Oakwood Park Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Oakwood Park Grammar School

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

Nestled in the heart of Maidstone, Oakwood Park Grammar School (OPGS) is a prestigious institution that has been nurturing young minds for over a century. This selective boys' school, with a co-educational Sixth Form, is committed to providing an unparalleled educational journey, guided by the principle of "Strive and Serve". At OPGS, students are encouraged to push the boundaries of their intellectual capabilities while developing a strong sense of personal resilience.

The school's comprehensive curriculum, adhering to national standards, offers a wide array of subjects that challenge and inspire students to reach their full potential. However, OPGS recognizes that education extends beyond academic excellence. The school places equal emphasis on fostering personal growth and character development through a diverse range of extracurricular activities. From sports at various levels to creative pursuits in well-equipped music and drama facilities, students have ample opportunities to explore their passions. Volunteering initiatives further enhance their empathy, kindness, and respect for others, preparing them to become responsible global citizens.

OPGS takes immense pride in its exceptional pastoral care, ensuring that each student feels supported and valued throughout their educational journey. By maintaining a high standard of behavior and encouraging self-reliance, the school cultivates an environment where students thrive both academically and personally. The school's commitment to excellence is evident in the outstanding achievements of its students, with impressive GCSE and A-level results that consistently surpass expectations. Ofsted has recognized OPGS's dedication to personal development, behavior, and welfare, awarding it an "Outstanding" rating in these areas.

As a testament to its holistic approach to education, OPGS continues to produce well-rounded individuals who are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to succeed in their future endeavors. With its rich history, exceptional teaching, and unwavering commitment to student growth, Oakwood Park Grammar School stands as a beacon of educational excellence in Kent.

School Information

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

Oakwood Park 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 1,096 pupils attend Oakwood Park Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Kevin Moody.

Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Kent 11+ Test Information

In order to get into Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park 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 question styles. Verbal reasoning evaluates the ability to understand and analyze written information, while non-verbal reasoning and spatial reasoning assess problem-solving skills using shapes, patterns, and logical thinking. Preparing for these unique question types is crucial for success in the Kent Test.

Other Schools using Kent 11+ Test

As well as Oakwood Park 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
• Maidstone Grammar School for Girls
• Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend
• 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 Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Oakwood Park Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 06/02/2019 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 10/03/2019, 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 Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park Grammar School currently uses.

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