Rank #7
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, Broomfield Road
Ofsted: OutstandingMixedCompetition: High
Overall GCSE score:91.0
Assessment: CSSE
Applicants per place: 4.9 applicants per place
Exam area
Essex 11+ 8 schools Shared test area
Essex Grammar Schools
Essex brings together 8 grammar schools across the county, centred on Chelmsford, Colchester, and Southend-on-Sea. Much of the area sits within the Essex (CSSE) route, so shared testing is a big part of the admissions picture alongside each school's own rules.
girls', boys', and co-ed options CSSE, FSCE Essex
Shared test guide
These schools share one test
The Essex (CSSE) guide explains the test, dates, and papers these schools share. It is the quickest way to see the shared exam details in one place.
7 key dates 0 downloads CSSE, FSCE
School list
Grammar Schools in Essex
The best grammar schools in Essex on this page are ordered by GCSE results. You can also compare school type, Ofsted, shared test routes, and how hard it is to get a place.
Compare up to 4 schools
Rank #12
Colchester Royal Grammar School
Colchester Royal Grammar School, Lexden Road
Ofsted: Not yet ratedBoys onlyCompetition: High
Overall GCSE score:87.7
Assessment: CSSE
Applicants per place: 6.1 applicants per place
Rank #14
Colchester County High School for Girls
Colchester County High School for Girls, Norman Way
Ofsted: OutstandingGirls onlyCompetition: High
Overall GCSE score:84.6
Assessment: CSSE
Applicants per place: 3.8 applicants per place
Rank #16
Chelmsford County High School for Girls
Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Broomfield Road
Ofsted: OutstandingGirls onlyCompetition: High
Overall GCSE score:84.1
Assessment: FSCE
Applicants per place: 3.2 applicants per place
Rank #34
Westcliff High School for Boys Academy
Westcliff High School for Boys Academy, Kenilworth Gardens
Ofsted: OutstandingBoys onlyCompetition: High
Overall GCSE score:77.4
Assessment: CSSE
Applicants per place: 5.5 applicants per place
Rank #46
Westcliff High School for Girls
Westcliff High School for Girls, Kenilworth Gardens
Ofsted: OutstandingGirls onlyCompetition: High
Overall GCSE score:73.4
Assessment: CSSE
Applicants per place: 4.8 applicants per place
Rank #52
Southend High School for Girls
Southend High School for Girls, Southchurch Boulevard
Ofsted: OutstandingGirls onlyCompetition: High
Overall GCSE score:71.7
Assessment: CSSE
Applicants per place: 4.0 applicants per place
Rank #78
Southend High School for Boys
Southend High School for Boys, Prittlewell Chase
Ofsted: OutstandingBoys onlyCompetition: High
Overall GCSE score:67.1
Assessment: CSSE
Applicants per place: 7.1 applicants per place
Essex overview
Essex grammar schools at a glance
8 grammar schools are mainly spread across Chelmsford, Colchester, and Southend-on-Sea, giving Essex a more varied selective picture than one single town cluster.
Schools 8 schools
Main places Southend-on-Sea, Chelmsford, and Colchester
School mix Mixed
Tests Mostly CSSE
What stands out
Essex has eight grammar schools and most sit in three familiar places: Chelmsford, Colchester, and Southend-on-Sea.
What parents notice
The county offers boys', girls', and co-educational options, with most schools using the CSSE route and Chelmsford County High School for Girls following its own admissions process.
Where they are
Where Essex grammar schools are concentrated
Southend-on-Sea, Chelmsford, and Colchester give Essex its main grammar-school shape.
Shared route
Most schools here sit in the Essex (CSSE) route and use CSSE, with Chelmsford County High School for Girls standing out by using FSCE.
School mix
The area includes boys' schools, girls' schools, and one co-ed option.
Admissions
Distance and catchment rules matter at every school here. These schools are very competitive.
Southend-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea has 4 grammar schools, including Westcliff High School for Boys Academy, Westcliff High School for Girls, and 2 more schools. Families here see both boys' and girls' schools.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford is a two-school cluster through King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford and Chelmsford County High School for Girls. Together they give families girls' and co-ed options.
Colchester
Colchester is a two-school cluster through Colchester Royal Grammar School and Colchester County High School for Girls. Together they give families both boys' and girls' schools.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where are Essex grammar schools mainly concentrated?
Essex grammar schools are mainly concentrated in three local groups: Chelmsford, Colchester, and Southend-on-Sea including the Westcliff schools.
What types of grammar schools are in Essex?
Essex offers girls' schools, boys' schools, and a co-educational grammar option, so the county gives families a broader school mix than many first expect.
Is Essex mainly a CSSE area?
Most Essex grammar schools use the CSSE route, although Chelmsford County High School for Girls is a notable exception with its own admissions process.
What makes Essex different from larger selective counties?
Essex has fewer grammar schools than places such as Kent, so the county is easier to take in quickly, but the local groups still feel distinct in school character, setting, and admissions detail.