Essex 11 plus (CSSE) guide

What is the CSSE 11 plus?

The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) is a group of 10 grammar schools in Essex. All of the schools in the CSSE use the same selective test known as an 11 plus exam. This means that if you’re interested in more than one grammar school in the Consortium, your child only has to take the exam once.

The CSSE 11 plus takes place in September in Year 6. Children who were born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 will take the CSSE 11 plus in September 2025 for Year 7 entry in September 2026.

Normally, your child will take the test at the grammar school you have nominated in your registration form. If the school reaches its testing capacity, the CSSE will allocate an alternative test centre. Early registration is encouraged so that you have a better chance of your child taking the test at your preferred school.

How is the CSSE 11 plus scored?

Your child’s papers will be marked by CSSE examiners. Up to 60 marks are available for each paper.

The final marks are then mathematically standardised and ‘weighted’. Each paper is worth 50% of the total mark.

After all the papers have been marked, the results will be analysed by date of birth to decide whether to use age-standardisation. This is a statistical process which ensures children born later in the school year aren’t disadvantaged.

What's the pass mark for the CSSE 11 plus?

Your child will need to achieve a total standardised score of at least 303 to qualify for a place at a CSSE grammar school. Some grammar schools have qualifying scores higher than this – we’ve included this information below.

4,977 children took the CSSE 11 plus for entry to an Essex grammar school in 2023. The range of standardised marks was 170.2–408.5. 2,634 children (52.9% of the total number of candidates) achieved a standardised mark of 303 or higher.

However, achieving this score doesn’t guarantee that your child will be offered a place. Grammar schools are often oversubscribed with qualified children. When this happens, schools use admissions criteria to prioritise groups of children for places. For example, children who live within a certain priority area (catchment area) might be prioritised for places.

Here are the lowest scores for which children were offered places at each school:

• Colchester County High School for Girls: 333

• Colchester Royal Grammar School: 340

• King Edward VI Grammar School: 366

• Shoeburyness High School: 305

• Southend High School for Boys: 303 (inside priority area), 342 (outside priority area)

• Southend High School for Girls: 303 (inside priority area), 324 (outside priority area)

• St Bernard’s High School: 303. Selective places are only offered to children who live in the catchment area

• St Thomas More High School: No selective offers were made in March 2023. Selective places are only offered to children who live in the catchment area and 303 is the minimum score.

• Westcliff High School for Boys: 303 (inside priority area), 349 (outside priority area)

• Westcliff High School for Girls: 303 (inside priority area), 342 (outside priority area)

How to apply to Essex grammar schools

If you're considering a grammar school in Essex for your child, it's a good idea to speak to your child's teacher first.

Grammar schools are academically-selective and select children working towards the top of their year group. Your child's teacher will be able to indicate whether they think your child will be able to keep up with the pace in a grammar school.

1. Register for the CSSE 11 plus

If you would like your child to be considered for a place at one of the 10 CSSE grammar schools, you’ll need to register them to take the CSSE 11 plus.

Registration is via a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) on the CSSE website. Registration for 2026 entry will open May 2025 and will close June 2025.

When you register, you’ll be asked to name the school where you would like your child to take the test. If the school reaches its maximum capacity, the CSSE will allocate your child to an alternative school. It’s best to register as early as possible for a better chance that your child will take the test at your preferred school.

2. Apply for school places

Your child’s test results will be sent to you in mid-October 2025. A guidance sheet will be published on the CSSE website which will show the scores of the last selective places offered at each CSSE school in March 2024. You can use these results to decide which schools to name on your secondary school common application form. Before listing a school on your form, check its admissions policy and make sure your child is eligible.

The application form must be submitted to your home local council by 31st October 2025.

3. National school offer day

In March 2025, you will find out which school your child has been allocated a place at. They will be allocated a place at your highest-preferred school for which they meet the entry criteria and which has places available.

If no places are available at your preferred schools, they will be offered a place at another school in your area. You can appeal via an independent panel. Information about how to appeal will be sent to you by your local authority along with your school offer on National Offers Day.