Common Application Form CAF

The Secondary School Application Deadline Is 31 October 2026

If your child is currently in Year 6 and you live in South East London, you have an important decision to make: which six secondary schools should you list on your Common Application Form (CAF)?

For parents whose children have taken the 11+ or another grammar school entrance test, this decision can be particularly difficult. Your child might have performed well in an entrance test, but that does not automatically guarantee a place at every grammar school you choose.

You also need to consider admissions criteria, distance from home, school location, your child’s individual needs and the likelihood of securing a place.

For September 2027 entry, the national closing date for secondary school applications is Saturday 31 October 2026. You should submit your application through your home local authority, even if you want your child to attend a school in a different borough or county.

In this guide, we explain how to choose six secondary school preferences, which grammar schools South East London families should consider, and the eligibility requirements that matter when completing your CAF.

1. Understanding the Common Application Form: How Should You Choose Six Schools?

The CAF is the application form through which you express your preferences for state-funded secondary schools.

In the London boroughs discussed in this guide, parents can generally list up to six schools. You can include schools in different boroughs, and your preferences are not restricted to your local authority’s boundaries.

For example, a family living in Welling could consider grammar schools in Bexley, Bromley and Dartford, provided the child meets the relevant admission requirements.

Put your schools in genuine preference order

Your first preference should be the school you would most like your child to attend, followed by your second choice and so on.

Schools normally assess applications against their published admissions criteria without knowing where parents have ranked them. The local authority then coordinates the offers, offering the highest-ranked school on your list for which your child qualifies.

Putting a school first does not automatically improve your child’s eligibility for admission. Equally, placing a school lower on the form does not normally disadvantage your application to that school.

Do not place a school first merely because you believe it is easier to get into. Rank schools in the order you genuinely prefer.

Should you use all six preferences?

In most circumstances, yes. Listing six schools does not guarantee a place at one of them, but it gives the admissions system more opportunities to offer a school you have chosen.

A sensible approach is to include:

  • Ambitious choices: Schools you particularly want, where your child meets the entry requirements but admission remains uncertain.
  • Realistic choices: Schools where your child’s eligibility and the published admissions criteria make an offer plausible.
  • A secure alternative: At least one school where you have carefully checked the admissions arrangements and believe your child has a realistic prospect of receiving an offer.

No school should be treated as a guaranteed option unless the admissions arrangements and your circumstances genuinely support that conclusion.

Official guidance: Bexley Council – applying for secondary school.

2. Bexley: Grammar Schools for Families in Welling, Blackfen and Sidcup (or any Bexley locality)

Bexley is one of the most important areas for South East London families considering grammar school education.

This is because Bexley has four grammar schools. All use the Bexley Selection Test as part of their Year 7 admissions process, but each school has its own admissions arrangements.

A child being assessed as selective does not automatically guarantee a place at any of the four schools.

Beths Grammar School – Bexley

Type: Boys’ grammar school

Beths Grammar School is an option for families seeking a selective boys’ school in Bexley.

Eligibility considerations:

  • Your son must have taken the Bexley Selection Test and been assessed as selective, or meet an applicable provision within the school’s published admissions arrangements. (If any spaces are left, Beths may allow pupils who passed the Kent selection test to join the school even if they have failed the Bexley test)
  • You must check the school’s oversubscription criteria, including any priorities and distance considerations.
  • Passing the selective test alone does not guarantee admission if the school receives more eligible applications than it has places.

Parents should read the school’s current Year 7 admissions policy before including it on the CAF.

Website: https://www.beths.bexley.sch.uk/

Bexley Grammar School – Welling

Type: Co-educational grammar school

Bexley Grammar School is an option for boys and girls seeking selective education in the Welling area.

Eligibility considerations:

  • Your child must satisfy the Bexley Selection Test requirements.
  • You must check the school’s admissions priorities and oversubscription criteria.
  • Do not assume that living in Welling, Bexley or a neighbouring area guarantees admission.
  • Historically, pupils living within approximately 2 miles have been offered a place. Considering Danson Park takes up a lot of that 2 mile radius, Bexley Grammar is very difficult to get into (unless the 11+ scores are very high)

Parents should compare the school’s location and admissions criteria with those of their other preferred schools.

Website: https://www.bexleygs.co.uk/

Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School – Sidcup

Type: Boys’ grammar school, with a co-educational sixth form

Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School is worth considering for eligible boys living in Sidcup, Blackfen, Welling and surrounding areas.

Eligibility considerations:

  • Applicants must meet the requirements of the Bexley Selection Test and the school’s admissions policy.
  • The school applies its published oversubscription criteria when there are more eligible applicants than places.
  • Parents should check the current policy rather than relying on distance or previous years’ admission experiences.

Website: https://www.csgrammar.com/

Townley Grammar School – Bexleyheath

Type: Girls’ grammar school, with a co-educational sixth form

Townley Grammar School is another option for eligible girls in Bexley and neighbouring parts of South East London.

Eligibility considerations:

  • Your daughter must satisfy the Bexley Selection Test requirements.
  • You should check the school’s published admissions priorities and oversubscription arrangements.
  • A qualifying test result does not guarantee that a place will be offered.

Website: https://www.townleygrammar.org.uk/

How should Bexley parents use their six preferences?

If your child has been assessed as selective, you could consider one or more of the four Bexley grammar schools alongside suitable non-selective schools.

As a reminder, The Bexley Selection Test result does not mean your child will qualify for a grammar school in Kent or Medway. These areas operate different testing and admissions arrangements.

If your child has not been assessed as selective, you should concentrate on schools for which your child meets the published entry requirements, while investigating any applicable review or appeal arrangements separately.

Official guidance: Bexley Council – secondary schools and admissions.

3. Bromley and Orpington: Newstead Wood School and St Olave’s Grammar School

Families in Bromley, Eltham, Sidcup and neighbouring areas may also wish to consider two selective schools in Orpington.

Although both are in the London Borough of Bromley, they have their own entrance arrangements.

Newstead Wood School – Orpington

Type: Girls’ selective school, with a co-educational sixth form

Newstead Wood School is an option for academically able girls seeking selective secondary education.

Eligibility considerations:

  • The school operates its own selection-test arrangements.
  • Applicants must satisfy the school’s requirements for the relevant admissions year.
  • The school’s published admissions policy sets out how eligible applicants are prioritised, including the relevant catchment arrangements.
  • Parents should check the admissions policy carefully, particularly the requirements relating to residence and the date by which a family must live within the applicable area.

Website: https://www.newsteadwood.co.uk/admissions/year-7-admissions

St Olave’s Grammar School – Orpington

Type: Boys’ grammar school

St Olave’s Grammar School is another selective option for families considering schools in Bromley and the surrounding area.

Eligibility considerations:

  • St Olave’s operates its own entrance-test process. Your son must have sat and passed the St Olave’s 11+ test.
  • Parents should check whether their son has satisfied the relevant assessment requirements for September 2027 entry.
  • The school’s admissions policy determines how applicants are considered for available places.
  • Do not assume that a child who passed the Bexley Selection Test or Kent Test will automatically meet St Olave’s entry requirements.

The school has published admissions information and policies on its website. Parents should use the arrangements for the correct admissions year.

Website: https://www.saintolaves.net/29/admissions-overview

4. Dartford and Wilmington: Kent Grammar Schools Close to South East London

Although there are 32 grammar schools in Kent, they are so spread out that only four Kent grammar schools are realistically viable for families in South East London.

The Dartford and Wilmington area is particularly relevant to families in Bexley, Welling, Erith, Thamesmead and nearby neighbourhoods.

However, Kent grammar schools use the Kent Test, not the Bexley Selection Test.

Dartford Grammar School – Dartford

Type: Boys’ grammar school

Dartford Grammar School is an option for eligible boys considering selective education in Dartford.

Eligibility considerations:

  • Applicants must be assessed as suitable for grammar school through the Kent Test process. This is one of the top schools in the country, so test scores have to be very high.
  • The school has published admissions criteria that determine how eligible applicants are prioritised.
  • Its admissions arrangements include geographical priorities, so passing the Kent Test does not guarantee a place.

Website: https://www.dartfordgrammarschool.org.uk/

Dartford Grammar School for Girls – Dartford

Type: Girls’ grammar school

This school may be worth considering for eligible girls living in Bexley and neighbouring areas, depending on the practical journey.

Eligibility considerations:

  • Applicants must meet the relevant Kent Test requirements.
  • The school applies its own published admissions criteria.
  • Parents should check its current priority areas and oversubscription rules before including it on the CAF.

Website: https://www.dartfordgrammargirls.kent.sch.uk/

Wilmington Grammar School for Boys – Wilmington

Type: Boys’ grammar school

Wilmington Grammar School for Boys is another Kent grammar school that may be relevant to South East London families.

Eligibility considerations:

  • Applicants must have registered for and sat the Kent Test and been assessed as suitable for grammar school.
  • The school uses its published admissions criteria to rank eligible applicants.
  • Parents should check the current admissions policy for geographical priorities and other oversubscription rules.

Website: https://wgsb.co.uk/

Wilmington Grammar School for Girls – Wilmington

Type: Girls’ grammar school

Wilmington Grammar School for Girls may be an option for eligible girls whose families are prepared to consider a school outside their home borough.

Eligibility considerations:

  • Applicants must meet the Kent Test requirements.
  • The school has its own published admissions arrangements.
  • Parents should check the relevant geographical and oversubscription criteria.

Website: https://www.wgsb.co.uk/

5. Greenwich, Lewisham and Southwark: Choosing Schools Beyond Your Home Borough

Whilst there are no grammar schools in these boroughs, there are plenty of grammar schools in neighbouring boroughs. Be advised, though, without proximity to grammar schools on your side, a child will have to achieve a very high pass.

You normally submit one application through your home local authority. That application can include schools in other boroughs and, where permitted by the relevant admissions arrangements, schools in neighbouring counties.

Greenwich

Families in Eltham, Plumstead, Woolwich and surrounding areas may wish to consider grammar schools in Bexley, Bromley and Dartford.

Before including a school, check:

  • Whether your child has completed the relevant entrance test.
  • Whether the school accepts applicants from outside its home borough.
  • Whether any catchment or geographical priority applies.
  • Whether the daily journey is practical.

Applications: https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/

6. Medway: Should South East London Parents Consider Grammar Schools Further Away?

Some families are willing to consider Medway grammar schools, particularly if they live in the eastern parts of South East London and have suitable transport links.

Medway’s grammar schools include:

  • Chatham Grammar
  • Fort Pitt Grammar School
  • Holcombe Grammar School
  • Rainham Mark Grammar School
  • Rochester Grammar School
  • Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School

These schools are further away for many South East London families, so travel time should be a major consideration.

Eligibility is not interchangeable between testing areas. Parents should check the relevant Medway assessment and the school’s own admissions policy. A Bexley Selection Test or Kent Test result should not be assumed to establish eligibility for a Medway grammar school.

Before adding a Medway school to your CAF, ask yourself whether your child could realistically make the journey every school day and whether the school offers something that makes that journey worthwhile.

7. How to Build a Balanced List of Six Schools

There is no single correct combination of six schools for every family. The right list depends on your home address, your child’s test results, school preferences and the published admissions criteria.

The following examples illustrate how parents might approach their choices.

Example A: A boy living in Bexley or Welling who has met the Bexley Selection Test requirements

A family might consider:

  1. Bexley Grammar School, if it is the family’s preferred eligible school.
  2. Beths Grammar School.
  3. Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School.
  4. Dartford Grammar School, if the child has also met the Kent Test requirements.
  5. Wilmington Grammar School for Boys, if eligible.
  6. A suitable non-selective secondary school with realistic admissions prospects.

This is an illustration, not a recommended ranking for every boy. The family should reorder the schools according to genuine preference and check each school’s admissions criteria.

Example B: A girl living in Sidcup or Blackfen who has met the relevant selection requirements

A family might consider:

  1. Townley Grammar School.
  2. Newstead Wood School, if the child has met its selection requirements.
  3. Dartford Grammar School for Girls, if the child has met the Kent Test requirements.
  4. Wilmington Grammar School for Girls, if eligible.
  5. Another suitable grammar school for which the child qualifies.
  6. A realistic non-selective secondary school.

Again, this list should only include schools for which the child meets the relevant requirements and which the family would genuinely consider.

Example C: A child who has not qualified for a grammar school

In this situation, it is important not to fill the CAF with selective schools for which the child does not meet the entry requirements.

Instead, investigate non-selective schools, including community schools and academies, and check their admissions criteria carefully.

If you believe there are grounds for a review or appeal, investigate those processes separately. Do not rely on an appeal as a substitute for a practical application strategy.

8. What Parents Must Check Before Submitting the CAF

Before you submit your application, work through the following checklist.

  • Test eligibility: Has your child completed the correct entrance test for each grammar school?
  • Admissions policy: Have you read the policy for September 2027 entry, rather than relying on previous years’ arrangements?
  • Catchment and distance: Does the school give priority to applicants living in a defined area, or use another geographical criterion?
  • School type: Is the school suitable for your child’s gender?
  • Travel: Can your child manage the daily journey?
  • Alternative schools: Have you included suitable non-selective schools where your child has a realistic prospect of admission?
  • Supplementary forms: Does any school require an additional form or evidence? These forms do not replace the CAF.
  • Deadline: Have you submitted the application by 31 October 2026 and saved confirmation?

Remember that a school may be academically selective and still be difficult to access because of its oversubscription criteria. Eligibility and likelihood of an offer are related, but they are not the same thing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Six Schools on the CAF

Can I apply to grammar schools outside my borough?

Yes. You normally apply through your home local authority and can list eligible state-funded schools in other boroughs or counties. The school must be named on your CAF, and your child must meet the relevant admissions criteria.

Does putting a grammar school first increase my child’s chances?

Normally, no. Schools consider applications against their published admissions criteria. Your preference order is used by the coordinated admissions system to determine which eligible offer you receive- but crucially, a child must be eligible for that school in the first place.

If my child passes the Bexley 11+, will they get a place at a Bexley grammar school?

Not automatically. Your child must meet the relevant admissions requirements, and the school must be able to offer a place under its oversubscription criteria.

Can I put Newstead Wood or St Olave’s on the CAF if my child passed the Bexley Selection Test?

Do not assume that a Bexley result is sufficient. Both schools have their own selection arrangements. Check the relevant admissions requirements and your child’s assessment outcome before applying.

Can I put Kent grammar schools on my London CAF?

Yes, provided you apply through your home local authority and follow the relevant admissions arrangements. Your child must satisfy the Kent Test requirements for the schools concerned.

Should I fill all six preferences?

For most families, using all six is sensible if you can identify six schools you would genuinely consider. Include realistic alternatives rather than relying exclusively on highly competitive schools.

What is the deadline for secondary school applications for September 2027?

The national closing date is 31 October 2026. Check your home local authority’s instructions and make sure any supplementary information required by a school is submitted by the relevant deadline.

Final Advice for South East London Parents

Choosing six schools for the CAF is not simply about identifying the six schools with the strongest reputations. It is about finding the best combination of educational suitability, eligibility, admissions prospects and practical travel.

For families in Bexley, Welling, Blackfen and Sidcup, the four Bexley grammar schools are an obvious starting point. Depending on your child’s test results, you may also consider Newstead Wood, St Olave’s and selected grammar schools in Dartford and Wilmington.

Families in Greenwich, Lewisham and Southwark can also apply beyond their boroughs, but should pay particular attention to travel and eligibility.

Above all, do not submit six preferences without checking the admissions criteria for each school. A balanced list should include ambitious choices alongside suitable alternatives that you would be happy for your child to attend.

For further guidance on the 11+, grammar school admissions and preparing your child for selective tests, feel free to read the numerous articles and guides on the Grammar School Pathway website.

Official sources for parents

Looking for downloadable resources? head to our downloads page.

Leave a Reply