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The best grammar schools in Kent

By Atom | Jun 29, 2023, 8:09 AM

The best grammar schools in Kent

If you live in Kent and are considering a grammar school for your child, you have plenty of choice. Kent has more grammar schools than any other county in the UK.

Several of Kent's grammar schools are among the best state secondary schools in the UK. Discover how to get into a grammar school in the area and learn more about the top 10 grammar schools in Kent in 2024.

What are grammar schools?

Grammar schools are a type of state secondary school in the UK. They are government-funded, which means they are free for all pupils to attend. The difference between grammar schools and other state secondary schools is that they are selective. Places are only offered to children who pass an academic test known as the 11+ (eleven plus).

How to get into a grammar school in Kent

Your child will need to take the 11 plus to be considered for a place at a grammar school. This usually takes place in September when your child is in Year 6. Children with the highest 11 plus scores will be eligible for a place at a grammar school in Year 7.

There are two 11 plus tests in Kent:

  • The Kent Test: used by all grammar schools in the Kent County Council area

  • The Medway Test: used by all grammar schools in the Medway Unity Authority area

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The 10 best grammar schools in Kent

1. Tonbridge Grammar School

Tonbridge Grammar School

© tgs.kent.sch.uk

Tonbridge Grammar School is a girls' grammar school with a mixed sixth form. The IB Diploma is on offer alongside A levels, and The Sunday Times has named the school the International Baccalaureate School of the Year 2024. Tonbridge Grammar is currently ranked within the top 10 girls' state schools in the UK.

  • Town: Tonbridge

  • Local authority: Kent County Council

  • Entry gender: girls

  • Number of pupils: 1,100+

  • National rank: 16

  • 2023 GCSE results: 78.7% A*/A/9/8/7

  • 2023 A level results: 89% A*–B

  • 2023 IB results: 36.7 point average

  • Entrance exam: The Kent Test

Tonbridge Grammar School 11+ guide

2. Dartford Grammar School

Dartford Grammar School

© rsacademics.com

Dartford Grammar School is a boys' grammar school with a mixed sixth form on the south coast. It was founded in 1576, making it one of the oldest grammar schools in the county. Like Tonbridge Grammar, students can choose to take either A levels or the IB Diploma in the sixth form.

  • Town: Dartford

  • Local authority: Kent County Council

  • Entry gender: boys

  • Number of pupils: 1,500+

  • National rank: 19

  • 2023 GCSE results: 76.3% A*/A/9/8/7

  • 2023 A level results: 88.9% A*–B

  • 2023 IB results: 35.2 point average

  • Entrance exam: The Kent Test

Dartford Grammar School 11+ guide

3. The Judd School

The Judd School

© wikipedia.org

The Judd School is a boys' grammar school with a mixed sixth form in Tonbridge. It's consistently rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. In the last year, more than two thirds of students secured places at Russell Group universities, with 23 going on to Oxbridge.

  • Town: Tonbridge

  • Local authority: Kent County Council

  • Entry gender: boys

  • Number of pupils: 1,500+

  • National rank: 46

  • 2023 GCSE results: 74.3% A*/A/9/8/7

  • 2023 A level results: 80.4% A*–B

  • Entrance exam: The Kent Test

The Judd School 11+ guide

4. The Rochester Grammar School

Rochester Grammar School

© fejobs.com

The Rochester Grammar School is a girls' grammar school with a mixed sixth form in the Medway area of Kent. It became an Academy of Excellence in 2010 under the government's academy programme for outstanding schools. In 2023, The Rochester Grammar School was awarded a Silver Rights Respecting Schools' Award (RSSA) by Unicef.

  • Town: Rochester

  • Local authority: Medway Council

  • Entry gender: girls

  • Number of pupils: 1,150+

  • National rank: 53

  • 2023 GCSE results: 62.4% A*/A/9/8/7

  • 2023 A level results: 83.8% A*–B

  • Entrance exam: The Medway Test

Rochester Grammar School 11+ guide

5. Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School

Tunbridge Wells Girls School

© twggs.kent.sch.uk

Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School is a selective girls' state school. It was founded in 1095 and is consistently rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. It also has the largest all-female state school group in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF).

  • Town: Tunbridge Wells

  • Local authority: Kent County Council

  • Entry gender: girls

  • Number of pupils: 1,000+

  • National rank: 72

  • 2023 GCSE results: 76.5% A*/A/9/8/7

  • 2023 A level results: 66.1% A*–B

  • Entrance exam: The Kent Test

Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School 11+ guide

6. The Skinners' School

The Skinners' School

© wikipedia.org

The Skinners' School is a boys' grammar school with a mixed sixth form in Tunbridge Wells, founded in 1887. There is a strong focus on sport – the school is ranked as one of the top 100 in the UK for cricket. More than 200 students take part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and CCF.

  • Town: Tunbridge Wells

  • Local authority: Kent County Council

  • Entry gender: boys

  • Number of pupils: 1,100+

  • National rank: 81

  • 2023 GCSE results: 60.8% A*/A/9/8/7

  • 2023 A level results: 76.1% A*–B

  • Entrance exam: The Kent Test

The Skinners' School 11+ guide

7. Dane Court Grammar School

Dane Court Grammar School

© kentonline.co.uk

Dane Court Grammar School is a co-educational grammar school in Broadstairs. A newly completed £20 million rebuilding programme provides students with state-of-the-art learning facilities. In the sixth form, students study the IB Diploma instead of A levels.

  • Town: Broadstairs

  • Local authority: Kent County Council

  • Entry gender: boys

  • Number of pupils: 1,100+

  • National rank: 81

  • 2023 GCSE results: 60.8% A*/A/9/8/7

  • 2023 A level results: 76.1% A*–B

  • Entrance exam: The Kent Test

Dane Court Grammar School 11+ guide

8. Dartford Grammar School for Girls

Dartford Grammar School for Girls

© dartfordgrammargirls.org.uk

Dartford Grammar School for girls is a selective state school for girls aged 11–18. It's the home of 'Thinking Hard' – a national teaching programme designed to encourage critical thinking. Dartford Grammar is also a Specialist Science school. It holds an annual community Science Fair and has partnerships with local businesses and universities.

  • Town: Dartford

  • Local authority: Kent County Council

  • Entry gender: girls

  • Number of pupils: 1,200+

  • National rank: 94

  • 2023 GCSE results: 68% A*/A/9/8/7

  • 2023 A level results: 73% A*–B

  • Entrance exam: The Kent Test

Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11+ guide

9. Weald of Kent Grammar School

Weald of Kent Grammar School

© kentlive.news

Weald of Kent Grammar School is a girls' grammar school with a mixed sixth form. It occupies two spacious sites across Tonbridge and Sevenoaks with views of the Kent countryside. The school has been awarded a Green Flag status for its environmental initiatives.

  • Town: Tonbridge and Sevenoaks

  • Local authority: Kent County Council

  • Gender at 11 plus: girls

  • Number of pupils: 1,400+

  • National rank: 123

  • 2023 GCSE results: 69.5% A*/A/9/8/7

  • 2023 A level results: 60.2% A*–B

  • Entrance exam: The Kent Test

Weald of Kent Grammar School 11+ guide

10. Invicta Grammar School

Invicta Grammar School

© nicelocal.co.uk

Invicta Grammar School is a large girls' state selective school with a mixed sixth form in Maidstone. It has a strong reputation for academic achievement and a supportive environment. Ofsted rate the school as 'outstanding'.

  • Town: Maidstone

  • Local authority: Kent County Council

  • Entry gender: girls

  • Number of pupils: 1,600+

  • National rank: 128

  • 2023 GCSE results: 75% A*/A/9/8/7

  • 2023 A level results: 48% A*–B

  • Entrance exam: The Kent Test

Invicta Grammar School 11+ guide

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