Fully selective state school · Essex
Colchester Royal Grammar School 11+ admissions
September 2027 entryEvidence reviewed 1 October 2026Current entrance requirements, dates and school facts with links to the official evidence used. Unknown information is labelled rather than estimated.
At a glance
- Address
- Lexden Road, Colchester, East of England, CO3 3ND
- Year 7 admission
- Boys for Year 7 admission
- School type
- Fully selective state school
- Funding
- State-funded
- Day or boarding
- Boarding school; day provision not confirmed
- Religion or denomination
- Christian
- Published admission number
- 128September 2027 entry
- Academically selected places
- 128September 2027 entry
- Preferences per offer
- 6.3DfE National Offer Day, September 2026 entry. This is not a pass probability.
- Assessment provider
- Consortium of Selective Schools in EssexConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex is verified for the linked assessment route. GIAS does not publish the current assessment provider.
Selection route
- Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus
Formal consortium · Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex · Two timed papers: English and Mathematics
Scores are used by the member schools under their individual determined admission policies.
Official registration page
- Eligibility
- Boys must register for and sit the CSSE selection tests and achieve the required standard.
- Score policy
- Priority 1 requires a score greater than 320; all remaining eligible places are allocated in descending CSSE selection-test score.
- Registration
- GIAS does not publish the current test registration URL.
Who gets priority
No fixed catchment is set in the reviewed policy. Distance can still affect priority.
The published Year 7 scheme reserves up to 12 places for boys scoring greater than 320 who name CRGS and qualify under coordinated admissions: looked-after or previously looked-after boys first, then Pupil Premium boys, each by descending score. The threshold is greater than 320, not 320 or more. Pupil Premium covers current Free School Meals or receipt in the previous six years, with the primary school receiving the grant, assessed at CSSE test registration; declare status on that form and provide evidence. Other places follow descending test score until the 128-place PAN is reached. Equal rankings for the final place in either category favour looked-after or previously looked-after status, then Pupil Premium at registration, then straight-line home-to-school distance. Vacancies use the next score in the same category; an unused Priority 1 vacancy passes to Priority 2 if no eligible Priority 1 applicant remains. No fixed catchment is defined in the Year 7 scheme.
For September 2027 entry. Policy checked 2026-10-01. A priority category does not guarantee an offer.
Read the admissions policyApplications and offers over time
DfE preferences and offers at National Offer Day. Each preference is a school named on an application; a child can name several schools. These figures describe past demand and do not predict an offer.
| September entry | Preferences | Offers | Preferences per offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Preferences804 | Offers128 | Preferences per offer6.28 |
| 2025 | Preferences780 | Offers124 | Preferences per offer6.29 |
| 2024 | Preferences631 | Offers125 | Preferences per offer5.05 |
| 2023 | Preferences623 | Offers127 | Preferences per offer4.91 |
| 2022 | Preferences566 | Offers126 | Preferences per offer4.49 |
| 2021 | Preferences748 | Offers124 | Preferences per offer6.03 |
| 2020 | Preferences598 | Offers127 | Preferences per offer4.71 |
| 2019 | Preferences557 | Offers128 | Preferences per offer4.35 |
| 2018 | Preferences517 | Offers120 | Preferences per offer4.31 |
| 2017 | Preferences448 | Offers120 | Preferences per offer3.73 |
| 2016 | Preferences477 | Offers116 | Preferences per offer4.11 |
| 2015 | Preferences476 | Offers116 | Preferences per offer4.10 |
| 2014 | Preferences451 | Offers95 | Preferences per offer4.75 |
School identifiers are joined across documented predecessor links. Missing and suppressed values stay unpublished. Latest dataset: September 2026 entry. Checked 2026-10-01.
- Compare other schools and read the method
- Department for Education: School level secondary and primary applications and offers 2026 (AppsandOffers_2026_SchoolLevel29062026.csv)
- Department for Education: Get Information about Schools all establishments CSV (edubasealldata20261001.csv)
- Department for Education: Get Information about Schools establishment links CSV (links_edubasealldata20261001.csv)
- Compare schools near Colchester
What the assessment covers
These subjects are verified for the linked shared assessment route. GIAS does not publish the current assessed subjects.
- English
- Mathematics
These stages are verified for the linked shared assessment route. GIAS does not publish the current assessment stages.
1. CSSE 11+ examination
Registered pupils sit the two CSSE entrance tests for Year 7 entry.
Key dates
- Registration opens
- GIAS does not publish the current registration opening date.
- Registration deadline
- GIAS does not publish the current registration deadline.
- Test date
- GIAS does not publish the current test dates.
- CAF deadline
- GIAS does not publish the current CAF deadline.
- National Offer Day
- GIAS does not publish the current offer date.
Shared assessment-route dates
| Date | Route | When |
|---|---|---|
| Registration opens | RouteConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus | When12 May 2026 |
| Registration deadline | RouteConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus | When19 June 2026 |
| Special adjustment requests deadline | RouteConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus | When26 June 2026 |
| Examination | RouteConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus | When19 September 2026 |
| Results emailed | RouteConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus | When12 October 2026 |
Every 11+ test's dates are in the 11+ dates calendar. To decide where this school goes on the application form, use the school application order planner.
Fees
State funding covers education. Boarding and accommodation have separate charges. Check the school’s current boarding fees and any available assistance before applying for a boarding place.
- Tuition fee per term
- This is a state-funded school.
- Tuition fee per year
- This is a state-funded school.
- Published fee context
- This is a state-funded school.
Inspection context
Inspection outcomes are maintained separately and are not present in current GIAS downloads.
Practise for this school's test
Start with the subjects confirmed in the admissions sources. Topic quizzes build skills; they are not replicas of this school's entrance test.
Three topic quizzes to try
- Try the infer implicit meaning quiz
Free scored topic practice with an explanation after each answer.
- Try the solve a multi-step problem quiz
Free scored topic practice with an explanation after each answer.
- Try the retrieve an explicit detail quiz
Free scored topic practice with an explanation after each answer.
We do not currently offer a reviewed timed mock matching this school's confirmed subject mix.
Official paper directory records
- English Continuous Writing familiarisation paper
- English Continuous Writing past paper (2021 entry)
- English Continuous Writing past paper (2022 entry)
- English Continuous Writing past paper (2023 entry)
- English familiarisation paper
- English past paper (2021 entry)
- English past paper (2022 entry)
- English past paper (2023 entry)
- Maths familiarisation paper
- Maths past paper (2021 entry)
- Maths past paper (2022 entry)
- Maths past paper (2023 entry)
Try the free diagnostic to choose what to practise next.
Sample papers
Official papers for this school's test, from the school itself or the body that runs the test, linked from the publisher's own site. Trace Learn does not host copies.
| Paper | Published by | Subjects | Answers | Opens on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Continuous Writing familiarisation paper | Published byConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus · Familiarisation booklet | SubjectsCreative writing | Answersanswers available | Opens onopens on csse.org.uk |
| English Continuous Writing past paper (2021 entry) | Published byConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus · 2020 · Past paper | SubjectsCreative writing | Answersno answers published | Opens onopens on csse.org.uk |
| English Continuous Writing past paper (2022 entry) | Published byConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus · 2021 · Past paper | SubjectsCreative writing | Answersno answers published | Opens onopens on csse.org.uk |
| English Continuous Writing past paper (2023 entry) | Published byConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus · 2022 · Past paper | SubjectsCreative writing | Answersno answers published | Opens onopens on csse.org.uk |
| English familiarisation paper | Published byConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus · Familiarisation booklet | SubjectsEnglish | Answersanswers available | Opens onopens on csse.org.uk |
| English past paper (2021 entry) | Published byConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus · 2020 · Past paper | SubjectsEnglish | Answersanswers available | Opens onopens on csse.org.uk |
| English past paper (2022 entry) | Published byConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus · 2021 · Past paper | SubjectsEnglish | Answersanswers available | Opens onopens on csse.org.uk |
| English past paper (2023 entry) | Published byConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus · 2022 · Past paper | SubjectsEnglish | Answersanswers available | Opens onopens on csse.org.uk |
| Maths familiarisation paper | Published byConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus · Familiarisation booklet | SubjectsMaths | Answersno answers published | Opens onopens on csse.org.uk |
| Maths past paper (2021 entry) | Published byConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus · 2020 · Past paper | SubjectsMaths | Answersanswers available | Opens onopens on csse.org.uk |
| Maths past paper (2022 entry) | Published byConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus · 2021 · Past paper | SubjectsMaths | Answersanswers available | Opens onopens on csse.org.uk |
| Maths past paper (2023 entry) | Published byConsortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus · 2022 · Past paper | SubjectsMaths | Answersanswers available | Opens onopens on csse.org.uk |
Relevant skills and exercises
- Build English comprehension skills
Draw one supported conclusion that is not directly stated.
- Try Comprehension X-Ray
Free interactive practice relevant to English comprehension.
- Build maths and numerical reasoning skills
Select and perform a short sequence of operations in context.
- Try Step Builder
Free interactive practice relevant to maths and numerical reasoning.
Questions families ask
Which 11+ test does Colchester Royal Grammar School use?
Colchester Royal Grammar School uses Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus for September 2027 entry. The route names Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex as the assessment provider.
How many Year 7 places does Colchester Royal Grammar School have?
Colchester Royal Grammar School's published admission number is 128 for September 2027 entry.
Who is eligible to apply to Colchester Royal Grammar School?
Boys must register for and sit the CSSE selection tests and achieve the required standard.
Are Colchester Royal Grammar School's 2027/28 oversubscription criteria published?
The published Year 7 scheme reserves up to 12 places for boys scoring greater than 320 who name CRGS and qualify under coordinated admissions: looked-after or previously looked-after boys first, then Pupil Premium boys, each by descending score. The threshold is greater than 320, not 320 or more. Pupil Premium covers current Free School Meals or receipt in the previous six years, with the primary school receiving the grant, assessed at CSSE test registration; declare status on that form and provide evidence. Other places follow descending test score until the 128-place PAN is reached. Equal rankings for the final place in either category favour looked-after or previously looked-after status, then Pupil Premium at registration, then straight-line home-to-school distance. Vacancies use the next score in the same category; an unused Priority 1 vacancy passes to Priority 2 if no eligible Priority 1 applicant remains. No fixed catchment is defined in the Year 7 scheme.
What subjects should a child prepare for Colchester Royal Grammar School?
The verified school or linked route evidence covers English and Mathematics.
How current is the information for Colchester Royal Grammar School?
Trace Learn reviewed 6 attached evidence sources by 2026-10-01. Unknown facts stay labelled and should be checked again before applying.
Sources and review record
- Admissions Arrangements - Academic Year 2027-2028
Colchester Royal Grammar School. Accessed 26 August 2026. September 2027 entry.
- CSSE 11+ Examination: 2027 entry
Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex. Accessed 26 August 2026. September 2027 entry.
- Open state-funded school fields CSV
Department for Education. Accessed 25 August 2026. GIAS register snapshot on 25 August 2026.
- ONS Postcode Directory May 2026 school-postcode centroid extract
Office for National Statistics. Accessed 25 August 2026. ONS Postcode Directory, May 2026.
- Admissions Arrangements - Academic Year 2027-2028
Colchester Royal Grammar School. Accessed 1 October 2026. September 2027 entry.
- CSSE Information Guide: 2027 Entry
Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex. Accessed 25 September 2026. September 2027 entry.
Explore the verified directory
- Schools near a town
Compare nearby state selective schools and their entrance routes.
- Applications and offers
Compare historic DfE school preferences and offers.
- Schools
Compare verified selective schools.
- Areas
Compare selective schools by area, with assessment routes shown only where verified.
- Tests and consortiums
See which schools share each assessment route.
Turn the shortlist into a preparation plan
Start with a free four-subject diagnostic, then focus practice on the skills that need attention.