Harvey Grammar School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Type: Selective boys' grammar school (ages 11-18)
• Founded: 1674
• Location: Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent
• Students: Approximately 1,000 pupils
• Ofsted Rating: Outstanding (2016)
• Entry Requirements: Pass the Kent Test (11+ examination)
• Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
• Status: Academy

About Harvey Grammar School

Harvey Grammar School represents one of Kent's most established educational institutions, with a remarkable heritage spanning over 350 years. Founded in 1674 through the philanthropy of the Harvey family, the school began as a modest single classroom serving 20 disadvantaged boys from Folkestone. Today, it has evolved into a prestigious grammar school educating approximately 1,000 young men.

The school's location in Folkestone provides students with both academic excellence and coastal charm. Harvey Grammar School maintains exceptionally high academic standards, consistently achieving outstanding results at both GCSE and A-level. The institution's commitment to holistic education extends beyond academics, offering extensive extracurricular programmes including sports, music, drama, and community service.

A distinctive feature of Harvey Grammar School is its collaborative approach with Folkestone School for Girls, particularly at A-level, which broadens subject choices and enriches the educational experience. This partnership exemplifies the school's forward-thinking approach whilst maintaining its traditional values of academic rigour and character development.

The school's Outstanding Ofsted rating reflects its exceptional teaching quality, strong pastoral care, and impressive student outcomes. With a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, pupils receive personalised attention that enables them to maximise their potential across all areas of school life.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Entry to Harvey Grammar School requires success in the Kent Test, the county's selective entrance examination. This comprehensive assessment evaluates students' academic potential and readiness for grammar school education.

Assessment Components

The Kent Test comprises four key areas:

• English: Reading comprehension, vocabulary, and language skills
• Mathematics: Numerical reasoning and mathematical problem-solving
• Verbal Reasoning: Logic and language-based problem solving
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Pattern recognition and spatial awareness

The examination is typically held in September of Year 6, with results determining eligibility for grammar school places across Kent. Harvey Grammar School seeks students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and would thrive in a challenging, intellectually stimulating environment.

Preparation Timeline

Successful preparation for the Kent Test requires structured approach beginning in Year 5. Students benefit from familiarisation with test formats, regular practice of reasoning skills, and development of exam techniques. The school values students who show genuine intellectual curiosity and academic potential beyond test performance alone.

How to Apply

The application process for Harvey Grammar School follows Kent County Council's coordinated admissions procedure:

Step 1: Kent Test Registration

Register your son for the Kent Test through Kent County Council by the specified deadline, typically in June of Year 5. Late registrations may be accepted in exceptional circumstances.

Step 2: Take the Kent Test

The examination takes place in September of Year 6 at designated test centres across Kent. Results are released in October, indicating whether your son has achieved the required standard for grammar school entry.

Step 3: Secondary School Application

Complete the Common Application Form through your local authority, ranking Harvey Grammar School among your preferences. Only students who have passed the Kent Test will be considered for grammar school places.

Step 4: Offers and Acceptance

National Offer Day occurs in March of Year 6, when places are allocated. The school's Published Admission Number determines available places, with oversubscription criteria applied when necessary.

It's essential to meet all deadlines and ensure accurate completion of applications. The school's admissions team can provide guidance on the process, though they cannot influence test outcomes or place allocation.

Preparing for the Harvey Grammar School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Preparation for the Harvey Grammar School 11+ tends to go best when it starts early and stays steady, and most families who work with us begin between twelve and eighteen months out. Our tutors, who have prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, plan the work backwards from the school's own assessment format and registration deadline.

The tutors we match to 11+ preparation are drawn from a pool in which more than half hold Qualified Teacher Status, around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and which includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools. 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.