The Folkstone School for girls 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 180
Ofsted Rating: Good
The Folkstone School for girls
The Folkestone School for Girls (FSG) is a selective grammar school in Kent for girls aged 11 to 18, with a co-educational Sixth Form. Known for its excellent academic record, the school consistently achieves strong GCSE and A-level results.
FSG combines high expectations with a supportive ethos, creating an inclusive environment where students are encouraged to develop confidence and independence. The curriculum is broad and ambitious, with opportunities across sport, the arts and leadership.
Admission to Year 7 is through the Kent Test and The Shepway Test. The school attracts pupils from Folkestone and the wider surrounding area, making it a popular choice for families seeking a high-performing grammar school.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for The Folkstone School for girls
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for The Folkstone School for girls
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at The Folkstone School for girls
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 The Folkstone School for girls
How to Apply
Information on the application process for The Folkstone School for girls
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for The Folkstone School for girls
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
The Folkestone School for Girls Key Information
11 Plus Hero is here to help you keep up to date with all of the important details and contact information for The Folkestone School for Girls.Â
School Address
Full Address:
The Folkestone School for GirlsCoolinge Lane
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 3RB
Contact Information
Parking in the school
Parking is limited on the school site but alternative arrangements can be found within a 10-20 minute walk away.
Additional parking off site
- Castle Road Car Park, Sandgate, Folkestone CT20 3AQ. Mon to Sun, 24h.Â
- Golden Valley Car Park, Enbrook Valley, Sandgate, Folkestone CT20 3NE. Mon to Sun, 24h.
The Folkstone School for Girls Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: The Folkestone School for Girls is a good school, where pupils flourish academically and personally in a supportive and ambitious environment.
Academic strength: Pupils achieve well across a broad curriculum, with sixth form students making exceptional progress and securing places at leading universities and apprenticeships.
Teaching and curriculum: The curriculum is rich and varied, though improvements are needed in mathematics at key stage 3 to strengthen fluency and deepen understanding.
Behaviour and culture: Behaviour is outstanding, with pupils showing respect, maturity and enthusiasm for the wide range of clubs, leadership roles and global opportunities.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leadership is effective, though trustees are still developing expertise to fully challenge and support school improvement. Safeguarding is robust and pupils feel well cared for.
The Folkestone School for Girls Exam Format
Entry into Year 7 at The Folkestone School for Girls 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.
Addittional element
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 | Addittional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Shepway Test
The Shepway Test provides an additional route into The Folkestone School for Girls, giving pupils another chance to qualify. While the Kent Test is the main entry requirement, children who meet the standard in the Shepway Test can still be considered, even if they do not pass the Kent Test.
Part One
A computerised test lasting one hour with questions assessing development towards Key stage 2 targets in English and Maths as well as Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Part Two
A 30 minute creative writing exercise, written and marked by the school.
Quality of writing will be assessed in terms of grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, spelling, structure and style according to Key stage 2 standards.
The Shepway Test - CEM Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Addittional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 The Folkestone School for Girls, children generally need a minimum total of 332, with no individual score below 106.
Catchment Area
The Folkestone School for Girls operates a priority catchment area for any girls who has passed either the Kent Test or Shepway Test and who occupies permanent residence in the District of Folkestone and Hythe (formerly known as Shepway). Within these bounds priority is given to girls who’s address is the closest to The Folkestone School for Girls according to the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) address point data.
Additional Eligibility
To be considered for a place at The Folkestone School for Girls, pupils must pass the entrance tests and list the school on the Kent Secondary Common Application Form. Where there are more eligible applicants than places available, the following oversubscription criteria are applied:
-
Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children
-
Children eligible for Pupil Premium who live within the District of Folkestone and Hythe
-
Children living in the District of Folkestone and Hythe
-
Children living outside the District of Folkestone and Hythe, prioritised by distance from the school
Before these criteria are applied, any child with a Statement of Special Educational Need (SSEN) or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that names the school will be offered a place.
Click here to view the full The Folkestone School for Girls Admissions Policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at The Folkestone School for Girls
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 The Folkestone School for Girls. 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.
The Folkestone School for Girls’ Key Dates and Application Information
There are many dates and deadlines to keep track of when applying to grammar school, especially when, as for The Folkestone School for Girls, there are two entrance tests. We at 11 Plus Hero have put together this timeline to help you navigate the process.
Registration Opens
Registration Closes
Kent Test (Kent Primary Schools)
Kent Test (Out-of-County Primary Schools)
Results Day
Common Application Form Deadline
The Folkestone School for Girls Application Process
The application process for The Folkestone School for Girls involves three key stages:
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the The Folkestone School for Girls Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyRegister for the Kent Test and/or Shepway 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 The Folkestone School for Girls as one of your preferences.
The Folkestone School for Girls FAQs
You must register your child for the Kent Test and/or Shepway Test, then list The Folkestone School for Girls on the Kent Secondary Common Application Form before the deadline.
Entry is based on the Kent Test, which includes English, maths, reasoning and a writing task, as well as the optional Shepway Test, which covers reasoning, maths, English and a creative writing task.
Entry is selective and competition is high, as places are limited and oversubscription criteria apply when more pupils qualify than available spaces. Strong performance in the entrance tests is essential.
Yes. Priority is given to children living in the District of Folkestone and Hythe, with distance from the school used to decide places when applicants live outside this area.