There are 32 state grammar schools in Kent, all free to attend and taking pupils at 11 for Year 7 entry. The schools are in places such as Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford, Maidstone, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. Of these, 13 are boys' schools, 13 are girls' schools and six are mixed schools, and all 32 have a sixth form. The table below links to each school's own website, where you'll find its admissions policy and entrance test details, and to our 11+ guide for the school where we have one.
The list comes from the Department for Education's register of schools, checked on 13 October 2026. For every grammar school in the country, see our list of grammar schools in England.
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (open state-funded schools with a selective admissions policy, checked 13 October 2026).
All grammar schools in Kent (32)
| School | Town | Gender of entry | Notes | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highworth Grammar School | Ashford | Girls | – | Website |
| The Norton Knatchbull School | Ashford | Boys | – | Website |
| Dane Court Grammar School | Broadstairs | Mixed | – | Website |
| Barton Court Grammar School | Canterbury | Mixed | – | Website |
| Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School | Canterbury | Girls | – | Website |
| Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys | Canterbury | Boys | – | Website |
| Cranbrook School | Cranbrook | Mixed | Christian, Boarding places | Website |
| Dartford Grammar School | Dartford | Boys | – | Website |
| Dartford Grammar School for Girls | Dartford | Girls | – | Website |
| Wilmington Grammar School for Boys | Dartford | Boys | – | Website |
| Wilmington Grammar School for Girls | Dartford | Girls | – | Website |
| Dover Grammar School for Boys | Dover | Boys | – | Website |
| Dover Grammar School for Girls | Dover | Girls | – | Website |
| Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School | Faversham | Mixed | – | Website |
| The Folkestone School for Girls | Folkestone | Girls | – | Website |
| The Harvey Grammar School | Folkestone | Boys | – | Website |
| Gravesend Grammar School | Gravesend | Boys | – | Website |
| Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend | Gravesend | Girls | – | Website |
| Invicta Grammar School | Maidstone | Girls | – | Website |
| Maidstone Grammar School | Maidstone | Boys | – | Website |
| Maidstone Grammar School for Girls | Maidstone | Girls | – | Website |
| Oakwood Park Grammar School | Maidstone | Boys | – | Website |
| Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School | Ramsgate | Mixed | – | Website |
| Sir Roger Manwood's School | Sandwich | Mixed | – | Website |
| Borden Grammar School | Sittingbourne | Boys | – | Website |
| Highsted Grammar School | Sittingbourne | Girls | – | Website |
| The Judd School | Tonbridge | Boys | – | Website |
| Tonbridge Grammar School | Tonbridge | Girls | – | Website |
| Weald of Kent Grammar School | Tonbridge | Girls | – | Website |
| The Skinners' School | Tunbridge Wells | Boys | – | Website |
| Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School | Tunbridge Wells | Girls | – | Website |
| Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys | Tunbridge Wells | Boys | – | Website |
This list covers state-funded grammar schools, which charge no tuition fees (state boarding schools charge for boarding only). Independent (fee-paying) schools are not included, even when "grammar school" is in their name: for example, The Grammar School at Leeds is registered as an independent school. Independent schools set their own entrance exams and fees.
"Gender of entry" is as recorded on the government register, and it may not match who is admitted in Year 7 (sixth forms can differ too). Always check the school's own admissions page.
Boys', girls' and mixed grammar schools in Kent
Of these, 13 are boys' schools, 13 are girls' schools and six are mixed schools. If you want a particular type of school, this narrows the choice quickly.
How to get a place at a grammar school in Kent
Each school publishes its own admissions policy, test and dates, so start with the school's website. Some schools in an area share one test; others set their own. Your home council's admissions team can also help: find your local council.
- Read the school's admissions policy
It sets out the entrance test, any priority or catchment area and how places are offered. Use the school links in the table above.
- Register for the entrance test
Registration can close several months before the test, so check the dates in Year 5.
- Sit the test
In areas such as Buckinghamshire and Medway, the test is sat in September of Year 6.
- Apply through your council by 31 October
Name the grammar school on your home council's secondary school application, as well as other schools.
- Offers on 1 March
Councils send secondary school offers on 1 March.
Application deadline and offer day: GOV.UK, school admissions: how to apply.
Looking further afield? See grammar schools in Medway and London.
Preparing for the 11+ in Kent
Whichever school you choose, a strong vocabulary helps across English, comprehension and verbal reasoning papers. Start gently in Year 3 and Year 4 with reading and word games, build structured practice in Year 5, and keep Year 6 for revision before the test.
Our year-by-year guides cover each stage: Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6. For free practice, print our 11 plus vocabulary list with meanings and try the free 11+ vocabulary quiz.
How 11+ Vocab Master and 11+ Verbal Reasoning Master can help
Whichever grammar school you aim for, our two apps help build the vocabulary and verbal reasoning skills that 11+ tests rely on, in short sessions on a phone or tablet.
- 11+ Vocab Master, our 11+ vocabulary app: 2,500+ words for CEM-style and GL Assessment tests across 100 categories, 12,000+ vocabulary questions, 6 practice modes, 7 games and unlimited mock tests.
- 11+ Verbal Reasoning Master: 2,000+ verbal reasoning questions covering 38+ question types, with flashcards, mock tests and 5 VR games, such as Analogy Arena and Code Cracker.
- Vocab Master has progress tracking, works offline, is ad-free and has audio pronunciation. VR Master has a Hard Questions list. 11+ Vocab Master is Educational App Store Certified.
Both apps come with a 7-day free trial. After that, 11+ Vocab Master is £3.99 a month, £9.99 for 6 months or £12.99 a year, and 11+ Verbal Reasoning Master is £3.99 a month, £9.99 for 6 months or £14.99 a year.
11+ Vocab Master
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Frequently asked questions
How many grammar schools are there in Kent?
There are 32 state grammar schools in Kent, according to the Department for Education's Get Information about Schools register, checked on 13 October 2026. Of these, 13 are boys' schools, 13 are girls' schools and six are mixed schools.
How do you get into a grammar school in Kent?
Your child sits the entrance test used by the school, and you name the school on your home council's secondary school application, which must be in by 31 October. Councils send offers on 1 March. Each school's admissions policy explains its test and how places are given.
Do Kent grammar schools have sixth forms?
Yes. All 32 grammar schools listed here have a sixth form, according to the government register. Check each school's website for its sixth-form entry requirements.
Are there boarding grammar schools in Kent?
Yes. According to the government register, Cranbrook School has boarding provision. Check the school's website for how boarding places are offered.
Sources
Checked on 13 October 2026. School websites are as listed on the government register.
- Get Information about Schools: open state-funded schools with a selective admissions policy, Department for Education
- School admissions: how to apply, GOV.UK