Colchester Royal Grammar School 11 plus planning can feel intense because the route is simple on paper and competitive in real life. The school is in Colchester, close to the town centre, so it often attracts families from across Essex and beyond who are balancing commute, workload, and fit at home.
The calm way through is to treat this as two parallel jobs. One job is helping your child build strong English and maths habits without fear. The other job is getting the admin right, on time, with the right evidence ready.
It also helps to decide early what your family means by the right school. Some children love fast paced lessons and independent study. Others do better when pace is steady and teachers check understanding more often. A simple way to keep your thinking clear is to use one short checklist and return to it every few weeks. This guide helps without overthinking it: how to choose a grammar school shortlist.
This guide focuses on the published route for September 2026 entry, so you can plan with facts rather than rumours.
| Item | Detail |
| School | Colchester Royal Grammar School |
| Location | Colchester, Essex |
| Type | Grammar school |
| Gender | Boys to Year 11, mixed in sixth form |
| Age range | 11 to 18 |
| Admission number | 128 places in Year 7 |
| Test route | CSSE 11 plus selection tests |
| Admissions priority | Up to 12 places for eligible looked after or pupil premium applicants above a published score threshold |
| Waiting list | Held for at least the Autumn Term after entry |
| Location |
Registration for the CSSE tests is essential, as you cannot sit the exam without completing this step correctly. A reliable habit is to save or print your submission and keep it with proof of your child’s name, date of birth, and address. Key dates and steps are set out in the CSSE information guide for 2026 entry.
The CSSE tests rank children by standardised score rather than checking a single topic list. This is why steady reading, accurate maths methods, and calm timing matter more than last minute cramming.
Your child sits the tests and results are sent later by email. The waiting period can feel long, so it helps to keep evenings normal and avoid constant post mortems. Children who feel trusted usually stay more open to learning.
Even though test registration is separate, applications still go through your home local authority. For Essex families, the safest signpost is the Essex secondary school place application information.
Travel time, homework load, and energy after a long day matter as much as results. One practical check is a trial commute at school time using the National Rail journey planner, then talking honestly about how that routine would feel in winter.
Offers arrive on national offer day through the coordinated system. If offered a place, focus on settling well. If not, you can usually join the waiting list, appeal, or both, while keeping the offered school place secure.
| Milestone | Date |
| Online registration opens | Tuesday 13 May 2025 |
| Registration deadline | Friday 27 June 2025 |
| Main test date | Saturday 20 September 2025 |
| Alternative test date | Tuesday 30 September 2025 |
| Results email sent | Monday 13 October 2025 |
| CAF deadline | Friday 31 October 2025 |
| National offer day | Monday 1 March 2026 |
Colchester Royal Grammar School is academically selective, so allocation is driven by score ranking rather than catchment. Places are offered in rank order until full, with distance used only as a tie break.
Full details are set out in the admissions arrangements for 2026 to 2027. Keeping address evidence consistent across registrations and applications helps avoid stress later.
Appeals should sit as a safety net, not plan A. This approach aligns with Department for Education guidance on admissions arrangements. For a plain English overview of complaints and issues, the Citizens Advice guidance is helpful.
For September 2026 entry, the route is test based rather than interview led. Preparation energy is best spent on learning habits, calm timing, and resilience when questions feel unfamiliar.
The school also offers sixth form boarding. The Ofsted boarding inspection report (September 2025) confirms this applies only to sixth form and does not affect Year 7 admissions.
For official exam dates, use the school admissions timeline page.
Preparation works best when it feels like training rather than judgement. Standardised selective testing rewards accuracy under time and the confidence to keep going when something feels unfamiliar. A wider pacing overview is here: year by year 11 plus preparation.
As a clear starting point, you can book a free 11 plus diagnostic session with Find Your Tutor FYT focused on Colchester Royal Grammar School. This benchmarks your child’s level and provides a personalised preparation roadmap.
Join Hundreds of Families Who Secured Colchester Royal Grammar School Places with Find Your Tutor.
The main CSSE test date and results timeline are in the key dates table above, and they are published in the CSSE guide for this entry year.
It uses the CSSE selection tests and children receive a standardised score used for ranking. Preparation should focus on strong English and maths fundamentals plus calm timing.
 No, the published admissions arrangements say the selection procedure is open to children in Essex and outside the county. Score ranking is the main driver, with tie breaks only when needed.
Yes. Test registration is separate from the Common Application Form, so you need to complete both correctly.
Yes, you can register and apply, but you should be practical about travel time and daily routine before you commit to a shortlist.
The published admission number is 128 places in Year 7.
Places are offered in descending rank order until the year group is full, with published priority rules and tie breaks if scores are equal.
Up to 12 places are set aside for eligible looked after or pupil premium applicants who meet a published score threshold, then remaining places are offered by rank order.
The published tie break steps are applied, including priority categories and then distance if needed, as described in the admissions arrangements.
The published tie break steps are applied, including priority categories and then distance if needed, as described in the admissions arrangements.
It is usually sensible to accept the offered place so your child has a secured school, then appeal separately if you decide to.
The published Year 7 route is test based, so families should not plan around an interview unless the school publishes a specific additional step.
Build habits early, add timing gently, and review mistakes properly. Keeping sport, sleep, and downtime protected often improves performance.
Treat it as information, not a verdict. Check your options calmly, keep your child learning steadily, and consider a balanced list that includes realistic non selective options too.
It means completing the test registration route for selection, then using the council application system to rank preferences by the published deadline. Getting the admin right is as important as preparation.
