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Original poster

Possible to go to Kent grammar if we live outside Kent?

60 replies

Bearcricket · 11/05/2020 04:35

We are planning to go back to the UK from oversea and now trying to understand the procedure of entering grammar schools. It may be a very basic questions for most of you, but it’s be very helpful if anybody tells me if we need to live in Kent when we accept an offer?(of course, necessary to pass the test first though!) thank you.

OP posts:
chalkyc2 · 11/05/2020 07:57

Is he currently year 5? The different areas use different exam boards and it's wise to be aware of their differences. Eg - Bexley uses CEM, multiple choice English/maths/verbal/non verbal. But with slightly different weightings. Kent uses a different board and has a creative writing part I think. Olaves is 2 stage. You generally need to register in June/July time. There are generally some past papers available online.

The 11+ forum has all the information you need!

Original poster
Bearcricket · 11/05/2020 07:40

Thank you so much for all of you! So helpful!
I can imagine those schools are very competitive. Do kids in the Uk normally have tutors to get a place at grammar schools? We prepare him using Bond series, but if we have a feeling it’s better to find tutors.. if anybody have any tips of finding a good tutor, pls let me know!

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MarchingFrogs · 11/05/2020 07:24

The admissions criteria for community and VC secondary schools are on the KCC website. For those which are their own admissions authority, you need to look at each individual school's website. The admissions policy for 2021 had to be determined by the end of February, so they should be on there somewhere. There is normally a composite document on the Kent site for both types of school, but presumably the collation of the information re academies has been one of the casualties of the current situation.

The information regarding the Kent Test for 2021 entry isn't yet on the KCC site, but current leaflet is there.

(But you have probably already looked at the KCC site?).

thunderthighsohwoe · 11/05/2020 07:15

Judd is very popular. We’re at the other end, the Kent/Sussex border and a few children from the primary in which I teach get into West Kent grammars each year, usually Skinners or Boys Grammar. You need a high score.

chalkyc2 · 11/05/2020 07:10

We are Bromley and you can access the Bexley Grammars (depending one where in the borough you live). The Bexley system is pass test then distance criteria applied. You can check last years figures on the Bexley website.

OOC Judd places require a really high score in the Kent test - around 408/9 this year - probably similar to what you would need for St Olaves.

Panicmode1 · 11/05/2020 07:00

Judd has an inner and outer catchment. All the info you need will be on their website. Have you visited the school? It is very good, but doesn't suit every boy. It wasn't right for my son, even though his score qualified.

Original poster
Bearcricket · 11/05/2020 06:47

We are thinking The Judd school by the way.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bearcricket · 11/05/2020 06:47

Thank you very much for your reply! We are planning to live in Bromley as there are nice state schools. But it’d be great if my son still have a choice of trying grammar schools. There’s only one grammar school in Bromley, so I wonder if it’s possible to try Kent grammar from outside Kent. It depends on each school’s criteria, but it sounds possible theoretically..?

OP posts:
HandfulOfFlowers · 11/05/2020 05:37

You need to check the criteria for individual schools as many have a list of specific postcodes that have priority.

Panicmode1 · 11/05/2020 04:53

Kent is a huge county and each school has different criteria. Do you have boys or girls? If you are looking at West Kent, the schools are now prioritising children who live in County and there are fewer places for OOC children. You need to look at the admissions criteria for each school. And then think about how much travelling you want your child to do each day. They get a lot of homework, have matches after school and my childrens' friends who travel from distance find it harder to socialise after school or weekends....