Pip· 11+ Practice Get Pip free
Home›Grammar schools›Essex›Colchester Royal Grammar School
No catchment areaBoysEssex

Colchester Royal Grammar School catchment area

Colchester · boys grammar school · ages 11 to 18
Admissions
Super-selective
(no catchment)
Intake
Boys · ages 11 to 18
11+ test
CSSE
Year 7 places
128
Location
Colchester, Essex
Catchment, explained

How catchment works at Colchester Royal Grammar School

Colchester Royal Grammar School is a super-selective grammar school, so it does not reserve places for families living nearby. Every applicant sits CSSE, qualifiers are ranked from the highest score down, and offers run down that list until the boys places are filled. A child in Colchester and a child fifteen miles away are treated identically, the only thing that separates them is the mark on the day.

After the CSSE test, places go by EHCP, siblings, looked-after, pupil premium, staff, medical, then all other boys ranked by score; distance breaks ties. Home-to-school distance is used only to break ties between two children who share the exact same qualifying score.

Bottom line: there is no catchment for Colchester Royal Grammar School. Put everything into the 11+ score, a strong enough mark earns a place from anywhere in the region.
Grammar schools near Colchester
Essex
Nearby options

Other grammar schools near Colchester

Colchester County High School for Girls
Colchester · Part-catchment
0.4 miles away
King Edward VI Grammar School
Chelmsford · Part-catchment
20.2 miles away
Chelmsford County High School for Girls
Chelmsford · Part-catchment
20.7 miles away
Southend High School for Boys
Southend-on-Sea · Part-catchment
24.1 miles away
Southend High School for Girls
Southend-on-Sea · Part-catchment
24.4 miles away
Shoeburyness High School
Shoeburyness · Catchment area
24.4 miles away
Applying

Sitting the 11+ for Colchester Royal Grammar School

1

Register

Sign up for CSSE with the school or local authority, usually by early summer before Year 6 begins.

2

Sit the test

Your child takes the test in September of Year 6. Results follow in October, before the 31 October secondary application deadline.

3

Score high

Offers go to the highest scores first, so aim well above the pass mark to be safe.

FAQs

Colchester Royal Grammar School catchment, your questions answered

Does Colchester Royal Grammar School have a catchment area?+
No. It has no catchment or priority area; qualified boys from any address compete purely on test score. In short, where you live does not affect your chances, only your 11+ score does.
Is Colchester Royal Grammar School super-selective?+
Yes. Colchester Royal Grammar School admits purely on 11+ score with no catchment, so a high enough mark earns a place from anywhere.
How is the catchment for Colchester Royal Grammar School measured?+
There is no catchment to measure, places are ranked by 11+ score. Distance is only used to separate children with identical scores.
What test does my child sit for Colchester Royal Grammar School?+
Children applying to Colchester Royal Grammar School sit CSSE, usually at the start of Year 6. Register with the school or local authority before the summer deadline in Year 5.
How many places does Colchester Royal Grammar School offer?+
Colchester Royal Grammar School admits 128 pupils into Year 7 each year. With far more qualifiers than places, the score needed in practice is well above the basic pass mark.
Can we apply to Colchester Royal Grammar School from outside the area?+
Yes. For a super-selective there is no "outside", anyone can sit the test and a top score wins a place.
Does passing the 11+ guarantee a place at Colchester Royal Grammar School?+
No. Passing makes your child eligible, but places still go to the highest scores first, so the mark needs to be high enough to reach the offer line.
When do we register for the CSSE?+
Registration usually opens in the spring or early summer of Year 5 and closes before the test, which is sat in September of Year 6. Results come back in October, the secondary application deadline is 31 October, and offers are sent on national offer day, 1 March. Always confirm the exact dates with Colchester Royal Grammar School or your local authority.

Get Colchester-ready for the 11+

Pip turns CSSE revision into a 10-minute daily habit kids actually enjoy: maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, with a friendly tutor.

Get Pip free →
Catchment and admissions details change every year. This page is an indicative guide for parents, always confirm the current catchment area, distances, places and test arrangements directly with Colchester Royal Grammar School and your local authority before applying.