Sir Roger Manwood’s School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
Places per year: 150
Ofsted Rating: Good
Sir Roger Manwood’s School
Sir Roger Manwood’s School is a selective co-educational grammar school in Sandwich, Kent, welcoming pupils aged 11 to 18. Established in 1563, it is among the oldest grammar schools in England and is known for its long tradition of academic excellence within a supportive and inclusive environment.
The school provides a broad and challenging curriculum alongside a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities. Pupils are encouraged to explore interests in sport, music, drama and other enrichment activities, helping them to develop skills beyond the classroom.
In the Sixth Form, students are offered leadership opportunities and are supported in preparing for higher education and future careers. Character development and community involvement are central to school life. While the school has a long history of boarding, it now operates as a day school only.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Sir Roger Manwood’s School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Sir Roger Manwood’s School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Sir Roger Manwood’s 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 Sir Roger Manwood’s School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Sir Roger Manwood’s School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Sir Roger Manwood’s School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Sir Roger Manwood's School Key Information
Keeping up to date with the key contact and details for Sir Roger Manwood’s School is important for staying informed so we have collected the key contacts here for you.
School Address
Full Address:
Sir Roger Manwood's SchoolManwood Road
Sandwich
Kent
CT13 9JX
Contact Information
Parking in the school
Parking is not available at he school but some nearby options are available.
Additional parking off site
- In previous years car parking on open days has been arranged on the school field entering via St George’s Road. In required there is also a car park 12 minutes walk away
- The Quay car park, Dover, CT13 9EN. Mon to Sun, 9am to 6pm.
Sir Roger Manwood’s School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: A good school where pupils enjoy learning, attend regularly and meet high expectations.
Academic strength: Pupils achieve well across a wide range of subjects, supported by an ambitious curriculum, although some foundation areas require more consistent sequencing.
Teaching and curriculum: Lessons are led by subject experts who use strong questioning and clear explanations. Teachers adapt learning effectively so that pupils with SEND can access the same curriculum.
Behaviour and culture: Pupils behave positively and show respect towards staff and peers. They take pride in their work and enjoy enrichment opportunities, from clubs and trips to leadership roles.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leadership and governance are effective, and safeguarding is robust, with leaders continuing to strengthen curriculum oversight and PSHE in the sixth form.
Sir Roger Manwood’s School Exam Format
Entry into Year 7 at Sir Roger Manwood’s School is through the Kent Test, which is organised 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 beginning with five minutes of practice questions before 25 minutes of timed assessment. The English section usually features a reading comprehension alongside other tasks that test vocabulary, grammar and overall literacy skills. The maths section covers problem solving and core numeracy.
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
In addition, pupils complete a writing task that lasts 40 minutes, including 10 minutes for planning. While this task is not marked as part of the Kent Test score, it may be reviewed by a headteacher panel if your child’s results are borderline.
The Kent Test - GL 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
Each pupil receives three standardised scores, one each for English, maths and reasoning, plus a combined total. Scores for each paper range from 69 to 141, meaning the maximum overall score is 423.
To be considered for a place at Sir Roger Manwood’s School, children generally need a minimum total of 332, with no individual score below 106.
Catchment Area
In order to be eligible for admission to Sir Roger Manwood’s School children must have passed the Kent Test. Priority of admission is given to those children who live in closest proximity to the school as determined based on their permanent residential address compared to a fixed location at Sir Roger Manwood’s School according to the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) address point data.Â
Additional Eligibility
To secure a place at Sir Roger Manwood’s School, applicants must pass the Kent Test and name the school on their Kent Secondary Common Application Form. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee entry, as oversubscription rules apply when there are more eligible applicants than places.
Priority will be given in the following order:
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Looked After or Previously Looked After Children
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Children with a sibling already at the school
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Children eligible for Pupil Premium living within CT3, CT11, CT12, CT13, CT14, CT15 or CT16 postcodes, and within 8.5 miles of the school
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Children of school staff
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Remaining places offered based on distance from the school
Before these criteria are applied, any child with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school will be admitted.
lick here to find out more about Sir Roger Manwood’s School’s admission policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Sir Roger Manwood’s School
Helping your son prepare with a structured and reliable study routine can have a big impact in the lead-up to the Kent Test. Below are some effective strategies to support his 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 Sir Roger Manwood’s 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.
Sir Roger Manwood's School’s Key Dates and Application Information
We here list all of the most important dates and deadline for an application to Sir Roger Manwood’s School in chronological order to help you keep track.
Registration Opens
Registration Closes
Kent Test (Kent Primary Schools)
Kent Test (Out-of-County Primary Schools)
Results Day
Common Application Form Deadline
Sir Roger Manwood’s School Application Process
The application process for Sir Roger Manwood’s School involves three key stages:
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the Sir Roger Manwood’s School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyRegister for the Kent Test
Register through the Kent County Council website. Registration typically opens in June and closes in early July.
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
Complete and submit the common application form to your local authority by 31 October 2025. Make sure to include Sir Roger Manwood’s School as one of your preferences.
Sir Roger Manwood’s School FAQs
You must register your child for the Kent Test and include Sir Roger Manwood’s School on your Kent Secondary Common Application Form to be considered for admission.
Entry is based on results from the Kent Test, which assesses reasoning, maths, and English skills. Children must meet the required standard to qualify for a place.
The school is popular and oversubscribed most years. Even if your child passes the Kent Test, priority is given through the oversubscription criteria, such as siblings, Pupil Premium, and distance from the school.
Yes. Priority is given to applicants living in CT3, CT11, CT12, CT13, CT14, CT15 or CT16 postcodes within 8.5 miles of the school, though children outside this area may still gain places if space allows.