Ilford County High School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Boys Only
Places per year: 180
Ofsted Rating: Good
Ilford County High School
Ilford County High School (ICHS) is a boys’ grammar school in the London Borough of Redbridge, known for its selective entry and strong academic reputation. Catering for students aged 11 to 18, the school has a proud history of excellence and consistently high standards, making it one of the top grammar schools in East London.
ICHS provides a stimulating and supportive learning environment where pupils are inspired to achieve their full potential. The school encourages ambition, independence and a lifelong passion for learning, while also placing great value on leadership, resilience and involvement in extracurricular activities such as sports, music and clubs.
The curriculum at Ilford County High School is broad and challenging, designed to support both academic success and personal development. Every year, 180 Year 7 places are available, and admission is determined through the highly competitive Redbridge 11 Plus exam. Many ICHS students progress to top universities, including those within the Russell Group, reflecting the school’s strong academic tradition.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Ilford County High School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Ilford County High School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Ilford 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 Ilford County High School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Ilford County High School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Ilford County High School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Ilford County High School’s Key Information
Key information in contacting and applying to Ilford County High School.
School Address
Full Address:
Ilford County High School, Fremantle RoadIlford
Redbridge
IG6 2JB
Contact Information
Parking in the school
The school requests that you should use public transport when attending the entry exam. It is advised that you not park near the school.
Additional parking off site
- Car Park: Craven Gardens, Ilford, IG6 1PS, 0.6 miles from the school.
- Car Park: Court Way, Ilford, IG6 1RR, 0.6 miles from the school.
Ilford County High School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Good in all areas, maintaining high standards since the last inspection.
Academic strength: Pupils achieve well, especially in maths, science, geography and PE, with a curriculum that encourages deep thinking and discussion.
Teaching and curriculum: Strong subject knowledge across departments, though the arts curriculum at Key Stage 3 could offer more depth and creativity.
Behaviour and culture: Pupils are respectful, well-behaved and motivated; they value diversity and engage thoughtfully with current issues.
Leadership and safeguarding: Well-led with a clear focus on staff well-being and effective safeguarding that supports pupils’ safety and mental health.
Ilford County High School Exam Format
Admission to Year 7 at Ilford County High School is determined through the Redbridge 11 Plus exam, which is administered by GL Assessment.
The Ilford County High School Entry Exam: Overview
The entrance test consists of two multiple-choice papers. The test takes place in the autumn term of Year 6, typically in September, at one of the Redbridge grammar schools. All results are standardised by age to ensure fairness.
Paper One
English and Verbal Reasoning:Â assesses reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and logical language reasoning skills
Paper Two
Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning:Â covers the full Key Stage 2 maths curriculum, including arithmetic and problem-solving, along with questions testing spatial awareness and pattern recognition.
CEM 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
There is no fixed pass mark, but pupils who score among the top 180 candidates are usually eligible for a place, depending on the school’s admissions criteria.
Catchment Area
The catchment area for Ilford County High School can be found on the school website. Applicants who reside within the catchment area are given greater priority for places. Only children living in the catchment area have been admitted to Ilford County High School in the last 10 years, as such it is advised that you do not apply if you live outside of the catchment area.
Additional Eligibility
If more pupils reach the required standard than there are available places, the school applies the following oversubscription criteria:
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Looked-after and previously looked-after children who achieve the qualifying score
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Pupil Premium applicants who meet the academic standard
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Boys living within the defined priority area, ranked by test score
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Other applicants, ranked by overall performance
The priority area is used both as a tie-breaker and to allocate certain places based on proximity, once the academic threshold has been met.
Click here to view the full Ilford County High School admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Ilford County High School
To help your child prepare effectively for the Redbridge 11 Plus exam, focus on consistent, structured practice using GL-style materials. Recommended strategies include:
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 Ilford 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.
Ilford County High School’s Key Dates and Application Information
Here are the dates related to key events for admission to Ilford County High School.
Registration Opens
Registration Deadline
11 Plus Exam Date
Results Published
CAF Application Deadline
National Offer Day
Ilford County High School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Ilford 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 Ilford County High School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyRegister for the Redbridge 11 Plus Exam
This must be done via the school’s or Redbridge Council’s website in the summer term of Year 5.
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Ilford 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.
Ilford County High School FAQs
You must register your child for the Redbridge 11 Plus exam through the local authority’s website and complete the common application form, listing Ilford County High School as one of your preferences.
The Redbridge 11 Plus, set by GL Assessment, includes two multiple-choice papers: Paper One tests English and verbal reasoning, and Paper Two covers maths and non-verbal reasoning, all standardised by age.
Entry is highly competitive, as it’s a fully selective grammar school. Typically, only the top 180 scorers in the Redbridge 11 Plus exam are considered for admission, subject to oversubscription rules.
Yes. The school has a defined priority area used as a tie-breaker and to allocate places by proximity once applicants have achieved the required standard in the 11 Plus exam.