Highsted Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Highsted Grammar School

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

Nestled in the heart of Sittingbourne, Kent, Highsted Grammar School is an exceptional institution that nurtures and empowers young women aged 11-18. With a steadfast commitment to their motto, "To be, rather than to seem," the school cultivates an environment where girls are encouraged to embrace their authentic selves and reach their full potential. The mixed sixth form adds a dynamic element to the school community, fostering collaboration and preparing students for the diverse world beyond the classroom.

At Highsted Grammar, education transcends the confines of traditional learning. The curriculum is meticulously crafted to provide a comprehensive and thought-provoking foundation, while also inspiring students to delve deeper into their studies. The school's well-equipped library serves as a gateway to a wealth of resources, enabling pupils to explore their subjects beyond the scope of the syllabus. This approach nurtures a genuine passion for learning and encourages students to become self-directed learners.

Recognizing the importance of holistic development, Highsted Grammar offers a wide array of extracurricular activities designed to enrich the learning experience. From sports and arts to clubs and societies, students have ample opportunities to discover and pursue their passions outside the classroom. The school also places a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility, incorporating outdoor learning, environmental education, and sustainable practices into its curriculum.

The dedicated staff at Highsted Grammar are the driving force behind the school's success. With a keen focus on student welfare, particularly mental health, teachers go above and beyond to support each individual's growth and well-being. The Education for Life Programme is a testament to the school's commitment to fostering social skills, positive relationships, and lifelong friendships among its students.

Highsted Grammar School's unwavering dedication to academic excellence has earned it a stellar reputation. Year after year, students achieve remarkable results in their exams, a testament to the effectiveness of the school's educational approach. The school's "outstanding" rating by Ofsted and recognition by Her Majesty's Chief Inspectors further solidify its position as a beacon of educational excellence in the region.

School Information

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

Highsted Grammar School is a girls 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 Highsted Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Ms Anne Kelly.

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

Kent 11+ Test Information

In order to get into Highsted 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 Highsted Grammar School, known as the Kent Test, is a challenging assessment designed to evaluate the academic potential of prospective students. The test comprises two multiple-choice papers, each lasting one hour, which are provided by GL Assessment.

The first paper focuses on English and maths, with questions based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. This section assesses the candidate's proficiency in literacy and numeracy skills, which are essential for success in secondary education.

The second paper concentrates on verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning. These subjects are not typically taught in primary schools, so candidates may be less familiar with these types of questions. This section of the test aims to evaluate the student's ability to think logically, recognize patterns, and manipulate shapes and spaces mentally. Success in these areas demonstrates a child's potential to excel in various academic disciplines.

Other Schools using Kent 11+ Test

As well as Highsted 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
• Gravesend 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 Highsted 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 Highsted 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 Highsted 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 Highsted Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Highsted Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 17/01/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 19/03/2023, 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

Highsted Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 17 January 2023 and received an overall outcome of Good. The school was rated Good in all areas, including Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management, and Sixth form provision.

This inspection result demonstrates that Highsted Grammar School provides a high-quality education to its students, with a strong focus on their personal development and well-being. The school's leadership and management team have effectively created a positive learning environment that encourages good behaviour and attitudes among the students.

The Good rating in the sixth form provision indicates that Highsted Grammar School prepares its students well for their future academic and professional pursuits. Overall, the school has shown itself to be a successful and well-managed institution that prioritizes the needs and development of its students.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Highsted 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 Highsted 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 Highsted Grammar School currently uses.

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