FREE Download: Chelmsford County High School for Girls 2026 11+ Exam & Year 7 Entry 11 Plus Guide

Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS) is a highly regarded selective grammar school for girls in Chelmsford, Essex. Opened in 1907, CCHS has built a strong reputation as one of the best grammar schools in UK. It is committed to excellence in girls’ education and empowerment.

Securing a place at this prestigious institution requires careful preparation for the competitive 11+ Exam. With 180 Year 7 places available, understanding the 2026 admissions process is crucial. The school maintains a Outstanding  Ofsted rating, offering education from Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS) is a pioneering and progressive grammar school, deeply committed to excellence in girls' education and empowerment. It proudly specialises in Technology, Music, and Languages, supported by outstanding facilities including a new Sports Centre (2022) and a dedicated Music Centre with a recording studio.

In this guide, I leverage my 18-year education consultancy background to simplify Chelmsford County High School for Girls 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions for every parent.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar School (Academy)
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Girls
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11 to 18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1150+
• GCSE Results (2025): 86.96% of all students were awarded grades 9 to 7
• A-Level Results (2025): 86.60% of all students were awarded grades A* to B

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Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 180
• Exam Board: FSCE
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area: Yes
• Sibling Policy: No
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

This information has been sourced from Get Information About Schools and Chelmsford County High School for Girls Official Website.

​Navigating the admissions process for Chelmsford County High School for Girls can be complex, but understanding key deadlines is crucial. While specific dates for the Chelmsford County High School for Girls open day vary, I have compiled the essential Chelmsford County High School for Girls 11 plus exam dates for prospective pupils.

This guide highlights the critical 11+ Exam date and other important 11 plus exam dates for 2027 entry.

Applying for Year 7 entry to Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS) involves a structured 11 plus exam process. As one of the leading grammar schools in Essex, CCHS uses its own entrance test, distinct from the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) exam.

• 11 plus exam registration: Parents must complete an online registration form via the school's admissions pages. This is the crucial first step for how to register for 11+ exam entry. Registration typically opens in April and closes in early June for the following year's entry.
• The CCHS 11+ Exam: The entrance test is usually held in early September. It assesses English, Mathematics, Creative Writing, and other Key Stage 2 subjects, designed by Future Stories Community Enterprise. The exam consists of two 50-minute papers, featuring both multiple-choice and written answers. The school refers to its independent online test registration form as its Supplementary Information Form (SIF).
• Results and Application: Test results are typically released in mid-October. If your daughter achieves an eligible score, you must then name CCHS as a preferred school on your Common Application Form (CAF) submitted to your home local authority by the national deadline, usually 31st October. This is often done through the Pan London eAdmissions System or your local council's equivalent.
• Admission Criteria: Achieving an eligible score does not guarantee a place. CCHS has an oversubscription policy, prioritising Looked After Children, those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and applicants within its 12.5-mile priority area, including a proportion for Pupil/Service Premium recipients. Remaining places are allocated by descending score order.
• For full details, please refer to the Chelmsford County High School for Girls Admissions Policy.

Understanding the School catchment area is crucial for prospective pupils applying to Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS). While the school is highly selective, its admissions policy does incorporate a priority area for Year 7 entry.

The CCHS Catchment Area is defined as a 12.5-mile radius measured in a straight line from the school. This priority area significantly influences the allocation of places following the rigorous 11 plus test.

For the 11+ exam catchment, places are generally prioritised as follows:

• Looked after children and previously looked after children.
• Up to 30 places for Pupil Premium recipients living within the 12.5-mile priority area.
• Applicants living within the 12.5-mile priority area.

It's important to note that achieving an eligible score in the 11 plus test does not guarantee a place, even within the catchment. However, living within the Chelmsford County High School for Girls Catchment Area provides a distinct advantage. A limited number of places (up to 36) are also available for girls living outside this priority area, allocated strictly by descending score order.

Chelmsford County High School for Girls is undoubtedly a "Gold Standard" for academic excellence in Essex. However, with over seven applicants for every one of the 180 places, competition is fierce. As an experienced consultant, I strongly advise parents to adopt a robust 3-grammar and 2-private school strategy. This approach significantly mitigates the extreme competition, ensuring your daughter has multiple pathways to an elite education.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

When families target Chelmsford County High School for Girls, they typically look at other high-performing grammar schools in Essex and strong independent options within a commutable distance. Below is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to Chelmsford County High School for Girls:

• Colchester County High School for Girls (CCHSG): This is a direct academic peer, also an all-girls grammar in Essex. It is part of the CSSE consortium, offering a different exam pathway and broadening options.
• King Edward VI Grammar School (KEGS): Located in Chelmsford, KEGS is a highly academic grammar school. It provides a local, co-ed grammar option with consistently strong results and a different exam board.
• Southend High School for Girls: Another excellent all-girls grammar in Essex, part of the CSSE. It offers a strong alternative for those considering schools further south in the county, maintaining high academic standards.
• New Hall School: A leading independent co-educational school situated very close to Chelmsford. It offers a strong academic and holistic education with superb facilities, providing a private sector alternative. 
• Brentwood School: This is a well-regarded independent co-educational school in Essex, easily commutable. It provides a comprehensive education with a strong academic record and diverse extracurricular opportunities.

​Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS) is consistently one of the most sought-after grammar schools in the region, attracting a significant number of applicants each year for its 180 Year 7 places.

Understanding how many apply for Chelmsford County High School for Girls can provide valuable insight into the competitive landscape. The school's reputation for academic excellence means that competition for places is always high.

The admission figures highlight the consistent demand for places at this prestigious grammar school. According to the National School Census, selective schools like CCHS often see high application rates, reflecting their academic appeal.

How hard is it to get into Chelmsford County High School for Girls?

Given the high number of applications, many parents naturally ask, "Is Chelmsford County High School for Girls hard to get into?" While the competition is indeed strong, it's important to remember that every year, 180 girls successfully secure a place.

Success in the eleven plus exam is certainly challenging, but with focused preparation and a clear understanding of the exam format, your daughter can approach the test with confidence. Don't be discouraged by the numbers; instead, let them motivate you to prepare effectively.

To understand exactly what the entrance test entails, let's look at the exam format in detail in the next section.

​The Chelmsford County High School for Girls 11 Plus Test is administered by Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE), in collaboration with University of Cambridge Primary School.

This single-stage examination is designed to assess a candidate's academic potential across core subjects, drawing on the Key Stage 2 curriculum up to and including the Year 5 programme of study.

The test aims to evaluate how well a student can apply their knowledge and think creatively, rather than simply recalling facts.

The examination consists of two papers, each approximately 50 minutes in length. These papers combine multiple-choice and written answer questions.

Scoring and Admissions:

After the examination, all papers, with the exception of Creative Writing, are marked and age-standardised to ensure fairness across different birth dates. The Creative Writing component is then assessed by a panel of trained CCHS staff.

To be considered for admission, candidates must achieve an eligible score in each element of the test. The specific eligible score is determined annually based on the performance of the cohort.

As stated in the Chelmsford County High School for Girls Admissions Policy, places are allocated based on a ranked list of eligible candidates, with priority given to looked after children, those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and applicants in receipt of Pupil or Service Premium who reside within the school's 12.5-mile priority area. Remaining places are then allocated in descending score order.

Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS) does not publish a fixed 11 plus pass mark. The eligible score for eleven plus exam results varies annually. PiAcademy recommends aiming for 95%+ in practice tests.

Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS) utilises the Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE) 11 Plus exam, developed by the University of Cambridge Press.

This assessment is meticulously designed to evaluate a candidate's ability to apply knowledge and think creatively, covering subjects from the Key Stage 2 curriculum up to and including the Year 5 programme of study.

The entrance test consists of two papers, each approximately 40 minutes long, combining multiple-choice and written answer questions across English, Mathematics, and Creative Writing.

t also integrates broader KS2 subjects such as Science, History, Geography, Computing, and the Arts within its comprehensive assessment framework, often embedded within comprehension passages or problem-solving scenarios.

Exam Structure

The CCHS 11+ exam assesses core academic skills and the application of knowledge. While specific weightings are not publicly disclosed by the school, based on the Future Stories exam style and typical grammar school entrance tests, the following estimated topic weightings can guide your preparation:

English

The English component evaluates comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation skills. It often includes passages that require critical thinking, inference, and an understanding of various text types.

• For 11 Plus English practice, we recommend:
  • ​11 Plus English Past Papers​
  • 11 Plus English Comprehension Pack
  • 11 Plus Grammar & Punctuation Worksheets
  • 11 Plus Vocabulary Pack

Mathematics

The Mathematics section covers the Key Stage 2 curriculum, focusing on problem-solving, arithmetic, and reasoning skills. Questions may be presented in various formats, including word problems and multi-step calculations, requiring a solid grasp of mathematical concepts.

• For11 Plus Mathematics practice, we recommend:
  • 11 Plus Maths Topic-wise Questions
  • 11 Plus Maths Past Papers

Creative Writing

Creative Writing is a significant and distinct component, assessed by a panel of trained CCHS staff. It requires candidates to demonstrate imagination, descriptive language, coherent narrative or descriptive structure, and accurate grammar and punctuation within a given prompt or theme.

• For 11 Plus Creative Writing practice, we recommend:
  • 11 Plus Creative Writing Pack

Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS) is a highly competitive grammar school in Essex. Effective 11 plus mock tests are crucial for aspiring pupils.

These mock tests familiarise students with the exam format and identify weak areas. They also improve speed and accuracy under timed, exam-like conditions.

This preparation is vital for the Chelmsford County High School for Girls 11 plus mock exam.

Parents can check their child's readiness with a free 11 plus mock test. Finding the right 11 plus mock test Essex options is key for local applicants.

• Autumn Half Term 1: 4th September 2026 (Year 7 & 12) / 7th September 2026 (Whole School) - 23rd October 2026
• Autumn Half Term 2: 2nd November 2026 - 18th December 2026
• Spring Half Term 1: 4th January 2027 - 12th February 2027
• Spring Half Term 2: 22nd February 2027 - 25th March 2027
• Summer Half Term 1: 12th April 2027 - 28th May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: 7th June 2027 - 16th July 2027

Navigating the 11+ grammar school entry requires coordinating with your local authority and understanding specific exam formats. Here are the essential, official resources to help you prepare your application for Chelmsford County High School for Girls.

• Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE) Familiarisation Materials
• UK Govt. - Get Information on Chelmsford County High School for Girls Page
• Chelmsford County High School for Girls Ofsted Report
• Chelmsford County High School for Girls Admissions Policy
• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data
• Gov.UK Find your Local Council Page