Oakwood Park Grammar School

Oakwood Park Grammar School

Oakwood Park Grammar school 11 Plus Guide

If you are thinking about Oakwood Park Grammar School for your son, this 2026 admissions guide will walk you through everything you need to know. It includes essential information about the school, the application process, and practical advice on preparing your child for the 11 Plus exam.

At a Glance

Assessment: GL Assessment

Fees Type: Free

Boarding: Day school

Admissions: Boys Only

Places per year: 160

Ofsted Rating: Good

Introduction to

Oakwood Park Grammar school

Oakwood Park Grammar School (OPGS) is a selective boys’ grammar school in Maidstone, Kent, with a mixed sixth form. Established in 1918, the school has built a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, strong community values and a wide range of enrichment opportunities.

The school is committed to developing well-rounded, confident and capable students. With a broad and balanced curriculum, OPGS supports boys through every stage of their education, while the co-educational sixth form provides opportunities for older students to thrive in a diverse and ambitious environment.

Beyond the classroom, Oakwood Park Grammar School offers an extensive choice of extracurricular activities, including sports, performing arts and student-led societies. With a supportive atmosphere that encourages ambition and independence, the school has a proven track record of guiding students to top universities and competitive apprenticeships.

Oakwood Park Grammar School Key Information

Here you will find key school contacts and information to help you decide if Oakwood Park Grammar School is the right fit for you and your son.

School Address

Full Address:

Oakwood Park Grammar School
Oakwood Road
Maidstone
Kent
ME16 8AH

Contact Information

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Website Address https://www.opgs.org/
Admissions Email admissions@opgs.org
Main Office Email office@opgs.org
Main Office Phone 01622 726683

Parking in the school

Limited parking is available onsite but the school advises finding alternate arrangements as spaces are likely to fill, especially on open days, and the nearest parking facilities are 30 minutes walk away.

Additional parking off site

Maidstone West Station Car Park, Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, ME16 8RJ. Mon – Sun 24h.

Oakwood Park Grammar school Ofsted Report

Good

Based on the inspection date:

1 and 2 May 2024

View Report
The quality of education Good
Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding
Personal development Good
Leadership and management Good
Sixth-form provision Outstanding

Quick Summary

Overall rating: Oakwood Park Grammar School continues to be a good school, with inspectors recognising its aspirational ethos and strong community spirit.

Academic strength: Pupils achieve highly across most subjects, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils.

Teaching and curriculum: Teachers show strong subject knowledge and deliver an ambitious curriculum, though tasks can vary.

Behaviour and culture: Pupils are respectful and proud of their school, with enrichment and leadership opportunities boosting confidence.

Leadership and safeguarding: Leaders provide clear direction and effective safeguarding while ensuring staff feel well supported.

Oakwood Park Grammar Exam Format

Entry into Year 7 at The Skinners’ 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 Two

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

Pass Mark

Children receive three separate standardised scores, one each for English, maths and reasoning, plus an overall total. Each score ranges from 69 to 141, giving a possible combined score between 207 and 423.

To be considered for a place at Oakwood Park Grammar school, applicants typically need a total score of 332 or higher, with no individual score below 106.

Catchment Area

Oakwood Park Grammar School do not operate a catchment area. Priority of admission is awarded based on the categories described below and failing that places are awarded to those boys who have passed the Kent Test and live in the closest proximity to the school as determined by the National Land and Property Gazetteer address point data.

Additional Eligibility

All applicants to Oakwood Park Grammar School must pass the Kent Test. However, in cases of oversubscription, the school gives priority to certain groups of students:

  • Boys with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that specifically names Oakwood Park Grammar School.

  • Boys who are currently in care or who were previously in the care of the local authority (or adopted from care).

  • Boys who already have a sibling attending the school—this includes brothers in the main school or siblings in the mixed sixth form.

  • Boys with medical, social or other special access needs, even if they do not have an EHCP—such applications must be supported by a letter from a qualified medical or other practitioner.

  • Boys eligible for Pupil Premium (i.e. those who have had free school meals at any time in the last six years). These applications require the school’s Supplementary Information Form to be completed.

Click here to view the full Oakwood Park Grammar school Admissions Policy.

Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Oakwood Park 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

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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.

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Use Exam Papers

Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.

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Target Weak Areas

Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.

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Encourage Daily Reading

A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.

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Make Use of Online Resources

Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.

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Best Chance of Success

Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.

COMING SOON

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 Oakwood Park 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.

Oakwood Park Grammar School’s Key Dates and Application Information

With so many dates and deadlines to keep track of applications to grammar school can be quite confusing. That’s why 11 Plus Hero has created this chronological list to help you keep track.

Registration Opens

Monday 2nd June 2025
Date passed

Registration Closes

Tuesday 1st July 2025
Date passed

Kent Test (Kent Primary Schools)

Thursday 11th September 2025
Date passed

Kent Test (Out-of-County Primary Schools)

13th & 14th September 2025
Date passed

Results Day

Thursday 16th October 2025
Date passed

Common Application Form Deadline

Friday 31st October 2025
Date passed

National Offer Day

Monday 2nd March 2026
100 days to go
How to Apply

Oakwood Park Grammar school Application Process

The Year 7 application process for Oakwood Park Grammar school has three essential stages:

1

Admissions Policy 2026

Make sure you read the Oakwood Park Grammar school PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.

View Admissions Policy
2

Register 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 Website
3

Common Application Form (CAF)

Must be submitted to your local authority by the deadline, making sure to include Oakwood Park Grammar school as one of your preferences.

Oakwood Park Grammar School FAQs

To apply for Year 7, parents must register their son for the Kent Test through the Kent County Council website, then complete the Secondary Common Application Form, listing Oakwood Park Grammar School as a preference.

Entry is through the Kent Test, which assesses reasoning, English and maths. The test includes multiple-choice questions in verbal, non-verbal and spatial reasoning, alongside reading comprehension and maths problem-solving, with an additional writing task used in borderline decisions.

Entry is selective and competition is high, as many boys who pass the Kent Test apply. Oversubscription criteria, including siblings, Pupil Premium eligibility, and other priority groups, determine offers when places are limited.

Oakwood Park Grammar School does not have a formal catchment area. However, distance from the school is used as a tie-breaker within the oversubscription criteria once higher-priority groups have been considered.

Schools Nearby

45 schools found within 25 miles of Maidstone


Maidstone Grammar School

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Invicta Grammar School

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Oakwood Park Grammar School

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Holcombe Grammar School

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Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School

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The Rochester Grammar School

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Chatham Grammar

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Rainham Mark Grammar School

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Fort Pitt Grammar School

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Highsted Grammar School

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Borden Grammar School

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Cranbrook School

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Weald of Kent Grammar School

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Tonbridge Grammar School

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The Judd School

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Gravesend Grammar School

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Mayfield Grammar School

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Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys

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Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School

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The Skinners’ School

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Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School - Faversham

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Highworth Grammar School

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Wilmington Grammar School for Boys

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Wilmington Grammar School for Girls

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The Norton Knatchbull School

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Dartford Grammar School

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Dartford School for Girls

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St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School

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St Bernard's High School

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Beths Grammar School

Beths Grammar School, Hartford Road, Bexley
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Westcliff High School For Girls

Westcliff High School for Girls, Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff-on-Sea
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Newstead Wood School

Newstead Wood School, Avebury Road, Orpington
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Westcliff High School For Boys

Westcliff High School For Boys, Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff-on-Sea
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St Thomas More High School

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Townley Grammar School

Townley Grammar School, Townley Road, Bexleyheath
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Southend High School For Boys

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Southend High School For Girls

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Shoeburyness High School

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Fees Type: Free
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Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School

Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School, Hurst Road, Sidcup
Assessment: GL Assessment
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Bexley Grammar School

Bexley Grammar School, Danson Lane, Welling
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
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Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, Canterbury

Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, Canterbury
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Barton Court Grammar School

Barton Court Grammar School, Canterbury
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Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School

Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School, Canterbury
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