Colchester County High School for Girls 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: CSSE
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 192
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Colchester County High School for Girls
Colchester County High School for Girls (CCHSG) is a top-performing grammar school in Essex, known for its selective entry and outstanding academic standards. Established in 1909, it provides an ambitious education for girls aged 11 to 18, combining high academic expectations with strong personal development.
The school offers excellent facilities, including state-of-the-art science laboratories, specialist teaching spaces and a dedicated sixth form centre. Students are encouraged to take initiative, build confidence and develop leadership skills alongside their studies.
Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, CCHSG achieves exceptional GCSE and A-level results each year. The school is a member of the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) and uses the shared 11 Plus exam process for Year 7 admissions.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Colchester County High School for Girls
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Colchester County High School for Girls
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Colchester County High School for Girls
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 Colchester County High School for Girls
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Colchester County High School for Girls
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Colchester County High School for Girls
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Colchester County School For Girls Key Information
Here, key information regarding Colchester County High School For Girls’ is regularly updated, to ensure you understand the school you’re choosing to apply for, can attend various open days and register for the school on time.
School Address
Full Address:
Colchester County High School for Girls, Norman WatColchester
Essex
CO3 3US
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is some parking available on site at Colchester County High School For Girls, but it is limited, especially at busy times. Alternative parking venues can be found below.
Additional parking off site
Butt Road Parking, 107 Butt Road, Colchester CO3 3DG (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
Saint Mary’s Fields Parking, Saint Mary’s Fields, Colchester CO3 3AA (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
Colchester County High School for Girls Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Outstanding in all areas, including quality of education, behaviour, personal development, leadership and sixth form provision.
Academic strength: Pupils achieve some of the highest results in the country, supported by a challenging curriculum and expert teaching that ensures strong long-term understanding.
Teaching and curriculum: Lessons are engaging and carefully planned, with teachers using effective checks and support to help every pupil succeed, including those with special educational needs.
Behaviour and culture: Behaviour is exemplary, and pupils are respectful, motivated and kind. The school community values diversity and offers an exceptional range of extracurricular and leadership opportunities.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leadership is inspiring and highly effective, with strong governance and support for staff wellbeing. Safeguarding systems are robust, ensuring pupils feel safe and well cared for.
The CSSE 11+ Entrance Test Format
Colchester County High School for Girls (CCHSG) is a member of the CSSE consortium, which sets a shared two-paper entrance exam used by several selective grammar schools across Essex.
The CSSE 11+ Entrance Test: Overview
The entrance exam consists of two written papers. Each paper lasts approximately one hour and is marked by the CSSE. The exams are not multiple choice, and scores are age-standardised to ensure fairness. There is no specific pass mark; instead, applicants are ranked according to their combined performance across both papers.
Paper One
English Paper: tests comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and creative writing
Paper Two
Mathematics Paper: based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum
The CSSE 11+ Entrance Test - 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| Verbal Reasoning | Non-verbal Reasoning | English (some verbal reasoning is included) | Maths | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
CCHSG does not publish a fixed pass mark for the CSSE 11 Plus exam. Instead, admission is based on ranked scores from both the English and maths papers. Each candidate’s results are age-standardised, and places are offered to the highest-scoring applicants until all available places are filled.
Catchment Area
There is no official catchment area for Colchester County High School, but the school’s oversubscription criteria uses straight line distance from a child’s house to the school to prioritise students. This means that living closer to the school does give you a better chance of admission.
Additional Eligibility
To gain a place at CCHSG, candidates must achieve a high enough score in the CSSE exam. If more candidates qualify than places available, the following oversubscription criteria are applied:
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Looked After and Previously Looked After Girls
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Up to 20 places reserved for girls eligible for Pupil Premium
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Remaining applicants ranked by score, with preference given to those living closer to the school
Click here to view the full Colchester County High School For Girls admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Colchester County High School for Girls
Here are some tips to support your daughter’s preparation for the CSSE entrance exam:
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 Colchester County High School for Girls. 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.
Colchester County High School For Girls Key Dates and Application Information
In the application and admission process to Colchester County High School For Girls’, key deadlines are essential to keep to. At 11 Plus Hero, we understand this can be alot 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
Colchester County High School for Girls Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Colchester County High School for Girls, 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 Colchester County High School for Girls Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyRegister for the CSSE 11 Plus Exam
Register online between 13th May and 27th June 2025. The exam will be held at a CSSE centre or the school itself.
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Colchester County High School for Girls 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.
Colchester County High School for Girls FAQs
Parents must register their daughter for the CSSE 11 Plus exam through the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex website. After receiving results, Colchester County High School for Girls should be listed as a preferred choice on the local authority application form.
The CSSE entrance test consists of two written papers: English (comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and creative writing) and maths (based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum). Each lasts about an hour and is age-standardised for fairness.
Entry to CCHSG is extremely competitive, with many applicants each year for a limited number of Year 7 places. Successful candidates typically achieve very high combined standardised scores in the CSSE 11 Plus exam.
Yes. The school gives priority to applicants living closer to the school when allocating places. Up to 20 places are also reserved for eligible Pupil Premium applicants, followed by remaining applicants ranked by test score.