About King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford (KEGS) is a highly selective state grammar school for boys aged 11–18, with a co-educational Sixth Form, in Chelmsford, Essex. It is a state-funded academy — not an independent, fee-paying school — and is consistently one of the country’s top-performing state schools, rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Founded in 1551 by Edward VI, KEGS is a member of the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE). Entry to Year 7 is by the CSSE 11+ selection test; there are no fees, and admission is by test score together with the school’s priority area. A specialist Science College, it offers a broad, demanding curriculum with a wide co-curricular programme.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford Admissions Criteria
KEGS is a selective state grammar school, so entry to Year 7 is by the CSSE 11+ selection test — not by fees. You register your child for the test with the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) and name KEGS on your home Local Authority’s Common Application Form. There are 150 places: most are offered to the highest-scoring boys living within the school’s 12.5-mile priority area, with a number of places for high scorers living outside it.
- ✓Step 1 — Visit: Look round at an Open Day or tour to get a feel for the school. This is not part of the selection process.
- ✓Step 2 — Register for the CSSE 11+: Register your son for the selection test with the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), via the Supplementary Information Form on the CSSE website, by the published deadline (registration usually opens in mid-May).
- ✓Step 3 — Name KEGS on your Local Authority application: List KEGS on your child’s secondary Common Application Form through your home Local Authority by the national deadline of 31 October. There is no fee to the school.
- ✓Step 4 — Sit the CSSE 11+: Your son sits the CSSE 11+ in September of Year 6. The same test is shared across the ten Essex consortium schools, so it is taken only once.
- ✓Step 5 — Offers: Your Local Authority makes offers on National Offer Day (1 March of Year 6). Places are allocated by test score within the priority-area rules below.
As a state-funded school there are no tuition fees. Support such as free school meals and pupil premium funding is available to eligible families — contact the school for details.
How Places Are Allocated at King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
- 150 places in total: 120 for boys living within the priority area (within 12.5 miles, resident there since September of Year 6) and 30 for boys living outside it.
- A small number of the in-area places are reserved for the highest-scoring pupil-premium, looked-after or previously looked-after boys who meet the qualifying score.
- Remaining in-area places are offered in descending order of CSSE 11+ score to boys within the priority area.
- Out-of-area places are offered in descending order of score (with a small number reserved for qualifying high-scoring disadvantaged boys).
- See the school’s and CSSE’s published admissions policy for the full criteria and qualifying scores.
Catchment Area for King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
KEGS gives priority to boys living within its defined priority area, so where you live matters alongside the test score — but entry depends first on sitting the CSSE 11+.
Distance cut-offs and qualifying scores vary each year, so check the school’s admissions policy and the CSSE website before applying.
Academic Performance at King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford (GCSE & A-Level Results)
As a highly selective grammar school, KEGS is consistently among the very top-performing state schools in the country, and was rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
- GCSE: an exceptional record, with the large majority of grades at the highest levels (grades 9–7).
- A-Level: consistently strong, with most students progressing to Russell Group and Oxbridge universities.
- Reputation: historically ranked among the most successful state schools in the country for Oxbridge entry and A-Level performance.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1551 by Edward VI, King Edward VI Grammar School is a selective state grammar for boys (with a co-educational Sixth Form) on Broomfield Road in Chelmsford, Essex, with the motto ‘Quicquid agas sapiens age fortiter ex animoque’. A specialist Science College rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, it is organised into houses — Holland, Mildmay, Strutt and Tindal — and combines high academic expectations with strong pastoral care.
Co-curricular life is wide-ranging, spanning sport, music, drama, the Combined Cadet Force, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and many clubs and societies. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
How do I apply to KEGS for Year 7?
Register your son for the CSSE 11+ with the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), and name KEGS on your home Local Authority’s Common Application Form by 31 October. There is no fee to the school.
Does KEGS charge fees?
No. KEGS is a state-funded grammar school with academy status — it is not an independent, fee-paying school.
What is the entrance exam for KEGS?
The CSSE 11+ selection test, shared by the ten grammar schools in the Essex consortium. It is sat in September of Year 6 and taken only once, even if you apply to several CSSE schools.
Does KEGS have a catchment area?
Yes — there is a 12.5-mile priority area, and most places go to high-scoring boys living within it (your child must have lived there since September of Year 6). A number of places are kept for high scorers outside the area.
Is the KEGS Sixth Form co-educational?
Yes. KEGS admits boys from Year 7, and the Sixth Form is co-educational, with a number of new girls (and boys) joining at 16.
How many Year 7 places are there at KEGS?
150 places — 120 for boys in the priority area and 30 for boys outside it — offered in descending order of CSSE 11+ score within those groups.
Independent Practice Papers for King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford uses the Independent 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
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