Chelmsford County High School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: FSCE
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 180
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Chelmsford County High School
Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS) is a top-performing grammar school in Essex, known for its selective admissions and exceptional academic results. Established in 1907, the school provides a high-quality education for girls aged 11 to 18, encouraging ambition, independence and confidence in every student.
CCHS offers a broad and challenging curriculum designed to stretch and inspire learners, while fostering leadership skills and a sense of personal responsibility. The school’s supportive environment helps pupils excel both academically and personally.
Facilities at Chelmsford County High School for Girls include modern science laboratories, dedicated performing arts spaces, a large sports hall and a range of specialist classrooms. The school continues to maintain its Outstanding Ofsted rating, achieved again in 2023.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Chelmsford County High School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Chelmsford County High School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Chelmsford County High School
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for Chelmsford County High School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Chelmsford County High School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Chelmsford County High School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Chelmsford County High School Key Information
Under this section, we regularly update key information for Chelmsford County High School For Girls, including contact details, addresses and key statistics useful for prospective students and their parents.
School Address
Full Address:
Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Broomfield RoadChelmsford
Essex
CM1 1RW
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is some parking available on site at CCHS, but it is limited, especially at busy times. Alternative parking venues can be found below.
Additional parking off site
Rectory Lane West, Elms Drive, Chelmsford CM1 1RH (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
Glebe Road, 4 Glebe Road, Chelmsford CM1 1QG (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
West End, Railway Street, Chelmsford CM1 1QS (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
Chelmsford County High School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Outstanding in every category, including quality of education, behaviour, personal development, leadership and sixth form provision.
Academic strength: Pupils consistently achieve top results across all subjects, with particular excellence in STEM and the arts supported by expert teaching and a rigorous curriculum.
Teaching and curriculum: Teaching is research-informed and highly engaging, encouraging curiosity and deep understanding through skilful questioning and challenging activities.
Behaviour and culture: Behaviour is exemplary, with pupils demonstrating respect, kindness and leadership. A strong sense of community and inclusion runs throughout the school.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leadership is highly effective, with a clear focus on pupil success and wellbeing. Safeguarding is robust, ensuring pupils feel safe and supported.
The CCHS 11+ Entrance Test Format
Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS) does not participate in the Essex CSSE Consortium. Instead, it runs the FSCE 11 Plus.
The CCHS 11+ Entrance Test: Overview
The CCHS Entrance Exam uses the FSCE 11 Plus. While the school does not release a formal pass mark, successful candidates usually achieve high results across all papers.
Paper One
English paper: Tests reading comprehension and vocabulary skills.
Paper Two
Mathematics paper: Based on the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum.
Paper Three
Creative Writing:Â Extended writing task, testing spelling, punctuation and grammar.
The CCHS 11+ Entrance Test
| English | MATHEMATICS | Non-verbal Reasoning | Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
CCHS does not publish a fixed pass mark. Admission is based on ranked performance, with places offered to the highest-scoring candidates. Scores are age-standardised to ensure fairness, and successful applicants typically achieve very high results.
Catchment Area
It is not required for prospective students to live in a designated catchment area. However, the school does use ‘Priority Areas’ in their oversubscription criteria, meaning that children living close to the school are more likely to get an offer of place. The priority area is the area with a 12.5 mile radius (measured in a straight line) of the school. Distances are to three decimal places in the first instance.
Additional Eligibility
Admission to CCHS is based on ranked performance in the entrance exam. If more applicants qualify than there are places available, oversubscription rules are applied.
Priority is given in the following order:
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Looked After or Previously Looked After Girls
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Up to 30 Priority Places for girls eligible for Pupil Premium who live within 12.5 miles of the school
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Other applicants ranked by test score, with preference for those living within 12.5 miles
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Applicants outside the 12.5-mile area considered by test score if spaces remain
Click here to view the full Chelmsford County High School admissions policy.Â
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Chelmsford County High School
Helping your daughter prepare for the CCHS entrance exam can make a real difference to her confidence and performance. Below are some useful preparation tips:
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This allows plenty of time for steady progress without creating too much pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.
Encourage Daily Reading
A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re currently working on setting up a network of local test centres to offer in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely match the format used by Chelmsford County High School. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for your child to practise under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available just yet, you can register your interest by completing the form below. We’ll get in touch as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
Chelmsford County High School For Girls Key Dates and Application Information
In the application and admission process to Chelmsford County High School For Girls’, key deadlines are essential to keep to. At 11 Plus Hero, we understand this can be a lot for prospective students and parents, especially alongside exam preparation. For this reason, we regularly update key dates below.
Registration Opens
Registration Closes
CCHS entrance test
Results Published
CAF Application Deadline
National Offer Day
Chelmsford County High School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Chelmsford County High School, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the Chelmsford County High School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyRegister for the Entrance Test
Complete the school’s online registration form via the CCHS website. This must be submitted between April and the start of June 2025 to be eligible for the test.
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Chelmsford County High School listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed, failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
Chelmsford County High School FAQs
Parents must register their daughter for the CCHS entrance exam through the school’s website. After receiving results, they should list CCHS as a preferred choice on their local authority’s secondary school application form.
The CCHS 11 Plus exam, set by GL Assessment, includes two multiple-choice papers: English (comprehension and vocabulary) and maths (based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum). Scores are age-standardised to ensure a fair ranking process.
Entry to CCHS is highly competitive, with thousands of applicants each year for only 180 Year 7 places. Successful candidates typically achieve top standardised scores across both English and maths papers in the entrance exam.
Yes. Priority is given to girls living within a 12.5-mile radius of the school. Applicants outside this area may still be offered a place, but only if spaces remain after local candidates are allocated.