Redbridge 11+: dates, papers and how to register

The Redbridge 11+ decides entry to Ilford County High School (boys) and Woodford County High School (girls). Missing a single deadline can mean your child cannot sit the test at all. This guide sets out the dates, the papers and every step from registration to offer day.

What are the key Redbridge 11+ dates for 2027 entry?

Registration closed on 15 June 2026, the test was on 18 September 2026, and offers come out on 1 March 2027. Here is the full timeline, taken from the Redbridge 11 plus page and the Redbridge Admissions Arrangements 2027-28.

If your child is in Year 6 now, the test has already happened. Watch your email for results in mid-October, then make sure your secondary application is in by 31 October 2026.

What are the dates for 2028 entry?

They have not been published yet, so check the council's 11 plus page for 2028 dates. This applies to children who are in Year 5 in the 2026 to 2027 school year.

Redbridge's arrangements say registration is "usually between 1 May to 15 June, or thereabouts". So plan for registration to open around May 2027 and the test to take place in September 2027, early in Year 6. Put a reminder in your phone for late April 2027.

What papers does my child sit?

Your child sits two papers on the same day. The council lists them as:

• English and Verbal Reasoning
• Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning

The council says the test is provided by GL Assessment. GL's own free familiarisation materials use a multiple-choice layout with separate answer sheets, so practising with answer sheets is worth doing. GL also notes that timings and question numbers in local tests may differ from its practice materials.

New to reasoning? Our guide to verbal and non-verbal reasoning has simple example questions with answers.

How do I register for the Redbridge 11+?

You register online with Redbridge Council while your child is in Year 5. The steps are:

1. Check your postcode is in the 11+ Common Catchment Area. Use Redbridge Maps: choose Education, then 11+ Common Catchment Area. Our catchment guide for Barking families explains why this matters.
2. Talk to your child's primary school. Redbridge asks parents to discuss with the headteacher whether a grammar school education would suit their child before registering.
3. Register online between May and mid-June. The 2026 registration form was on the council's 11 plus registration portal. You will need evidence of your child's date of birth.
4. Ask for access arrangements at the same time. If your child gets extra support in tests such as SATs, tell the council when you apply and send the care plan from their primary school. No adjustments were considered after 15 June 2026.
5. Watch for the test invitation. It tells you the time and place of the test.
6. Bring the completed 11 plus photo ID form on test day. Without it, your child cannot take the test.

What if we miss the deadline or the test day?

Late registrations are not accepted. The Redbridge Admissions Arrangements 2027-28 say that if you do not register in time, no testing will be arranged, even if you name a grammar school on your application.

If you registered on time but your child cannot sit on the day, a late test is only arranged with a doctor's certificate or other proof, such as religious observance. The council's page also says it cannot offer a different date because of clashes with other grammar school tests. Children turned away for not having the right ID are not offered another test.

Is registering for the test the same as applying for a place?

No. This catches some families out every year. Registering only lets your child sit the test.

To actually apply, you must name Ilford County High or Woodford County High on your Common Application Form (CAF) by 31 October. Redbridge's arrangements say completing the registration form alone is not accepted as an application. If you live in Barking and Dagenham or Newham, you apply through your own council's online system, as with any secondary school.

What do the results tell me?

The results email gives your child's score and their overall position before the 31 October deadline. It is not a guarantee of an offer.

Every applicant must reach a minimum threshold score of 104 to be ranked at all. After that, places go in score order, with looked after children and 45 pupil premium places first, then other children in the catchment, then children outside it.

For September 2026 entry, the last on-time catchment candidate offered a place scored 106.02 at Ilford County High and 110.62 at Woodford County High, according to Redbridge's allocations report. These figures move every year, so use them as a rough guide only.

Should I still list other schools on my CAF?

Yes. You can list up to six schools under the pan-London coordinated scheme. Put them in your true order of preference and always include schools your child is likely to get into. If the grammar place does not come through, see our guide on what to do if your child didn't pass the 11+.

How LCB can help

If your child is in Year 4 or Year 5, now is a good time to plan. Our 11+ tutoring covers Maths, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning in small groups of 3 to 5, at our Barking centre or online. We use timed practice with answer sheets so test day feels familiar.

Start with a free 30-minute assessment. We will show you where your child is now and how much time there is before registration. Book a free assessment, or read when to start 11+ preparation first.