Colchester County High School for Girls 11+ Guide

About Colchester County High School for Girls

Colchester County High School for Girls is a selective secondary school in Essex. For children to get into Colchester County High School for Girls they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Colchester County High School for Girls is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the heart of Colchester, Essex, Colchester County High School for Girls is a beacon of academic excellence and innovation. As a selective grammar school with academy status, CCHSG has earned its place among the most prestigious educational institutions in the United Kingdom. The school's unwavering commitment to nurturing the minds of young women has been its hallmark since its establishment.

At CCHSG, the curriculum is thoughtfully crafted to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an ever-evolving world. With a strong emphasis on science, mathematics, English, art, and modern languages, the school provides a comprehensive and challenging academic program. Beyond the classroom, students are encouraged to explore their passions through a wide array of extracurricular activities, including subject-specific clubs, creative writing, art, debating, and charitable initiatives. These enriching experiences not only complement the curriculum but also foster personal growth and development.

The school's dedication to cultivating independent thinking and problem-solving skills is at the core of its educational philosophy. CCHSG recognizes the importance of equipping students with the tools necessary to navigate the complexities of modern life. Through a supportive and nurturing learning environment, students are encouraged to take intellectual risks, embrace challenges, and develop resilience. This holistic approach to education has consistently yielded remarkable results, with students achieving exceptional performance in both GCSE and A-Level examinations. Many CCHSG graduates go on to secure places at the nation's most prestigious universities, a testament to the school's unwavering commitment to academic excellence.

Colchester County High School for Girls takes immense pride in its status as an "Outstanding" school, as recognized by Ofsted. This recognition is a reflection of the school's relentless pursuit of excellence in all aspects of education. From its pioneering role as one of the first Science Specialist schools in the country to its diverse range of leadership opportunities for students, CCHSG continues to set the standard for exceptional education. With its rich history, innovative approach, and unwavering dedication to empowering young women, Colchester County High School for Girls is undeniably a premier destination for those seeking an unparalleled educational experience.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Colchester County High School for Girls together with their admissions contact details.

Colchester County High School for Girls is a girls only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,149 pupils attend Colchester County High School for Girls and it's led by the Headteacher, Mrs Gillian Marshall.

Colchester County High School for Girls Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Colchester County High School for Girls for the 2022-23 academic year.

CSSE 11+ Information

In order to get into Colchester County High School for Girls, children need to pass the CSSE 11+. This 11+ test is written by CSSE for use by the school's admissions process.

CSSE 11+ Subjects & Structure

The CSSE 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English
• Maths

The 11 plus exam for CSSE is a rigorous assessment designed to evaluate the academic abilities of students seeking admission to Colchester County High School for Girls. This competitive examination is divided into two distinct papers, each lasting approximately one hour, which thoroughly test the candidates' proficiency in key subject areas.

The English paper comprises two main components: reading comprehension and creative writing. The reading comprehension section assesses the student's ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written passages, while the creative writing component challenges their imagination and written expression skills.

The Maths paper is based on the Key Stage 2 maths curriculum, evaluating the student's understanding of essential mathematical concepts, problem-solving abilities, and numerical reasoning. A solid foundation in arithmetic, geometry, and data handling is crucial for success in this section.

Other Schools using CSSE 11+

As well as Colchester County High School for Girls, several other schools also use CSSE 11+. These are:

• Colchester Royal Grammar School
• King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
• Southend High School for Boys
• Southend High School for Girls
• Westcliff High School for Boys Academy
• Westcliff High School for Girls

CSSE 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Colchester County High School for Girls is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

CSSE 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the CSSE 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Colchester County High School for Girls, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

CSSE 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the CSSE 11+ tests (to get into Colchester County High School for Girls) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Colchester County High School for Girls as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Colchester County High School for Girls was last inspected by Ofsted on 28/11/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 28/01/2024, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

Colchester County High School for Girls was inspected by Ofsted on 28 November 2023 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional performance in the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.

The inspection revealed that Colchester County High School for Girls provides an outstanding educational experience for its students. The school's commitment to academic excellence, positive behaviour, and personal growth was evident throughout the inspection.

The Outstanding rating across all categories highlights the school's dedication to maintaining the highest standards in every aspect of education. Colchester County High School for Girls serves as a shining example of what can be achieved through effective leadership, talented staff, and a supportive learning environment.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Colchester County High School for Girls per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Colchester County High School for Girls has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

Practice Papers for Colchester County High School for Girls