Wilmington Grammar 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
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls, located close to Dartford in Kent, is a selective grammar school recognised for its excellent academic standards and strong emphasis on STEM education. The school offers a well-rounded learning experience in a supportive environment that inspires ambition and achievement.
Students at WGSG are encouraged to become confident and independent thinkers, developing both academically and personally. With consistent success in core subjects, the school also places great value on leadership, creativity and innovation, with particular strengths in science and technology.
As part of the Kent grammar school system, Wilmington Grammar School for Girls belongs to the Wilmington Grammar Schools Federation, alongside Wilmington Grammar School for Boys. Entry into Year 7 is highly competitive, with more applicants than available places each year, and admission is based on results in the Kent Test (11 Plus).
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Wilmington Grammar School for Girls
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Wilmington Grammar School for Girls
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Wilmington Grammar School for Girls
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your son prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for Wilmington Grammar School for Girls
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Wilmington Grammar School for Girls
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Wilmington Grammar School for Girls
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls Key Information
To help you stay informed 11 Plus Hero regularly keeps up to date with all the key school information and contacts for Wilmington Grammar School for Girls.
School Address
Full Address:
Wilmington Grammar School for GirlsParsons Lane
Wilmington
Kent
DA2 7BB
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is limited parking on the site of Wilmington Grammar School for Girls and the school should be contacted to arrange.Â
Additional parking off site
- Dartford heath car park, Heath Lane (Upper), Dartford, DA1 2TN. Operational Mon to Sun 24h. Locked at 18:30 daily.Â
- Oakfield Park Car Park, Carsington Gardens, Wilmington, Dartford DA1 2SS. Mon to Sun. Open 8am to 8pm in summer, 8am to 4pm in winter.Â
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: The school is judged Good overall, with outstanding behaviour and attitudes as well as exceptional personal development.
Academic strength: Pupils study a broad and ambitious curriculum, achieving highly across a wide range of subjects.
Teaching and curriculum: Teachers have strong subject expertise, and learning is carefully sequenced to build knowledge step by step.
Behaviour and culture: Behaviour is excellent; pupils are respectful, proud of their school and uphold its values in a calm and positive environment.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leadership is effective, governors provide strong oversight, and safeguarding is rigorous, ensuring pupils feel safe and well supported.
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls Exam Format
Entry into Year 7 at Wilmington Grammar School for Girls is through the Kent Test (11 Plus exam), which is set and marked by GL Assessment. The assessment is made up of two test papers and an additional writing exercise.
The GL 11 Plus Kent Test: Overview
On this page we present an overview of the Kent Test format but given that all 32 Kentish Grammar schools carry out he Kent Test the best way to provide quality and comprehensive advice is via our centralised article, which can be found here: ‘Selective Tests in Kent – The Kent Test’Â
Paper One
The first part of the Kent Test is the English and maths paper, which lasts for a total of 1 hour. This is divided into two equal 30-minute sections. The English part usually includes a reading comprehension and other literacy tasks, while the maths section assesses problem-solving and numerical skills.
Paper Two
The second test also runs for 1 hour and focuses on reasoning skills. The first half is a 30-minute verbal reasoning test, and the second half is a non-verbal reasoning assessment, divided into several shorter timed parts. These measure how well pupils can spot patterns, sequences and visual relationships.
Additional Exercise
In addition, candidates complete a 40-minute writing task (10 minutes planning and 30 minutes writing). This section is not marked for the overall score but may be reviewed by a local headteacher panel if a child’s results fall just short of the required standard.
The Kent Test - GL 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional: Creative Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
Children receive three separate standardised scores — one each for English, maths and reasoning — as well as a combined total. Each score ranges from 69 to 141, giving a possible overall range of 207 to 423.
For Wilmington Grammar School for Girls, pupils typically need a minimum total score of 332, with no individual paper score below 106, in order to be considered.
Catchment Area
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls uses a tiered catchment system for Year 7 admissions. Places are allocated in order of proximity to the school, measured by the National Land and Property Gazetteer address point data.
-
Tier 1: Girls living within 1.5 miles of the school, or those with a permanent address in one of the named local parishes, including Dartford, Wilmington, Swanley, Swanscombe & Greenhithe, Hartley, Longfield & New Barn, Meopham, Eynsford, Farningham, Otford and others.
-
Tier 2: Girls living within 3 miles of the school who are applying under the Pupil Premium criteria.
-
Tier 3: Applicants living outside these areas, admitted by distance from home to school in priority order.
Additional Eligibility
Achieving the qualifying scores and naming Wilmington Grammar School for Girls on the Kent Secondary Common Application Form are the first steps towards securing a place. If applications exceed available places, the following oversubscription criteria apply:
-
Looked After Children or previously Looked After Children
-
Siblings already attending WGSG or Wilmington Grammar School for Boys
-
Children of staff working at the school
-
Governor Places: awarded to girls living within 5 miles of the school who perform exceptionally well in the maths paper
-
Applicants living within 1.5 miles of the school or in specified local parishes
For full details, families should check the Wilmington Grammar School for Girls admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Wilmington Grammar School for Girls
Supporting your daughter with early and regular preparation is key to building confidence and boosting her performance in the Kent Test. Below are some useful tips:
:
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 Wilmington Grammar 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.
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls Key Dates and Application Information
In order to help you keep on track of the important dates and deadline for an application to Wilmington Grammar School for Girls, 11 Plus Hero has collected the information for this chronological guide.
Registration Opens
Registration Closes
Kent Test (Kent Primary Schools)
Kent Test (Out-of-County Primary Schools)
Results Day
Common Application Form Deadline
Offer Day
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls Application Process
The admissions process for Year 7 entry involves three important stages:
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the Wilmington Grammar School for Girls PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyKent Test Registration
Parents must register their child for the Kent Test through the Kent County Council website. Registration usually opens in June and closes in July.
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
After the test, you need to submit the CAF to your local authority by 31 October 2025, making sure to list Wilmington Grammar School for Girls among your preferences.
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls FAQs
You must register your daughter for the Kent Test (PESE) via Kent County Council, and also complete the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) by the deadline (usually 31 October).
The exam consists of two one-hour multiple-choice papers (English & Maths; Reasoning subjects such as verbal, non-verbal and spatial reasoning), plus a 40-minute writing task used in borderline cases.
Entry is very competitive: many more applicants than places. Scores must meet required standards in each section, and oversubscription criteria (e.g. catchment, Pupil Premium, siblings) are applied.
Yes: girls living within 1.5 miles or in specific parishes get highest priority. There’s also a 3-mile priority for those eligible for Pupil Premium. Others beyond this are ranked by distance.