If your child sat the CSSE 11+ test in September, the next few weeks matter. Results arrive by email in mid-October, and the deadline to apply for a secondary school place is 31 October 2026. That leaves about two weeks to read the results, decide on your preferences and submit your application.
This guide walks you through each step.
1. Reading the results email
CSSE emails results at the close of business on Monday 12 October 2026. Last year, they were sent on 13 October.
The email shows your child’s raw score for each subject and an overall standardised score. Standardising adjusts the scores so children are compared fairly.
CSSE also publishes a guidance sheet with historical data. It shows the scores that led to offers at each school in previous years. It is a useful guide, but CSSE is clear that there is “no guarantee of a place based on the historical information supplied”, because the scores needed change from year to year.
CSSE’s information guide for 2026 entry states that its schools do not make offers to children who score below 303 on the standardised scale, except through a successful appeal. Check the information sent with your results for this year’s figures.
2. The step parents miss: you still need to apply
This is the most important point in this guide.
Registering for the CSSE test is not an application for a school place. In CSSE’s own words, “completing the test registration form does not constitute a valid application for a place at a CSSE School.”
To be considered, you must name the grammar school (or schools) on your council’s secondary school application by 31 October 2026. If you live in Colchester, that is Essex County Council, and you use one application even if some of your chosen schools are outside Essex.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 12 October 2026 | CSSE results emailed to parents |
| 31 October 2026 | Deadline for secondary school applications |
| 1 March 2027 | National Offer Day: Essex County Council sends offers |
| March 2027 | Appeal information is sent with offers |
Applications received after 31 October are normally treated as late. Late applications are only considered after all on-time applications, which makes a place at your preferred schools less likely.
3. Choosing and ordering your preferences
Essex families can name up to six secondary schools. Two rules make this simpler than it sounds:
- Put the schools in the order you want them. The council offers the highest preference it can meet under each school’s admissions criteria.
- Schools never see your ranking. In Essex County Council’s words, “the order of your preferences is confidential between you and the Council.” Naming a grammar school first does not reduce your chances at the schools below it.
One point to keep in mind: if your child’s score is high enough for a grammar school place, but you have named another school higher that can also be offered, the council will offer the higher one. So rank the schools in your true order of preference.
It is also wise to include at least one school your child is very likely to be offered, such as your local school. A good test result alone, as the council notes, “does not guarantee a place at the school.”
4. If the score is lower than you hoped
A disappointing result can be hard, for children and parents alike. A few things are worth remembering:
- Colchester has a range of non-selective secondary schools. Visit them, read their latest reports, and choose the one that suits your child best.
- Appeals are possible. Information about appealing comes with your offer in March. Places can be awarded on appeal even below the usual qualifying score.
- Your child’s effort still counts. The preparation behind the test builds reading, maths and reasoning skills that carry straight into Year 7.
How you talk about the result matters more than the number itself. Praise the effort, keep perspective, and focus on the next step together.
5. Have a younger child? What this means for Year 4 and Year 5 families
If you are reading this with a younger child in mind, this year’s results season is a useful preview of the road ahead.
The CSSE test takes place in September, at the start of Year 6. Registration usually opens for a limited period in May and June, while your child is in Year 5. So for most families:
- Year 4 is the time to build strong foundations in reading, vocabulary, maths and reasoning, without exam pressure.
- Year 5 is the preparation year: covering all the areas tested, building exam technique, and practising under timed conditions.
At ILM Tuition, we run small-group 11+ classes in Colchester for both years. Our Year 4 groups build core skills early, and our Year 5 groups include mock exams with scoring and feedback, so children know what to expect on the day. We also offer one-to-one sessions and Assessment Days.
View our Year 4 and Year 5 tuition → · See class times and fees →
New to the 11+? Read our guide: What is the 11 Plus?
Places in our groups are limited. Message us on WhatsApp or get in touch to ask about the right group for your child.
Frequently asked questions
When are CSSE results released?
For the September 2026 test, CSSE emails results at the close of business on Monday 12 October 2026. CSSE publishes each year’s key dates on its website.
Does a high CSSE score guarantee a grammar school place?
No. A score above the qualifying level makes your child eligible, but places are offered through your council’s application, using each school’s admissions criteria and your order of preferences. You must name the school on your application by 31 October.
Can I still apply after 31 October?
Yes, but your application will normally be treated as late, and late applications are only considered after all on-time applications. Apply by the deadline if you possibly can.
Sources: CSSE · CSSE Information Guide · Essex County Council: secondary school places · Secondary education in Essex 2027 to 2028. Dates and rules can change each year, so always check the latest information from CSSE and Essex County Council.