How does it work with Grammar school selection? (Kent)

[firestorm]

is it purely on the top 140 or so candidates marks regardless of where you actually live? or is it catchment area first with best marks, then if there are places remaining out of area candidates papers are looked at? or does it vary?
im thinking way ahead here. my girls are years 1 & 3 & our local school is quite good (though not grammar standard) but we are within a 20-35 minute drive of 3 girls grammar schools in kent & i wondered whether (if i thought they were capable of it at the time) it may be worthwhile applying or not?

I thought you just had to pass the 11+
but my kids are little

To get to a grammar you have to pass the 11+. Once you have achieved that, you are then considered in accordance with each school's admissions criteria. The KCC issues a large brochure each year which lists every secondary school in Kent, detailing their individual criteria. It's not yet available. At least I haven't received one yet and, as I have a child entering Y6 this year, I should get one fairly soon.

You could also look on the KCC website under Education. They have a specific section dedicated to secondary school admissions, although it is not yet available generally. It will apparently be up and running in early September.

Check out www.elevenplusexams.co.uk for lots of useful info on 11+, including specific sections on their forum for different areas. Site is a godsend to anyone just starting out.

many thanks will check out that site.

Another useful site to look at is Chuckra. My son's headteacher recommended it. I'm surprised that everybody doesn't know about this site already because all the 11+ practice papers are free. My son's scores have improved from 60% to around 90% on nfer papers since doing the chuckra tests. They even have videos telling you how to do the verbal reasoning question types.

They have online tests but my son didn't like those so much apart from the non verbal reasoning ones.

firestorm - there are some schools "super selectives" where they take the best 11+ passes. There are some in Tunbridge Wells and I think in the Bromley area. I think everywhere else if you pass you're in - but I'm not sure. That certainly applies where we live (Faversham-ish) We've just been through this hideous process, so if I can help, let me know!

What is St. Gregorys in tunbridge wells like as a school? It is not a grammer school. I may be moving to Kent early summer and this is one of the schools that has been mentioned. I have DD.