If your child is in Year 5 now, they sit the FSCE 11 plus in 2027 for a September 2028 start. Twelve grammar schools in Gloucestershire and Trafford join FSCE for that entry, on top of the ten that used it last year.
The ten are Reading School, Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith, Lancaster Girls' Grammar, Skipton Girls' High, Clitheroe Royal Grammar, Ermysted's, Heckmondwike Grammar, The Crossley Heath School and The North Halifax Grammar School. If your child is in Year 4 now, they sit in 2028 for 2029 entry.
We checked each school's own admissions information on 15 October 2026. Where 2027 test dates aren't published yet, we show last year's dates as a guide, and our FSCE 11 plus explained guide covers the basics.
- Year 5 now? Your child sits in 2027 for 2028 entry. Year 4 now? They sit in 2028.
- 10 grammar schools used FSCE last year (2027 entry). 8 of them are in northern England.
- The test is not the same everywhere: four, three or two papers, and some add a creative task.
- 7 Gloucestershire grammars join for 2028 entry, with a test on Saturday 3 July 2027. 5 Trafford grammars join too, testing in September 2027.
- Kendrick School is not on the FSCE list. Its listings describe a GL Assessment test.
- The ten schools haven't published 2027 test dates yet. Last year most tested in September of Year 6, and Reading in July of Year 5.
Which grammar schools use the FSCE 11 plus for 2028 entry?
Up to twenty-two. Twelve schools in Gloucestershire and Trafford have confirmed FSCE for 2028 entry, and none of the ten that used it last year has said it's switching.
We list a school as confirmed only when its own admissions page or a document it publishes names FSCE. The ten haven't published 2028 entry policies yet, so check each one in the spring.
2027 test dates and last year's dates for each school
None of these ten has published its 2027 test date yet (checked 15 October 2026). Each runs its own test and registration, so last year's row is your best guide to when to look.
Registration closes months before the test, and last year the windows ran from about six weeks at Heckmondwike to over four months at Ermysted's. For the Gloucestershire and Trafford dates, see the schools joining for 2028 entry.
| School and area | FSCE variant | 2027 sitting (2028 entry) | Last year: 2026 test | Last year: 2026 registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading School Berkshire, boys | Four papers: Adventure, Beacon, Compass, Discovery (creative) | Not published yet | 12, 15 and 16 July 2026; 25 September 2026 for day applicants outside the catchment | 27 March to 17 May 2026 |
| Chelmsford County High School for Girls Essex | KS2 subjects plus a Creativity task | Not published yet | Thursday 3 September 2026 | 13 April to 3 June 2026 |
| Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith Cumbria | Three papers: Adventure (about 1 hour), Beacon (about 40 minutes), Compass (about 35 minutes) | Not published yet | Thursday 17 September 2026 | 1 May to 12 July 2026 |
| Lancaster Girls' Grammar School Lancashire | Two papers: English and maths | Not published yet | Saturday 26 September 2026 | Closed 9 September 2026 |
| Skipton Girls' High School North Yorkshire | Two papers: English and maths | Not published yet | Saturday 26 September 2026* | 1 May to 19 August 2026* |
| Clitheroe Royal Grammar School Lancashire | Two papers: English and maths | Not published yet | Saturday 26 September 2026 | 1 June to 4 September 2026 (noon) |
| Ermysted's Grammar School North Yorkshire, boys | Two papers: English and maths | Not published yet | Saturday 26 September 2026 | 13 April to 31 August 2026 (noon) |
| Heckmondwike Grammar School West Yorkshire | English and maths, then a creative writing task if the score is eligible | Not published yet | Monday 14 September 2026 | 11 May to 22 June 2026 (midday) |
| The Crossley Heath School Halifax, West Yorkshire | English and maths, then a creative writing task if the score is eligible | Not published yet | Saturday 19 September 2026 (spare day Friday 25 September) | 20 March to 26 June 2026 |
| The North Halifax Grammar School Halifax, West Yorkshire | English and maths, then a creative writing task if the score is eligible | Not published yet | Saturday 19 September 2026 (shared with Crossley Heath) | 20 March to 26 June 2026 |
* From third-party listings. The school's own page was out of date or not reachable when we checked, and every school's admissions page is linked in the next table and the sources list.
Sitting an English and maths FSCE? Pip gives your child adaptive English and maths practice, full mock tests and progress tracking, so they can practise for as long as they like.
Qualifying scores and admissions pages
Most schools do not publish a qualifying score. Here is what each school says, with a link to its admissions page. Raw scores are not shared, and the standard is set each year.
| School | Eligible or qualifying score | Admissions page |
|---|---|---|
| Reading School | Not published. The school says it varies each year. | Reading admissions |
| Chelmsford County High School for Girls | 92 or above plus the standard in Creativity (2027 entry). 476 of 1,119 reached it. | CCHS admissions |
| Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith | Not found | Family information on the QEGS site |
| Lancaster Girls' Grammar School | No fixed pass mark. It is set each year from how the group does. | Lancaster admissions |
| Skipton Girls' High School | Not found | Skipton website |
| Clitheroe Royal Grammar School | Not found | Clitheroe admissions |
| Ermysted's Grammar School | Not found | Ermysted's Year 7 admissions |
| Heckmondwike Grammar School | No number published. Children need the school's eligible score on the two papers. | Heckmondwike entrance exam |
| The Crossley Heath School | No number published. Children need the qualifying standard. | Crossley Heath admissions |
| The North Halifax Grammar School | No number published. Children need the qualifying standard. | North Halifax admissions |
Which FSCE variant does each school use?
The schools split into four groups, so find yours before you pick any practice. All the papers use the same names: Adventure, Beacon, Compass and Discovery.
- Four papers (Reading School): Adventure (multiple choice), Beacon (short written answers), Compass (multiple choice) and Discovery, a creative response. Any of 11 KS2 subjects can appear. Read our Reading School guide.
- KS2 subjects plus Creativity (Chelmsford County High School for Girls): the school says the test covers subjects in the KS2 curriculum and creativity. The Creativity task is judged only if the computer-marked papers reach the eligible score.
- Three papers (QEGS Penrith): Adventure, Beacon and Compass, about 1 hour, 40 minutes and 35 minutes. Gloucestershire uses these three papers too, from July 2027.
- Two papers (Lancaster, Skipton, Clitheroe, Ermysted's): Adventure and Beacon, both English and maths, with no creative task and no reasoning. See our guide to the four two-paper schools.
- Two papers plus a creative task (Heckmondwike, Crossley Heath, North Halifax): English and maths, then a creative writing task for children who reach the eligible score.
For what each paper holds, see Adventure, Beacon, Compass and Discovery papers and the Creativity paper guide. To compare FSCE with other tests, read FSCE vs GL vs CSSE.
Which schools join the FSCE 11 plus for 2028 entry?
Seven Gloucestershire grammar schools and five Trafford grammar schools join for September 2028 entry. Gloucestershire tests in July of Year 5, and Trafford in September of Year 6, so both sit in 2027 if your child is in Year 5 now.
| Group | Test date | Registration | What it covers | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gloucestershire: Crypt, Denmark Road, Marling, Pate's, Ribston Hall, Sir Thomas Rich's, Stroud High | Saturday 3 July 2027 (Year 5) | 8 February (noon) to 19 March 2027 (noon) | Three papers: Adventure (English and maths, multiple choice), Beacon (English and maths, short written answers), Compass (one school subject, multiple choice) | Not yet published |
| Trafford: Altrincham Grammar for Boys, Altrincham Grammar for Girls, Sale, Stretford, Urmston | September 2027 (Year 6). Exact date not published yet | Not yet published | KS2 English and maths, up to the end of Year 5 | Not yet published |
The Gloucestershire details come from The Crypt School's and Denmark Road's 2028 entry pages, and Pate's and Marling confirm the move too. The Trafford details come from Altrincham Grammar School for Girls' 2028 admissions page, and all are linked in the sources.
Trafford's exact dates are not published yet, so check each school as they appear. For help picking between schools, see how to choose which grammar schools to apply to and our Gloucestershire practice guide.
We did not find 2028 entry dates for the ten schools that used FSCE last year. Expect a similar pattern to 2026 and check each school's page from early 2027.
Our free FSCE 2027 Info Pack is for children sitting in 2027. It sets out the papers and the key facts in one PDF.
Which schools are not confirmed as FSCE?
These schools turn up on some lists, but we could not confirm any of them as FSCE users. Treat them as unconfirmed until the school says otherwise.
| School | Status | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kendrick School (Reading) | Not FSCE on the evidence we found | Its 2027 listings describe a GL Assessment test: English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Some tutor lists name it as FSCE. We found no Kendrick document that does. |
| King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford | Not confirmed | One tutor site lists it with FSCE. Chelmsford County High School for Girls is the Chelmsford school we confirmed. |
| Colyton Grammar School (Devon) | Not confirmed | Older lists include it. Some sources say it has left. We found no Colyton page naming FSCE. |
| The Blue Coat School (Liverpool) | Not confirmed | One tutoring site lists it. We found no school page naming FSCE. |
| Loreto Grammar School and St Ambrose College (Trafford) | Not FSCE | Reported to set their own tests, so they do not join the Trafford move. |
Does Kendrick School use FSCE?
No evidence says so. Kendrick School, a girls' grammar school in Reading, lists a GL Assessment test for 2027 entry. The listings we found describe two one-hour multiple-choice papers covering English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. We found no Kendrick document that names FSCE.
So the answer for Kendrick is no, as far as published evidence goes. The mix-up is easy to see. FSCE was set up by Reading School, which is a different school in the same town. A few tutor sites have listed Kendrick with FSCE, and most others have not. Kendrick's own admissions page is the only source to trust, so check it before you plan your practice.
Read the school's page, not the list. FSCE is the company that writes the test, not one format. Two FSCE schools can set different papers. Find your school's familiarisation guide and check the papers it names.
Diary registration, not just the test. Last year Ermysted's closed on 31 August, Skipton on 19 August and Reading School on 17 May, so set a reminder for the spring of Year 5.
Keep the Common Application Form separate. Registering for the test does not apply for a place, so you still need your council's form by 31 October of Year 6, naming all your choices.
Register at each school. Scores do not carry over, and a child may only take each test once. Crossley Heath and North Halifax share one test, so one sitting covers both.
How can I check a school's FSCE details?
Check the school's own admissions page for the year your child starts Year 7. Lists change, and tutor sites can be a year behind. Work through these four steps.
- Open your school's Year 7 admissions page and look for the words Future Stories Community Enterprise or FSCE.
- Download the familiarisation guide for children and for parents. Each school hosts its own copy.
- Write down the registration opening, closing and test dates.
- Check the Common Application Form deadline with your local council.
FSCE itself publishes no test dates or past papers. Its website points parents to each school's guide, so the school page is where the answer lives. For free practice, try our FSCE style practice papers and practice questions and writing prompts. Our free 11 plus printables add more. For the day itself, read the test day guide. For scores, read the pass mark and scores guide.
Practice, lessons and mock tests in one app
FSCE schools test what children have learned by the end of Year 5. Pip sets English and maths at your child's level, teaches with lessons and explains every wrong answer.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the FSCE 11 plus schools for 2028 entry?+
Twelve schools have confirmed FSCE for September 2028 entry (seven in Gloucestershire and five in Trafford), and ten more used it last year: Reading School, Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith, Lancaster Girls' Grammar School, Skipton Girls' High School, Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, Ermysted's Grammar School, Heckmondwike Grammar School, The Crossley Heath School and The North Halifax Grammar School. None of those ten has published its 2028 entry policy yet, so check each school.
Does Kendrick School use the FSCE 11 plus?+
No evidence says it does. Kendrick School's 2027 entry listings describe a GL Assessment test with English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, and we found no Kendrick document naming FSCE. The mix-up probably comes from Reading School, which is also in Reading and runs FSCE. Check Kendrick's admissions page before you plan.
Which schools join FSCE for 2028 entry?+
Seven Gloucestershire grammar schools join for September 2028 entry: The Crypt School, Denmark Road High School, Marling School, Pate's Grammar School, Ribston Hall High School, Sir Thomas Rich's School and Stroud High School. They share one test on Saturday 3 July 2027, with registration from 8 February to 19 March 2027, and five Trafford grammar schools also move to FSCE, with a test in September 2027.
Is the FSCE test the same at every school?+
No. Reading School uses four papers, called Adventure, Beacon, Compass and Discovery. Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith uses three. Lancaster, Skipton, Clitheroe and Ermysted's use two papers, both English and maths. Heckmondwike, Crossley Heath and North Halifax add a creative writing task for children who reach the eligible score.
When are the FSCE test dates for 2027?+
The Gloucestershire test is on Saturday 3 July 2027, Trafford tests in September 2027, and the other ten schools haven't published 2027 dates yet. Last year Reading School tested in July 2026 and the rest between 3 and 26 September 2026, so expect a similar pattern.
What is the qualifying score for FSCE schools?+
Most schools do not publish a fixed score, because it is set each year from how the whole group does. The one number we found is from Chelmsford County High School for Girls: last year, for 2027 entry, its eligible score was 92 or above plus the standard in Creativity, and 476 of 1,119 children reached it.
Can my child sit the FSCE test for more than one school?+
Each school runs its own registration, so you register with every school separately. Crossley Heath and North Halifax are the exception, because they share one test and one registration route. A child may only take the test once, and scores do not carry over from one school to another.
Do I still need the Common Application Form?+
Yes, because registering for the test is separate from your council's Common Application Form, due by 31 October of Year 6. For 2028 entry that's 31 October 2027, and national offer day is 1 March 2028.
Is Colyton Grammar School an FSCE school?+
We could not confirm it. Older lists include Colyton Grammar School in Devon, but at least one source says it has moved to another test provider. We did not find a Colyton page naming FSCE, so we have not listed it as confirmed.
Sources
We checked these school documents on 15 October 2026. Pip is not affiliated with FSCE or any school.
- Reading School, Year 7 entry
- Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Year 7 September 2027
- Lancaster Girls' Grammar School, Year 7 admissions
- Heckmondwike Grammar School, entrance exam
- The Crossley Heath School, admissions (timetable for September 2027)
- Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, Admissions Handbook 2027
- Ermysted's Grammar School, Parents Guide Year 7 September 2027
- The Crypt School, 2028 entry information
- Denmark Road High School, the FSCE test for Year 7 entry 2028
- Pate's Grammar School, Year 7 September 2028 entry
- Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, admissions 2028 (Trafford)
- Marling School, press release, 30 June 2026
- Future Stories Community Enterprise
The Pip team builds Pip, the 11+ and KS2 practice app for children in years three to six. We write these guides from real exam formats and school documents.