King Edward VI Grammar School

Chelmsford

Boys

Overview

KEGS is one of the most academically selective grammar schools in England, consistently ranking at the top of national league tables. Entry via the CSSE 11+ is fiercely competitive.

Admissions

Boys sit the CSSE 11+ Maths and English papers in September of Year 6. KEGS uses a standardised score with priority to in-catchment applicants. Typical qualifying score is ~355/420.

Key facts

Boys' grammar school in Chelmsford, Essex, with a mixed sixth form.
Year 7 intake: 150 places each year.
11+ exam: CSSE 11+ with English and Maths papers.
Priority area: 12.5-mile radius from the school.
Ofsted: Outstanding.
National ranking: one source reports KEGS was ranked 9th in England by The Sunday Times in 2025.

Historical scores

	Catchment
Year	In	Out
2025	355	372
2024	340	376
2023	347	366
2022	345	366
2021	345	375
2020	334	360
2019	334	350

Standardised scores out of 420. Source

Catchment area cut-off scores

Standardised score (out of 420) of the last selective place offered on National Offer Day, from the CSSE historical guidance sheets.

Inside priority area
Outside priority area

CSSE offers are not made to any child scoring under a total standardised score of 303. Figures fluctuate each year, so applications below these scores may still be worthwhile. Source: CSSE Historical Guidance Sheets (Freedom of Information).

King Edward VI Grammar School

Mixed

Admission number 2027

150

Head

Ms N. Wilson — Headteacher

Telephone

01245 353510

Address

Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3SX

Email / Website

office@kegs.org.uk kegs.org.uk

KEGS FAQs

King Edward VI Grammar School (KEGS) is a selective boys' grammar school in Chelmsford, Essex, with a mixed sixth form.

You must register your child for the CSSE 11+ and then include KEGS on your secondary school application form if your child meets the qualifying standard.

KEGS uses the CSSE 11+, which includes English and Maths papers.

KEGS admits 150 boys into Year 7 each year.

KEGS uses a priority area rather than a traditional catchment area. The priority area is a 12.5-mile radius from the school.

KEGS allocates 120 places to boys living within the priority area and 30 places to boys living outside it.

Yes. Out-of-area applicants usually need a higher score because there are fewer places and more competition.

There is no fixed pass mark. Recent published cut-offs suggest around the mid-340s for in-area applicants and mid-360s for out-of-area applicants, but these vary by year.

Yes. Some places are reserved for looked-after, previously looked-after, and pupil premium applicants who meet the required score thresholds.

Results are typically sent in mid-October.

Yes. KEGS is widely regarded as one of the strongest grammar schools in Essex, is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and one source reports it was ranked 9th nationally in 2025.

No. Passing the test does not guarantee a place, because KEGS is oversubscribed and places are allocated using admissions criteria.

Your child can still apply, but they will be competing for the out-of-area places, which are more limited and usually require a stronger score.

One source states the address must be the child's main residence from 1 September at the start of Year 6.

You need to register for the 11+ first, then submit the school application by the local authority deadline after results are released.

Always check KEGS and CSSE admissions pages directly, as cut-off scores, dates, and rules can change each year.