Cranbrook School 11+ Guide

About Cranbrook School

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

Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Kent, Cranbrook School is a co-educational grammar school that has been nurturing young minds for centuries. This esteemed institution offers a unique blend of day and boarding options, catering to students aged 11 to 18. With its rich history and commitment to excellence, Cranbrook School has earned a reputation for producing accomplished alumni across various fields, from military service to the arts and academia.

At Cranbrook, students benefit from a personalized approach to education, ensuring that each individual receives the attention and support they need to thrive. The curriculum is carefully crafted to provide a comprehensive foundation in core subjects such as mathematics, science, and English, while also encouraging exploration and growth in the arts and humanities. By fostering a love for learning and a curiosity for the world around them, Cranbrook equips its students with the tools they need to succeed both academically and personally.

Beyond the classroom, Cranbrook School is dedicated to developing well-rounded individuals who embody the values of morality, spirituality, culture, discipline, and empathy. Through a diverse range of extracurricular activities, including the Combined Cadet Force, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, orchestra, and drama, students are encouraged to discover and nurture their passions. These experiences not only promote personal growth but also foster a sense of community and social responsibility, as students engage in various initiatives and language exchanges.

At the heart of Cranbrook School's ethos lies a commitment to treating everyone with respect and fairness, valuing kindness, honesty, curiosity, ambition, and individuality above all else. This philosophy, combined with the school's exceptional teaching and resources, has earned Cranbrook a "Good" rating from Ofsted. With a track record of outstanding academic results and a significant number of leavers progressing to prestigious universities, including Oxbridge and Russell Group institutions, Cranbrook School continues to set the standard for excellence in education.

School Information

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

Cranbrook School is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) 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).

Notably, Cranbrook School is one of very few English grammar schools to also offer boarding facilities.

In total 884 pupils attend Cranbrook School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr David Clark.

Cranbrook 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 Cranbrook School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Kent 11+ Test Information

In order to get into Cranbrook 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 Cranbrook School. This assessment, provided by GL Assessment, evaluates applicants' abilities across a range of subjects. The test is divided into two multiple-choice papers, each lasting one hour.

The first paper focuses on English and maths, with questions based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. The second paper assesses verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning. These subjects are not typically taught in schools, so candidates may be less familiar with the question formats.

Successful performance in the Kent Test is essential for students hoping to secure a place at Cranbrook School. The examination aims to identify those with the academic potential to thrive in the school's challenging educational environment.

Other Schools using Kent 11+ Test

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

• Barton Court Grammar School
• Borden Grammar School
• Chatham & Clarendon Grammar 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 Cranbrook 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 Cranbrook 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 Cranbrook 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 Cranbrook School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Cranbrook School was last inspected by Ofsted on 22/03/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 18/05/2022, 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

Ofsted Report Summary

Cranbrook School was inspected by Ofsted on 18/05/2022 and received an overall outcome of Good. The school demonstrated outstanding performance in both Behaviour and attitudes and Personal development.

The Quality of education, Leadership and management, and Sixth form provision were all rated as Good. This indicates that Cranbrook School provides a well-rounded education, with a strong focus on student development and well-being.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Cranbrook 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 Cranbrook School. Please note that this may include past 11+ 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 Cranbrook School currently uses.

The exam board that Cranbrook School chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

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 Cranbrook School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.