11+ Registration has Opened - West Midlands
Registration opens today for the 11+ entrance exam in Birmingham, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Walsall and Wolverhampton!
If your child is currently in Year 5, entering secondary school in September 2025, you can now apply for them to sit the exam. The deadline for registration is Friday 28th June at 4pm and Sunday 30th June at 4pm for schools in Warwickshire.
After all your child’s hard work preparing for their 11 plus entrance exam, making sure you register on time for the exam is crucial! This guide will walk you through the 11+ registration process and provide step-by-step basics when applying for grammar schools:
Register your child's place:
Registering your child for the 11+ entrance exam is an essential step towards securing a place at a grammar school. The deadline for registration varies, depending on where you are in the country, for further guidance ask your local education authority, check the individual school websites or consult the relevant consortium of grammar schools.
We highly recommend being mindful of the deadline date. Failure to register within the strict time frame, may result in your child not having the opportunity to sit the entrance exam and secure a place at a grammar school.
Make sure to check if your child requires any special accommodations for the exam and request these during the registration process. Registering early can help ensure that you have plenty of time to prepare your child for the exam, covering all necessary subjects and familiarising them with the exam format.
Choice of schools
Looking ahead, now is the time to start considering which schools you would like your child to attend.
You can obtain prospectuses from schools at any time in the year so it is best to start planning well ahead. When considering the most appropriate school, ensure your child is involved in this process as this will encourage them in their preparation for the 11+ and give them a better understanding of what they are working towards.
It is also essential to always talk positively about your local catchment area school, should your child not gain a place at a grammar/independent school. Your child should feel positive about where they will be spending their future years.
Catchment areas
Understanding the catchment areas for grammar schools is a crucial element in the application process. These areas define the geographical boundaries from which schools preferentially accept students, often impacting admission chances.
It’s essential to research whether your residence falls within the desired school's catchment area, as this can significantly enhance your child's eligibility. Additionally, some grammar schools may allocate a certain number of places to students outside of these boundaries, which can provide opportunities for those living further away. Always verify the latest information directly from the school or local education authority, as catchment area policies can change and may vary significantly between schools.
Attend open days
This is the best way to find out all the information about the registration process for the particular school you would like your child to attend. This is also a great chance to see beyond the prospectus’ pages and get a real feel for the school.
Not all open days are for children, so if this is the case, check to see whether your child can attend, or contact the school directly to organise a private appointment to look around. Whenever possible it is really important that your child attends the open day with you as this will allow them to see first-hand the goal which they are working towards.
Read our blog on ‘Tips on choosing the right grammar school’ for more information on this.
We hope you have found the information in this guide useful. If, you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call us on 0121 733 6558, as one of our experienced members of staff will be able to assist you with any queries which you may have.
Here at KSOL we have a success rate of 86% and over 20 years of experience in educating children at Key Stage 2. Every year we help and support 1000s of children gain entrance to some of the UK’s most prestigious grammar schools. If you would like to learn more about the 11+ journey and how KSOL can help your child along the way, please click here.