Woodford County High School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions: The Complete Parent Guide (2026 Entry)

Deciding on the right secondary school is a big deal when your child is in Year 5, and for families in East / North East London (Redbridge), Woodford County High School 11 plus is a name that comes up again and again. This selective grammar school has an excellent academic reputation and draws applicants from across the borough and beyond.

With competitive entry and limited places, Woodford County High School can feel overwhelming at first. But with a clear plan, it’s absolutely achievable.

This guide explains the Woodford County High School admissions process in straightforward, practical language. Where the school or local authority has published facts, you’ll see confirmed details. Where details are not officially published, you’ll see careful phrasing like “Typically…” or “Not published”. Step by step, you’ll learn how registration works, what the Redbridge 11 plus exam involves, how offers are made, and how you can help your child prepare for success.

By the time you finish this guide, you’ll have a clear sense of the timeline, the skills your child needs to focus on, and realistic expectations about what happens from first registration to National Offer Day for September 2026 entry.

Woodford County High School Overview at a Glance

How the Woodford County High School 11+ Entry Process Works

The pathway to Year 7 at Woodford County High School is anchored in the Redbridge 11 plus selection test, the same exam used by Ilford County High School for Boys. This exam is managed by Redbridge Council and written by GL Assessment, a leading provider of selective school entrance tests. redbridge.gov.uk

To be considered for a place, you must complete two registrations. First, you register your child for the Redbridge 11 plus test during Year 5, typically between May and mid-June. Redbridge publishes a fixed deadline — usually 5 pm on 15 June — by which registration must be submitted. redbridge.gov.uk+1

In addition to this, you must complete the Common Application Form (CAF) through your local authority by 31 October of Year 6. Listing Woodford County High School on your CAF is essential; without it, your child cannot be offered a place even if they perform well in the exam. redbridge.gov.uk

The Redbridge 11 Plus exam itself takes place in September of Year 6, usually in the first weeks of the autumn term. The test comprises two multiple-choice papers: one combining English and Verbal Reasoning, and the other combining Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning. All questions are age-standardised to ensure fairness across children of different birthdates. redbridge.gov.uk+1

After marking, results are standardised and ranked. Woodford County High School then considers these results along with its oversubscription criteria — which typically include looked-after status and pupil premium eligibility, followed by priority for applicants living within the common catchment area and ranked by test score. Pass Eleven Plus

Offers are released on National Offer Day in March 2026 by Redbridge Council. If your child meets the academic standard and you have listed the school on your CAF, you could receive an offer on this day. redbridge.gov.uk

Key Dates for Woodford County High School Admissions (2026 Entry)

Scholarships, Bursaries and Fees at Woodford County High School

Woodford County High School is a state funded grammar school, so there are no tuition fees for students in Year 7 and beyond. This means you won’t encounter the termly or annual fees associated with independent schools. redbridge.gov.uk

Because the school is non-fee-charging, there is no formal scholarship or bursary programme published in the way independent schools offer them. Typical secondary school costs — such as uniform, optional trips, music lessons, or other extracurricular extras — are family expenses, but the school does not publish dedicated bursary support for these.

What to Expect from the Interview at Woodford County High School

For 2026 Year 7 entry, formal interviews are not part of the published process for most candidates. Admission decisions are based on performance in the Redbridge 11 plus examination and the oversubscription criteria. redbridge.gov.uk

If your child is offered an interview for any reason beyond the standard process, confirm the format and expectations with the school directly. Where interviews exist in selective settings, they tend to focus on communication confidence, interests, and intellectual curiosity rather than scripted responses.

Preparing for the Woodford County High School 11 Plus Assessments

Preparation is most effective when it builds gradually. In Year 4, focus on building reading fluency, vocabulary growth, numeracy confidence, and problem-solving skills — the foundations that make later targeted practice much easier.

During Year 5, practise specific 11 plus question types, especially those used in English, Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics, and Non-Verbal Reasoning, making use of familiarisation materials from GL Assessment when possible. redbridge.gov.uk

In Year 6, refine these skills through timed practice papers and realistic mock tests to develop exam stamina and accuracy. Be careful to mirror the Redbridge 11 Plus format as closely as you can, and support your child in reviewing errors to build confidence.

As a clear starting point, you can book a free 11+ diagnostic session with Find Your Tutor (FYT) focused on Woodford County High School. It benchmarks your child’s current level and gives you a personalised preparation roadmap for the months ahead.

Other Schools to Consider Near Woodford County High School

If your child is aiming for grammar school entry in Redbridge, you might also consider Ilford County High School for Boys, the other selective grammar school in the borough, and strong performing local comprehensive schools or selective providers in neighbouring areas.