Key Facts
| School Type | Selective grammar school for girls (mixed sixth form) |
|---|---|
| Location | Buckland Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 0SF |
| Founded | 1887 |
| Student Numbers | Approximately 1,250 students (ages 11-18) |
| Ofsted Rating | Outstanding (March 2023) |
| Head Teacher | Miss Deborah Stanley |
| Entry Requirements | Kent 11+ Test qualification |
| Admission Test | English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning |
Figures correct at the time of writing — always confirm current fees and deadlines with the school directly.
Key Information Summary
- School Type: Selective grammar school for girls (mixed sixth form)
- Location: Buckland Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 0SF
- Founded: 1887
- Student Numbers: Approximately 1,250 students (ages 11-18)
- Ofsted Rating: Outstanding (March 2023)
- Head Teacher: Miss Deborah Stanley
- Entry Requirements: Kent 11+ Test qualification
- Admission Test: English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
About Maidstone Grammar School for Girls
Founded in 1887, Maidstone Grammar School for Girls has established itself as a leading selective grammar school in Kent, renowned for its unwavering commitment to academic excellence and character development. Located in the heart of Maidstone, this Outstanding-rated institution serves approximately 1,250 students across Years 7-13, providing a nurturing environment where young women can flourish academically and personally.
Under the leadership of Miss Deborah Stanley, MGGS maintains its founding principles whilst embracing modern educational approaches. The school's ethos centres on developing integrity, resilience, leadership, and scholarship - values that prepare students for success in higher education and beyond. The institution's strong community spirit creates an environment where student happiness and academic achievement work hand in hand.
The school's impressive facilities and dedicated teaching staff support a comprehensive curriculum that challenges and inspires students. MGGS takes particular pride in its tradition of sending graduates to prestigious universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, whilst ensuring every student receives personalised support to reach their full potential.
What distinguishes MGGS is its balanced approach to education - combining rigorous academic standards with extensive co-curricular opportunities. From debating societies to scientific research projects, students are encouraged to explore their interests and develop critical thinking skills that serve them throughout their lives.
The 11+ Assessment Process
Entry to Maidstone Grammar School for Girls requires students to demonstrate their academic ability through the Kent 11+ Test, a comprehensive assessment designed to identify children who will thrive in a grammar school environment.
Assessment Components
The Kent 11+ Test comprises four key areas:
- English: Reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills assessment
- Mathematics: Problem-solving, numerical reasoning, and arithmetic proficiency
- Verbal Reasoning: Analysis of written information, logical thinking, and language comprehension
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Pattern recognition, spatial awareness, and visual problem-solving
Test Format and Timing
The examination typically takes place in September of Year 6, with results released in October. The test uses a multiple-choice format, allowing students to demonstrate their knowledge efficiently whilst maintaining standardised marking procedures. Each section is carefully timed to assess both accuracy and speed of thought.
Students who achieve the required standard receive grammar school qualification, making them eligible to apply for places at MGGS and other Kent grammar schools. The school sets high standards, reflecting its commitment to maintaining academic excellence.
How to Apply
The application process for Maidstone Grammar School for Girls follows a structured timeline that requires careful planning and preparation.
Application Timeline
1. Registration for Kent 11+ Test
Parents must register their child for the Kent 11+ Test by the specified deadline, typically in early summer of Year 5. Late registrations may not be accepted, making early preparation essential.
2. Test Preparation Period
Following registration, families should focus on comprehensive preparation, including familiarisation with test formats and practice papers. Many families find structured preparation programmes beneficial.
3. Test Day (September)
Students sit the Kent 11+ Test at designated centres. The examination environment is carefully managed to ensure fair conditions for all candidates.
4. Results Release (October)
Test results are communicated to families, indicating whether the child has achieved grammar school qualification standard.
5. School Preference Submission
Qualified students can then submit their school preferences through the local authority's admissions process. MGGS should be listed as a preferred choice for consideration.
Important Considerations
Parents should note that achieving 11+ qualification guarantees eligibility but not automatic admission, as popular schools like MGGS may receive more applications than available places. The school's excellent reputation means places are highly sought after, making thorough preparation particularly important.
Preparing for the Maidstone Grammar School for Girls 11+ with Taylor Tuition
Families preparing for the Maidstone Grammar School for Girls 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, and we reply to enquiries within one working day with tutor recommendations.
Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Maidstone Grammar School for Girls a grammar school?
- Maidstone Grammar School for Girls is a selective grammar school for girls (mixed sixth form) — a state school, so no tuition fees apply, with entry through the selective 11+ process.
- How should my child prepare for the Maidstone Grammar School for Girls 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.
Enquire about 11+ preparation
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English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with mark schemes.
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