East Sussex and Kent Grammars

[cloudchaos]

Hi all,

We are considering moving to East Sussex and just wondered if this meant zero chance of the children getting into a Kent grammar? I don't really know the grammar system very well but my DH is telling me there's no chance of using Grammar schools if we live out of the county. Even if we are just outside, and I want to check to see if that's definitely correct.

Also for Cranbrook school, is there any chance of getting in if you're out of the catchment area but it's your nearest grammar? Considering the tenterden area but there don't seem to be many schooling options... and Ashford seems a slog.

Thoughts? Thanks!

[Cookerhood]

Might be best to ask on elevenplusexams.co.uk

[iamthankful]

There are some Kent grammars that have spaces for out of county pupils, but they would need to score very highly. Dartford Boys has 90 spaces for ooc applicants. St.Olave's in Orpington admit entirely based on scores and not residence.

[bookgirl1982]

Each school will have very specific criteria so it's best to consult the admissions policies to ensure you get accurate information.

Tenterden isn't that far from the Ashford grammar schools if you aren't in the Cranbrook catchment.

[JoJoSM2]

If you know where you’re moving to, check which grammars are commutable. Then go onto their websites and look at the admissions policy. It’s all officially published and available for anyone to read.

[cloudchaos]

Thank you. I will have a look at that website.

I've read the admissions criteria for the schools, was just interested in anecdotal / actual peoples experiences. For example the house we are interested in is literally less than a mile out of Cranbrook catchment and it's over 30 minutes drive to Ashford schools, buses wouldn't be realistic for an 11 year old - looks like an hour each way with stops etc.

Just wondered if they would be completely strict and even if you're just outside you've no chance of getting in. But I will keep reading then. Thanks for your help.

[Cookerhood]

There's no such thing as them "being strict". They have to follow their admissions criteria, so if there aren't enough places to include your DS, there just aren't. They can't slip someone in just because you almost qualify.

[JoJoSM2]

Well, if it says you need to be in the catchment, then you need to be in the catchment. That’s the whole point. Schools stick to policies they’d set out - they can’t just pick and choose pupils randomly.

[Hepcat75]

Houses round here very often have 'Cranbrook Catchment Area' higher up the description than number of bedrooms. I've never known any day pupils to be accepted outside the catchment area, although it's theoretically possible as it's strictly speaking only the 'preferred area'. That said - the school isn't what it was. It was shit hot twenty odd years ago - now? Not so much.
Roger Manwood in Sandwich is pretty good, I understand. Beyond that, the grammars in Tonbridge and T. Wells are pretty much unparalleled, although your kid will need to be clever. Canterbury grammars also good.
My child is at an Ashford grammar and doing well. I'm happy. I myself went to school in Ashford (private) and there were lots of pupils from Rye, Wittersham, Iden etc.

[cloudchaos]

Maybe I will have to look at Ashford schools again then or just give up on this whole area. The only other option seems to be a school which is flagged as requiring improvements. The whole area seems to be a bit of a schooling black hole. Perhaps that's why the houses are cheaper.

@Cookerhood Well for one house we looked at, half the street was in the Cranbrook catchment and the other half wasn't. It doesn't seem very fair to me that 11 year olds have to go on a 1 hour commute for literally being a few feet away from the "catchment" area. I thought there would be a priority order based on those in the area, and then it would go to those who loved "the next nearest." Not just cut off completely. Forgive me if that idea is outrageous!

[cloudchaos]

@JoJoSM2 I wasn't suggesting they would be picked randomly. 😏

It seems a very touchy subject for some reason!

[Cookerhood]

I don't know the admissions criteria for this particular school, but if it goes on distance then if they fill up from within catchment it is unfortunate - as with all things there has to be a cutoff (I agree having it on one side of the street seems very unfair)

[TartanPyjamas]

I don't know much about it but Homewood in Tenterden has a 'grammar stream'. Appledore and Hamstreet (near Tenterden) have stations on the line to Ashford and there has always been a reasonable group of students for both grammars on the trains, shortish busy walk from Ashford Int'l to both with lots of school kids.

[TartanPyjamas]

@Hepcat75 did you too don the 'deck chair'???

[Hepcat75]

I bloody did!

[dibbleme]

Some of the W Kent grammars have parts of Sussex within their 'inner priority area' when further away parts of Kent aren't, so it's definitely not clear cut. You'd need to look closely at each school's criteria.

[Ohwiseone]

I have plenty of friends who have sent their children to Judd/skinners, TWGGS etc from Battle/Robertsbridge way. I don’t know their admissions criteria etc but all children attended the same prep school as my children and had extra tuition for 11+ from year 5 outside of school. One friends child went to Cranbrook at 13+ and they lived in Bodiam. However this info may be out of date as my son is now 21 and it’s going back a few years!

[HostessTrolley]

Mine went to Judd for sixth form from E Sussex. The requirements for sixth form were not very taxing and both very much enjoyed it and achieved well.

[LionLily]

Also, loads of Tenterden children travel to the Ashford grammars, and loads of Ashford pupils travel to Homewood. There are private coach services and the public buses run extra vehicles at school times.
Hamstreet and Pluckley both have stations,one stop to Ashford, but the services from Hamstreet can be few and far between.