSE
Subjects Tested: English, Maths
Date of results: 13th October 2025
Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) required?: Yes - Essex CAF applications between 1st September 2025 and 31st October 2025
Click on the buttons to try our FREE demo tests!
More information about Colchester County High School for Girls
Colchester Royal Grammar School
Gender: Boys
Number of places in Year 7: 128
Phone: 01206 509100
Email: [email protected]
Confirmed dates for 2026 entry
Registration opens: 13th May 2025
Registration closes: 27th June 2025
Date of Exam: 20th September 2025
Type of Exam: CSSE
Number of papers: Two. The English paper will last 60 minutes with 10 additional minutes reading time. The maths paper will last 60 minutes.
Subjects Tested: English, Maths
Date of results: 13th October 2025
Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) required?: Yes - Essex CAF applications between 1st September 2025 and 31st October 2025
Click on the buttons to try our FREE demo tests!
More information about Colchester Royal Grammar School
King Edward VI Grammar School Essex
Gender: Boys
Number of places in Year 7: 150
Phone: 01245 353510
Email: [email protected]
Confirmed dates for 2026 entry
Registration opens: 13th May 2025
Registration closes: 27th June 2025
Date of Exam: 20th September 2025
Type of Exam: CSSE
Subjects Tested: English, Maths
Date of results: 13th October 2025
Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) required?: Yes - Essex CAF applications between 1st September 2025 and 31st October 2025
Click on the buttons to try our FREE demo tests!
More information about King Edward VI Grammar School Essex
Shoeburyness High School
Gender: Mixed
Number of places in Year 7: 310 (28 places awarded based on academic ability)
Phone: 01702 292286
Email: [email protected]
Confirmed dates for 2026 entry
Registration opens: 13th May 2025
Registration closes: 27th June 2025
Date of Exam: 20th September 2025
Type of Exam: CSSE
Subjects Tested: English, Maths
Date of results: 13th October 2025
Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) required?: Yes - Essex CAF applications between 1st September 2025 and 31st October 2025
Click on the buttons to try our FREE demo tests!
More information about Shoeburyness High School
Southend High School for Boys
Gender: Boys
Number of places in Year 7: 180
Phone: 01702 606200
Email: [email protected]
Confirmed dates for 2026 entry
Registration opens: 13th May 2025
Registration closes: 27th June 2025
Date of Exam: 20th September 2025
Type of Exam: CSSE
Subjects Tested: English, Maths
Date of results: 13th October 2025
Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) required?: Yes - Essex CAF applications between 1st September 2025 and 31st October 2025
Click on the buttons to try our FREE demo tests!
More information about Southend High School for Boys
Southend High School for Girls
Gender: Girls
Number of places in Year 7: 224
Phone: 01702 588852
Email: [email protected]
Confirmed dates for 2026 entry
Registration opens: 13th May 2025
Registration closes: 27th June 2025
Date of Exam: 20th September 2025
Type of Exam: CSSE
Subjects Tested: English, Maths
Date of results: 13th October 2025
Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) required?: Yes - Essex CAF applications between 1st September 2025 and 31st October 2025
Click on the buttons to try our FREE demo tests!
More information about Southend High School for Girls
St. Bernard's High School and Arts College
Gender: Girls
Number of places in Year 7: 175 (30 places awaded based upon academic ability)
Phone: 01702 343583
Email: [email protected]
Confirmed dates for 2026 entry
Registration opens: 13th May 2025
Registration closes: 27th June 2025
Date of Exam: 20th September 2025
Type of Exam: CSSE
Subjects Tested: English, Maths
Date of results: 13th October 2025
Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) required?: Yes - Essex CAF applications between 1st September 2025 and 31st October 2025
Click on the buttons to try our FREE demo tests!
More information about St. Bernard's High School and Arts College
St. Thomas More High School for Boys
Gender: Boys
Number of places in Year 7: 180 (30 places awaded based upon academic ability)
Phone: 01702 344933
Email: [email protected]
Confirmed dates for 2026 entry
Registration opens: 13th May 2025
Registration closes: 27th June 2025
Date of Exam: 20th September 2025
Type of Exam: CSSE
Subjects Tested: English, Maths
Date of results: 13th October 2025
Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) required?: Yes - Essex CAF applications between 1st September 2025 and 31st October 2025
Click on the buttons to try our FREE demo tests!
More information about St. Thomas More High School for Boys
Westcliff High School for Boys
Gender: Boys
Number of places in Year 7: 185
Phone: 01702 475443
Email: [email protected]
Confirmed dates for 2026 entry
Registration opens: 13th May 2025
Registration closes: 27th June 2025
Date of Exam: 20th September 2025
Type of Exam: CSSE
Subjects Tested: English, Maths
Date of results: 13th October 2025
Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) required?: Yes - Essex CAF applications between 1st September 2025 and 31st October 2025
Click on the buttons to try our FREE demo tests!
More information about Westcliff High School for Boys
Westcliff High School for Girls
Gender: Girls
Number of places in Year 7: 184
Phone: 01702 476026
Email: [email protected]
Confirmed dates for 2026 entry
Registration opens: 13th May 2025
Registration closes: 27th June 2025
Date of Exam: 20th September 2025
Type of Exam: CSSE
Subjects Tested: English, Maths
Date of results: 13th October 2025
Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) required?: Yes - Essex CAF applications between 1st September 2025 and 31st October 2025
Click on the buttons to try our FREE demo tests!