Redbridge 11 Plus 2027: Dates, Format and Preparation

Last reviewed: August 2026. Admissions arrangements can change, so always confirm details with Redbridge Council before applying.

Redbridge 11+ key dates for September 2027 entry

These dates are taken from Redbridge Council’s current 11+ admissions guidance. Put the deadline in your calendar early: late registration is not normally accepted simply because a family missed the date.

Which schools use the Redbridge 11+?

The Redbridge selection test is the route to two selective state schools:

• Ilford County High School, a boys’ grammar school.
• Woodford County High School, a girls’ grammar school.

Passing or achieving a strong score does not by itself guarantee a place. The schools’ published admission arrangements, the common catchment area and the order in which applicants are ranked all matter. Families should check the current school and council rules for their home address before making plans around the test.

How the Redbridge 11+ application process works

1. Check eligibility and catchment. Read the current Redbridge Council guidance and the individual school admission arrangements.
2. Register for the 11+ test. Registration is separate from the normal secondary-school application.
3. Sit the test. Candidates take the papers on the council’s published test date.
4. Review the result. Results are released before the secondary-school application deadline so parents can make an informed school choice.
5. Submit the Common Application Form. Naming a grammar school on the CAF is still required; taking the test alone is not an application for a school place.

What is in the Redbridge 11+ test?

Redbridge currently uses GL Assessment. Children sit two papers:

• Paper 1: English and Verbal Reasoning.
• Paper 2: Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

This means effective preparation should cover reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling and grammar, secure Key Stage 2 mathematics, verbal-reasoning techniques and non-verbal/spatial reasoning. It should also teach children how to work accurately under timed conditions.

Our guides to verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning explain the skills and common question types in more detail.

What parents should know about scores and places

The test result helps determine whether a child can be considered for a grammar-school place, but admissions decisions follow the published oversubscription criteria. A historical cut-off found in an online forum is not a promise of admission in a later year. Cohort performance, applications, catchment rules and the school’s admission arrangements can all affect the outcome.

Use the result alongside the official admissions information, and list schools on the Common Application Form in your genuine order of preference. For school-specific rules, consult the Woodford County High School application procedure and the latest Ilford County High School admissions information.

How to prepare without overloading your child

Good preparation is progressive. Start by finding the gaps, build the underlying English and maths knowledge, introduce reasoning methods, and only then increase timed practice. A sensible plan usually includes:

• regular reading and vocabulary work;
• secure arithmetic and problem-solving foundations;
• explicit teaching of verbal and non-verbal reasoning methods;
• short timed sections before full-length papers;
• careful review of mistakes, not just more questions;
• realistic mock-exam practice before test day.

Practice should be challenging but manageable. Scores from one paper are most useful when they identify what to teach next.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Redbridge 11+ a GL Assessment test?

Yes. Redbridge Council states that GL Assessment is the current test provider. Older articles referring to CEM describe a previous arrangement and should not be used for current preparation decisions.

When is the Redbridge 11+ for September 2027 entry?

The published test date is Friday 18 September 2026. Registration opens on 1 May 2026 and closes at 5pm on Monday 15 June 2026.

Can a child outside the catchment take the test?

Families should check the council’s current common-catchment rule against their home address before registering or planning an application. Eligibility and priority are governed by the published admission arrangements, not by test preparation providers.

Does passing the test guarantee a place?

No. A qualifying or competitive score does not override catchment and the published oversubscription criteria. Places are allocated under each school’s admission arrangements.

Do I still need to complete the secondary-school application?

Yes. Registering for and sitting the test is separate from submitting the Common Application Form. Parents must complete the normal secondary-school application and name their preferred schools.