Ilford County High School 11 plus is a big name for families in Barkingside and wider Redbridge who want a boys grammar school with a strong academic culture and a sixth form. The site is on Fremantle Road in IG6, not far from Fairlop Waters, so the day to day routine often comes down to a calm commute plan as much as the exam itself.
Most families feel more settled once two things are clear. First, Ilford County High School admissions sits inside the wider Redbridge grammar process, so the steps are predictable even when competition feels intense. Second, preparation works best when it is steady and realistic, so Year 6 does not turn into daily pressure.
A helpful starting point is to put your whole grammar school application UK timeline on one page, including when to register, when results land, and when the local authority form is due. This simple checklist keeps it tidy: grammar school application UK timeline.
| Key detail | Information |
| Address | Fremantle Road, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex, IG6 2JB |
| School type | Boys selective grammar, ages 11 to 18 |
| Year 7 places | 180 places for Year 7 entry |
| Admissions authority | London Borough of Redbridge |
| Entrance test | Redbridge 11 plus selection test, two papers |
| Catchment | Common catchment area applies |
| Telephone | 020 8551 6496 |
| Website | Official school website |
| Ofsted | Good, inspection September 2021 |
| Location |
The easiest way to think about Ilford County High School admissions is as a chain of small jobs that build on each other, rather than one giant event.
Registration is completed through Redbridge and is separate from naming schools on your local authority form. For families aiming for September 2026 entry, the published window has been 1 May 2025 to 15 June 2025 at 5pm.
Before committing to preparation, check your address against the Redbridge common catchment area map. The council explains that the map confirms whether your home sits inside the required area for the two Redbridge grammar schools.
Ilford County High School uses the Redbridge 11 plus selection test. The council describes this as two papers: one covering English and verbal reasoning, and one covering mathematics and non verbal reasoning.
After the test, Redbridge shares pass status and scores, and families then submit secondary school preferences through the usual local authority route. Atom Learning notes that Redbridge results are typically emailed in mid October, with a published pass mark of 104 referenced for the 2026 entry cycle it summarises.
The Common Application Form deadline falls at the end of October for most London boroughs, with allocations released on national offer day in early March. For Redbridge grammar applicants, this Ilford County High School 11 plus key dates guide sets out the milestones clearly.
| Milestone | Date |
| Registration opens | 1 May 2025 |
| Registration closes | 15 June 2025 at 5pm |
| 11 plus test | Friday 19 September 2025 |
| Results | Mid October 2025 |
| CAF deadline | 31 October 2025 |
| Offer day | 2 March 2026 |
For Ilford County High School admissions, the common catchment area is central to eligibility after the test. Redbridge explains how to check your postcode on the council map and confirms that the address must fall inside the marked area.
A practical approach is to check catchment first, then decide whether the school stays on your realistic shortlist before committing to preparation. This avoids months of effort that later feel frustrating.
Appeals are possible for grammar places, but they are rarely a calm Plan A. Strong academic evidence and a clear reason are usually required. This Citizens Advice guide to school admission appeals offers a plain English overview of how panels decide cases.
Ilford County High School is a state funded grammar school, so there are no tuition fees. Budgeting usually focuses on uniform, travel, lunches and the normal extras of school life.
Most boys will not face a formal interview as part of Ilford County High School admissions at 11 plus. The emphasis is on the Redbridge test and published oversubscription rules, so confidence comes from calm reading and careful technique rather than rehearsed answers.
Preparation works best when it feels like training rather than judgement. For Ilford County High School 11 plus, the key themes are multiple choice technique, strong English comprehension, accurate maths, and steady verbal and non verbal reasoning practice.
Families new to GL formats often find it helpful to use the free familiarisation materials from GL Assessment alongside Redbridge style practice.
As a clear starting point, you can book a free 11 plus diagnostic session with Find Your Tutor FYT focused on Ilford County High School. It benchmarks your child’s current level and gives you a personalised preparation roadmap for the months ahead.
Most families feel calmer once two things are clear. First, The Latymer School admissions process is very structured, so you can plan it in small steps. Second, the test happens early in Year 6, so steady habits in Year 4 and Year 5 make the biggest difference.
A simple way to stay organised is to map your grammar school application UK timeline on one page so deadlines never sneak up on you: grammar school application UK timeline.
Join Hundreds of Families Who Secured Ilford County High School Places with Find Your Tutor.
The Redbridge test date published for that cycle is Friday 19 September 2025. Build preparation so your child peaks in late summer, not exhausted in spring. Keep the final week light, with sleep and confidence protected.
The council describes two papers covering English and verbal reasoning, plus mathematics and non verbal reasoning. That mix means strong reading and strong maths both matter. Practice needs to include reasoning technique, not only school curriculum work.
Published admissions data shows 180 places in Year 7. Because places are limited, a steady routine usually beats last minute cramming. It also helps to keep expectations calm at home, so confidence stays steady.
Catchment matters because the common catchment area is part of eligibility and allocation. Redbridge explains how to check your postcode on the council map and what the marked area means. Doing this early prevents stress later.
 It uses a common catchment area shared across the Redbridge grammar route, shown on the council map. The simplest approach is to check the map first, then decide whether the school stays on your realistic list. That keeps preparation focused and fair on your child.
Many boroughs allow children from outside the area to sit the test, but allocation rules and catchment can still affect outcomes. Check the registration guidance and the catchment map before committing to a long prep plan.
Redbridge results are typically emailed in mid October after the September test. Use that window to talk calmly about preferences and travel. It stops the Common Application Form becoming a rushed argument.
A widely used summary for the 2026 entry cycle notes a pass mark of 104. Treat pass marks as a threshold, not a guarantee. After the pass, oversubscription rules still decide offers.
Yes, sitting the test is only one part of the process and the local authority form still matters. A clear milestones summary for the Redbridge route includes both the test stage and the CAF deadline.
 Little and often works best, with a focus on question types and timing. Short sessions build confidence without making children dread the work. Mistake review matters more than doing endless new sets.
Start with accuracy and pattern spotting, then add timing once the method is secure. Many children improve quickly when they learn a small set of repeatable strategies. Keep practice varied so it stays interesting.
Most boys will not be interviewed as part of the standard route, because the process is built around the test and published criteria. The best preparation is calm exam technique and clear thinking rather than rehearsed speeches. Confidence grows through familiar routines.
Shift to timed practice, sleep well, and focus on reviewing mistakes rather than piling on new material. One or two full mock mornings can help the day feel familiar. Keep the mood at home calm and predictable.
Redbridge asks families to share needs during registration and to provide school based evidence so the right support can be arranged. Sorting this early reduces stress for the child and the family. Keep copies of paperwork in one folder.
Late registration is often very hard to accommodate, so it is safer to plan ahead and submit early. Use reminders and keep screenshots or emails confirming submission. If something goes wrong, contact admissions quickly and clearly.
