The Kent routes to separate first
Kent has grammar schools across a wide area. Begin with the towns you can reach during a normal school week, then check each school’s Year 7 intake and admission policy.
| Area | Examples and places to investigate |
|---|---|
| Dartford and Wilmington | Dartford Grammar, Dartford Grammar for Girls, and the two Wilmington grammar schools. |
| Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells | The Judd School, Tonbridge Grammar, Weald of Kent, The Skinners’ School, and the Tunbridge Wells grammar schools. |
| Maidstone | Maidstone Grammar, Oakwood Park, Invicta and Maidstone Grammar School for Girls. |
| Canterbury and Faversham | Barton Court, the two Simon Langton schools and Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham. |
| Ashford and the coast | Highworth and Norton Knatchbull in Ashford; schools around Folkestone, Dover and Thanet have different local journeys. |
| Sittingbourne | Borden Grammar and Highsted Grammar provide local options to investigate. |
A regional group contains different boys’, girls’ and mixed Year 7 intakes. It is a geographical starting point, not a recommendation to compare every school for the same child.
A few school profiles to explore
- Dartford Grammar SchoolBoys at Year 7 · North-west Kent
- Wilmington Grammar School for GirlsGirls at Year 7 · North-west Kent
- The Judd SchoolBoys at Year 7 · Tonbridge
- Tonbridge Grammar SchoolGirls at Year 7 · Tonbridge
- Invicta Grammar SchoolGirls at Year 7 · Maidstone
- Barton Court Grammar SchoolMixed at Year 7 · Canterbury
Use the Kent school directory for the wider list.
What the Kent Test does and does not decide
The Kent Test assesses suitability for a grammar school place. It includes English, maths and reasoning assessments; the official preparation page explains the papers and written exercise. Register through the published process and request access arrangements by the relevant deadline.
An assessment of grammar-school suitability does not allocate a particular school. You must also apply through your home local authority and satisfy the school’s published allocation rules. Different schools can use geographical priorities or score ordering in different ways.
Some schools also publish additional local selection arrangements. Read the named school’s policy rather than assuming a county-level summary describes every route. See Kent Test results explained for the score terminology.
Kent, Medway and Bexley are different systems
Medway has its own test, and Bexley has its own selection process. Some individual schools accept an alternative assessment under their policy, but that does not make the systems interchangeable. Check the actual schools before registering for additional tests.
Questions to answer before county-wide comparisons
- Which schools match the Year 7 intake?
Separate boys’, girls’ and mixed schools. Check school sites and entry arrangements, especially where a school operates more than one site.
- What does your address change?
Identify priority areas, residence dates and how applicants are ordered after qualification.
- What is the whole journey?
A direct train still needs a walk at either end. Try school-day timings and a later return from clubs.
- How does the school support your child?
Compare curriculum, pastoral care, SEND, homework and activities alongside published outcomes.
- Which non-selective schools would you accept?
Keep other suitable options in view, rather than treating a Kent Test result as a guaranteed place.
Best next steps from here
Check the official Kent Test registration page for the actual cohort, then read each relevant school’s determined admission arrangements.
Record shared test dates once, but keep policy categories and school forms separately. After results, revisit eligibility and submit the CAF in genuine preference order. Historic allocation scores or distances need the school, category and year attached; do not turn them into a county-wide target.
Use school compare once you have a few suitable options, and check official open-event booking details before travelling.
A few more answers
Common questions
Does passing the Kent Test guarantee a place?
No. A grammar-school assessment establishes suitability under the Kent process. Individual schools allocate places using their admission arrangements.
Is the Medway Test the same as the Kent Test?
No. They are separate systems. Some schools may accept an alternative assessment under their own policy, so check the named school.
Can families outside Kent apply?
They can investigate Kent schools and testing, but must follow registration instructions and each school’s eligibility and priority rules. The normal school application goes through the home council.
Should I compare every Kent grammar school by results?
Start with eligible schools within a workable journey. Then compare the same result measure and year alongside curriculum, support and admission rules.
Official sources
Reviewed 28 Sept 2026. Check the published arrangements for your child’s entry year.