Admissions Policy

Priority area

Admission into Year 7 at KEGS is determined by the 11+ examination and our current Admissions Policy can be found below. A 12½ mile priority admissions area was introduced which took effect from the September 2013 intake – 80% of places are reserved for students who live within this area. We also increased our intake into Year 7 from 120 to 150, which took effect from the September 2015 intake.

With regards to entry into the school in Year 7 from September 2027 onwards: for an application to be considered as ‘in area’ (i.e. living within the priority area), families must be continuously resident at their permanent home address within the priority area between 10 October during Year 6 and the date of commencing the start of Year 7 at KEGS.

Sixth Form Admissions

Year 12 is the next standard entry point at KEGS after Year 7 for external applicants, and we relish the opportunity to welcome new students to KEGS in Year 12.  For further information, please see the relevant section of the Admissions Policy and also the Sixth Form section of our website.

Post 11+ Admissions

1. The Post 11+ Admission Selection Procedure is designed to determine whether or not a child who is already of secondary school age is suitable for admission to KEGS.
2. It is open to all who EITHER have not previously participated in the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex selection process (11+ examination) OR wish to be reassessed having previously failed to gain entry into the School via the 11+ examination but wish to try again. No Y7 pupil can expect to transfer in until the beginning of Y8 at the earliest.
3. The pupil’s performance is tested in four written tests: English, Mathematics, Science and a Modern Foreign Language (French or German). Specimen papers are not provided in advance of these tests. Performance is compared with standardised scores produced by KEGS pupils within the same year group. The place will be offered to the pupil who gains the highest total score across all papers, and who exceeds a minimum pass mark on at least three out of the four papers. Clearly, if more than one pupil is sitting the test for one available place, the highest scoring pupil, assuming the score is above the necessary pass mark, will be offered the place.
4. The Tests are taken at KEGS.
5. An offer of a place at KEGS depends on the availability of places at the School. Places only become available when pupils leave.
6. Those wishing to enter the school should complete form ECC11242 Mid-Year Application for a Secondary School Place which is available to download from www.essex.gov.uk/admissions. When the form is completed you will be notified at the point at which a place becomes available (and not before) in your child’s year group and a test date has been set.

Admission Appeals Process

The timetable for the 2025 appeal process can be found here.  The Appeals Process for KEGS is administered by the Statutory Appeals Team at Essex County Council – please see the Admissions section of the Essex County Council website for full details and notes of guidance.

Consultation for Admissions policy (Sept. 2028 entry)

The consultation period for the school’s Admissions policy for September 2028 entry runs from Monday 5th October 2026 until 17:00 on Tuesday 17th November 2026. Any responses should be sent to the Admissions Manager, admissions@kegs.org.uk.