Tiffin School 11 Plus Guide

At a Glance
Assessment: Individual
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Boys Only
Places per year: 180
Competition: High
Ofsted Rating: Good
Tiffin School
Tiffin School is a highly selective grammar school for boys, located in Kingston upon Thames. Established in 1880, it is one of London’s leading state grammar schools and has a long-standing reputation for academic success, strong pastoral care and a vibrant extracurricular programme.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Tiffin School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Tiffin School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Tiffin 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 Tiffin School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Tiffin School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Tiffin School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Tiffin School’s Key Information
Tiffin School’s key information regarding contacting and locating the school.
School Address
Full Address:
Tiffin School, Queen Elizabeth RoadKingston-upon-Thames
Surrey
KT2 6RL
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is on-street parking nearby.
Additional parking off site
- Car Park: Fairfield N, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2QY, 0.2 miles from the school.
- Car Park: Ashdown Rd, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2NH, 0.3 miles from the school.
Tiffin School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Good
Academic strength: Leaders have established an ambitious curriculum that introduces pupils to a broad range of subjects.
Teaching and curriculum: Leaders are ambitious for every pupil.
Behaviour and culture: Pupils are rightly proud of their school.
Leadership and safeguarding: The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Tiffin School Exam Format
Tiffin School admits pupils through a two-stage entrance exam, and applicants must pass both stages to be considered for a place.
The Tiffin School Entry Exam: Overview
The Stage One exam consists of English and Maths multiple choice questions. Stage Two consists of written questions on English and Maths. Only Stage Two results are used to determine final rankings for offers, while Stage One is for shortlisting purposes only.
Stage One
Multiple-Choice Test
This stage assesses English comprehension and mathematics using multiple-choice questions. Approximately 450 of the highest-scoring candidates are invited to sit the Stage Two exam.
Stage Two
School-Set Written Papers
This stage includes:
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English: Extended comprehension and creative or analytical writing
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Mathematics: Written problem-solving questions requiring full workings
11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
The Stage One exam will be taken and around 600 applicants will be invited back to take the Stage Two exam. Applicants must take both exams in order to be accepted. Places will be awarded based on rank order achieved in the Stage Two exam. In 2022 the lowest mark achieved by a student who was offered a place was 103.
Catchment Area
The priority area is defined as 10km from the school. For 2020-2022 places were only offered to those living in the priority area, as such it is unlikely that you will be awarded a place if you do not live within the priority area.
Additional Eligibility
Candidates must take and pass both stages of the test. When more pupils qualify than there are places available, Tiffin School applies the following priority order:
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Looked-after and previously looked-after children
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Up to 30 places for boys eligible for Pupil Premium who meet the qualifying score
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Applicants living within the Priority Area (postcode-based catchment)
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All other qualifying candidates, ranked by their Stage Two test score
Click here to view the full Tiffin School admissions policy.Â
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Tiffin School
Preparation for Tiffin’s two-stage process should focus on both multiple choice and written tasks. Some strategies include:
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5 to allow your child plenty of time to make consistent progress and stay stress-free.
Use Exam Partners
Work through timed exam papers with your child to help them get familiar with the question formats and improve their exam skills.
Target Weak Areas
Monitor your child’s progress and dedicate additional time to areas or question types they find challenging.
Encourage Daily Reading
Building a consistent reading habit enhances vocabulary, improves comprehension, and develops analytical thinking—key skills for 11 Plus success.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools provide personalised practice and instant feedback, helping make study time more efficient and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Consistent, structured, and encouraging preparation will help your child face exam day with confidence and a sense of readiness.
11 Plus Mock Exams in your Area
We’re in the process of establishing a network of local test centres to host in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely reflect the format used at Tiffin School. These sessions will give your child the chance to practise under real exam conditions—building confidence and boosting performance. While this service isn’t available yet, you can register your interest using the form below, and we’ll contact you as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
Tiffin School’s Key Dates and Application Information
Here are the dates for key events related to Tiffin School’s Admission process.
Registration Opens
Dealine to Apply to Stage 1 Tests
Stage 1 Tests
Stage 1 Test Results Published
CAF Application Deadline
Stage 2 Tests for Children Invited
National Offer Day
Tiffin School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Tiffin School, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the Tiffin School Admissions Policy to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyEntrance Test Entry Form
Available on the school website from 4th June 2025, and must be submitted by 3rd September 2025 to register for the entrance test.
Visit School WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Tiffin School listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed – failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
Tiffin School FAQs
To apply, you must register your child for the Tiffin School entrance exam and list the school as a preference on your local authority’s Common Application Form. Both exam stages must be completed for consideration.
The entrance process has two stages. Stage One is a multiple-choice test in English and Maths, while Stage Two features written papers in both subjects, testing comprehension, extended writing and problem-solving skills.
Entry is highly competitive, with significantly more applicants than available places. Only the top-scoring candidates from Stage One move on to Stage Two, and offers are based entirely on Stage Two results.
Yes. Tiffin School has a defined Priority Area based on local postcodes. Applicants living within this area are prioritised for admission if they achieve the required qualifying score.