Grammar schools in the UK — every region, every test, every guide
Find a grammar school, understand the 11+, and prepare for entry in 2026 or 2027.
Last updated: May 2026 · Sources: DfE 2024-25 performance tables, local authority admissions arrangements 2026-27
Where to start
Grammar school admissions cover a lot of ground. We've grouped everything on this page into five steps so it's easier to follow. Start at the top, or skip to the bit you need.
Research
Grammar schools by region in England
We’ve built comprehensive guides for all 163 grammar schools in England. Each guide covers admissions arrangements, test format, catchment area, SAS cut-off scores, application deadlines, and pass rates. Use the search below to find your school, or browse the full list.
Find your nearest grammar school ->Every grammar school in England — A–Z guides
We’ve built comprehensive guides for all 163 grammar schools in England. Each guide covers admissions arrangements, test format, catchment area, SAS cut-off scores, application deadlines, and pass rates. Use the search below to find your school, or browse the full list.
See all 163 schools ->
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The only 11+ platform built for your child. Personalised practice, online and paper mock tests, and clear progress tracking, all in one place.
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- Personalised weekly exam plans
- Replica 11+ practice papers, marked instantly
- Track progress and benchmark to other applicants
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a grammar school and how does it work?
What is the 11+ and how is it different from SATs?
Do grammar schools have catchment areas?
When do you apply for grammar school in Year 5 or 6?
Which regions in England still have grammar schools?
Are grammar schools free to attend?
Can my child take more than one 11+ test?
What's the difference between the 11+ and a CAT4 test?
How competitive are grammar schools?
What SAS score do you need to pass the 11+?
Can you appeal a grammar school rejection?
Do I need a tutor for the 11+?
What's the difference between a grammar school and a private school?
Is Atom private tuition?
11+ Glossary
11+
The competitive entrance exam used by grammar schools in England, sat in September of Year 6.
Attainment 8
The average GCSE score across 8 subjects (max ~90), used by the DfE to measure school outcomes.
CAT4
A cognitive abilities test used by many secondary schools to set or stream pupils after admission.
Catchment area
A defined geographical area around a school, used as a tiebreaker when more children pass the 11+ than there are places.
CEM Select
A cognitive abilities test used by many secondary schools to set or stream pupils after admission.
Consortium
A group of grammar schools that share a single 11+ test (e.g. Sutton SET, Trafford Consortium, Slough Consortium).
CSE
The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex, which administers the Essex 11+.
DfE
The Department for Education.
GL Assessment
An 11+ test format used by grammar schools in several regions.
GIAS
Get Information About Schools, the DfE’s school directory.
ISEB Common Pre-Test
An online adaptive test used by many independent schools as part of Year 7 entrance.
National Offer Day
1 March, when secondary school places are confirmed.
OMR
Optical Mark Recognition. The answer-sheet format used by paper 11+ tests where children draw a line through their chosen answer.
Oversubscription criteria
The rules a school uses to allocate places when more children apply than there are spaces.
Progress 8
A DfE measure of pupil progress from KS2 to KS4. Paused since COVID and not resumed for 2024–25.
Pupil Premium
Extra funding from the government for state schools to support disadvantaged pupils. Pupil-Premium-eligible families can access Atom Home free of charge.
Quest (Quest Admissions)
An exam provider used by 130+ UK independent schools and a growing number of grammar schools.
SAS
Standardised age score. The score format most 11+ tests use, typically between 69 and 141. Adjusts a child’s raw mark for age.
Super-selective
A grammar school that admits purely on test score, with no catchment requirement (e.g. Henrietta Barnett, Queen Elizabeth’s Boys Barnet).