Borden Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Borden Grammar School

Borden Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Kent. For children to get into Borden Grammar School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Borden Grammar School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the heart of Sittingbourne, Kent, Borden Grammar School is a prestigious selective grammar school that has been nurturing young minds for well over a century. This esteemed institution caters to boys aged 11 to 16 and welcomes both boys and girls into its vibrant sixth form. With a steadfast commitment to its motto, "Nitere Porro" (Strive forward), Borden Grammar School cultivates an environment that encourages students to pursue excellence in all their endeavors.

At Borden Grammar School, the curriculum is thoughtfully crafted to equip students with the essential skills, knowledge, and critical thinking abilities necessary for success in their academic and professional lives. The dedicated faculty employs a teaching approach that fosters intellectual independence, ensuring that students develop a deep understanding of the subjects they explore. Beyond the classroom, students have the opportunity to engage in a wide array of sporting activities and clubs, ranging from hockey and football to drama, orchestra, chess, and debating, allowing them to discover and nurture their unique talents and interests.

The school's commitment to intellectual growth is matched by its dedication to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. Borden Grammar School strives to instill values of collaboration, resilience, and creativity in its students, empowering them to confidently pursue their aspirations. With its state-of-the-art facilities, including a private study area and modern language classrooms, the school provides an optimal setting for learning and personal development. Recognized by Ofsted as a "Good" educational institution, Borden Grammar School boasts a well-established reputation for academic excellence, with many of its pupils continuing their educational journeys at prestigious universities.

At the heart of Borden Grammar School's success lies its unwavering commitment to pastoral care. The school takes immense pride in its students, who are known for their honesty, friendliness, and eagerness to learn. The experienced and dedicated teaching staff actively employs their expertise to stretch, support, and challenge each individual, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. With its rich history, exceptional academic record, and nurturing environment, Borden Grammar School continues to shape the minds and characters of its students, preparing them to become the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Borden Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

Borden Grammar School is a boys only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 889 pupils attend Borden Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Ashley Tomlin.

Borden Grammar School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Borden Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Kent 11+ Test Information

In order to get into Borden Grammar School, children need to pass the Kent 11+ Test. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Kent 11+ Test Subjects & Structure

The Kent 11+ Test requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning
• Spatial Reasoning

The Kent Test is the entrance examination for students seeking admission to Borden Grammar School. This assessment, provided by GL Assessment, consists of two multiple-choice papers that evaluate a student's abilities in various subjects.

The first paper, which lasts for one hour, focuses on English and maths. The questions in this section are based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum, ensuring that students are tested on familiar topics.

The second paper, also one hour in duration, assesses verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning. These subjects are not typically taught in schools, so students may encounter question styles they have not seen before. Despite this, the Kent Test aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a student's potential and suitability for Borden Grammar School.

Other Schools using Kent 11+ Test

As well as Borden Grammar School, several other schools also use Kent 11+ Test. These are:

• Barton Court Grammar School
• Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School
• Cranbrook School
• Dane Court Grammar School
• Dartford Grammar School
• Dartford Grammar School for Girls
• Dover Grammar School for Boys
• Dover Grammar School for Girls
• Gravesend Grammar School
• Highsted Grammar School
• Highworth Grammar School
• Invicta Grammar School
• Maidstone Grammar School
• Maidstone Grammar School for Girls
• Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend
• Oakwood Park Grammar School
• Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School
• Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School
• Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys
• Sir Roger Manwood's School
• The Folkestone School for Girls
• The Harvey Grammar School
• The Judd School
• The Norton Knatchbull School
• The Skinners' School
• Tonbridge Grammar School
• Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School
• Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
• Weald of Kent Grammar School
• Wilmington Grammar School for Boys
• Wilmington Grammar School for Girls

Kent 11+ Test Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Borden Grammar School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Kent 11+ Test Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Kent 11+ Test changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Borden Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Kent 11+ Test Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Kent 11+ Test tests (to get into Borden Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Borden Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Borden Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 12/11/2013 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 04/12/2013, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Borden Grammar School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are all available past 11+ papers for Borden Grammar School. Please note that this may include 11+ past papers, past familiarisation booklets, past practice materials published by third parties and past 11+ exam guides written by the school. These materials are provided 'as-is' and may no longer reflect the subjects, format, structure or exam board that Borden Grammar School currently uses.

The exam board (or test supplier) that Borden Grammar School chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

As well as these past 11+ papers, you may find our 11+ practice papers helpful for your child's preparation.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Kent 11+ Test Ensure you double-check with Borden Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.