Devon grammar school admissions timeline

Read to your child every day. Build early numeracy through counting, puzzles, and games.

Apply for a primary school place (deadline: January before your child starts Reception).

Some free childcare is available: check gov.uk/find-free-early-education.

No applications at this stage.

Begin researching Devon’s grammar schools and which cluster is relevant to where you live. Note that the three clusters are geographically separate and most families will only need to consider one. Check Ofsted reports at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

Attend open days at local secondary schools.

Begin light skill-building with age-appropriate materials. CGP and Bond books (age 8–9) cover the English and Maths skills tested across all Devon schools.

A general KS2 primary tutor can support the curriculum at this stage.

(age 8–9) Consider beginning specialist 11+ tuition, gently — once a fortnight is appropriate. Check which test format applies to your target school(s):

• Plymouth (DHSB, DHSG, PHSG): Quest Assessments, English and Maths papers; DHSB also sets an internal creative writing task.
• Torbay Consortium (CFGS, TBGS, TGGS): GL Assessment, English and Maths papers.
• Colyton Grammar: FSCE papers covering English (comprehension), Maths, and creative writing.

Use preparation materials matched to your target school’s provider.

Registration opens in spring/early summer of Year 5 — but windows vary widely by school. All parents must register directly with each school. There is no automatic registration in Devon.

• Colyton Grammar:Registration opens 31 March 2026; preferred deadline July 2026, final deadline early September 2026.
• Plymouth schools: Registration opens mid-to-late April 2026; deadline 31 August 2026. Registration forms available on the DHSB, DHSG, or PHSG websites (one registration covers all three Plymouth schools).
• Torbay Consortium: Registration opens 1 March 2026; preferred deadline 15 July 2026, final deadline midday 4 September 2026. Register via any of the three Torbay school websites.

Attend open days — most Devon grammar schools hold open events from spring of Year 5 onwards. Increase tuition to weekly sessions. Consider a mock test in the Summer Term. Keep reading every day.

All Devon grammar school tests take place in September. Dates differ by cluster:

• Plymouth schools: Two papers on two consecutive Saturdays in September 2026 (exact dates to be confirmed in summer term 2026). DHSG and PHSG run a mock 11+ in July — strongly recommended for familiarisation.
• Torbay Consortium: Both papers on Saturday 19 September 2026, morning or afternoon session. One test covers all three Torbay schools.
• Colyton Grammar: Saturday 13 September 2026 (based on the usual pattern — confirm on the school website). One test; candidates ranked by score.

No content beyond the Year 5 national curriculum is assessed at any Devon grammar school. Final tuition sessions should focus on exam technique, timing, and familiarity with the specific format.

Results are released in mid-October across all Devon grammar schools. Note the format varies:

• Torbay Consortium: Results communicated as a Yes/No outcome for each Torbay school — not a raw or standardised score. For Torquay Boys’, results are issued on or after 12 October 2026.
• Plymouth schools: Standardised scores provided; children ranked in order. Results expected mid-October 2026.
• Colyton Grammar: Results mid-October; candidates ranked by score, no fixed pass mark.

Use results to decide which schools to name on your Common Application Form.

Common Application Form (CAF) deadline: 31 October. Submit to your home local authority (Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, or Torbay Council, depending on where you live). Name each preferred school on the form. Passing the test does not secure a place — you must also list the school on your CAF. Include at least one non-selective school as a backup.

National Offer Day — 1 March 2027. School allocations confirmed by your home local authority. If your preferred school is not offered, you have the right to appeal via an independent panel.