Essex and Southend (CSSE) 11+

Essex and Southend (CSSE) 11+ results: when they arrive and what they mean

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial Team

Some details are being re-checked

We check every fact against the official source on a schedule, and some details on this page are due their next check (last verified 19 October 2026). We'll update the page if anything has changed. How we check facts

In short

Before results day: plan for each result

Know how and when results arrive: Monday 12 October 2026Essex and Southend (CSSE) results dayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: Mid-October 2026 | Those pupils who took the 11 plus selection test will be advised of the outcome by ... CSSE. Details on www.csse.org.uk (news updates)View the official source.
Decide now whether you will read the result on your own first or open it with your child.
Think about your school list for each result: reached the score, close to it, or below it.
Put your own deadlines in your calendar. They are listed below.

On results day

Open it on your own first

If you can, read the result on your own first, before your child is home. A few quiet minutes let you take it in and choose your words.
You can keep the message unopened until you are ready, or decide to open it together. Do what suits your family.
If emails or the council website are slow, it says nothing about your child's result. Wait a little and try again.

How results arrive in Essex and Southend (CSSE): Monday 12 October 2026Essex and Southend (CSSE) results dayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: Mid-October 2026 | Those pupils who took the 11 plus selection test will be advised of the outcome by ... CSSE. Details on www.csse.org.uk (news updates)View the official source

How to tell your child

Start with how proud you are. I am so proud of how hard you worked for this.
Say the result plainly and calmly, in a few words. A big smile at the door can be read as good news before you speak.
If they reached the score: You reached the score. We will find out which school in March.
If they did not: You did not get the score this time. It was one test on one day, and it does not change how proud we are of you.
Let them feel disappointed if they are. You do not need to cheer them up straight away.
Let your child decide who else hears their score.

What each result means, and what to do next

qualifying scoreThe score a child must reach to be considered for a grammar school place in that area. Reaching it is not an offer of a place: places then follow each school’s admission rules. in Essex and Southend (CSSE): 303Essex and Southend (CSSE) qualifying scoreChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE).The source says: CSSE secondary school offers are not made to any child who has scored under a total standardised score of 303.View the official source

Your child reached the qualifying score

Your child can be considered for grammar schools in Essex and Southend (CSSE). This is not a place yet: if more children apply than a school has places, it uses its own admission rules, such as distance or catchmentAn area, set by a school or a council, where children get higher priority for a place. Living inside it is not an offer of a place. Not every school has a catchment..

What to do next

Tell your child you are proud of the effort they made, whatever the score.
Read each school's admission rules to see how it gives places. Our school pages show how far offers reached in past years.
Check whether a school asks for its own form or evidence, such as a SIFSupplementary Information FormAn extra form that some schools ask for, as well as the CAF. You send it to the school, not to the council. A SIF on its own is not an application: you must still name the school on your CAF., and send it by that school's deadline.
Apply to your home council by Saturday 31 October 2026School place applications close (CAF)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: The application window for on time applications is between 1 September 2026 and 31 October 2026 and parents can apply via our online form.View the official source, listing schools in your real order of preference.
Include at least one school your child is likely to be offered, so you have a good choice whatever happens.

Your child was close to the qualifying score

Your child has not qualified this time. A score close to the line can still leave options open, and what they are depends on the area.

What to do next

Tell your child you are proud of the effort they made, whatever the score.
You can still name a grammar school on your application. If it refuses a place, you can appealIf a school refuses your child a place, you have a legal right to appeal. An independent panel hears your case and can decide that the school must offer a place. In England you have at least 20 school days to send an appeal. after National Offer DayThe day councils in England tell families which secondary school place they are offered. It is 1 March, or the next working day if 1 March is at a weekend or on a bank holiday..
Apply to your home council by Saturday 31 October 2026School place applications close (CAF)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: The application window for on time applications is between 1 September 2026 and 31 October 2026 and parents can apply via our online form.View the official source, listing schools in your real order of preference.
Include at least one school your child is likely to be offered, so you have a good choice whatever happens.
If you are refused a place you wanted, you can appeal and ask to join the school's waiting listA list a school keeps of children who were not offered a place. It is in the order of the admission rules, not the date you joined. Some councils ask you to confirm your “continuing interest” to stay on it. after offers are made.

Your child did not reach the qualifying score this time

Your child has not qualified this time. One test on one day does not measure everything your child can do, and there are good next steps.

What to do next

Tell your child you are proud of the effort they made, whatever the score.
Look again at your other schools, and visit if you can. For most children the right school is one where they will be happy and do well.
You can still name a grammar school on your application. If it refuses a place, you can appealIf a school refuses your child a place, you have a legal right to appeal. An independent panel hears your case and can decide that the school must offer a place. In England you have at least 20 school days to send an appeal. after National Offer DayThe day councils in England tell families which secondary school place they are offered. It is 1 March, or the next working day if 1 March is at a weekend or on a bank holiday..
Apply to your home council by Saturday 31 October 2026School place applications close (CAF)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: The application window for on time applications is between 1 September 2026 and 31 October 2026 and parents can apply via our online form.View the official source, listing schools in your real order of preference.
Include at least one school your child is likely to be offered, so you have a good choice whatever happens.
If you are refused a place you wanted, you can appeal and ask to join the school's waiting listA list a school keeps of children who were not offered a place. It is in the order of the admission rules, not the date you joined. Some councils ask you to confirm your “continuing interest” to stay on it. after offers are made.

Your deadlines

These are the dates for things you need to do. Each one links to its official source and the day we checked it.

Results: Monday 12 October 2026Essex and Southend (CSSE): ResultsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: Mid-October 2026 | Those pupils who took the 11 plus selection test will be advised of the outcome by ... CSSE. Details on www.csse.org.uk (news updates)View the official source
School place applications close (CAF): Saturday 31 October 2026Essex and Southend (CSSE): School place applications close (CAF)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: The application window for on time applications is between 1 September 2026 and 31 October 2026 and parents can apply via our online form.View the official source
National Offer Day: Monday 1 March 2027Essex and Southend (CSSE): National Offer DayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: National Offer Day, when all that have applied receive the outcome for their application is 1 March 2027.View the official source
Appeal deadline: Tuesday 13 April 2027Essex and Southend (CSSE): Appeal deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: 13 April 2027 Closing date for 'on time' admission appeals to be submitted to schools.View the official source

After you apply: offers

Offers come on National Offer DayThe day councils in England tell families which secondary school place they are offered. It is 1 March, or the next working day if 1 March is at a weekend or on a bank holiday.: Monday 1 March 2027National Offer DayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: National Offer Day, when all that have applied receive the outcome for their application is 1 March 2027.View the official source. Until then, nobody has a place yet: a qualifying score makes a child eligible, and places depend on each school's rules.

What to do on Offer Day: accepting, waiting lists, appeals and complaints

CSSE results for September 2027 entry were released on Monday 12 October 2026Essex and Southend (CSSE) 2027 entry: ResultsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: Mid-October 2026 | Those pupils who took the 11 plus selection test will be advised of the outcome by ... CSSE. Details on www.csse.org.uk (news updates)View the official source. The result shows the raw score for each subject and the overall standardised scoreEssex and Southend (CSSE): Results contentChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: 11 Plus test results will be sent by first class post to all candidates by the CSSE with a guidance sheet detailing the likely 11 plus score your child will need to attain to gain a place at the individual CSSE Schools.View the official source. The CSSE pass mark is 303Essex and Southend (CSSE): Qualifying scoreChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE).The source says: CSSE secondary school offers are not made to any child who has scored under a total standardised score of 303.View the official source. A child at or above it can be considered for a selective place, but reaching the pass mark is not an offer. In this area the score also matters after qualifying. The consortium's rule is: Selection-test score determines allocation at each selective school; application varies by school (e.g. SS0-SS9 priority area at the four grammars).Essex and Southend (CSSE): Score used for rankingChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: The allocation of places at each of the schools is determined by the score in the selection test, but how this is applied will vary between the schoolsView the official source You can still change your school list now that you know the score: Parents may apply before results and amend preferences up to 31 October, or apply after results before the deadline.Essex and Southend (CSSE): Results affect preferencesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: You can apply before you receive your results and amend your preferences, up to 31 October, once you have your results, or you can apply once you have your results before the deadline, 31 October.View the official source The council application deadline is Saturday 31 October 2026Essex and Southend (CSSE) 2027 entry: School place applications close (CAF)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: The application window for on time applications is between 1 September 2026 and 31 October 2026 and parents can apply via our online form.View the official source. A score below the pass mark does not define your child. Many children thrive in the school that suits them, whatever the number.

The pass mark and past places

The pass mark is set by this rule: A pass mark is set annually so the entrance standard stays comparable with 1990-1994.Essex and Southend (CSSE): Qualifying ruleChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: A pass mark for the examination is set annually, which ensures that the entrance standard remains comparable with that obtained in the period 1990 – 1994.View the official source For September 2025 entry the pass mark was 303 (total standardised score)csse-2025-qualifyingScore: ValueChecked 12 Oct 2026 against Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE).The source says: 2025 ENTRY ... This table provides the lowest score in the 2024 11+ Test to secure a place on March offer day in 2025 for entry in September 2025. ... CSSE secondary school offers are not made to any child who has scored under a total standardised score of 303.View the official source. For September 2026 entry, 5113Essex and Southend (CSSE) 2026 entry: SatChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE).The source says: Each pupil's raw scores were standardised (μ=100, σ=15). The values used, in 2025, are presented in the table below. n=5113View the official source children sat the test. The consortium's guidance sheet of past scores for September 2027 entry has a publication date of Monday 12 October 2026Essex and Southend (CSSE): Historical guidance sheet2027 entry publicationChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE).The source says: The Historical Guidance Sheet will be published under the Freedom of Information tab on 12th October.View the official source. It describes itself like this: Guidance sheet = total standardised score of the last selective place offered at each school on National Offer Day (1 March) of that entry year, split inside/outside priority area; rounded to whole numbers; excludes appeal and special-considerations placesEssex and Southend (CSSE): Historical guidance sheet meaningChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE).The source says: This table provides the lowest score in the 2024 11+ Test to secure a place on March offer day in 2025 for entry in September 2025.View the official source.

When the score is below the pass mark

The consortium's rule is plain: Below the pass mark: refused a place at a selective school and cannot join its selective waiting list.Essex and Southend (CSSE): Minimum score ruleChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: If you use one of your preferences for a selective school and your child did not reach the pass mark you will be refused a place at the selective school. Children can only be on the waiting list for a selective place if they meet the pass mark.View the official source On re-marks, the rule is: No re-marking of test papersEssex and Southend (CSSE): RemarkingChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE).The source says: The CSSE schools have a joint policy to not re-mark test papers.View the official source. Circumstances on the day are handled this way: No special consideration or score adjustments; circumstances can be presented to an independent appeal panel after 1 March 2027Essex and Southend (CSSE): Special considerationChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE).The source says: The CSSE does not give special consideration to pupils’ circumstances when papers are marked and adjustments to scores will not be made. Parents may present their child’s particular circumstances to an independent appeal panel at any of their chosen schools after March Offer Day (1st March 2027)View the official source. The appeal route is: Independent appeal panel at each chosen school after National Offer DayEssex and Southend (CSSE): RouteChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE).The source says: Parents may present their child’s particular circumstances to an independent appeal panel at any of their chosen schools after March Offer Day (1st March 2027)View the official source. The deadline is Tuesday 13 April 2027Essex and Southend (CSSE) 2027 entry: Appeal deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: 13 April 2027 Closing date for 'on time' admission appeals to be submitted to schools.View the official source.

To plan a school list for each score, use the CSSE 11+ plan. The CSSE dates page lists the deadlines that follow. Our news story CSSE 11+ results are out sums up what to do before the council deadline.