The Harvey Grammar School 11+ Guide

About The Harvey Grammar School

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

Nestled in the heart of Folkestone, Kent, The Harvey Grammar School is an exceptional selective school for boys aged 11-18. With a student body of nearly 1,000 pupils, the school is divided into four distinct houses: Discovery, Endeavour, Resolution, and Victory. These houses foster a sense of community and healthy competition among the students.

At The Harvey Grammar School, every student's unique learning style is valued and nurtured. The school offers a comprehensive and well-balanced curriculum that engages and stimulates pupils throughout their academic journey. From the sciences and religious studies to French and design technology, the curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire young minds. The school's modern facilities provide the perfect setting for students to explore their interests and develop their skills.

Beyond the classroom, The Harvey Grammar School offers a wealth of extracurricular activities that cater to a wide range of interests. Students can immerse themselves in music, showcase their talents in drama productions, or excel in various sports. The school also organizes exciting trips to far-flung destinations such as Nepal, Chile, Mongolia, and Tanzania, broadening students' horizons and fostering a deep appreciation for cultural diversity.

At the core of The Harvey Grammar School's ethos is a commitment to empowering students to pursue their aspirations, enjoy their time at school, and support one another. The school provides a nurturing environment where boys can discover, cultivate, and refine their unique talents, whether they lie in academics, sports, or creative pursuits. With its outstanding Ofsted rating and well-established reputation for academic excellence, The Harvey Grammar School is the ideal choice for boys seeking an exceptional education in Folkestone.

School Information

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

The Harvey 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 1,026 pupils attend The Harvey Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr S Norman.

The Harvey 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 The Harvey Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Kent 11+ Test Information

In order to get into The Harvey 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 Harvey Grammar School requires prospective students to sit the Kent Test, an entrance examination designed to assess their academic abilities. This test, provided by GL Assessment, consists of two multiple-choice papers that evaluate the candidate's proficiency in various subjects.

The first paper, which lasts for one hour, focuses on English and maths. The questions in this section are based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum, ensuring that the content aligns with the students' expected knowledge at this level.

The second paper, also lasting one hour, assesses the candidate's skills in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning. These subjects are not typically taught in schools, so students may be less familiar with the question styles and formats. However, these sections aim to evaluate the candidate's problem-solving abilities, logical thinking, and pattern recognition skills, which are essential for success in academia.

Other Schools using Kent 11+ Test

As well as The Harvey 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
• 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 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 The Harvey 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 The Harvey 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 The Harvey 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 The Harvey Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

The Harvey Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 16/03/2016 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 25/04/2016, 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 The Harvey 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 The Harvey 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 The Harvey Grammar School currently uses.

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