Gravesend Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Gravesend Grammar School

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

Nestled in the heart of Kent, Gravesend Grammar School is a beacon of academic excellence for boys aged 11-18. This selective grammar school has garnered a reputation for its unwavering commitment to providing a rigorous academic curriculum and a nurturing pastoral environment. With a history spanning over a century, Gravesend Grammar has consistently demonstrated its ability to cultivate young minds and equip them with the tools necessary for success in further education and beyond.

Boasting a student body of over 1,200, the school takes pride in its specialist status in mathematics, computing, and languages. The dedicated faculty at Gravesend Grammar works tirelessly to create engaging learning experiences that not only impart knowledge but also foster a genuine love for learning. By maintaining high academic standards and offering a comprehensive range of subjects, the school ensures that its students are well-prepared to tackle the challenges of higher education with confidence and skill.

At Gravesend Grammar, education extends far beyond the confines of the classroom. The school recognizes the importance of holistic development and offers an extensive array of extracurricular activities designed to cater to diverse interests and talents. From the strategic maneuvers of chess and the art of debating to the thrill of drama productions and the camaraderie of sports teams, students have ample opportunities to explore their passions and develop valuable life skills. The school's commitment to personal growth is further exemplified by its participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which encourages students to push their boundaries, embrace challenges, and become well-rounded individuals.

The school's dedication to its students is evident in its outstanding Ofsted rating, which reflects the exceptional quality of education and care provided. Gravesend Grammar School takes pride in its strong partnerships within the local community, fostering a sense of belonging and civic responsibility among its students. With a focus on creating a caring and supportive environment, the school ensures that each student feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.

School Information

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

Gravesend 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 1,424 pupils attend Gravesend Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Malcolm Moaby.

Gravesend 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 Gravesend Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Kent 11+ Test Information

In order to get into Gravesend 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 entrance examination for Gravesend Grammar School, known as the Kent Test, is a challenging assessment that evaluates applicants' abilities across several key areas. The test, provided by GL Assessment, consists of 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. This section assesses the child's grasp of fundamental concepts and skills taught in primary school.

The second paper delves into verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning. These subjects are not typically covered in the standard school curriculum, which means that applicants may be less familiar with the question formats and problem-solving strategies required. Preparing for these specific reasoning skills can be beneficial for students aiming to excel in the Kent Test and secure a place at Gravesend Grammar School.

Other Schools using Kent 11+ Test

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

• Barton Court Grammar School
• Borden 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
• 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 Gravesend 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 Gravesend 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 Gravesend 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 Gravesend Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Gravesend Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 25/06/2015 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 17/07/2015, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. 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 Gravesend 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 Gravesend Grammar 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 Gravesend Grammar School currently uses.

The exam board that Gravesend Grammar 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 Gravesend Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.