The Skinners’ School 11 plus is a popular option for families in Tunbridge Wells who want a selective boys grammar with a strong academic focus and clear routines. The school sits close to the centre of town on St John’s Road, which makes it a realistic daily journey for many West Kent families.
Because selective schools can be oversubscribed with children who have already passed the county test, the calmest approach is to treat Year 4 and Year 5 as foundation years and keep Year 6 focused and steady.
It also helps to compare grammar options early, so you are not making big decisions under pressure. A simple place to start is how to choose grammar schools in Kent, and note what matters most for your child, not just what looks impressive on paper.
This approach is supported by the Department for Education guidance on admissions arrangements.
| School type | Selective boys grammar, ages 11 to 18 |
| Location | Tunbridge Wells, Kent |
| Year 7 entry route | Kent Test plus local authority secondary application |
| Published admission number | 160 places for Year 7 |
| When places are limited | Published oversubscription rules decide who is offered a place |
| Location |
The Skinners’ School admissions follow the Kent coordinated system, so two parts run together. First your child is assessed for grammar. Then places are allocated using the published oversubscription rules.
To keep the process accurate, register using the Kent Test registration page rather than relying on social media summaries, as dates and rules can change.
| National offer day | 1 March 2027 |
Passing the Kent Test is the first threshold, not a guarantee of a place. When a grammar school is oversubscribed, places are offered by priority order using the oversubscription rules, with distance often used as a tie break within a category.
The practical takeaway for families is simple: aim for a strong performance rather than a narrow pass, and include realistic alternatives on your preference list. This matters in any grammar school application UK because outcomes depend on who else applies that year.
For confirmed exam dates and admissions updates, use the school admissions timeline page.
The Skinners’ School uses the Kent Test, which includes multiple choice papers covering English, maths, and reasoning skills. Most children find the timing and the need for consistent accuracy the most challenging aspects.
Calm preparation focuses on three things:
Many families find it helpful to follow a simple structure such as a Year 6 11 plus preparation plan to balance practice, review, and rest.
As a clear starting point, you can book a free 11 plus diagnostic session with Find Your Tutor FYT focused on The Skinners’ School. This benchmarks your child’s current level and provides a personalised preparation roadmap for the months ahead.
Join Hundreds of Families Who Secured The Skinners’ School in Tunbridge Wells Places with Find Your Tutor.
Yes, Year 7 entry is for boys, and the admissions rules apply to boys who are grammar assessed through the Kent process.
Yes, grammar assessment through the Kent Test is the entry route for Year 7 places.
Yes, families outside Kent can apply, but you still need to follow the Kent Test route and your home local authority application process.
No, passing makes your child eligible for grammar consideration, but offers depend on oversubscription rules and demand that year.
It depends on how the published oversubscription criteria rank eligible applicants when there are more applicants than places.
Not always. Distance is often a tie break within a category, but priority order is usually applied first.
Yes, preferences are considered in order, but listing a school lower can reduce your chance if you would have met the criteria for an offer and another higher preference can be offered.
No, the system is designed so you can list preferences honestly, but strategic planning still matters because an offer can only be made for one school.
Keep the focus on what can still be controlled, such as your preference list and keeping schoolwork steady, rather than replaying the paper.
Yes, waiting lists can move as families accept other offers, but movement varies year to year and should not be treated as predictable.
An appeal is a structured process where you explain why a place should be offered, usually by combining evidence of ability with reasons the school is right for your child.
It is not essential, but structured preparation can help children practise timing, accuracy, and question types in a calm and consistent way.
When your child is regularly tired, anxious, or avoiding schoolwork, it is a sign to reduce volume and focus on quality and recovery.
Build strong foundations in maths and reading first, then add gentle timing later, because speed without accuracy rarely helps.
Notice how calm the school feels, how teachers talk about learning, and whether your child seems comfortable with the pace and expectations.
