Chelmsford County High School for Girls 11+

How to get into Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Chelmsford County High School for Girls is a selective secondary school in Essex. To get into Chelmsford County High School for Girls children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Chelmsford County High School for Girls with all the important information you need to know.

Admission Requirements

The school offers 180 places annually for Year 7 entry ^[1]. Girls must be aged 11 to under 12 on 31st August 2025 to be eligible for September 2026 entry.

Families must complete the school's Supplementary Information Form (SIF) online between Wednesday 2nd April 2025 and Wednesday 4th June 2025. Registration for the entrance test closes at 4pm on Wednesday 4th June 2025, and late registrations will not be accepted ^[1].

The school has a priority area covering a 12.5 mile radius measured in a straight line from the school, with children living within this area prioritised for places. Anyone wishing to name CCHS on their Common Application Form must have registered to sit the entrance test ^[1].

• Complete the online Supplementary Information Form during the registration window
• Take the FSCE 11+ entrance test on Wednesday 3rd September 2025
• Submit a Common Application Form to the local authority by 31st October 2025
• Contact the school via school information section for specific queries

Application Process

The online registration requires families to obtain a passcode first by clicking the registration link, entering details, and requesting a passcode ^[1]. All queries regarding the form should be directed to admissions@cchs.co.uk rather than telephoning school reception to ensure proper handling by the admissions department.

The entrance test takes place on Wednesday 3rd September 2025, with results sent to families in mid-October. Families then use these results to decide whether to name the school on their secondary school common application form, available from early September and due by 31st October 2025.

National Offer Day occurs on Monday 3rd March 2025, when local authorities confirm secondary school application outcomes ^[1]. Families have until Monday 17th March 2025 to advise their local authority whether they accept their place.

• Register for a passcode on the school website
• Complete the Supplementary Information Form before the deadline
• Attend the Open Day on Thursday 1st May 2025 from 4pm to 7pm
• Take the entrance test on Wednesday 3rd September 2025
• Submit the Common Application Form by 31st October 2025
• Await results on Monday 3rd March 2025
• Accept or decline the place by Monday 17th March 2025

Entrance Test Details

Girls applying to Chelmsford County High School take an 11+ exam created by Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE). The exam provider may be changing the test structure and content from September 2025, with new information available in May 2025.

The test consists of two papers: Paper 1 covers mathematics and English skills in multiple-choice format for 45 minutes, while Paper 2 covers mathematics and English in constrained response format for 35 minutes. Test results are fully standardised and age-weighted to ensure fairness for all candidates.

Unlike the 10 other grammar schools in Essex, CCHS is not a member of the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), so families considering other Essex grammar schools must register separately through the CSSE website and take an additional exam.

• Test provider:FSCE 11+ (Future Stories Community Enterprise)
• Test format: Two papers covering mathematics and English
• Test date: Wednesday 3rd September 2025
• Results: Sent to families in mid-October 2025
• Separate registration: Required if applying to other Essex grammar schools

Oversubscription Criteria

Passing the 11+ does not guarantee a place, as many grammar schools are oversubscribed with qualified children. Places are allocated in priority order: looked after or previously looked after children who achieve required scores irrespective of location, followed by up to 30 places for pupil premium recipients within the 12.5 mile priority area who achieve required scores.

Families who name CCHS as their first choice and are not offered a place will automatically be added to the waiting list ^[1]. The local authority releases the waiting list to the public on Monday 24th March 2025.

• Priority 1: Looked after and previously looked after children with required academic standard
• Priority 2: Children with Education, Health and Care Plans with required academic standard
• Priority 3: Up to 30 pupil premium recipients within 12.5 mile priority area
• Priority 4: Children living within the 12.5 mile priority area
• Priority 5: Remaining places offered in score order regardless of location

Preparation Guidance

Families should begin preparation well in advance of the entrance test. Building a good knowledge base is important, using a 'little and often' approach with regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11.

For practice materials and preparation resources, families should visit practice 11+ papers. Professional tutoring support can be found through 11+ tutor services.

The application process begins between April and June when children are in Year 5, with the school holding an Open Day in late April to allow families to hear a presentation from the Head, tour the campus and ask questions.

• Start preparation during Year 5 when registration opens
• Use short, regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes
• Focus on mathematics and English skills for the test format
• Attend the Open Day in May 2025 to visit the school
• Consider accessing practice 11+ papers for preparation
• Explore 11+ tutor options if additional support is needed

Practical Advice

Families should ensure their daughter is well-prepared for exam day. The school complies with the Equality Act 2010 and considers reasonable adjustments for children with disabilities or Special Educational Needs, though families should inform CCHS in advance if additional support is needed.

The school is considered one of the most competitive grammar schools in Essex concerning admissions, so families should prepare backup school options. Passing the entrance test is not a guarantee of a place in Year 7, as all applicants must satisfy the school's criteria.

For specific information about school contact details and admissions queries, families should refer to the school information section. All admissions-related questions should be directed to the dedicated admissions team rather than general school reception.

• Prepare backup school applications in Essex
• Inform the school of any special educational needs well in advance
• Understand that test success does not guarantee admission
• Contact admissions team directly for specific queries
• Plan for the competitive nature of the application process
• Consider the 12.5 mile priority area when assessing chances
• Prepare for multiple exam dates if applying to other Essex grammar schools

^[1]Chelmsford County High School for Girls official website

FSCE 11+ Information

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

FSCE 11+ Subjects & Structure

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

• English
• Maths
• Creative Writing

The 11 plus exam for admission to Chelmsford County High School is designed by Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE). This comprehensive assessment consists of three distinct papers that evaluate the candidate's abilities in various areas.

The English paper assesses the applicant's reading comprehension, vocabulary, and ability to identify missing letters. The Maths paper covers core topics from the Key Stage 2 maths national curriculum, testing the candidate's numerical skills and problem-solving abilities. Lastly, the Creative Writing paper requires the applicant to compose an original piece of writing based on a given prompt, showcasing their creativity and written expression.

This well-rounded examination provides a thorough evaluation of the candidate's academic potential, ensuring that Chelmsford County High School selects students who demonstrate excellence in English, Maths, and Creative Writing.

Other Schools using FSCE 11+

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

• Reading School
• Colyton Grammar School

FSCE 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Chelmsford 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!

FSCE 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the FSCE 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 Chelmsford County High School for Girls, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Key Dates for the Chelmsford County High School for Girls 11+ Entrance Tests

Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Chelmsford 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 Chelmsford County High School for Girls as they may well change.

11+ Tutor for Chelmsford County High School for Girls

As the FSCE 11+ entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.

Why use a private 11+ tutor?

Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the FSCE 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.

11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.

11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.

Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!

Private 11+ Tutors for the Chelmsford County High School for Girls 11+ Tests

We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Chelmsford County High School for Girls 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.

11+ Past Papers for Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Unfortunately, Chelmsford County High School for Girls has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.

11+ Practice Papers for Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Unfortunately, there are no targeted 11+ practice papers for Chelmsford County High School for Girls available. However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.

School Information

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

Chelmsford 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 1,163 pupils attend Chelmsford County High School for Girls and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Stephen Lawlor.

Chelmsford County High School for Girls Location

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

Ofsted Information

Chelmsford County High School for Girls was last inspected by Ofsted on 23/01/2024 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 15/02/2024, 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

Chelmsford County High School for Girls received an Outstanding rating in its recent Ofsted inspection on 23 January 2024. The school demonstrated exceptional performance across all areas assessed, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.

The inspection report highlighted the school's outstanding quality of education, indicating that students benefit from a well-structured curriculum and highly effective teaching. The school's outstanding behaviour and attitudes were also praised, with students displaying exemplary conduct and a strong commitment to learning.

Furthermore, the school's outstanding personal development provision ensures that students receive comprehensive support for their well-being and growth. The outstanding leadership and management at Chelmsford County High School for Girls have created a culture of excellence, fostering an environment where students thrive academically and personally. The sixth form provision was also deemed outstanding, preparing students exceptionally well for their future endeavours.

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

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

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Chelmsford 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)