How to Get into a Grammar School in London? | Complete Guide

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already heard the buzz. Grammar schools have a reputation for turning out strong exam results, and getting your child a place feels like handing them a head start for life. But the process can feel like a maze — exams, deadlines, catchment areas, tutoring debates — and nobody hands you a map.

Whether you’re a parent in London just starting to look into this, or a family further afield trying to figure out how the UK system works, this guide breaks it all down. Here’s everything you need to know to get your child into a grammar school in London, step by step.

What Is a Grammar School?

A grammar school is a state-funded secondary school that selects students based on academic ability, usually through an entrance exam known as the 11+. Unlike comprehensive schools, which accept students of all abilities, grammar schools only take the highest-scoring applicants in their intake year.

Here’s the good part: grammar schools are free to attend, since they’re funded by the state. That puts them in a different category from private schools, which charge tuition but don’t require an entrance exam in the same competitive way.

London itself has very few grammar schools within its boundaries — most sit in outer boroughs or neighbouring counties like Kent and Buckinghamshire. Many London families end up looking beyond the city limits to find a good match.

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Why Are Grammar Schools So Competitive in London?

London has one of the highest concentrations of education-focused families in the UK, and grammar school places are limited. Some super-selective grammar schools receive over ten applications for every available spot.

Add to that London’s dense population and strong transport links, and you get families from multiple boroughs — sometimes multiple counties — competing for the same handful of places. This is why preparation and strategy matter so much here, more than in areas where grammar schools are more widely available.

How to Apply to a Grammar School in London (Step-by-Step)

Securing admission into a grammar school in London isn’t a single form — it is a process with several moving parts. Here’s how it breaks down:

Step 1: Research schools and their admissions criteria. Every grammar school sets its own rules around catchment areas, exam scores, and priority criteria (like siblings already attending). Start here before anything else.

Step 2: Register for the 11+. Registration deadlines vary by borough and school, and some close as early as the summer before Year 6. Missing a deadline can rule out a school entirely, so mark these dates the moment you find them.

Step 3: Prepare and practise. Most families start serious preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, giving enough runway without overloading a young child.

Step 4: Sit the exam. Exams typically take place in September of Year 6, though this varies by school.

Step 5: Receive results and rank preferences. Once results come in, you’ll rank your preferred schools through the standard secondary school application process.

Step 6: National Offer Day. Offers go out in March, and this is when families find out which school their child has secured a place at.

What Is the 11+ Exam?

The 11+ is the entrance exam most grammar schools use to select students. Children typically sit it in Year 5, for entry into Year 7 the following September.

The exam usually tests some combination of:

• Verbal reasoning — word-based logic and comprehension
• Non-verbal reasoning — pattern and shape-based problem solving
• Maths — curriculum-based and sometimes accelerated content
• English — comprehension and sometimes creative writing

Here’s where it gets a bit tricky: different boroughs and schools use different exam boards, mainly CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring) or GL Assessment. The two test in noticeably different styles, so it’s worth finding out early which board your target schools use.

How Should I Prepare My Child for the 11+?

Preparation looks different for every family, and there’s no single “right” way to do it. That said, most families lean on one (or a mix) of these approaches:

• Private tutoring — one-on-one or small group sessions focused on exam technique
• Self-study with practice books — a lower-cost option that works well for self-motivated kids
• Prep schools — some independent schools build 11+ preparation directly into their curriculum

Whatever route you choose, practice papers and timed mock exams make a real difference, since they get children used to the format and pressure of exam day.

One thing worth saying clearly: burnout is real. Cramming too hard, too early, can knock a child’s confidence rather than build it. Keep an eye on how your child is coping emotionally, not just academically.

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London Grammar Schools Admissions Timeline

There is a timeline for applying to a London grammar school, and missing a key date can mean missing the opportunity to sit the entrance exam altogether. While exact dates differ by schools and boroughs, most London grammar schools follow a similar admissions schedule for Year 7 entry.

Below is a clear overview of the typical grammar school admissions timeline in London.

1. (March – April) – Start Research and Planning

From March or April, families should begin:

• Researching which London grammar schools they are eligible to apply for
• Checking each school’s admissions policy and test format
• Attending open days or information evenings

This is the stage where understanding exam content, catchment rules, and oversubscription criteria becomes essential.

2. Spring Term (April – June) – Register for the 11+ Exam

Most London grammar schools open 11+ registration between April and June. Registration is usually completed online, either through the school directly or via the local authority.

Important: If you do not register within this window, your child will not be allowed to sit the entrance test.

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3. Autumn Term (September) – Sit the 11+ Entrance Exams

The main 11+ entrance exams for London grammar schools are usually taken in September of Year 6.
Some schools operate:

• A single-stage test, or
• A two-stage process, where a second exam or assessment follows later in the term

4. October – Receive Results and Submit the CAF

• 11+ results are usually released in October, before the secondary school application deadline.
• Parents must submit the Common Application Form (CAF) by 31 October, listing grammar schools in their preferred order.

Passing the 11+ does not automatically guarantee a place, as distance and oversubscription rules may still apply.

5. March – National Offer Day

On 1 March (or the next working day), families receive their secondary school offers on National Offer Day. This confirms whether a grammar school place has been allocated.

(It is usually March 1st, but moves to the next working day if the 1st falls on a weekend).

6. Spring–Summer – Waiting Lists and Appeals

If your child is not offered a place:

• You can join a waiting list for grammar schools
• You may choose to submit a formal appeal, supported by academic evidence

Waiting lists can move throughout the spring and summer, and occasionally into the autumn term.

Grammar School vs. Private School: Which Should You Choose?

Are you torn between a free grammar school and a famous independent private school (like Highgate or Westminster)? Consider your priorities.

Grammar schools are 100% free and select students strictly based on test scores and catchment. Private schools charge huge fees and use a much broader selection process, often including headteacher references, group interviews, and internal assessments.

Ultimately, London’s top grammar schools match or exceed the university acceptance rates of elite private schools. Both award highly recognized qualifications. If your child thrives under pressure and you want to save your money for university, a grammar school is the ultimate prize.

London Grammar Schools vs Kent & Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools

London itself only has a handful of grammar schools, mostly concentrated in boroughs like Barnet, Redbridge, Bexley, and Kingston. These are often described as “super-selective,” meaning they only accept the very top scorers.

Because of this scarcity, many London families look at grammar schools in Kent and Buckinghamshire, both of which run fully selective education systems with far more grammar school places available. The trade-off is usually a longer commute, and some out-of-county schools give priority to local residents first.

If you’re weighing up your options, it’s worth mapping out realistic travel times before committing to an out-of-borough school, since a long daily commute can wear a child down over time.

Do I Need to Live in the Catchment Area?

Not always — but it helps a lot. Catchment areas and priority zones affect how schools rank applicants once they’ve passed the entrance exam, especially for oversubscribed schools.

Some grammar schools prioritise distance from the school gate, while others use borough boundaries or specific priority areas. It’s worth checking each school’s admissions policy directly, since “catchment” doesn’t mean the same thing everywhere.

Common Mistakes Parents Make (And How to Avoid Them)

A few missteps come up again and again:

• Starting prep too late (or too early). Cramming in the final months adds pressure, but starting years in advance can cause fatigue before the exam even arrives.
• Applying to only one school. Given how competitive grammar school places are, it’s smart to apply to a handful of schools rather than pinning everything on one.
• Overlooking catchment and priority rules. Missing this detail can mean a strong exam score still doesn’t translate into an offer.

Avoiding these three alone puts your child in a much stronger position.

Can International Students or Expats Apply To Study in a Grammar School?

International students can apply to study in grammar schools in UK, but you must navigate strict residency and visa rules.

Any child holding a UK passport, right of abode, or an eligible dependent visa (such as a Tier 2/Skilled Worker dependant visa or British National Overseas status) can attend a grammar school for free.

However, you must clear two massive hurdles:

1. No Student Visas: UK state schools cannot sponsor a child on a Tier 4 Student Visa. You cannot apply from overseas simply to send your child to a state school.
2. Catchment Area Proof: If a school uses catchment areas, you must prove you permanently live there by the CAF deadline in October. Some schools use concentric circles (e.g., Wallington High School for Girls sets a strict 6.7km radius for certain spots), while others measure the exact straight-line distance from your front door to the school gate. You must provide council tax bills and tenancy agreements to prove you are not faking your address.

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Requirements Needed To Study at a London Grammar School

To grab a spot in a London grammar school, you must meet these criteria:

• Age: Your child must be in Year 6 and turn 11 years old during the academic year of admission. (Fun fact: Grammar schools use “Age Standardisation” to slightly bump the scores of August-born children so they aren’t mathematically disadvantaged against older September-born kids).
• High 11+ Score: Passing the test is not enough. Because thousands apply for roughly 150 spots per school, schools rank students. They offer places to the highest scorers first, moving down the list until the class is full.
• Physical Presence: Your child must be physically present in the UK to sit the 11 Plus exam in September. You cannot take the test online from another country.

Conclusion

Getting into a grammar school in London takes a mix of research, timing, and steady preparation — but it’s absolutely achievable once you know the process. Start early, stay organised with deadlines, and keep your child’s wellbeing at the centre of it all. Good luck with the journey!

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