Planning to apply for grammar schools in Redbridge or Essex? Here's your complete timeline of key dates for both 2026 and 2027 entry. Mark these in your calendar now to avoid missing crucial deadlines!

2026 Entry (Current Year 5 Students – Starting Year 7 in September 2026)
Redbridge Grammar Schools (Ilford County High School & Woodford County High School)

1st May 2025
Registration opens for Redbridge 11+ test

15th June 2025 (5:00 PM)
Registration closes – FINAL DEADLINE

Early September 2025
Photo ID form and test invite letter emailed

19th September 2025
Redbridge 11+ examination day

Mid-October 2025
Test results emailed to parents

31st October 2025
Deadline to submit Common Application Form (CAF) for secondary school

March 2026
National Offer Day – school allocations announced

Essex Grammar Schools (CSSE 11+ Test)

13th May 2025
CSSE registration opens

27th June 2025
CSSE registration closes – FINAL DEADLINE

20th September 2025
CSSE 11+ examination day

October 2025
Test results released

31st October 2025
Deadline to submit secondary school application

March 2026
National Offer Day

Quick Comparison: Redbridge vs Essex 2026

·       Registration Opens: Redbridge (1st May) vs Essex (13th May) – Redbridge opens 12 days earlier

·       Registration Closes: Redbridge (15th June) vs Essex (27th June) – Essex closes 12 days later

·       Test Date: Redbridge (19th Sept) vs Essex (20th Sept) – Just one day apart!

2027 Entry (Current Year 4 Students – Starting Year 7 in September 2027)
Redbridge Grammar Schools – Estimated Dates

Official dates not yet announced. These are based on the established annual pattern:

Estimated Date

Early May 2026
Registration opens for Redbridge 11+ test

Mid-June 2026
Registration closes

Mid-September 2026
Redbridge 11+ examination

Mid-October 2026
Test results emailed

31st October 2026
Secondary school application deadline

March 2027
National Offer Day

Essex Grammar Schools – Estimated Dates
Official dates not yet announced. Based on the annual pattern:

Estimated Date

Mid-May 2026
CSSE registration opens

Late June 2026
CSSE registration closes

Mid-September 2026
CSSE 11+ examination

October 2026
Test results released

31st October 2026
Secondary school application deadline

March 2027
National Offer Day

Important Reminders

📋 Two Separate Processes
Remember: registering for the 11+ test is separate from applying for a school place. You must do both:
1.      Register for the 11+ test (Redbridge or Essex)
2.      Submit the Common Application Form (CAF) by 31st October

✅ Register Early
Don't wait until the last minute. Registration opens in May 2025 for 2026 entry. Complete your registration within the first week to avoid technical issues or forgotten passwords.

📸 Bring Your Photo ID Form
For Redbridge: You'll receive a photo ID form in early September. Your child must bring it to the test. Without it, they cannot sit the exam.

🗺️ Check the Catchment Area
For Redbridge: Confirm your postcode is within the common catchment area using the Redbridge Maps website. If you live outside the area, Redbridge cannot offer a place, regardless of test results.

When to Start Preparing

·       Year 5 Students (2026 Entry): Start intensive preparation NOW. You have until September 2025 to prepare. Focus on practice papers, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and mathematics.

·       Year 4 Students (2027 Entry): Begin familiarisation with 11+ question types now. You have over a year to prepare, so build a consistent practice routine. Start with 20–30 minutes daily from now.

Where to Find Official Information

·       Redbridge 11+: redbridge.gov.uk (School Admissions section)
·       Essex CSSE 11+: csse.org.uk
·       Secondary School Applications: Your local authority's admissions website or the national Common Application Form portal

Final Checklist

For Year 5 Parents (2026 Entry):

☐      Decide: Redbridge, Essex, or neither?
☐      Check catchment area (Redbridge only)
☐      Register by 15th June 2025 (Redbridge) or 27th June 2025 (Essex)
☐      Prepare intensively from now until September
☐      Attend school open days
☐      Submit CAF by 31st October 2025

For Year 4 Parents (2027 Entry):

☐      Start preparation now with consistent practice
☐      Watch for registration opening in May 2026
☐      Plan to register early in May 2026
☐      Build a structured preparation schedule

Good luck to all families navigating the 11+ journey! With proper planning and timely registration, you'll give your child the best possible chance of success.