Grammar schools in Essex

Essex has TWO different 11+ tests: 1. The CSSE exam — used by King Edward VI Grammar School (Chelmsford), Colchester Royal Grammar School, Colchester County High School for Girls, and the Southend grammar schools: English (60 minutes — comprehension, applied reasoning and a short continuous-writing element) and Mathematics (60 minutes, Key Stage 2-based), each marked out of 60. NO verbal or non-verbal reasoning; written (not purely multiple-choice) answers. One registration (csse.org.uk) and one mid-September sitting covers all CSSE schools; a combined standardised score around 303+ has historically been the consideration threshold. 2. Chelmsford County High School for Girls — NOT in the CSSE: it runs its own FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) test, registered direct with the school on a separate date. FSCE questions can draw on the whole primary curriculum to the end of Year 5, in a different style from the CSSE papers — a girl applying to CCHS plus other Essex grammars prepares for two different exam formats.

Three of Essex's four grammar schools (King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford, Colchester Royal Grammar School, Colchester County High School for Girls) select through the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) — a single shared 11+ exam also used by the Southend grammar schools. One registration (online at csse.org.uk, historically mid-May to mid-June of Year 5) and one sitting covers every CSSE school. EXCEPTION — Chelmsford County High School for Girls is NOT in the CSSE: it runs its own FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) entrance test with separate registration direct with the school. A girl applying to CCHS and other Essex grammar schools sits two different exams. Children living outside Essex can register and sit the exam — but check each school's oversubscription criteria: several CSSE schools operate priority admission areas, and some allocate a portion of places by score rank regardless of address. Apply for places via your home LA's Common Application Form by 31 October. A total standardised score of roughly 303+ has historically been the consideration threshold for CSSE schools, but each school sets its own cutoff based on demand.