What are the Best Grammar Schools in Kent? Rankings and 11 Plus Exam Formats

If you’re searching for a Grammar School in Kent for your child, the great news is you’ve got plenty to choose from.

Kent has the most Grammar Schools out of any county in the UK. And in even better news, many of these Grammars are among the top-performing schools in the country.

So, what are the best Grammar Schools in Kent?

Here’s your top ten list of schools, as well as the lowdown on 11 Plus exams in Kent. We’ll explain the key content featured in both the Kent Test and the Medway Test, how many children get into Grammar Schools in Kent, as well as the score your child needs to secure a coveted place.

Does Kent have Grammar Schools?

Yes, Kent has an abundance of Grammar Schools!

Kent has more Grammar Schools than any other region of the UK (38 to be precise).

Grammar Schools are state-funded selective schools. This means parents don’t pay any tuition fees for their children’s education.

But, and this is a big one – your child must meet the school’s admissions criteria. This means passing their 11 Plus entrance exams. There might be other factors, for instance, whether you live in their catchment area or a sibling already attends the school.

To understand more about the Grammar School system, read our in-depth introduction. We’ve also collated a complete list of Grammar Schools in England without a catchment area if you’re looking further afield.

What are the best Grammar Schools in Kent?

Here are the top ten Grammar Schools in Kent, ranked by the influential Sunday Times Parent Power Guide. As the most authoritative league table of UK secondary schools, it ranks schools on academic performance at both GCSE and A Level. Kent schools’ outstanding results are a testament to the county’s unique educational heritage and ongoing excellence.

The top ten Grammar Schools in Kent are…

  1. Tonbridge Grammar School
  2. Dartford Grammar School for Boys
  3. The Judd School
  4. The Rochester Grammar School
  5. Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School
  6. The Skinners’ School
  7. Dane Court Grammar School
  8. Dartford Grammar School for Girls
  9. Weald of Kent Grammar School
  10. Invicta Grammar School for Girls

To find out more about each Kent Grammar School, their exam results and admissions policies, click on the link to their homepage above. 

For the Best Grammar Schools in the UK, read our top ten list with a brief introduction to each school.

What percentage of Kent children go to a Grammar School?

About a third of all secondary places in Kent are Grammar Schools. 

This means roughly 30% of children in Kent attend Grammar Schools. The remaining 70% attend either comprehensive schools, private schools or specialist colleges.

In England as a whole, only 5% of secondary students go to a Grammar School. So Kent is way above the national average.

What is the exam format of the 11 Plus in Kent?

To get into a Grammar School in Kent, your child must pass 11 Plus exams.

There are two 11 Plus exams your child might face. These are:

  • The Kent Test
  • The Medway Test

As the name suggests, schools within the Kent County Council area use the Kent Test. Schools within the Medway Unitary Authority area use the Medway Test. 

If you’re unsure which test a Grammar School uses, just ask their admissions team.

The Kent Test: Exam Format

Because all Grammar Schools in the Kent County Council area use the Kent Test, your child only has to sit one exam (unless they’re also applying to a school in the Medway area).

GL Assessments is the test provider, and there’s a handy familiarisation booklet available from Kent County Council.

The Kent Test involves two multiple-choice papers. Each lasts 60 minutes. There’s also a short creative writing task.

Paper 1: English and Maths

This paper is evenly split between English and Maths questions. There’s a five-minute practice exercise at the start of both sections to help your child understand the question types.

  • The English section consists of a reading comprehension, as well as general questions assessing spelling, punctuation, vocabulary and grammar (featuring things like fronted adverbials and powerful adjectives). This could involve synonyms and antonyms, spotting mistakes or completing sentences.
  • The Maths section features National Curriculum content (up to the end of Year 6). It could include topics such as fractions and decimals, percentages and ratios, geometry and arithmetic.

Paper 2: Reasoning

This paper covers spatial reasoning, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. It also lasts 60 minutes, with various practice exercises throughout, to familiarise your child with the question types.

Unlike English and Maths, these topics aren’t taught at primary school – so they give a better potential of a child’s “true” academic potential rather than just knowledge.

Creative Writing

As well as the two “formal” papers, children complete a creative writing task. This lasts 50 minutes, including 10 minutes planning.

Your child’s creative writing is only marked if they’re a borderline case (going to a headteacher panel) or a formal appeal.

To help your child prepare, check out our 11 Plus Reading List featuring a selection of books to boost their vocabulary and creative writing skills.

The Medway Test: Exam Format

The format of the Medway Test recently changed. From September 2024, it will consist of three separate papers. These include:

  • English: Featuring reading comprehension and writing tasks.
  • Maths: Including Maths topics from the National Curriculum (up to Year 6).
  • Reasoning: Including questions on both Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Note: Medway Council haven’t released the exact format for the new exams. This information will be published on their website on 15 May, so watch this space for further updates!

The Medway Test provider is also GL Assessments. So questions will likely be similar to the Kent Test.

What is the pass mark for the 11 Plus in Kent?

So, what is the score for Kent Grammar Schools?

Understandably, it’s one of the first questions parents ask. The answer is slightly different for the Kent Test and the Medway Test, so let’s take each in turn.

The Kent Test: Pass Marks

You’ll get three age-standardised scores for English, Maths and Reasoning.

These standardised scores range from 69 to 141. The highest overall score (for all three combined) is 423.

To pass, your child needs a total score of 332 across the three topics. They can’t have a single score of less than 107.

Even if your child achieves this “qualifying score” they aren’t guaranteed a place. It just means they’re considered for entry to Kent Grammar Schools. Then, factors like the number of applicants, catchment area and other school admissions criteria apply.

To find out more about deadlines and how to register your child for the Kent Test, head to the Kent County Council website.

The Medway Test: Pass Marks

Like the Kent Test, your child will receive an age-standardised score. This ensures younger children sitting 11 Plus exams aren’t unfairly disadvantaged.

This standardised score is converted into a weighted score – with more importance placed on English and Maths papers. The exact weighting is:

  • Standardised English Score x 2
  • Standardised Maths Score x 2
  • Standardised Reasoning Score x 1

Unlike the Kent Test, there isn’t a single pass mark for the Medway Test. This changes each year, depending on how well children perform.

Last year the top 23% of students passed the Medway Test. This top 23% were eligible for a place at Medway Grammar Schools if they met admissions criteria. 

If there are places left over, a further 2% can be selected as part of a review process. 

So in terms of scores, it’s best to aim as high as possible. But this should be at least the top 25% to be in with a chance of securing a place.

For more information on test dates, results and registering your child for the Medway Test, head to the Medway Council website.

How can I help my child prepare for their 11 Plus exams?

If you’re preparing your child for their 11 Plus exams, one of the most helpful things you can do is work with an experienced 11 Plus tutor. 

At Achieve Learning, we have an excellent track record of helping students gain entry to some of the most prestigious schools in the country. We help with every aspect of 11 Plus preparation, from individual tuition to academic consultancy and mock exams.

Whatever you need, we’ll help your child succeed and achieve with confidence.