The Skinners' School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School: The Skinners' School
• Location: St John's Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9PG
• Founded: 1887
• Type: All-boys grammar school with academy status
• Current Roll: Approximately 1,124 students (350+ in Sixth Form)
• Headteacher: Mr Edward Wesson
• Entry Requirements: Kent Test qualification
• Application Deadline: Local authority deadline following Kent Test results

About The Skinners' School

The Skinners' School in Royal Tunbridge Wells represents one of Kent's most respected grammar schools, established in 1887 by the Worshipful Company of Skinners. This all-boys institution has cultivated a distinctive educational philosophy that balances rigorous academic achievement with comprehensive character development and community engagement.

The school's modern facilities reflect its commitment to excellence, featuring a state-of-the-art sports complex, dedicated music and drama spaces, and well-equipped laboratories. With over 1,100 students, including a substantial Sixth Form of more than 350 pupils, The Skinners' School offers a vibrant educational environment where boys can pursue their academic potential whilst developing leadership skills and personal resilience.

The school's ethos emphasises the development of well-rounded young men who will contribute meaningfully to society. This approach is evident in the extensive extracurricular programme, which includes competitive sports, musical ensembles, dramatic productions, and numerous academic societies that extend learning beyond the classroom.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Entry to The Skinners' School requires qualification through the Kent Test, the county's selective entrance examination. This assessment evaluates students across four key areas:

• Mathematics: Problem-solving skills, numerical reasoning, and mathematical concepts appropriate to Year 6 level
• English: Reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and written expression
• Verbal Reasoning: Logic, language patterns, and analytical thinking skills
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Pattern recognition, spatial awareness, and visual problem-solving

The Kent Test is typically administered in September of Year 6, with results determining eligibility for grammar school places. Students must achieve the required threshold score to qualify for consideration. The assessment is designed to identify pupils who will thrive in The Skinners' School's academically challenging environment and contribute positively to the school community.

How to Apply

The application process for The Skinners' School follows the Kent grammar school admission procedure:

Step 1: Register for the Kent Test
Parents must register their child for the Kent Test through Kent County Council's online portal. Registration typically opens in the summer term of Year 5 and closes in early summer of Year 6.

Step 2: Sit the Kent Test
The examination takes place in September of Year 6 at designated test centres across Kent. Students should arrive well-prepared and on time for their allocated session.

Step 3: Receive Test Results
Results are released in October, indicating whether the child has qualified for grammar school entry. Parents receive detailed score breakdowns and guidance on next steps.

Step 4: Submit Secondary School Application
Following qualification, parents must submit their secondary school preferences through their local authority by the national deadline (typically 31st October). The Skinners' School should be listed among preferences for qualified candidates.

Step 5: Offers and Acceptance
Offers are made on National Offer Day in March, with places allocated based on test scores and stated preferences. Parents must respond by the specified deadline to secure their child's place.

Preparing for the The Skinners' School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

The The Skinners' School 11+ rewards steady preparation over a year or so, with the last term given to timed practice and interview confidence. Having prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools, with placements including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, our tutors match the programme to the school's assessment format and to where the child is starting from.

Because the pool includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools, and more than half of our tutors hold Qualified Teacher Status, families get a tutor who understands what the assessors are looking for. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.

Families in Kent and further afield work with us online, 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.