Kent Grammar Schools

There are around 30 grammar schools across Kent, spread across areas including Ashford, Canterbury, Maidstone, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Dover, Folkestone, Dartford, Gravesend and Thanet.

Entry is by the Kent Test, usually taken at the start of Year 6. Children who reach the required standard can then name grammar schools on their secondary application.

Yes — parents register through Kent County Council, usually by the start of the summer holidays before Year 6. Check the KCC website for the current deadline.

The Kent Test is for Kent grammar schools; the Medway Test is for Medway grammar schools and needs separate registration. The underlying skills overlap, so strong preparation helps with both.

Most children benefit from starting in Year 4 or early Year 5, building skills steadily before the exam rather than cramming.

The 11 Plus is an entrance test used by many grammar schools to assess whether a child is suitable for a selective secondary school place. Children are usually tested on English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Some areas also include a writing task or use writing as part of a review process. At Ace Tutor Plus, we prepare children for the Kent Test, Medway Test and GL-style 11 Plus exams with clear teaching, regular practice and exam technique.

Most children sit the 11 Plus at the start of Year 6 for entry into secondary school the following September. Parents should always check the official Kent County Council, Medway Council or local grammar school website because registration dates and test arrangements can change each year.

No. Passing the Kent Test means your child has been assessed as suitable for grammar school, but it does not automatically guarantee a place. Grammar schools can be oversubscribed, and each school has its own admission rules. Parents should check the school admissions policy, distance rules and oversubscription criteria before making choices.

Yes, in most cases the test registration and the secondary school application are separate steps. Parents should not assume that registering for the Kent Test or Medway Test also counts as applying for a school place. It is important to check the official council deadlines and complete each step on time.

11 Plus deadlines are strict. Late registration may not be accepted by the council or testing authority. We advise parents to check the official dates early, register on time and keep a record of confirmation emails.

After the test, parents should check result dates, school application deadlines and each grammar school's admission policy. Passing the test is only one part of the process. The secondary school application still needs to be completed correctly and on time.

Year 4 is a sensible time to begin gentle preparation. The focus should be on building strong foundations in reading, vocabulary, Maths, problem solving and reasoning. It should not feel like constant exam pressure. At Ace Tutor Plus, Year 4 preparation is used to build confidence and good habits before the Year 5 exam year.

Year 5 is not too late, but it does mean preparation needs to be more focused. Children need to cover key topics, practise exam-style questions and learn how to manage timing. At Ace Tutor Plus, we use structured lessons, homework, mock exams and parent feedback to help children make steady progress during Year 5.

Ace Tutor Plus 11 Plus preparation covers English comprehension, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning. We also work on timed practice, multiple-choice answer technique, checking methods and confidence under exam conditions.

Not every child needs a tutor, but many children benefit from clear structure. The 11 Plus is different from normal schoolwork because it includes timing, reasoning, unfamiliar question styles and multiple-choice answer sheets. A good tutor helps children understand the method, practise properly and learn from mistakes.

A child can be strong at school and still need 11 Plus preparation. The exam includes timing, reasoning and question styles that may not be covered in normal school lessons. Preparation helps able children apply their skills accurately under exam conditions.

Yes. Timing usually improves with practice and better technique. Many children lose marks because they spend too long on one question or do not know when to move on. At Ace Tutor Plus, we first build accuracy, then work on speed through timed sections and mock exams.

Mock exams help children get used to timed conditions before the real test. They show how a child performs when they have to manage time, transfer answers and stay focused for a full paper. Mock exams also help parents understand strengths, weaker areas and next steps.

Reading is very important, especially for English comprehension, vocabulary and inference. Children should read a mixture of fiction and non-fiction. Parents can help by asking simple questions such as: What has happened? How does the character feel? Which word tells you that? What might happen next?

Some 11 Plus areas include writing, or use a writing task as part of a review or assessment process. Even where writing is not the main scored paper, good grammar, vocabulary and sentence control still support English performance. At Ace Tutor Plus, writing skills are developed where they are relevant to the child's exam route.