Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys 11 plus entry is for boys starting Year 7 in September 2027, with the selection test taken in the autumn term 2026. The school is in Tunbridge Wells in Kent, close to The Pantiles, so travel planning and distance rules matter just as much as test preparation.
What most parents find helpful early on is separating two questions. First, can your child be assessed as grammar suitable through the Kent process? Second, if they are assessed as suitable, are you likely to meet the oversubscription and distance rules for a place. Getting clear on both helps you avoid last-minute surprises and keeps preparation calm.
To keep your planning simple, it helps to map out the steps you will follow, then build steady habits from Year 4 onwards. A practical starting point is this short overview on choosing grammar schools, which helps you compare schools using the same checklist.
| Item | What is published |
| School type | Selective grammar school for boys with mixed sixth form |
| Location | Tunbridge Wells, Kent |
| Year 7 admission number | 300 places |
| Entry route for Year 7 | Kent Assessment Procedure for grammar assessment |
| How places are prioritised | Oversubscription criteria include distance-based rules including a three mile priority and named parishes |
| Pupil premium priority | Priority within criteria where the required form and evidence are submitted by the stated deadline |
| In year entry testing | Kent test used up to the end of the first term; CAT tests referenced for later entry |
| In year entry testing | Kent test used up to the end of the first term; CAT tests referenced for later entry |
| Location |
The first gate is being assessed as grammar suitable through the Kent Assessment Procedure. This is not the same as being offered a place. Many boys can be assessed as grammar suitable, then the school becomes oversubscribed and distance rules decide who is offered.
Kent publishes the registration process each year. The school’s oversubscription criteria are in the secondary admissions arrangements document. Focus on the oversubscription order and distance definitions.
Your child’s result will confirm whether they are assessed as grammar suitable. Oversubscription rules do not rely on higher test scores to rank children once assessed as suitable. Preparation matters to reach the standard, but distance and criteria decide offers when the school is full.
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys is part of the normal secondary application route. List schools in your preferences and submit by the national deadline. Keep evidence organised early if using a criterion that requires paperwork.
The arrangements include a separate form and evidence deadline for pupil premium priority. Treat this as a separate task so it is not missed; even strong candidates can lose priority if the form is late.
On offer day, you may be offered the school, another preference, or a place elsewhere with your child on the waiting list. Waiting list movement depends on other families declining places and your position under oversubscription criteria.
Appeals are possible, but need realistic expectations. The best chance is when you show clear reasons why the school is the only suitable option and provide supporting evidence. See the Child Law Advice guide to school admission appeals.
For official exam dates use the school admissions timeline page.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Secondary school application deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| Pupil premium priority form deadline (if applicable) | 31 October 2026 |
| National offer day | 1 March 2027 |
Parents often hear the phrase catchment and assume it is one simple circle. For this school, rules are specific: after priority groups such as looked-after children and qualifying siblings, distance rules apply. Priority is given to boys within three miles, then boys in named parishes, then others by distance.
This is supported by the Department for Education guidance on admissions arrangements.
Three practical tips early on:
Use tools like OpenStreetMap to sense check distance, but rely on official measurements for applications.
The TWGSB entrance exam is the Kent selective assessment, judging grammar suitability. It combines English, maths, reasoning, and a short writing task under timed conditions.
Two common surprises: technique (rushing or misrecording answers) and stamina (maintaining focus under time pressure). Practising calm concentration early makes Year 6 easier.
Official familiarisation materials are on the GL Assessment familiarisation materials page. Some families use structured online platforms like Atom Learning for short practice sessions.
The goal is steady skill building that matches the test format. Many parents use the following routines:
As a clear starting point, you can book a free 11 plus diagnostic session with Find Your Tutor FYT focused on Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys. It benchmarks your child’s current level and provides a personalised preparation roadmap.
Join Hundreds of Families Who Secured Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys Places with Find Your Tutor.
You can usually apply from outside Kent, but distance rules often matter when the school is oversubscribed. If you live further away, check whether the published criteria give any priority to your area. Plan travel realistically because the daily journey can become tiring in Year 7.
Yes, you can apply, but you should read the published oversubscription order carefully. Some applicants beyond three miles may still qualify through named parishes or other criteria. The distance tiebreak only works in your favour if places remain after higher priority groups.
No, passing the assessment does not guarantee an offer when the school is full. Offers are made using the oversubscription criteria and distance rules. It helps to treat passing as step one and admissions criteria as step two.
Straight line distance is a measurement used to rank applicants when criteria rely on proximity. It is not the same as driving distance. Small changes in address details can matter, so make sure your address is correct on all documents.
Some families do, especially where pupil premium priority is being used. The published arrangements explain what is needed and when. Treat this as a separate checklist item so it is not missed.
It is usually better to rank schools in genuine order of preference. The system typically looks at your highest ranked school you can be offered. A lower preference does not improve chances for the higher one.
You can usually stay on the waiting list for higher preferences while taking up the offered place. This protects you while you wait. Waiting list movement depends on other families declining offers.
Waiting lists are normally ordered by the oversubscription criteria, not by how long you have waited. Your position can change if new applicants join who meet a higher priority criterion. It is sensible to check the waiting list arrangements so you know what to expect.
Year 7 entry is normally based on the selective assessment and admissions criteria rather than interviews. Schools may share general information events, but that is not the same as selecting by interview. Preparation is usually focused on the assessment style.
Yes, appeals are available, but they work best when they are evidence led and realistic. You usually need to show both why the school is the only suitable option and why the prejudice of not admitting is outweighed. It helps to keep your argument focused rather than emotional.
Year 4 is a good time for foundations such as reading stamina and number fluency. Year 5 is where steady, structured practice often helps most. Year 6 is usually about refining timing, technique, and calm confidence.
The right amount is the amount your child can do consistently without burnout. Many families do better with short sessions several times a week than one long session. A plan that leaves space for rest often produces better accuracy.
Comprehension accuracy and vocabulary usually give the fastest wins. Make sure your child can find evidence in a text and explain it clearly. Build writing structure slowly so it becomes automatic.
Speed and accuracy with core arithmetic tends to unlock the rest. Fractions, percentages, ratio, and multi step word problems are common focus areas. Keep a mistakes notebook so the same errors do not repeat.
Tutoring can help when it is targeted and structured around gaps, timing, and exam technique. It works best when it supports confidence and habits rather than adding pressure. A short diagnostic approach is often more useful than jumping straight into heavy practice.
