Which Areas Have Grammar Schools? Does My Area Have an 11+?

Every September, around 100,000 children in England sit an 11+ exam for approximately 20,000 grammar school places. The exam your child takes depends entirely on where you live. There is no national 11+. Each selective area runs its own test, on its own dates, with its own pass mark.

Understanding which exam board your target schools use is the single most important first step. See our complete 11+ preparation guide for a full breakdown of GL Assessment, CEM, CSSE, and SET formats.

A standardised score is a test result adjusted so that the average is 100. Grammar schools use standardised scores to compare children fairly across different test papers and age groups. This score, not a raw mark, determines whether a child qualifies.

This guide lists every local authority area in England with state grammar schools for September 2028 entry, the exam board each uses, and how to verify the details for your target schools.

Editorial note: This article was reviewed by the AlphaTest editorial team. See our contact page for how we build materials.

The Grammar School Areas of England

Based on the Department for Education's school census and the Grammar School Heads Association, 23 local authority areas in England operate state-funded grammar schools. They are grouped by region below. For a step-by-step preparation plan, see our 6-month 11+ plan.

Our analysis of DfE school census data shows 163 grammar schools across these 23 areas. This is a small fraction of the 3,000+ state secondary schools in England. The data confirms that selective education is highly localised. Parents outside these areas do not need to consider the 11+ for state school entry.

North West England

• Trafford — 7 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Includes Altrincham Grammar Schools, Sale Grammar, Stretford Grammar.
• Wirral — 6 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Includes West Kirby, Wirral Grammar, Calday Grange.
• Lancashire — 4 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Lancaster Girls', Lancaster Royal, Clitheroe, Bacup & Rawtenstall.
• Liverpool — 1 grammar school; GL Assessment. The Liverpool Blue Coat School.
• Cumbria — 1 grammar school; GL Assessment. Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith.

Key point for North West families: All five authorities use GL Assessment. The format is consistent across the region — separate papers for verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English, and maths. Registration typically opens in May–June 2027 for September 2028 entry. See our GL Assessment 11+ syllabus guide for the full topic list, and our registration guide for exact dates.

Yorkshire and the Humber

• Calderdale — 2 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Crossley Heath, North Halifax Grammar.
• Kirklees — 2 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Heckmondwike Grammar, The Mirfield Free Grammar (selective stream).
• North Yorkshire — 3 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Ermysted's, Ripon Grammar, Skipton Girls' High School.

All three authorities use GL Assessment. Registration typically opens May–June 2027. For Yorkshire-specific dates, see our registration guide.

East Midlands

• Lincolnshire — 14 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Largest selective area outside Kent — includes Boston, Grantham, Lincoln, Louth, Skegness, Spilsby.

Lincolnshire operates a consortium — one registration covers all 14 schools. The Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools uses GL Assessment papers. Registration opens January 2027 (earlier than most areas) and closes March 2027.

West Midlands

• Birmingham — 8 grammar schools; CEM. King Edward VI Camp Hill, Five Ways, Handsworth, Aston, plus consortium schools.
• Warwickshire — 6 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Stratford Girls', King Edward VI Stratford, Lawrence Sheriff, Rugby High, Alcester Grammar, Southam College (selective stream).
• Walsall — 2 grammar schools; CEM. Queen Mary's Grammar, Queen Mary's High School.
• Wolverhampton — 2 grammar schools; CEM. Wolverhampton Girls' High, Wolverhampton Grammar (selective places).
• Stoke-on-Trent — 2 grammar schools; CEM. St Joseph's College (selective stream), Stoke-on-Trent Grammar (proposed).
• Telford and Wrekin — 2 grammar schools; CEM. Haberdashers' Adams, Newport Girls' High School.

Critical distinction: Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Stoke-on-Trent, and Telford use CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring). Warwickshire uses GL Assessment. CEM does not publish its question types and mixes subjects in a single paper. Preparation must focus on genuine language and mathematical fluency rather than format drilling. For CEM preparation strategies, see our CEM vs GL Assessment comparison.

East of England

• Essex — 10 grammar schools; CSSE. Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex — Chelmsford, Colchester, Southend schools.
• Southend-on-Sea — 4 grammar schools; CSSE. Part of the CSSE consortium (Westcliff, Southend High Schools, St Bernard's, St Thomas More).

The CSSE (Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex) administers its own exam — two papers: English (with creative writing) and Mathematics. This is not GL Assessment or CEM. Registration opens May 2027 for September 2028 entry. For the full CSSE topic list, see our 11+ syllabus guide.

South East England

• Kent — 32 grammar schools; GL Assessment (Kent Test). Largest selective area in England — Kent Test is a bespoke GL Assessment version.
• Buckinghamshire — 13 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools Consortium — automatic registration for Bucks state primary pupils.
• Medway — 6 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Medway Test (GL Assessment) — separate from Kent Test.
• Reading — 2 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Reading School, Kendrick School.
• Slough — 4 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Consortium with Reading — Herschel, Langley, St Bernard's, Upton Court.

Kent and Medway are separate tests. A child sitting the Kent Test cannot use that result for Medway schools, and vice versa. Both use GL Assessment but the papers differ. Buckinghamshire operates automatic registration for children at Buckinghamshire state primary schools. Parents must still confirm participation. For Kent Test specifics, see our 11+ registration guide.

South West England

• Gloucestershire — 7 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Includes Pate's, Sir Thomas Rich's, Denmark Road, Marling, Stroud High, Crypt, Ribston Hall.
• Wiltshire — 2 grammar schools; CEM. Salisbury area only — Bishop Wordsworth's, South Wilts Grammar.
• Devon — 3 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Colyton Grammar, Torquay Boys', Torquay Girls'.
• Plymouth — 3 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Devonport High Boys', Devonport High Girls', Plymouth High.
• Torbay — 2 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Torquay Boys' and Girls' (also listed under Devon).
• Bournemouth — 2 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls.
• Poole — 2 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Poole Grammar, Parkstone Grammar.

Note on Wiltshire: Only the Salisbury district has grammar schools. The rest of Wiltshire is non-selective. The two Salisbury schools use CEM. For CEM preparation strategies, see our 11+ preparation guide.

Greater London

• Sutton — 5 grammar schools; SET. Nonsuch, Wallington County, Wallington Girls', Wilson's, Sutton Grammar — shared SET exam.
• Bexley — 4 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Beths, Bexley Grammar, Chislehurst & Sidcup, Townley Grammar.
• Bromley — 2 grammar schools; GL Assessment. St Olave's, Newstead Wood.
• Kingston upon Thames — 2 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Tiffin Girls', Tiffin School.
• Barnet — 1 grammar school; GL Assessment. Queen Elizabeth's School (boys) — also Henrietta Barnett (girls) in Barnet but admissions via London Borough of Barnet.
• Enfield — 1 grammar school; GL Assessment. The Latymer School.
• Redbridge — 2 grammar schools; GL Assessment. Ilford County High, Woodford County High.

Sutton is unique: All five grammar schools share the SET (Selective Eligibility Test). One registration covers all five. The SET exam covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English, and maths. Registration typically opens May 2027. For Sutton SET specifics, see our 11+ registration guide.

GL Assessment are the largest 11+ test provider in England. CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) are a major alternative provider. CSSE (Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex) administer their own exam. SET (Selective Eligibility Test) is the shared exam for Sutton grammar schools.

How to Check If Your Area Has an 11+

If your local authority is not in the tables above, it does not have state grammar schools. The 11+ exam does not exist there for state school entry.

To verify for your specific postcode:

1. Visit your local authority's admissions page — search "[Your Council] school admissions grammar schools"
2. Check the school's own website — every grammar school publishes its admissions policy and exam details
3. Use the GOV.UK "Find your local council" tool — enter your postcode at gov.uk/find-local-council
4. Consult the Grammar School Heads Association — gsha.org.uk lists member schools by region

Do not rely on tutoring blogs or forum posts for registration dates or exam formats. These change annually. Always confirm with the school, consortium, or local authority for the specific entry year. For the registration process in your area, see our 11+ registration guide.

Exam Boards at a Glance

GL Assessment are the largest 11+ test provider in England, used by 27 local authority areas. They publish 21 verbal reasoning question types and provide separate papers for each subject.

CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) are used by 6 local authority areas. They do not publish their question types and assess subjects in mixed papers.

CSSE (Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex) administer their own exam for 10 grammar schools in Essex. Two papers: English (with creative writing) and Mathematics.

SET (Selective Eligibility Test) is used by 5 grammar schools in Sutton. One test covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English, and maths.

Verbal reasoning is the ability to understand and reason using concepts framed in words. It tests vocabulary, logic, and code-breaking skills. GL Assessment publishes 21 VR question types. CEM does not publish their types.

GL Assessment

• Areas: Kent, Buckinghamshire, Medway, Lincolnshire, Trafford, Wirral, Lancashire, Cumbria, Calderdale, Kirklees, North Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Reading, Slough, Gloucestershire, Devon, Plymouth, Torbay, Bournemouth, Poole, Bexley, Bromley, Kingston, Barnet, Enfield, Redbridge.
• Key characteristics: 21 published VR types, separate subject papers, past papers commercially available.

CEM

• Areas: Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford & Wrekin, Wiltshire (Salisbury only).
• Key characteristics: Unpublished question types, mixed-subject papers, rewards breadth and fluency over format familiarity.

CSSE

• Areas: Essex, Southend-on-Sea.
• Key characteristics: Two papers: English (creative writing + comprehension) and Maths — consortium-specific.

SET

• Areas: Sutton.
• Key characteristics: One test for five schools — verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English, maths.

Registration Timeline for September 2028 Entry

• Lincolnshire — opens January 2027; closes March 2027; test September 2027.
• Most GL Assessment areas — opens May–June 2027; closes June–July 2027; test September 2027.
• CEM areas (Birmingham, etc.) — opens May–June 2027; closes June–July 2027; test September 2027.
• CSSE (Essex) — opens May 2027; closes June 2027; test September 2027.
• SET (Sutton) — opens May 2027; closes June 2027; test September 2027.
• National CAF deadline — closes 31 October 2027.

The CAF (Common Application Form) for secondary school places is submitted to your home local authority by 31 October 2027 — this is separate from exam registration and applies to all families, regardless of area.

What This Means for Your Preparation

1. Identify your target schools first — the exam board determines everything about preparation
2. Check the exact registration window — dates are published annually on the consortium or local authority website
3. Match your practice to the exam board — GL Assessment rewards type-specific mastery; CEM rewards broad fluency; CSSE demands written English; SET requires all-round strength
4. Start early if targeting competitive areas — Kent, Buckinghamshire, Sutton, and Trafford have the highest competition ratios

AlphaTest's adaptive platform automatically aligns to your target exam board. Whether you are preparing for the Kent Test, Buckinghamshire 11+, CSSE, SET, or a CEM area, the question format, difficulty, and topic weighting adjust to match what your child will actually face.

Start your child's free diagnostic assessment matched to your target exam board →

This guide covers state grammar schools in England for September 2028 entry. Independent schools set their own entrance exams — see our guide on grammar school vs independent school exams. All dates are indicative based on recent years; confirm with the relevant consortium or local authority for 2028 entry. Sources: Wikipedia "List of grammar schools in England" (local authority groupings), CSSE official website, Department for Education school census, Grammar School Heads Association membership list.