If you live in Kent and are thinking about a grammar school for your child, you’ll find plenty of choice — Kent has more grammar schools than any other county in the UK. Many of these schools rank among the best state secondary schools in the country.
Explore how the admissions process works and see our roundup of the top 10 grammar schools in Kent for 2026.
What are grammar schools?
Grammar schools are state secondary schools that are free for all pupils to attend. The key difference is that they’re selective. Children need to pass an academic entrance test — the 11+ — to be offered a place.
How to get into a grammar school in Kent
To be considered for a Kent grammar school, your child will need to take the 11 plus in September of Year 6. Places are offered to children with the highest scores, and those who qualify can join 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 Local Authority area
Is your child ready for the Kent Test?
See where they stand in minutes. Atom’s free Kent Test practice assessment gives you an instant breakdown of their strengths and gaps. Know exactly what to focus on next and start preparing with direction, not uncertainty.
Tonbridge Grammar School is a girls' grammar school with a mixed sixth form in Tonbridge. Girls can study either A levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in the sixth form.
Girls applying for a place at Tonbridge Grammar School take an 11+ exam known as the Kent Test. This consists of two papers testing English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Dartford Grammar School is a large boys' grammar school with a mixed sixth form in Dartford. It was founded in 1576, making it one of the oldest grammar schools in the country. Boys can study either A levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in the sixth form.
Boys applying for Year 7 entry at Dartford Grammar School take the Kent Test, which assesses English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
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.
Girls applying for a place in Year 7 at The Rochester Grammar School take the Medway Test. This assesses English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
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 rates the school 'outstanding'.
Girls applying for a Year 7 place at Invicta Grammar School take the Kent Test. This tests English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School is a selective girls' state school. It was founded in 1905 and is consistently rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. It also has the largest all-female state school group in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF).
Girls applying to Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School sit the Kent Test in Year 6. This assesses English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Dartford Grammar School for Girls is the home of 'Thinking Hard' – a national teaching programme designed to encourage critical thinking. It's also a Specialist Science School, holds an annual community Science Fair, and has partnerships with local businesses and universities.
Children applying for a place in Year 7 at Dartford Grammar School for Girls sit the Kent Test in Year 6. They're tested on English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
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.
Children applying to Dane Court Grammar School for 11+ entry take the Kent Test in Year 6. This assesses English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
The Skinners' School is a boys' grammar school with a mixed sixth form in Tunbridge Wells, founded in 1887. There's a strong focus on sport – the school is ranked among the top 100 in the UK for cricket. More than 200 students take part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and CCF.
Boys applying to The Skinners' School for Year 7 entry take the Kent Test. This assesses English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School is a large boys' grammar school with an academy status and a co-ed sixth form. The school is locally referred to as The Math. It was one of the first 100 schools in the country to be designated a National Teaching School.
Boys applying for a Year 7 place at Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School take the Medway Test. This assesses English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Not sure if your child is on track for the grammar school 11+? You don’t need to guess what to cover or whether they’re ready. Atom shows you exactly what to practise each week and how they’re performing, so you can stay ahead of the process without the stress.
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