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Book a Free ConsultationGrammar school catchment areas in London are more complicated than in many other parts of England — because Greater London has very few fully selective state grammar schools. Most of the grammar schools that London families target are actually located just outside the city's boundaries, in counties like Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. Understanding exactly how distance, residency, and admissions criteria interact is essential before your child sits the 11-plus in Year 6 for September 2026 entry.
Strictly speaking, Greater London contains only a small number of state grammar schools. The most well-known are the Tiffin Schools (Tiffin School for boys and Tiffin Girls' School) in Kingston upon Thames, Henrietta Barnett School in Barnet, Queen Elizabeth's School in Barnet, Wallington County Grammar School, and Nonsuch High School for Girls in Sutton. These schools are highly oversubscribed and draw applications from across London and beyond.
Outside Greater London, the grammar school landscape changes dramatically. Kent alone has 36 selective grammar schools, making it the largest fully selective local authority in England. Buckinghamshire operates an entirely selective secondary system. These out-of-London schools are realistic options for many London families — but each has its own residency and distance rules.
The term "catchment area" can be misleading when applied to grammar schools. Unlike most comprehensive schools, grammar schools do not use a fixed geographic catchment zone as their primary filter. Instead, they use a two-stage process: first, a child must pass the 11-plus entrance test; second, places are allocated among qualifying children using ranked criteria — and distance from the school is usually one of those criteria, but not always the first.
For London's grammar schools, the typical admissions priority order looks something like this:
Queen Elizabeth's School in Barnet, for example, uses a qualifying score combined with proximity, and the last distance offered in recent years has been well under five miles. Henrietta Barnett School is similarly competitive — in 2024 entry, the furthest successful applicant lived approximately 3.5 miles away. These figures shift year on year depending on the cohort, so always check the school's published admissions data for the most recent cycle.
Many London families look to Kent grammar schools such as Dartford Grammar School, Tonbridge Grammar School, or the Judd School. Kent's 11-plus is administered by the Kent Test, which is set by GL Assessment and taken in September of Year 6. Children do not need to live in Kent to sit the test, but Kent grammar schools prioritise Kent-resident children who pass. Out-of-county applicants who pass are considered, but typically only fill places after all qualifying Kent residents have been offered.
In Buckinghamshire, the Secondary Transfer Test (also GL Assessment) works similarly. Buckinghamshire-resident children are prioritised, and London families living close to the county border — particularly in areas like Hillingdon — sometimes fall within realistic distance. However, Buckinghamshire schools are clear that residency in the county carries significant weight.
Essex grammar schools, including Chelmsford County High School for Girls and King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford, also prioritise Essex residents. Some schools in Southend-on-Sea operate their own local arrangements. For 2026 entry, families should check individual school admissions policies published by October 2025 at the latest.
For September 2026 entry, your child will be in Year 5 during the 2024–25 academic year and will sit the 11-plus in autumn 2025 (typically September or October, depending on the school or local authority). The secondary school application itself is submitted through your local council's online portal by the national deadline of 31 October 2025. Offers are made on National Offer Day: 1 March 2026.
Each grammar school or local authority runs its own registration process for the 11-plus, and these registration windows often open as early as May or June 2025. Missing the registration deadline means your child cannot sit the test for that school — there are very few exceptions. Key steps for London families targeting 2026 entry include:
One of the most persistent myths is that passing the 11-plus guarantees a place. It does not. At schools like Tiffin Girls' or Henrietta Barnett, hundreds more children pass the qualifying threshold than there are places available. The score your child achieves — and how it compares to other applicants — matters enormously at these schools, not just whether they pass.
Another misconception is that moving house closer to a grammar school shortly before the application deadline will secure priority. Admissions authorities are alert to this. Most schools specify that the address used must be the child's permanent, genuine home address at the time of application, and some explicitly state they may request proof of residency going back several months. Attempting to use a temporary or secondary address is considered fraudulent and can result in a place being withdrawn.
Finally, some families assume that a high 11-plus score from one test automatically transfers to another school's process. It does not. Each school or authority sets its own test, its own pass mark (sometimes called a qualifying score or standardised score threshold), and its own ranking system. A child who passes the Kent Test is not automatically considered for a Buckinghamshire school, and vice versa.
How many state grammar schools are there in Greater London?
There are approximately 12 to 14 state-funded selective grammar schools within Greater London, depending on how you define the boundaries. The most prominent are in the London Boroughs of Barnet, Kingston upon Thames, and Sutton. This is far fewer than neighbouring counties like Kent, which has 36 grammar schools across the county.
Can a child living in London apply to a Kent grammar school for 2026 entry?
Yes, London-resident children can sit the Kent Test and apply to Kent grammar schools. However, Kent-resident children who pass are given priority in admissions. Out-of-county applicants are only offered places once all qualifying Kent residents have been accommodated, so competition for the remaining places is intense. Families in south-east London boroughs like Bromley or Lewisham are geographically closest and most commonly apply.
What is the difference between a qualifying score and a pass mark in grammar school admissions?
A qualifying score (sometimes called a pass mark or standardised score threshold) is the minimum score a child must achieve to be considered for a grammar school place. Reaching this threshold does not guarantee a place — it simply makes the child eligible. At oversubscribed schools, places are then allocated by ranked criteria such as distance, meaning a child who just meets the threshold may not be offered a place if many higher-scoring or closer applicants also qualify.
When should 11-plus preparation begin for September 2026 entry?
Most families begin structured 11-plus preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5, giving 12 to 18 months of focused practice before the autumn 2025 tests. The content typically covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, mathematics, and English comprehension — though the exact balance depends on whether the school uses GL Assessment, CEM, or a bespoke paper. Starting earlier allows time to identify and address gaps without pressure.
Grammar school admissions in and around London require careful research well before the Year 6 test date. Every school has its own rules, and the distance or residency criteria that determined offers last year may shift slightly for 2026. Checking each school's admissions policy directly — and doing so early — is the most reliable way to make sure your child's application is built on accurate, up-to-date information. Leading Tuition works with families across London preparing for the 11-plus, and the team at Leading Tuition is happy to advise on test formats and preparation strategies suited to your target schools.
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