King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford 11+ Guide

About King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford is a selective secondary school in Essex. For children to get into King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the heart of Chelmsford, Essex, King Edward VI Grammar School is a renowned institution that has been nurturing young minds for centuries. This prestigious boys' grammar school, with a co-educational Sixth Form, is dedicated to providing an exceptional education that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the modern world. With a comprehensive curriculum that spans a wide array of subjects, from core disciplines to foreign languages, KEGS ensures that its pupils receive a well-rounded education that lays the foundation for future success.

Beyond the classroom, King Edward VI Grammar School boasts a thriving extracurricular programme that encourages students to explore their passions and develop new skills. From coding and Mandarin clubs to orchestra, drama, and fitness activities, the school offers a diverse range of opportunities for personal growth and enrichment. By fostering a love for learning, creativity, and physical well-being, KEGS empowers its students to become confident, well-rounded individuals who are ready to make a positive impact on their communities.

The school's commitment to excellence is evident in its outstanding academic record and the achievements of its alumni. Consistently ranked among the top grammar schools in the UK, King Edward VI Grammar School has earned an "Outstanding" rating from Ofsted, a testament to its unwavering dedication to providing a high-quality education. With a significant number of students securing places at prestigious universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, each year, KEGS continues to set the standard for academic excellence and student success.

At King Edward VI Grammar School, the motto "learning without limits" encapsulates the school's ethos of encouraging students to become fearless explorers, innovative thinkers, and lifelong learners. By nurturing talent, fostering curiosity, and providing a supportive and challenging learning environment, KEGS ensures that its students are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of the rapidly changing world and make their mark on society.

School Information

Below you will find further information about King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford together with their admissions contact details.

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) 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 1,131 pupils attend King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Tom Carter.

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford 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 King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford for the 2022-23 academic year.

CSSE 11+ Information

In order to get into King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, 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 selective schools in the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex. This competitive examination comprises two distinct papers, each lasting approximately one hour, which thoroughly test the candidates' proficiency in key subject areas.

The English paper assesses the students' command over the language, focusing on their reading comprehension skills and creative writing abilities. Aspiring students must demonstrate a keen understanding of the given texts and articulate their thoughts effectively in writing.

The Maths paper challenges the candidates' numerical aptitude, drawing upon concepts from the Key Stage 2 maths curriculum. Students are expected to exhibit a solid grasp of mathematical principles and apply them accurately to solve problems.

Other Schools using CSSE 11+

As well as King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, several other schools also use CSSE 11+. These are:

• Colchester County High School for Girls
• Colchester Royal Grammar School
• 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 King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford 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 King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, 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 King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford) 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 King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford was last inspected by Ofsted on 08/12/2021 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 31/01/2022, 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

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford was inspected by Ofsted on 8 December 2021 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional quality of education, with students consistently achieving high standards across the curriculum.

The inspection also highlighted the school's outstanding behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and sixth form provision. Students were found to be highly motivated, respectful, and engaged in their learning, while benefiting from a wide range of opportunities for personal growth and development.

The leadership and management of the school were also rated as outstanding, with a clear vision and effective strategies in place to maintain and further improve the school's performance. The inspectors praised the school's commitment to providing a high-quality education and supportive environment for all students.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford 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, King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

Practice Papers for King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford