11 Plus Registration Deadlines 2026: Every Region in England
Key Takeaways
- Most 11 Plus registration deadlines fall between mid-June and early July of Year 5
- Late applications are almost never accepted, missing a deadline means missing the opportunity
- Different regions and schools have separate registration systems that must be completed independently
- Create a master calendar in spring of Year 4 or autumn of Year 5 to track all relevant deadlines
Missing an 11 Plus registration deadline is one of the most common and devastating mistakes families make during the grammar school admissions process. Unlike most school applications where the common application form deadline is 31 October, the 11 Plus registration deadline, the date by which you must sign your child up to sit the entrance test, falls much earlier, typically between May and July of Year 5. Once a deadline has passed, there is almost never a way to register late. The complexity is compounded by the fact that every region, and sometimes every individual school, has its own registration timeline. A family applying to schools in multiple areas must track several different deadlines simultaneously. Getting one wrong means losing the opportunity to apply to that school entirely. This guide lists every 11 Plus registration deadline for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle, organised by region. Use it as your master reference to ensure you never miss a critical date. We recommend setting calendar reminders at least two weeks before each deadline to give yourself time to complete the registration process without rushing.
11 Plus registration deadlines across England typically fall between mid-June and early July of Year 5, with registration opening in May. Each region and consortium has its own system, and late applications are not accepted. Families should create a master calendar to track all deadlines.
South-East England Registration Deadlines
Kent is one of the largest selective regions in England, with over 30 grammar schools. The Kent Test registration deadline typically falls in late June or early July of Year 5. Registration is through the Kent County Council website, and the test is held in September. Families outside Kent who wish their child to sit the Kent Test must also register by this deadline as external candidates.
Buckinghamshire operates an automatic entry system for children at state primary schools within the county. The opt-out deadline (for families who do not want their child tested) is typically mid-June. External candidates must register by late June through Buckinghamshire County Council.
Essex grammar schools use the CSSE consortium test. Registration typically opens in May and closes in late June. The CSSE portal covers all consortium schools, so one registration covers multiple schools. The test is held in September.
Bexley grammar schools have a registration deadline that typically falls in June. Registration is through the London Borough of Bexley admissions team. The common entrance test is held in September.
Bromley selective schools (St Olave's and Newstead Wood) each manage their own registration. Deadlines typically fall in June, though the exact dates differ between schools. Check each school's website from April onwards.
The Sutton consortium (Wilson's, Sutton Grammar, Wallington County Grammar, Wallington High School for Girls, Nonsuch High School) has a registration deadline that typically falls in late June. Registration is through the consortium portal.
Families in south-east England who are applying to schools across multiple areas should create a spreadsheet or calendar listing every deadline, as the variation between areas can be confusing.
London Borough Registration Deadlines
London grammar school registration deadlines vary by borough and by individual school. In Barnet, QE Barnet and Henrietta Barnett School each manage their own registration, with deadlines typically falling in June. Both schools open registration in May, and neither accepts late applications.
In Kingston upon Thames, Tiffin School and Tiffin Girls' School have registration deadlines that typically fall in late June or early July. Registration is through each school's website, and a registration fee is payable. The schools are strict about their deadlines.
In Redbridge, Ilford County High School and Woodford County High School use the CSSE consortium registration. The deadline aligns with the wider CSSE timeline, typically in late June.
In Enfield, Latymer School manages its own registration with a deadline that typically falls in June. Families should check the school website from April onwards for the exact date and process.
Across all London boroughs, the pattern is consistent: registration opens in May, deadlines fall between mid-June and early July, and tests are held in September. The critical action is to identify all the schools you are interested in as early as possible, ideally by Easter of Year 5, and note their specific registration dates.
EdifyPod Nexus helps families stay organised by providing a structured preparation calendar. While the platform focuses on academic preparation, having your child's study schedule aligned with the admissions timeline ensures nothing falls through the cracks during this busy period.
Midlands, North, and South-West Registration Deadlines
In Birmingham, the grammar schools operate through two main consortia: the King Edward's consortium and the Birmingham grammar schools consortium. Registration deadlines typically fall in June, with the test in September. Registration is through the respective consortium portals.
In Lincolnshire, the grammar schools use a county-wide test administered by the local authority. Registration typically opens in May with a deadline in late June. The test is held in September, and families register through Lincolnshire County Council.
In Trafford, the grammar schools use a GL Assessment test. Registration is through Trafford Council, with a deadline typically in June. The test is held in September.
In Warwickshire, grammar school registration is through the county council. The deadline typically falls in late June, with the test in September.
In Yorkshire, registration varies by area. Calderdale registration is through the local authority, typically with a June deadline. Heckmondwike Grammar School manages its own registration. North Yorkshire grammar schools also manage their own processes. All tests are typically held in September.
In Devon, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire, registration deadlines vary by school and by county. Gloucestershire uses a common registration through the county council. Devon schools manage their own registration individually. Wiltshire schools also register independently. All deadlines typically fall between May and early July.
The key message for families in these regions is the same as everywhere else: identify your target schools early, note their specific registration deadlines, and complete registration well before the closing date.
How to Stay on Top of Registration Deadlines
The single most effective strategy for managing 11 Plus registration deadlines is to create a master calendar as early as possible, ideally in the spring term of Year 4 or the autumn term of Year 5. List every school you are considering, along with the date registration opens, the registration deadline, the test date, and the results date.
Set two reminders for each deadline: one when registration opens and one two weeks before the deadline closes. The first reminder prompts you to begin the registration process, while the second ensures you complete it if you have not already done so. Many registration forms require you to enter personal details, pay a fee, and sometimes upload supporting documents, so leaving it until the last day is risky.
Check each school's or consortium's website regularly from April of Year 5 onwards. Some areas publish their exact dates as early as March, while others do not confirm until May. Bookmarking the relevant pages and checking weekly ensures you catch the announcement as soon as it is made.
If you are applying to schools in multiple areas, be aware that some registration systems are completely separate. Registering through the Sutton consortium does not register your child for the Bexley test or the CSSE test. Each system must be completed independently, with its own deadline and its own fee.
Finally, keep copies of all registration confirmations. Most systems send an email confirmation, which you should save and, ideally, print. If any dispute arises about whether your child is registered, having this confirmation provides essential evidence.
EdifyPod Nexus complements this administrative preparation with structured academic preparation that aligns with the admissions timeline. Starting your child's practice early ensures that by the time registration deadlines arrive, your child is already well into their preparation and you can focus your energy on the administrative side of the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do most 11 Plus registration deadlines fall?
Most 11 Plus registration deadlines fall between mid-June and early July of Year 5. Registration typically opens in May. The exact dates vary by region and by school.
Can I register after the deadline has passed?
In almost all cases, no. Schools and consortia are strict about their deadlines, and late applications are not accepted. There is no appeals process for missed registration deadlines.
Do I need to register separately for each grammar school?
It depends on the area. Some regions use consortium registration where one form covers multiple schools. Others require separate registration for each school. Check the specific arrangements for your target schools.