The Norton Knatchbull School 11+ Guide

About The Norton Knatchbull School

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

Nestled in the heart of Ashford, Kent, The Norton Knatchbull School is a prestigious selective grammar school for boys, with a co-educational Sixth Form. The school boasts a rich history and a legacy of academic excellence, consistently delivering outstanding examination results. With a comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes core subjects such as science, technology, computing, and languages, students are provided with a solid foundation for future success.

Beyond the classroom, The Norton Knatchbull School offers an extensive array of extracurricular activities, catering to a wide range of interests. From thrilling sports like basketball, football, and rugby to intellectually stimulating pursuits such as debating, chess, and board games, students have ample opportunities to explore their passions and develop their skills. The school actively encourages participation in district and national competitions, fostering a sense of pride and achievement among its pupils.

At the core of The Norton Knatchbull School's ethos lie the values of mutual respect, compassion, integrity, and trust. These guiding principles create an environment that nurtures creativity, challenges students to excel, and prepares them for the demands of an ever-changing world. The school's commitment to personal development is exemplified through its unique 'Knatchbull Baccalaureate' (KnatchBacc) program, which encompasses rigorous academic pursuits, community leadership, and a focus on stretch and challenge.

The achievements of The Norton Knatchbull School have garnered recognition from various organizations, with many of its graduates securing places at prestigious universities across the United Kingdom. The school's dedication to fostering a lifelong love for learning and its dynamic teaching approach have earned it a "Good" rating from Ofsted, further cementing its position as a leading grammar school in the region.

School Information

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

The Norton Knatchbull 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 1,252 pupils attend The Norton Knatchbull School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Ben Greene.

The Norton Knatchbull 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 Norton Knatchbull School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Kent 11+ Test Information

In order to get into The Norton Knatchbull 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 students seeking admission to The Norton Knatchbull School. This assessment, provided by GL Assessment, comprises two multiple-choice papers that evaluate a range of skills and abilities.

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 students have a solid foundation in these core subjects.

The second paper, also one hour in duration, assesses 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. However, these skills are essential for gauging a child's potential and ability to think critically and solve problems in novel situations.

Other Schools using Kent 11+ Test

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

Ofsted Information

The Norton Knatchbull School was last inspected by Ofsted on 13/12/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 29/01/2024, 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

The Norton Knatchbull School was inspected by Ofsted on 13 December 2023. The overall outcome of the inspection was Good. This rating was consistent across all key areas assessed, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.

The school demonstrated a strong performance in providing a high-quality education to its students. The behaviour and attitudes of students were also commendable, indicating a positive learning environment. The personal development of students was well-supported, and the leadership and management of the school were effective in driving improvement.

Additionally, the sixth form provision at The Norton Knatchbull School was rated as Good, suggesting that the school successfully prepares its students for higher education and future careers.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for The Norton Knatchbull 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 Norton Knatchbull 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 Norton Knatchbull School currently uses.

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