Colchester Royal Grammar School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Type: Selective boys' grammar school (ages 11-18) with co-educational sixth form
• Location: Colchester, Essex
• Founded: 1206 (over 800 years of educational excellence)
• Student Numbers: Approximately 1,000 pupils
• Specialisms: Science and modern languages
• Entry Requirements: CSSE 11+ examination
• Application Deadline: Late June for following September entry
• Recent Achievement: Named East Anglia State School of the Decade by The Sunday Times (2021)

About Colchester Royal Grammar School

Colchester Royal Grammar School stands amongst Britain's most historically significant educational institutions, with a foundation dating back to 1206. This remarkable heritage is complemented by Royal Charters granted by both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, establishing CRGS as one of the oldest schools in England.

Located in the historic market town of Colchester, Essex, CRGS has earned exceptional recognition for its academic achievements. The school consistently tops national A-level league tables and was honoured as East Anglia State School of the Decade by The Sunday Times in 2021, reflecting its outstanding educational provision.

CRGS specialises in science and modern languages, offering exceptional facilities that support these areas of excellence. The school's co-educational sixth form provides additional opportunities for collaborative learning whilst maintaining the focused environment that characterises the main school years.

With approximately 1,000 students, CRGS maintains an intimate learning environment where each pupil receives personalised attention. The school's ethos centres on encouraging students to embrace academic challenges, set ambitious goals, and develop the resilience necessary for future success.

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Fees and key dates for September 2026 entry

Colchester Royal Grammar School publishes day fees of per term for September 2026 entry, with boarding at £6,660 per term, and the figures above come from the school's own fees page as checked in September 2026. Registration for the next 11+ round: Not published on CRGS's site, 11+ test registration is run by the CSSE consortium, not CRGS, and the deadline isn't stated; the only CRGS-published date is the LA application deadline of 31 October in the year prior to admission. Assessment dates: Not published, CRGS states the main test date for the relevant entry year "will take place on a date arranged by the CSSE". Entry to Year 7 is by standardised score in the CSSE selection tests, organised by the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex rather than by CRGS itself and not further described in subject/paper terms on CRGS's own site. Fees and dates change each year, so the school's website remains the reference for the current round.

The 11+ Assessment Process

CRGS participates in the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) 11+ examination system. This standardised approach ensures fair assessment across multiple grammar schools in the region.

Examination Structure

The CSSE 11+ comprises two distinct papers, each lasting approximately one hour:

• English Paper: Focuses on reading comprehension skills and creative writing ability, assessing pupils' literacy development and analytical thinking
• Mathematics Paper: Based entirely on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum, testing numerical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and mathematical understanding

Scoring System

Each paper carries a maximum score of 60 points, creating a total possible score of 120. These raw scores undergo standardisation and weighting processes to ensure fair comparison across all candidates. In 2023, the lowest standardised score for successful applicants was 340.

Special Admissions Provisions

CRGS reserves up to 12 places annually for boys achieving scores of 320 or above who meet specific criteria:

• Looked After Children
• Previously Looked After Children
• Pupils receiving Pupil Premium funding

All remaining places are allocated strictly based on examination performance, with the highest-scoring candidates receiving offers.

How to Apply

The application process for Year 7 entry follows a carefully structured timeline that families must observe meticulously:

Step 1: Registration (Late June)

Register your son for the CSSE 11+ examination by the specified deadline, typically the final Friday in June. Late registrations are not accepted under any circumstances.

Step 2: Examination Day (Mid-September)

Attend the 11+ examination on the designated Saturday in September. The school provides detailed guidance regarding examination day procedures and requirements.

Step 3: Results Notification (Mid-October)

Receive your son's standardised scores and qualifying status during the third week of October. This information is crucial for the subsequent application process.

Step 4: Secondary School Application (31st October)

Submit your local authority secondary school application by 31st October, ensuring CRGS is named as a preferred choice. This deadline is non-negotiable.

Step 5: Final Allocations (1st March)

School place allocations are announced on 1st March, concluding the admissions cycle.

Competition Level

With only 128 places available in Year 7, CRGS receives significantly more applications from qualified candidates than it can accommodate. Passing the 11+ examination does not ensure admission, making thorough preparation essential.

Preparing for the Colchester Royal Grammar School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Families preparing for the Colchester Royal Grammar School 11+ usually come to us a year or so before the assessment, though shorter runs work where the foundations are already sound. Having prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools, with placements including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, our tutors build each programme around the format the school actually uses, whether a written paper, an online pre-test, an interview or a combination of them.

More than half of our tutors hold Qualified Teacher Status and around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and the pool includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools, so the preparation is led by people who know how selective schools assess. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.

Families in the East of England and further afield work with us online, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation to talk through your child's current level and the timeline to the 11+. Families receive progress reports after sessions and have a dedicated point of contact.

Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.