Maidstone Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Maidstone Grammar School

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

Maidstone Grammar School is a renowned grammar school for boys situated in the heart of Maidstone, Kent. The school has recently upgraded its facilities, including a state-of-the-art performing arts studio, expanded science and computing labs, a refurbished library, and a full-size all-weather pitch, to provide its students with the best possible learning environment.

The school's comprehensive curriculum is designed to prepare students for the rigors of GCSE exams while also helping them discover their unique paths. In addition to core subjects like science, English, and mathematics, students have the opportunity to learn two foreign languages, delve into religious studies, and express their creativity through various performing arts classes. The school's extensive co-curricular program, featuring activities such as Book Club, chess, gardening, robotics, and CCF, further enhances the students' experiential learning and personal development.

At Maidstone Grammar School, the focus is not only on academic achievement but also on fostering a strong sense of community. The school takes pride in providing its students with numerous opportunities to develop and apply leadership skills through its co-curricular offerings. The school's mission is encapsulated in two core pillars: Inspire to Learn and Inspire to Belong. By nurturing curiosity, encouraging critical thinking, and promoting a safe and respectful environment, the school aims to cultivate well-rounded individuals who feel a deep sense of belonging to the Maidstone Grammar School community.

The school's impressive academic performance is a testament to its commitment to excellence. A significant proportion of students consistently achieve top grades in both GCSE and A-level exams, highlighting the effectiveness of the school's educational approach. Maidstone Grammar School continues to uphold its long-standing tradition of shaping young minds and preparing them for success in their future endeavors.

School Information

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

Maidstone Grammar School is a boys only school. It is also a local authority maintained school, meaning the local authority oversee the funding, admissions, and overall performance of the school.

In total 1,425 pupils attend Maidstone Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Mark Tomkins.

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

Kent 11+ Test Information

In order to get into Maidstone 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 Maidstone Grammar School, assessing prospective students' abilities in various subjects. The test, provided by GL Assessment, consists of two multiple-choice papers, each lasting one hour.

The first paper evaluates the candidate's proficiency in English and maths, with questions based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. The second paper focuses on verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning skills. 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 seeking admission to Maidstone Grammar School. The examination aims to identify individuals with the necessary academic potential to thrive in the school's challenging educational environment.

Other Schools using Kent 11+ Test

As well as Maidstone 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
• Highsted Grammar School
• Highworth Grammar School
• Invicta 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 Maidstone 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 Maidstone 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 Maidstone 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 Maidstone Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Maidstone Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 15/01/2019 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 10/02/2019, 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 Maidstone 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 Maidstone 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 Maidstone Grammar School currently uses.

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