King Edward VI Grammar School 11 plus: a parents' guide for 2022

King Edward VI Grammar School was founded in 1551 through a royal warrant from King Edward VI - although the school's history dates even further back to the 13th century.

The school has an excellent academic reputation. Recently inspected by Ofsted in December 2021 and rating ‘outstanding’, King Edward VI Grammar School regularly ranks in the top 50 schools in the country in national examination league tables and is a top choice for Essex families aiming for a strong, broad curriculum and superb university preparation.

11 plus exam information for King Edward VI Grammar School

• Address: King Edward VI Grammar School, Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3SX

• County: Essex

• Admissions info: [email protected]

• School type: boys’ grammar, co-educational sixth form

• Number of pupils: over 1,000

• Number of places in Year 7: 150

• Exam board type: Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE)

• Open days: a virtual open day is available on the KEGS website

• Registration for entry in 2023: 17th May 2022

• Exam date for entry in 2023: 17th September 2022

• Deadline for applications for entry in 2023: applications must be submitted by 31st October 2022 to the child's home Local Authority

• Offers for entry in 2023: 1st March 2023

King Edward VI Grammar School term dates

The term dates for King Edward VI Grammar School in 2022-23 are:

• Autumn term: 6th September – 16th December

• Half term: 24th - 28th October

• Spring term: 3rd January – 31st March

• Half term: 13th - 17th February

• Summer term: 17th April - 19th July

• Half term: 29th May - 2nd June

The King Edward VI Grammar School 11 plus admissions process

Entry for King Edward VI Grammar School at 11 plus is decided by children’s performance in the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) exam, which covers English, maths and reasoning. The exam is sat in September of Year 6. Applications to KEGS must be submitted to the pupil’s home Local Authority by October 31st in the year prior to admission.

Families hoping to apply to King Edward VI Grammar must also register with the CSSE so that their son can take the 11 plus exam. Registration forms can be completed online at the CSSE website from the May preceding the exams.

There are 150 Year 7 places at King Edward VI Grammar School, which are awarded in descending order from the highest performers down. Details of successful scores from previous years, and other useful information, can be found on the comprehensive 11 plus FAQ page on the school website.

What is the King Edward VI Grammar School catchment area?

The King Edward VI Grammar catchment area sets a 12.5 mile priority admissions area. This was introduced to start with the September 2013 intake and 80% of places are reserved for students who live within this area.

What is the King Edward VI Grammar School 11 plus exam format?

King Edward VI Grammar School uses the CSSE exam paper format, which consists of two papers. In the English paper, students will be examined in comprehension, grammar, punctuation, creative writing and verbal reasoning. The maths paper examines a broad variety of questions consistent with the Key Stage 2 maths curriculum, as well as questions that assess mathematical and non-verbal reasoning.

The CSSE exam is similar to independent school admissions tests and the test may only be sat once. The papers are created by the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex and are intended to challenge the depth and security of a student’s knowledge.

Find out more about what to expect from the CSSE 11 plus exam.

How do I prepare my child for the King Edward VI Grammar School 11 plus test?

To do well on the CSSE papers, boys will need a broad and deep understanding of all elements covered in Key Stage 2 Maths and English. In addition to this they will be expected to ‘go beyond’ and to demonstrate skills in problem-solving, deduction, inference and continuous writing. More guidance about the exam can be found on the CSSE website.

Atom Learning can help your son prepare for the King Edward VI Grammar School 11 plus

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We know how crucial this time is, so our team is on hand to support you and your family every step of the way. You can book a call with one of our Education Experts to ask any questions you may have about the CSSE 11 plus or preparing for King Edward VI Grammar School:

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