Formal consortium
CSSE 11+: 2027 schools and test
September 2027 entryEvidence reviewed 24 October 2026The shared CSSE test is used for selective places at ten schools: seven grammar schools and three comprehensive or bilateral schools with selective places. School applications and supplementary forms are separate from test registration.
- Grammar school guides
- 7
At a glance
- Route type
- Formal consortium
- Administrator
- CSSE Office on behalf of the CSSE member schools
- Assessment provider
- Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex
- Delivery
- Two timed papers: English and Mathematics
Already have a 2026 test result?
A test result is one part of a school's admissions rules, not an offer of a place. Check each school's current policy and submit your preferences through your home council by its deadline.
CSSE Essex results 2026: what to do nextSubjects and stages
- English
- Mathematics
1. CSSE 11+ examination
Registered pupils sit the two CSSE entrance tests for Year 7 entry.
Registration and dates
Dates for September 2027 entry
| Date | When |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | When12 May 2026 |
| Registration deadline | When19 June 2026 |
| Special adjustment requests deadline | When26 June 2026 |
| Examination | When19 September 2026 |
| Results emailed | When12 October 2026 |
| CSSE Pupil Premium form deadline | When31 October 2026 |
Scoring and eligibility
English and maths are age-standardised and weighted equally. CSSE normally makes no school offer below a total score of 303; each school applies its own admission policy and historical offer scores are not September 2027 cut-offs. Essex and Southend school applications close on 31 October 2026. This directory lists seven fully selective schools; three partially selective CSSE schools also use the test.
All ten schools offering CSSE selective places
The CSSE 2027-entry guide identifies seven grammar schools and three schools with a selective stream alongside a wider intake. St Bernard's and St Thomas More also ask families to submit a school supplementary information form. All families still apply through their home local authority.
Colchester County High School for Girls
Girls' grammar school
Colchester · Essex County Council area
Read the school guideColchester Royal Grammar School
Boys' grammar school
Colchester · Essex County Council area
Read the school guideKing Edward VI Grammar School
Boys' grammar school
Chelmsford · Essex County Council area
Read the school guideShoeburyness High School
Mixed comprehensive school with selective places
Shoeburyness · Southend-on-Sea City Council area
Visit the school websiteSouthend High School for Boys
Boys' grammar school
Southend-on-Sea · Southend-on-Sea City Council area
Read the school guideSouthend High School for Girls
Girls' grammar school
Southend-on-Sea · Southend-on-Sea City Council area
Read the school guideSt Bernard's High School
Girls' Catholic bilateral school with selective places
Westcliff-on-Sea · Southend-on-Sea City Council area
Visit the school websiteSt Thomas More High School for Boys
Boys' Catholic bilateral school with selective places
Westcliff-on-Sea · Southend-on-Sea City Council area
Visit the school websiteWestcliff High School for Boys
Boys' grammar school
Westcliff-on-Sea · Southend-on-Sea City Council area
Read the school guideWestcliff High School for Girls
Girls' grammar school
Westcliff-on-Sea · Southend-on-Sea City Council area
Read the school guide
Seven fully selective grammar schools in this directory
| School | Selection type | Boys, girls or mixed intake | Admissions guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colchester County High School for Girls | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Colchester Royal Grammar School | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeMixed Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Southend High School for Boys | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Southend High School for Girls | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Westcliff High School for Boys Academy | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeBoys for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
| Westcliff High School for Girls | Selection typeFully selective state school | Boys, girls or mixed intakeGirls for Year 7 admission | Admissions guideVerified admissions guide |
Areas covered
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
Who administers the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus?
CSSE Office on behalf of the CSSE member schools administers the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus for September 2027 entry.
Which schools use the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus?
The CSSE 2027-entry guide lists ten schools offering selective places: seven grammar schools and three comprehensive or bilateral schools with selective places. St Bernard's and St Thomas More also require their own supplementary information forms.
What does the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus assess?
The verified subjects are English and Mathematics.
Where do families register for the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus?
Check the registration dates in this guide, then read the official registration page for the relevant entry year. The verified destination is https://csse.org.uk/.
How current is the information for Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex 11 Plus?
Smart Cub Learning reviewed 2 attached evidence sources by 2026-10-24. Unknown facts stay labelled and should be checked again before applying.
Official sources
- CSSE Information Guide: 2027 Entry
Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex. Accessed 20 October 2026. September 2027 entry.
- CSSE 11+ Examination: 2027 entry
Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex. Accessed 20 October 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.