Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School

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

Nestled in the heart of Kent, Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School (TWGGS) is a beacon of academic excellence and personal growth. This selective school, catering exclusively to girls, provides an enriching educational experience that combines a rigorous curriculum with a vibrant arts program, particularly emphasizing music. With a student body of over 1,000, TWGGS cultivates a close-knit community where every girl is encouraged to give her best.

At TWGGS, experienced educators deliver comprehensive instruction in core subjects such as mathematics, science, computing, and design technology. Beyond the classroom walls, the school offers an array of extracurricular activities, ranging from debating and drama to sports and STEM Club. These pursuits provide invaluable opportunities for students to explore new passions, forge lasting friendships, and develop crucial life skills. By encouraging participation in these activities, TWGGS fosters a well-rounded educational experience that extends far beyond academic achievement.

The school's ethos is rooted in fostering an atmosphere of respect, where every student feels valued and supported. TWGGS recognizes that nurturing the well-being of each girl is paramount to her success, both academically and personally. By prioritizing pastoral care and creating a warm, inclusive environment, the school ensures that students have the confidence to pursue their goals and reach their full potential.

TWGGS is committed to equipping its students with the tools they need to become confident, engaged, and responsible members of society. Through a combination of academic rigor, personal development, and a strong emphasis on values, the school prepares young women to navigate the challenges of the modern world with grace and resilience. It is no surprise, then, that TWGGS consistently receives top ratings from educational authorities, cementing its position as one of the leading grammar schools in the United Kingdom.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School is a girls 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 984 pupils attend Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mrs Linda Wybar.

Tunbridge Wells Girls' 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 Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Kent 11+ Test Information

In order to get into Tunbridge Wells Girls' 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 admission to Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School. This assessment, provided by GL Assessment, evaluates applicants' abilities across a range of subjects. The test comprises two multiple-choice papers, each lasting one hour.

The first paper focuses on English and maths, with questions based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. The second paper assesses verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning. 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 gaining a place at this prestigious grammar school. Thorough preparation and practice across all the tested subjects can help students feel more confident and perform to the best of their abilities on the day of the examination.

Other Schools using Kent 11+ Test

As well as Tunbridge Wells Girls' 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 Harvey Grammar School
• The Judd School
• The Norton Knatchbull School
• The Skinners' School
• Tonbridge 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 Tunbridge Wells Girls' 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 Tunbridge Wells Girls' 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 Tunbridge Wells Girls' 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 Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 19/09/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 09/11/2023, 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

Ofsted Report Summary

Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 19 September 2023 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional quality of education, with students consistently achieving high standards across the curriculum. The behaviour and attitudes of the students were also deemed outstanding, creating a positive learning environment throughout the school.

The school's personal development provision was highly commended, offering a wide range of opportunities for students to grow and develop beyond the classroom. Leadership and management were found to be outstanding, with a clear vision and effective strategies in place to drive continuous improvement.

The sixth form provision at Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School was also rated as Outstanding. Students in the sixth form benefit from high-quality teaching, excellent support, and a wide range of opportunities to prepare them for their future careers and further education.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Tunbridge Wells Girls' 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 Tunbridge Wells Girls' 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 Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School currently uses.

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