Gravesend Grammar School 11 plus guide

About Gravesend Grammar School

Gravesend Grammar School is a selective state school for boys aged 11 to 18 with a mixed sixth form in Gravesend, Kent. The school aims to provide challenge and opportunity within a caring environment and is well-known locally for its strong partnerships across the borough. It's rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted.

Pupils at Gravesend Grammar School have curriculum enrichment activities every year to further develop the skills taught in the classroom. Typical activities include a summer enrichment week in Year 7 (consisting of camping and outdoor education), Year 8 languages immersion with trips abroad, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Combined Cadet Force, a sailing trip and mentoring opportunities for older pupils.

• Address: Gravesend Grammar School, Church Walk, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2PR

• Local authority: Kent County Council

• School type: boys' grammar with mixed sixth form

• Headteacher: Malcolm Moaby

• Number of pupils: 1,200+

• National rank (Sunday Times Parent Power): 277

• A level results: 61.8% A*–B

• GCSE results: 52.3% A*/A/9/8/7

Key info for Year 7 admissions

• Admissions contact: [email protected], 01474 331893

• Number of places in Year 7: 210

• Open events: October

• 11 plus registration opens: Thursday 1st June 2023

• 11 plus registration closes: Monday 3rd July 2023 at midnight

• 11 plus exam date: Thursday 7th September 2023

• 11 plus exam type: The Kent Test

• Common application form (CAF) deadline: 31st October 2023

• National school offer day: 1st March 2023

How to apply to Gravesend Grammar School

1. Register for the Kent Test

Gravesend Grammar School uses the Kent Test to select pupils for entry in Year 7. The Kent Test is an 11 plus exam taken by 32 grammar schools in the county and aims to identify children in the top 25% of the ability range in their year group. Boys who are successful in the Kent Test will be assessed as suitable for a grammar school.

Registration for the Kent Test will open on Thursday 1st June 2023 and close on Monday 3rd July 2023 at midnight. You will be able to complete your child's registration on the Kent County Council website. If you are also considering grammar schools in Medway or the London Borough of Bexley, you will need to register separately because these schools do not use the Kent Test.

If your child is eligible for the pupil premium, they may be prioritised for places under the school's admission criteria. You will need to provide proof of eligibility and complete a supplementary information form (SIF) – available to download from the school website – to indicate this.

2. Apply for a school place

You will receive your child's results in the Kent Test after 4pm on Wednesday 18th October 2023. If they have achieved the pass mark in the exam, they will be eligible for a grammar school place. You can then name Gravesend Grammar School as one of your preferred schools on your common application form.

Make sure to check the admissions policy for the school before you complete your common application form. Passing the Kent Test will not be a guarantee of a place as more children reach the qualifying standard each year than there are places available. We've summarised the key points in the admission policy below.

The application form must be submitted to your home local council by 31st October 2023. The form must be completed for your home local authority – i.e. if you live in Kent you will need to complete the form on the Kent County Council website. If you live in a different local authority, make sure to apply through the relevant website for that council.

What is the pass mark for the Kent Test?

Your child will receive four scores on the Kent Test. The results from the English, maths and reasoning sections will all be age-standardised to produce three separate scores, in addition to one overall (aggregate) score.

Children typically need a total score of 332 or more out of the total 423, with no single score lower than 108, to be eligible for a place at a grammar school in Kent.

However, achieving a particular score doesn't guarantee a place at a grammar school, as schools are usually oversubscribed with qualified candidates. We always recommend researching the admission policies for your target schools, looking at their oversubscription criteria and their catchment area. We've included the admission criteria for Gravesend Grammar School below.

Gravesend Grammar School admission criteria

Gravesend Grammar School has 210 places available in Year 7. Highest priority is given to children with a statement of special educational need (SSEN), children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which names the school, and those in local authority care.

If the remaining number of places is less than the number of qualified children who have applied to Gravesend Grammar School, oversubscription criteria will be used to prioritise places in the following order:

1. Children in local authority care ('looked after; children or 'previously looked after' children)

2. Children who have a medical, social or special access reason to attend the school

3. Children who have a sibling at the school

4. Children of staff at Gravesend Grammar School

5. Children who live within the Borough of Gravesham

6. Children who live within the civil parishes of Ash-cum-Ridley, Bean, Fawkham, Hartley, Longfield and New Barn, Southfleet, Swanscombe and Greenhithe, and Stansted

7. Children who live within the civil parishes of Stone, Darenth, Horton Kirby and South Darenth, Cliffe and Cliffe Woods

Within each of these criteria, priority will be awarded to children who are eligible for pupil premium, supported with a supplementary information form.

Gravesend Grammar School catchment area

Gravesend Grammar School has a catchment area that is split into three smaller priority areas. Children living within the area outlined in Criterion 5 will have first priority for places, followed by children living in the area in Criterion 6, and then children living in the area in Criterion 7:

• Criterion 5: the borough of Gravesham. This incorporates Gravesend, Higham, Cobham and Meopham.

• Criterion 6: the civil parishes of Ash-cum-Ridley, Bean, Fawkham, Hartley, Longfield and New Barn, Southfleet, Swanscombe and Greenhithe, and Stansted

• Criterion 7: the civil parishes of Stone, Darenth, Horton Kirby and South Darenth, Cliffe and Cliffe Woods

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