Wilmington Grammar School for Girls 11 plus: a parents' guide for 2022

Founded in 1958, Wilmington Grammar School for Girls is a selective girls’ school for Years 7 to 11, with a mixed sixth form for Years 12 to 13. The school aims to teach its students to be independent, resilient and creative; Year 7 students take part in an ‘Endeavour Mindset Programme’ where they are encouraged to discuss and form their own answers to ‘big questions’.

Wilmington Grammar School for Girls has consistently been awarded ‘outstanding’ Ofsted ratings.

Other schools in the Kent consortium include Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, Weald of Kent Grammar School and Wilmington Grammar School for Boys.

11 plus exam information for Wilmington Grammar School for Girls

• Address: Wilmington Grammar School for Girls, Parsons Ln, Dartford, Kent DA2

• Area: Kent

• Admissions info: [email protected], 01322 226351

• School type: girls’ grammar

• Number of pupils: 920

• Number of places in Year 7: 180

• Open day date: Currently only available virtually (more information on the school website)

• 11 plus exam dates: 8th September 2022 (for children in Kent primary schools) and 10th September 2022 (other children outside of Kent)

• Exam board type: Kent Test (GL)

Wilmington Grammar School for Girls term dates

The Wilmington Grammar School for Girls term dates for 2022-23 are:

• Autumn term: 5th September - 16th December

• Half term: 24th October - 2nd November

• Spring term: 3rd January - 31st March

• Half term: 13th - 17th February

• Summer term: 17th April - 21st July

• Half term: 29th May - 2nd June

The Wilmington Grammar School for Girls 11 plus admissions process

• Registration: June to July

• 11 plus exam dates: September

• Result notification: October

• Place allocation notification: March

• Appeal hearings: must be applied for within 30 days of the refusal of a place, and the date of the appeal will be sent out 10 days prior to the hearing

To be considered, children need a total score of 332 or more, with no single score lower than 109. Admissions are then determined by the child’s rank in the exams, as well as by whether the child is or has been in care. All children whose Education Health and Care (EHC) Plan names the school will be admitted.

After this, the admissions policy is as follows for those within the catchment area:

• Girls who have a sibling already attending the school

• Daughters of permanent members of staff from the school

• Up to 18 places are awarded to girls who have shown exceptional performance in the Kent Test (excluding the maths test) and reside within a five-mile radius of the school. Exceptional performance places them in the top 15 selective places.

• Girls who live within the catchment area, in rank of their exam score (see below for more information). Priority is given to those eligible for Pupil Premium

• Other Pupil Premium children within a three-mile radius of the school

• All other eligible girls, by proximity to the school

What is the Wilmington Grammar School for Girls catchment area?

Students are allocated places at the school by catchment area in conjunction with the admissions criteria mentioned above. The catchment area is:

Ash Cum Ridley, Badgers Mount, Bean, Crockenhill, Darenth, Dartford, Dunton Green, Eynsford, Farningham, Fawkham, Halstead, Hartley, Hextable, Horton Kirby & South Darenth, Istead Rise (ward), Kemsing, Longfield & New Barn, Meopham, Otford, Shoreham, Southfleet, Stanstead, Stone, Sutton at Hone & Hawley, Swanley, Swanscome & Greenhithe, West Kingsdown, Wilmington and Wrotham.

What is the Wilmington Grammar School for Girls 11 plus exam format?

Applicants to Wilmington Grammar School for Girls take three exams as part of the Kent Test:

• English and Maths: One hour. 5-minute practise exercise followed by a 25-minute multiple-choice test for each subject.

• Reasoning: One hour including practice sections and multiple-choice questions which cover verbal and non-verbal reasoning.

• Writing: 40 minutes including 10 minutes planning time.

The writing exercise is not marked but may be used by a local headteacher panel in borderline cases where pupils have missed the pass mark.

Take a look at the familiarisation materials on the Kent Test website for examples of the question and answer formats. The results of these tests, which are standardised according to the age of the child, will determine whether your child will be considered for a place at Wilmington Grammar School for Girls.

How do I prepare my daughter for the Wilmington Grammar School for Girls 11 plus exam?

If your daughter will be sitting the Kent 11 plus we would recommend that you begin your preparations at least a year in advance. English, maths and reasoning will all need a high level of attention, and while time should also be spent on writing, it’s important to bear in mind that that particular exam will only be used in borderline cases.

A great way to prepare for the Wilmington Grammar School for Girls 11 plus exam is to practice as many questions as possible in the format of the Kent Test. These questions can be found in the example papers linked on the school website (as mentioned above).

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We know how crucial this time is, so our team is on hand to support you and your family every step of the way. You can book a call with one of our Education Experts to ask any questions you may have about the Kent Test or preparing for entry to Wilmington Grammar School for Girls:

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