11+ Exams Are Moving to July — What Every Year 4 & Year 5 Parent Must Know
Grammar schools have announced a major shift: 11+ exams are moving from September to July — two months earlier. Here's what changed, which schools are affected, and exactly what you need to do.
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What Is Actually Changing?
For years, the 11+ followed a predictable calendar. That's no longer guaranteed.
Several grammar schools have confirmed they are moving their 11+ entrance examinations from September of Year 6 to July of Year 5 — meaning children will sit the real exam before the summer holidays, not after them. This removes the entire summer revision window that most families have relied on for years.
If your child is in Year 5 and targeting Reading School, they may need to sit the exam in July 2026 — possibly just weeks away. Year 4 families targeting the Gloucestershire schools from 2027 have a little more time, but the preparation window is already shorter than it used to be.
This is being described by education commentators as one of the most significant changes to selective school admissions in recent years. The shift fundamentally changes when preparation needs to peak — and families who don't adjust their timelines risk being unprepared when exam day arrives.
Which Schools Are Moving to July?
Eight grammar schools across two regions have confirmed the change — with two different timelines.
Reading School
Reading School has confirmed its entrance examination will move to July 2026. Year 5 children currently preparing for Reading School need to be exam-ready before the summer holidays this year.
Seven Gloucestershire Grammar Schools
The following schools will move to July testing from 2027 onwards, affecting children currently in Year 4 or Year 5 who plan to apply to these schools:
- Pate's Grammar School
- Denmark Road High School
- Ribston Hall High School
- Sir Thomas Rich's School
- The Crypt School
- Marling School
- Stroud High School
Admissions policies can change. Always confirm examination dates on your target school's official website or admissions prospectus. The information above was accurate at the time of publication (May 2026).
Why Are Schools Making This Change?
Schools have cited three key rationales for moving examinations earlier in the year.
Reducing Summer Holiday Pressure
Traditionally, families spend the entire Year 5 summer holiday in intensive 11+ preparation mode. By moving the exam to July, children can enjoy a genuinely relaxed summer — and family holidays no longer revolve around revision schedules.
Creating a More Level Playing Field
Some educational leaders believe families who can afford intensive summer tutoring gain a significant advantage in the final weeks before September exams. Moving the exam to July — after all pupils have received broadly similar school-based education — may reduce this gap.
Smoother Admissions Processing
Earlier testing allows schools to process applications sooner, manage admissions more efficiently, and give families more time to plan their secondary school transition before the new academic year begins.
While the stated goal is to reduce stress and improve fairness, the practical effect for families is the opposite of more time. The exam now arrives earlier — and the preparation window is shorter. Families who plan well in advance will be at an advantage; those who rely on a summer-holiday sprint will be caught out.
What This Really Means for Your Child
The consequences are bigger than they might first appear — especially for Year 4 and Year 5 families.
The Summer Window Disappears
For years, the summer holidays have been the final, intensive push before September exams. Under a July model, that window is gone entirely. Children sit the real exam before the summer starts.
Syllabus Must Be Completed Earlier
All new topics — Mathematics, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning — must be fully covered and practised by early-to-mid Year 5 at the latest, with no scope for squeezing extra topics in over summer.
Mock Exams Become Critical
Without the summer revision sprint, regular mock exams throughout Year 5 are now the primary way children build stamina, timing awareness, and confidence before the real thing.
Year 4 Families Must Plan Earlier
If your child is in Year 4 and targeting a Gloucestershire school for 2027 entry, the preparation clock has already started. Waiting until Year 5 to begin may no longer leave enough time to comfortably complete the syllabus and build exam readiness.
How the Preparation Timeline Has Changed
The finish line has moved forward by approximately two months. Every stage before it needs to shift accordingly.
Your Step-by-Step Action Plan
The content of the 11+ has not changed. What has changed is when you need to be ready. Here's how to adapt.
- ✓ If you haven't started yet, begin now — don't wait for Year 5
- ✓ Year 4 families targeting 2027 Gloucestershire schools: this year matters
- ✓ Build a weekly routine: even 3–4 sessions per week makes a big difference over 12 months
- ✓ Introduce exam-style questions gradually rather than sprinting later
- ✓ Map out all topics: Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning
- ✓ Aim to finish all new concepts by end of Year 5 Spring term
- ✓ Leave the final term entirely for exam practice, mocks, and weak area work
- ✓ Don't leave tricky topics (e.g. algebra, comprehension, analogies) to the summer
- ✓ Without the summer window, mocks are now your most important preparation tool
- ✓ Aim for regular mocks from Year 5 Autumn term onwards
- ✓ Use mocks to identify weaknesses early — not one month before the exam
- ✓ Practice under strict, timed, exam conditions for realistic stamina building
- ✓ Bookmark official admissions pages for all your target schools
- ✓ Check for updates in autumn 2026 and spring 2027 if you're a 2027 entry family
- ✓ Education experts believe more schools may follow — stay informed
- ✓ Do not rely on second-hand information from parent forums; verify directly
- ✓ A steady, structured approach throughout the year outperforms a summer sprint
- ✓ Small daily practice (30–45 mins) builds habit and retention better than weekend marathons
- ✓ Keep wellbeing in mind — a calm, confident child performs better than a burnt-out one
- ✓ Celebrate progress, not just scores — motivation matters for a year-long journey
- ✓ If using a tutor, discuss how this change affects their preparation schedule
- ✓ Book mock exam sessions earlier — slots fill up as awareness grows
- ✓ Consider whether your child needs extra support in specific subjects
- ✓ Use cohort-level data (mock reports) to benchmark against other candidates
Children will still need strong skills in Mathematics, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning (where applicable), exam technique, and time management. The exam content is not harder — you just need to be ready for it earlier. Good fundamentals and consistent practice are still the keys to success.
Schools Not Yet Changing
Major grammar school groups have not yet announced any move to July. But the situation may evolve — watch this space.
| School / Group | Region | Current Status | Exam Board |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Elizabeth's School (QE Boys) | Barnet, North London | September — No Change Announced | Independent paper |
| Henrietta Barnett School (HBS) | Barnet, North London | September — No Change Announced | Independent paper |
| Latymer School | Edmonton, North London | September — No Change Announced | Independent paper |
| Sutton Grammar Schools | South London / Surrey | September — No Change Announced | Consortium |
| Bexley Grammar Schools | Bexley, South-East London | September — No Change Announced | Quest Assessment |
| Kent Grammar Schools | Kent | September — No Change Announced | Kent Test (GL) |
| CSSE Schools (Southend, Essex) | Essex | September — No Change Announced | CSSE |
| Redbridge Grammar Schools | Ilford, East London | September — No Change Announced | GL Assessment |
| Medway Grammar Schools | Medway, Kent | September — No Change Announced | Medway Test |
Education experts believe other grammar schools will be watching the Reading School and Gloucestershire changes closely. If the move to July proves successful, it is quite possible that additional schools — including some in London and Kent — may consider similar adjustments in the coming years. This is another reason to monitor official announcements regularly, even if your target schools are not on the current list.
Book Mock Exams Earlier This Year
With the summer revision window gone for affected schools, building mock exam experience throughout Year 5 is more important than ever. GLECTA runs realistic, timed mocks across five London centres.
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