Skip to main content
Search ExamKind
Reading options
Colours
Reading comfort
Background tint

Saved in a cookie on this device only.

Free and independent. No ads, no affiliate links. Every fact shows its source and the date we checked it.

Choosing a school

How to choose a grammar school

The short answer

Choosing a grammar school is about more than its results. Start with the practical questions: which test it uses, whether your child would be eligible, how places are given after the test (catchment, distance, siblings, pupil premium), and how far offers have reached in recent years. Then think about the school itself: the journey, the atmosphere, and whether your child would be happy there. Read each school's own admission policy.

What to do next

  1. Step 1: Check which test each school uses

    Your child must be registered for that test by its deadline.

    11+ exam boards

  2. Step 2: Look at how far offers reached

    School pages show past years where councils publish them. Past years can change.

    Find grammar schools

  3. Step 3: Name your schools on the application

    By31 OctoberSchool place applications close (common application form, CAF)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against GOV.UK.The source says: You must apply for a secondary school place by 31 October.View the official source

    Include at least one school your child is very likely to be offered.

Which grammar schools can your child realistically apply to?

Start with the rules, because they rule schools in or out:

  • The test. Each school uses a particular test, and you must register for it by the deadline. See the exam boards overview.
  • The standard needed. The School Admissions Code says selective schools must publish their entry requirements and selection processWhat selective schools must publishChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: The admission authorities for all selective schools must publish the entry requirements for a selective place and the process for such selection in their admission arrangements.View the official source. That is where you will find the pass mark or the way the school ranks children.
  • Who gets priority. Every school has its own admission rules. In Buckinghamshire, for example, each grammar school is its own admission authority and sets its own rules.

How do catchment and distance affect your chances?

Many grammar schools give priority to children living in a catchment area, or offer the last places by distance. The School Admissions Code says catchments must be reasonable and clearly defined; living outside one does not stop you applyingRules for catchment areasChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Catchment areas do not prevent parents who live outside the catchment of a particular school from expressing a preference for the school.View the official source, and that each school must say exactly how it measures distance and decides your home addressHow schools must explain distanceChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Admission authorities must clearly set out how distance from home to the school and/or any nodal points used in the arrangements will be measured.View the official source.

So for each school, look for:

  • whether it has a catchment area, and where its boundary is;
  • how distance is measured (straight line or walking route, and from which point);
  • what date your address is fixed for the application;
  • how far offers reached in recent years. Our school pages show past allocations where councils publish them, for example Aylesbury Grammar School. These describe past years only and can change.

More detail is in grammar school catchment areas explained.

Does your family qualify for any priority?

Check whether any of these apply:

  • Looked-after and previously looked-after children: at grammar schools that set a pass mark, looked-after and previously looked-after children who reach the standard get priorityChildren in care and grammar school placesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Where admission arrangements are not based solely on highest scores in a selection test, the admission authority must give priority in its oversubscription criteria to all looked after children and previously looked after children who meet the pre-set standards of the ability test.View the official source.
  • Pupil premium: schools may (but do not have to) prioritise children eligible for the pupil premium or service premiumPriority for children eligible for the pupil premiumChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Admission authorities may give priority in their oversubscription criteria to ... children eligible for the early years pupil premium , the pupil premium and also ... children eligible for the service premium .View the official source. Some grammar schools do, and the rules vary; see pupil premium priority and the 11+.
  • Siblings, children of staff or feeder schools, where a school's policy includes them.

What should you look for beyond the admission rules?

  • The journey. A long daily commute affects sleep, friendships and clubs. Try the route at school time.
  • The feel of the school. Open days and evenings are a good chance to see pupils and teachers in action. Ask how the school supports children who find the pace hard, and how it handles wellbeing.
  • Fit for your child. Single-sex or mixed, large or small, sporty, musical or arts-focused. Ask your child what matters to them.
  • Support for additional needs, if relevant. Ask to see the special educational needs information.
  • Sixth form and subject choices, if they matter to your family.

Exam results are worth a look, but remember that grammar schools select their pupils, so results partly reflect who they admit.

How many schools should you put on your application?

Your council's application lets you name at least threeSchools you can name on the application (at least)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Parents are able to express a preference for at least three schools.View the official source schools, sometimes more, in order of preference, by 31 OctoberSchool place applications close (common application form, CAF)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against GOV.UK.The source says: You must apply for a secondary school place by 31 October.View the official source. Include at least one school your child is very likely to be offered, such as a good local school, so you have a sensible outcome whatever happens. See how to rank your school preferences.

Sources

Facts on this page come from the School Admissions Code 2021 and GOV.UK school admissions guidance, archived on 9 October 2026, and our verified Buckinghamshire records.

ExamKind is independent and is not connected with any school or council. How we make our content.

Facts used in this guidesources in each row
FactDetailSource
What selective schools must publishselective schools must publish their entry requirements and selection processSource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
Rules for catchment areascatchments must be reasonable and clearly defined; living outside one does not stop you applyingSource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
How schools must explain distanceeach school must say exactly how it measures distance and decides your home addressSource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
Children in care and grammar school placesat grammar schools that set a pass mark, looked-after and previously looked-after children who reach the standard get prioritySource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
Priority for children eligible for the pupil premiumschools may (but do not have to) prioritise children eligible for the pupil premium or service premiumSource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
Schools you can name on the application (at least)at least threeSource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
School place applications close (common application form, CAF)31 OctoberSource: GOV.UK, checked

Written and checked by the ExamKind Editorial Team. Every fact on this page links to its official source. ExamKind is independent: no test provider, school or council owns us, and we have no ads. Spotted a mistake? Report an error on this page, or see every correction we have made.