East of England · 8 grammar schools
Grammar schools in Essex and Southend
Eight grammar schools in Chelmsford, Colchester and Southend, all testing through the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE).
- The test
- CSSE 11+
- Set by
- Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), which writes its own papers
- What it covers
- English (including a writing task) and maths
- Schools
- 4 boys · 4 girls
How the test works
Two papers of about an hour, English and maths, sat on one Saturday in September of Year 6. The papers ask for written answers rather than multiple choice.
How places are given
Each school sets its own qualifying score and priority rules; several rank applicants by score within catchment or priority areas.
How to register and apply
Register on the CSSE website in the summer term of Year 5 — one test covers every consortium school. Name the schools on your secondary application by 31 October.
Good to know
The CSSE also tests for some partially selective schools in Southend that are not grammar schools.
The schools
Every grammar school in Essex and Southend
GirlsSixth form
Chelmsford County High School for Girls
Chelmsford · CM1 1RW
- 1st choices per place
- 2
- GCSE 5+ Eng & maths
- 99%
Full profile
GirlsSixth form
Colchester County High School for Girls
Colchester · CO3 3US
- 1st choices per place
- 1.7
- GCSE 5+ Eng & maths
- 100%
Full profile
BoysSixth formBoardingChristian
Colchester Royal Grammar School
Colchester · CO3 3ND
- 1st choices per place
- 2.2
- GCSE 5+ Eng & maths
- 100%
Full profile
BoysSixth form
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
Chelmsford · CM1 3SX
- 1st choices per place
- 2.8
- GCSE 5+ Eng & maths
- 100%
Full profile
BoysSixth form
Southend High School for Boys
Southend-on-Sea · SS0 0RG
- 1st choices per place
- 1.7
- GCSE 5+ Eng & maths
- 97%
Full profile
GirlsSixth form
Southend High School for Girls
Southend-on-Sea · SS2 4UZ
- 1st choices per place
- 1.2
- GCSE 5+ Eng & maths
- 99%
Full profile
BoysSixth form
Westcliff High School for Boys Academy
Westcliff-on-Sea · SS0 0BP
- 1st choices per place
- 1.5
- GCSE 5+ Eng & maths
- 98%
Full profile
GirlsSixth form
Westcliff High School for Girls
Westcliff-on-Sea · SS0 0BS
- 1st choices per place
- 1.3
- GCSE 5+ Eng & maths
- 97%
Full profile
Free · 15 minutes · Years 3–5
Take the free check Preparing for the CSSE 11+?
Start with our free 15-minute readiness check: a score for Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, judged against your child’s year.
A little practice, every day.
Adaptive 11+ practice and timed mock exams, with progress reports that show exactly what to work on next.