The Skinners' School 11+ Guide

About The Skinners' School

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

Nestled in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, The Skinners' School stands as a beacon of academic excellence for boys. This selective grammar school has carved a reputation for itself by consistently delivering outstanding results and nurturing the minds of its students. With a student body exceeding 1,200, Skinners' fosters an environment that challenges young minds to reach their full potential.

The school's curriculum is carefully crafted to provide a comprehensive education, striking a balance between traditional subjects and contemporary courses. From the intricacies of mathematics and the depths of history to the creativity of art and the intrigues of chemistry, Skinners' ensures that its students receive a well-rounded education. The school also offers forward-thinking courses such as Multiculturalism in the UK and Climate Change, preparing its students for the challenges of the modern world.

Beyond the classroom, The Skinners' School places great emphasis on personal development. Students are encouraged to explore their passions through a wide array of clubs and extracurricular activities. Whether it's the thrill of rugby, the excitement of football, the artistry of drama and theatre, the intellectual stimulation of debating, or the discipline of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), there is something for every student to engage in. The school also organizes adventurous trips throughout the year, allowing students to step out of their comfort zones and broaden their horizons.

The Skinners' School takes immense pride in its strong sense of community. It recognizes that forging lasting friendships is the bedrock of a fulfilling and successful life. The school cultivates an atmosphere where students not only acquire academic knowledge but also develop essential life skills such as self-discipline, self-respect, and self-understanding. This holistic approach to education ensures that Skinners' students are well-prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.

With its impressive track record of academic achievements, including outstanding GCSE and A-level results, The Skinners' School has firmly established itself as a top-performing institution. Many of its graduates go on to pursue higher education at prestigious universities, a testament to the school's commitment to excellence. The school's recent Ofsted report, which rated it as "Good," further affirms its dedication to providing a high-quality education to its students.

School Information

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

The Skinners' 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 1,118 pupils attend The Skinners' School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Edward Wesson.

The Skinners' 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 Skinners' School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Kent 11+ Test Information

In order to get into The Skinners' 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, administered by GL Assessment, is the entrance examination for admission to The Skinners' School. This assessment comprises 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 assesses the student's aptitude in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning. These subjects are not typically covered in the regular school curriculum, so candidates may be less familiar with the question formats.

The Kent Test aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a child's academic abilities and potential, helping The Skinners' School select students who are best suited for their educational program.

Other Schools using Kent 11+ Test

As well as The Skinners' 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 Norton Knatchbull 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 Skinners' 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 Skinners' 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 Skinners' 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 Skinners' School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

The Skinners' School was last inspected by Ofsted on 16/11/2021 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 13/01/2022, 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 Skinners' School was inspected by Ofsted on 16 November 2021 and received an overall outcome of Good. The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management were all rated as Good. The school's personal development and sixth form provision were both judged to be Outstanding.

The inspection results highlight the strong performance of The Skinners' School across various areas. The Good rating in quality of education suggests that the school provides a well-rounded and effective learning experience for its students. The Good behaviour and attitudes rating indicates that students are engaged and motivated in their learning, and the school maintains a positive learning environment.

The Outstanding ratings in personal development and sixth form provision are particularly noteworthy. These ratings suggest that The Skinners' School excels in supporting students' personal growth and well-being, as well as providing exceptional opportunities and support for students in the sixth form. The Good leadership and management rating reflects the school's effective governance and strategic direction in driving improvement and maintaining high standards.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

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

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