Key Facts
| School Type | Selective boys' grammar school (ages 11-16) with mixed sixth form |
|---|---|
| Location | Gravesend, Kent |
| Student Numbers | Approximately 1,500 students |
| Year 7 Places | 210 places available annually |
| Ofsted Rating | Outstanding |
| Admission | Via Kent Test (11+) |
| Trust | The Decus Educational Trust |
| Required Scores | Typically 106+ in each paper, 320+ overall |
Figures correct at the time of writing. Confirm current fees and deadlines with the school or university directly.
Key Information Summary
- School Type: Selective boys' grammar school (ages 11-16) with mixed sixth form
- Location: Gravesend, Kent
- Student Numbers: Approximately 1,500 students
- Year 7 Places: 210 places available annually
- Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
- Admission: Via Kent Test (11+)
- Trust: The Decus Educational Trust
- Required Scores: Typically 106+ in each paper, 320+ overall
About Gravesend Grammar School
Gravesend Grammar School has built its reputation on providing exceptional educational opportunities for academically able boys in Kent. The school's motto, "Challenge and Opportunity in a Caring Environment," reflects its commitment to nurturing both academic excellence and personal development.
Located in the historic town of Gravesend, the school serves as a beacon for families seeking rigorous academic preparation within a supportive community. With its Outstanding Ofsted rating, Gravesend Grammar School consistently delivers results that place students at top universities whilst maintaining a strong focus on character development.
The school's comprehensive approach extends beyond the classroom, offering extensive extracurricular programmes including competitive sports, music ensembles, drama productions, and outdoor education initiatives. This holistic approach ensures boys develop into well-rounded individuals prepared for the challenges of higher education and professional life.
As part of The Decus Educational Trust, the school benefits from collaborative partnerships whilst maintaining its distinctive character and traditions. The mixed sixth form provides an inclusive environment for A-level study, preparing students for university applications and future careers.
11+ tutors
Hannah
Master TutorI am a UK-qualified teacher with 15+ years across private and state schools in the UK and abroad, and hold a BSc from LSE and a PGCE with QTS. I teach English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, 11+ and Common Entrance preparation. My approach is personalised, confidence-building and rigorous.
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Sochima
Master TutorI'm a qualified teacher in a London classroom every day, with a BSc in Computer Science from Brunel and a PGCE with QTS. I teach Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science to A-Level, plus 11+ preparation, through project-based work that suits SEND learners well.
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Robert
Master TutorI am a qualified teacher with over twenty years' experience in the UK, Gulf and New Zealand, holding an MA in History and PGCE. I teach English, History, Geography and French from KS2 to A-Level and IB, preparing 11+/13+ candidates. My approach is student-led, focused and diagnostic.
Enquire about this tutorThe 11+ Assessment Process
Gravesend Grammar School admits students through the Kent Test, a selective assessment designed to identify the most academically able candidates. The examination consists of two comprehensive one-hour papers, each focusing on different aspects of academic ability.
Assessment Components:
- English comprehension and language skills
- Mathematics problem-solving and numerical reasoning
- Verbal reasoning abilities
- Non-verbal and spatial reasoning
Additionally, candidates complete a writing task, which, whilst not formally marked, may be considered for borderline cases. This component allows the school to assess written expression and creativity beyond the multiple-choice format.
Scoring Requirements:
To secure a place at Gravesend Grammar School, candidates typically need to achieve:
• Minimum score of 106 in each individual paper
• Overall combined score of 320 or above
• Performance placing them in the top 15-20% of the ability range
The assessment is designed to identify students who will thrive in the school's academically demanding environment whilst ensuring fair access based on ability rather than preparation.
How to Apply
The application process for Gravesend Grammar School follows Kent's coordinated admissions timeline. Parents must complete several key steps to ensure their child's application is processed correctly.
Application Timeline:
- June-July: Register for the Kent Test during the specified registration period
- September: Your child sits the Kent Test papers
- October: Test results distributed to parents
- 31st October: Submit secondary school application naming Gravesend Grammar School
- March: School place offers announced
Key Requirements:
Parents must register with their home local authority for the Kent Test, even if living outside Kent. The school accepts applications from families across the region, making it accessible to a wide catchment area.
When completing the secondary school application, parents should list Gravesend Grammar School as their preferred choice. The school's admission criteria prioritise Kent Test performance, with places allocated to the highest-scoring candidates who have named the school on their application.
Late applications are accepted but processed after those received by the deadline, potentially reducing chances of securing a place.
Preparing for the Gravesend Grammar School 11+ with Taylor Tuition
Families preparing for the Gravesend Grammar School 11+ usually come to us a year or so before the assessment, though shorter runs work where the foundations are already sound. Having prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools, with placements including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, our tutors build each programme around the format the school actually uses, whether a written paper, an online pre-test, an interview or a combination of them.
More than half of our tutors hold Qualified Teacher Status and around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and the pool includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools, so the preparation is led by people who know how selective schools assess. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.
Families work with us online from anywhere in the UK or abroad, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation to talk through your child's current level and the timeline to the 11+. Families receive progress reports after sessions and have a dedicated point of contact.
Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Gravesend Grammar School a grammar school?
- Gravesend Grammar School is a selective boys' grammar school (ages 11-16) with mixed sixth form — a state school, so no tuition fees apply, with entry through the selective 11+ process.
- How many places does Gravesend Grammar School offer?
- 210 places available annually. Demand typically exceeds places, so thorough preparation matters.
- How should my child prepare for the Gravesend Grammar School 11+?
- Start structured preparation 12–18 months before the assessment: secure core English and maths beyond curriculum pace, introduce verbal and non-verbal reasoning question types systematically (these are rarely taught at primary school), and build up to timed practice in the final months.
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