Maidstone Grammar School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Boys Only
Places per year: 205
Ofsted Rating: Good
Maidstone Grammar School
Maidstone Grammar School (MGS) is a selective state grammar school for boys aged 11 to 18, based in the centre of Maidstone, Kent. The school also admits girls into its Sixth Form, creating a diverse and ambitious learning environment.
Founded in 1549, MGS has a long tradition of academic excellence and character development. The school is dedicated to producing students who are not only high-achieving academically but also socially responsible and prepared for life beyond education.
Pupils benefit from a broad and challenging curriculum, alongside a wide variety of enrichment activities such as sport, music, drama and leadership opportunities. With consistently strong exam results and high academic standards, Maidstone Grammar School is a popular choice for families across Kent.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Maidstone Grammar School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Maidstone Grammar School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Maidstone Grammar School
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for Maidstone Grammar School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Maidstone Grammar School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Maidstone Grammar School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Maidstone Grammar School’s Key Information
We provide information for Maidstone Grammar School such as key contacts, occupancy data and Ofsted results to make it as easy as possible to decide if Maidstone Grammar School is the right fit for you and your child.
School Address
Full Address:
Maidstone Grammar SchoolBarton Road
Maidstone
Kent
ME15 7BT
Contact Information
Parking in the school
Parking is not available on the premises of Maidstone Grammar School however parking can be found within 10 minutes walk.
Additional parking off site
- Mote Park, Mote Avenue, Maidstone, ME15 7SX. Mon – Sun 8am to 12pm.
Maidstone Grammar School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Maidstone Grammar School was judged good overall, with outstanding provision for personal development, behaviour and welfare.
Academic strength: Pupils achieve well, with attainment above national levels, though progress varies between subjects and the most able are not always fully stretched.
Teaching and curriculum: Teaching is strong with knowledgeable staff and an ambitious curriculum, but assessment is not always used consistently to set the right level of challenge.
Behaviour and culture:Behaviour is excellent, with pupils showing respect, commitment and pride in their school. A wide range of enrichment activities and careers guidance strengthen the school’s community feel.
Leadership and Safeguarding:Leadership is ambitious and improving standards, though subject leadership is uneven. Safeguarding is highly effective, with strong support systems in place for vulnerable pupils.
Maidstone Grammar School Exam Format
Entry into Year 7 at Maidstone Grammar School is through the Kent Test, which is administered by GL Assessment.
The GL 11 Plus Kent Test: Overview
Paper One
English and Maths: The first stage of the Kent Test is the English and maths paper, lasting one hour in total. It is divided into two 30-minute sections. Each section starts with a short five-minute practice, followed by 25 minutes of timed questions. The English section usually includes a reading comprehension alongside spelling, grammar and vocabulary questions. The maths section is based on Key Stage 2 topics, testing problem-solving and numerical skills.
Paper One
Reasoning: The second paper also lasts for one hour and focuses on reasoning skills. The first 30 minutes assess verbal reasoning, beginning with a short practice section. The remaining time is dedicated to non-verbal reasoning, split into shorter, timed parts that measure spatial awareness, logic and pattern recognition.
Additional
Alongside the test papers, pupils complete a writing task lasting 40 minutes. This includes 10 minutes for planning and 30 minutes for writing. While not marked as part of the Kent Test score, the writing may be reviewed by a headteacher panel if results are borderline.
The Kent Test - GL 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YES Creative WritingYES Creative Writing |
Pass Mark
The Kent Test does not have a set pass mark each year, as it is designed to identify the highest-performing pupils within a cohort who are most suited to grammar school education. Raw scores are age-standardised and used to rank applicants, with roughly the top 25% of students nationally qualifying. Maidstone Grammar School, however, gives priority to boys who achieve a score of over 360 in the Kent Test.
Catchment Area
Maidstone Grammar School gives priority of admission to boys who have passed the Kent Test and who occupy permanent residence in any of the following parishes, as listed in their Admissions Arrangements for Sept 2026:
- Addington, Aylesford (includes Eccles), Barming, Bearsted, Bicknor, Birling, Borough Green, Boughton Malherbe, Boughton Monchelsea, Boxley, Bredhurst, Broomfield and Kingswood, Burham, Chart Sutton, Collier Street, Coxheath, Detling, Ditton, Downswood, East Farleigh, East Malling and Larkfield, East Sutton, Frinsted, Harrietsham, Headcorn, Hollingbourne, Hucking, Hunton, Ightham, Kings Hill, Langley, Leeds, Lenham (includes Lenham & Platts Heath), Leybourne, Linton, Loose, Maidstone, Marden, Mereworth, Nettlestead, Offham, Otham, Platt, Ryarsh, Snodland, Stansted, Staplehurst, Stockbury, Sutton Valence, Teston, Thurnham, Tovil, Trottiscliffe, Ulcombe, Wateringbury, West Farleigh, West Malling, West Peckham, Wichling, Wormshill, Wrotham, Wouldham, Yalding (includes Laddingford).
Additional Eligibility
To be considered for a place at Maidstone Grammar School, applicants must achieve the required scores in the Kent Test and include the school on their Kent Secondary Common Application Form. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission, as oversubscription rules apply when there are more qualified applicants than available spaces.
Before oversubscription rules are applied, children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that names the school will be admitted. Priority is then given in the following order:
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Looked After and previously Looked After Children
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Boys living in Maidstone Grammar School’s designated parishes who scored 360 or above in the Kent Test, ordered by:
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Children in receipt of Free School Meals
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Siblings already attending the school
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Children of staff members
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Distance from home to school
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Applicants living in the designated parishes but scoring below 360 in the Kent Test will then be considered using the same order. Finally, boys living outside of the listed parishes are admitted, again following the four priority rankings above.
Click here to find out more about Maidstone Grammar School’s admission policy and listed parishes.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Maidstone Grammar School
Strong performance in the Kent Test comes from starting early and preparing with focus. Here are some effective strategies to help your child succeed in their 11 Plus preparation:
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This allows plenty of time for steady progress without creating too much pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.
Encourage Daily Reading
A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re currently working on setting up a network of local test centres to offer in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely match the format used by Maidstone Grammar School. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for your child to practise under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available just yet, you can register your interest by completing the form below. We’ll get in touch as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
Maidstone Grammar School’s Key Dates and Application Information
To help you stay on top of Grammar School application dates and deadlines 11 Plus Hero has compiled the key events for Maidstone Grammar School.
Registration Opens
Registration Closes
Kent Test (Kent Primary Schools)
Kent Test (Out-of-County Primary Schools)
Results Day
Common Application Form Deadline
National Offer Day
Maidstone Grammar School Application Process
The Year 7 application process for Maidstone Grammar School has three essential stages:
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the Maidstone Grammar School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyRegister for the Kent Test
This form is available on the Kent County Council website and should be completed during the summer registration window.
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
Must be submitted to your local authority by the deadline, making sure to include Maidstone Grammar School as one of your preferences.
Maidstone Grammar School FAQs
To apply for Year 7 entry, your child must sit the Kent Test and you must name Maidstone Grammar School on the Kent Secondary Common Application Form. Places are then allocated using the school’s admissions criteria.
Entry is based on the Kent Test, administered by GL Assessment. The test assesses verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths and English. Scores are standardised to rank applicants, with priority given to boys scoring above 360.
Entry is highly competitive. Only boys who achieve the required standard in the Kent Test can be considered, and priority is given to those scoring 360 or above. Oversubscription criteria are applied if there are more eligible applicants than places.
Yes. Priority is given to applicants living in designated parishes around Maidstone. Boys within these parishes scoring 360 or above are prioritised first, followed by others in the parishes, and then boys living outside the catchment area.