Choosing the Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School 11 plus route can feel exciting and heavy at the same time, especially when you are trying to keep family life calm while deadlines creep closer. The school is in Canterbury, a short distance from Canterbury Cathedral, so it is a realistic option for families across the city and surrounding Kent towns who can picture the day-to-day commute.
It helps to get clear on the two separate tracks that run side by side. One track is the Kent Test and the school’s selection requirements. The other track is the local authority application that actually allocates places. Keep your shortlist practical—travel time, after school clubs, and how your child copes with a busy week matter as much as test scores. A calm way to begin is a simple shortlist plan at home using a page like how to choose a grammar school shortlist.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| School type | Girls grammar school in Canterbury, Kent |
| Age range | 11 to 18 |
| Admissions authority | Kent County Council |
| Published admissions number | 165 Year 7 places |
| Selection route | Kent Assessment Procedure including Kent Test and headteacher assessment |
| How places are ranked | Oversubscription criteria then distance as the final tie break |
| Address | Old Dover Road Canterbury Kent CT1 3EW |
| Location |
If you want to sense check inspection context alongside admissions, the most direct starting point is the Ofsted report page for Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School.
Registration is a specific step separate from the main secondary application. Confirm the live window each year via the KELSI Kent Test registration page.
The Kent Test occurs in September of Year 6, with results sent later in the autumn. Keep evenings normal during the waiting period. Many families find it reassuring to practise multiple choice questions using GL Assessment free familiarisation materials.
For example, pupil premium priority requires evidence by the stated deadline. The full rules are in theKent secondary determined arrangements for 2026-27.
Even with the Kent Test, you must apply through your home local authority for Year 7. Offers come through the coordinated system on national offer day.
Waiting lists are ranked by oversubscription criteria, not waiting time. For appeal guidance, see Child Law Advice guidance on school admissions.
For official exam dates, see the school admissions timeline page.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Kent Test registration opens | Monday 2 June 2025 |
| Kent Test registration closes | Tuesday 1 July 2025 |
| Kent Test date for pupils in Kent primary schools | Thursday 11 September 2025 |
| Kent Test assessment decision emailed to parents | Thursday 16 October 2025 |
| Secondary application window opens | Monday 1 September 2025 |
| CAF deadline | Friday 31 October 2025 |
| National offer day | Monday 2 March 2026 |
Oversubscription priority: looked-after children, siblings, specific health/social needs, pupil premium with evidence, then distance. Keep application details consistent across documents. See your location on OpenStreetMap and compare with Kent’s straight-line distance rules. Appeals are a safety net, not plan A; see Department for Education guidance.
The route is test-based and timetable-driven. Preparation focuses on skills and calm routines rather than performance coaching. Reading widely, discussing unfamiliar words, and practising calm problem-solving helps.
Preparation works best as training, not judgement. Respect the early September Kent Test timing and include travel planning if commuting. TfL journey planner can help if using public transport.
A weekly routine can be planned with the Year 5 11 plus revision plan.
As a clear starting point, you can book a free 11 plus diagnostic session with Find Your Tutor FYT focused on Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School. It benchmarks your child’s current level and provides a personalised preparation roadmap.
Join Hundreds of Families Who Secured Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School Places with Find Your Tutor.
The Kent Test for this intake is in September 2025, with the main test date for Kent primary pupils on Thursday 11 September 2025. Aim to have routines in place by the end of Year 5 so Year 6 feels like practice, not panic.
The school uses the Kent Assessment Procedure, which includes the Kent Test plus headteacher assessment. Preparation that builds English and maths strength, reasoning habits, and calm stamina is usually the most transferable approach.
Yes. Registration for the Kent Test is separate from the common application form. Treat it as its own deadline, because you cannot sit the test without registering.
You can apply, but offers are still decided using the published oversubscription criteria and distance rules. It helps to be realistic early and keep a balanced shortlist.
The published admissions number is 165 places in Year 7. Demand is high, so it helps to keep preparation steady and keep backup options on your list.
Priority is given in order to looked after children, then siblings, then specific health and social needs, then eligible pupil premium children with the required evidence, then distance. Knowing this helps you plan emotionally as well as practically.
Sibling usually means a brother or sister living at the same address and attending the school at the time of admission. If your situation is complex, check the exact definition in the published arrangements before relying on it.
Yes, where the oversubscription criterion applies and you provide the required evidence by the stated deadline. If this applies to your child, handle it early so nothing is missed close to the CAF deadline
The assessment decision for this intake is emailed on Thursday 16 October 2025. It helps to plan a calm family evening that day, because children often read your reaction before they process their own.
The deadline is Friday 31 October 2025. Submitting on time matters, because late applications reduce your options.
National offer day for this intake is Monday 2 March 2026. Keeping that date in mind helps families pace expectations through the autumn and winter.
You can usually join the waiting list and consider an appeal if appropriate. Try to keep the first step simple by accepting the offered school place, then review options calmly.
Yes, you have the right to appeal. Appeals are not quick wins, so it helps to understand the process and gather evidence only after offer day if you need to.
Keep routines normal, protect sleep, and keep practice predictable and short. Confidence tends to rise when the week feels stable.
No. Some children thrive with a parent led routine, while others do better with structured feedback, so the best choice is the one that protects confidence and keeps learning steady.
