Cranbrook School | 11+ Admissions, Exam & Advice

FAQs: Cranbrook School Admissions Process

How hard is it to gain admission to Cranbrook School?

Cranbrook School is a selective grammar school and children must pass an entrance examination to be considered for admission. In recent years the number of applicants has exceeded the number of available places. In short, pupils need strong test performance and, when there are more eligible applicants than places, they must also meet the school’s oversubscription criteria to secure a place.

If my child passes the test, will they automatically be accepted?

No. It is likely that the number of students who passed the test will be greater than the number of places available. *In 2025, 139 students named Gravesend Grammar School as their first-choice preference, but only 90 places were available. As a result, the school was oversubscribed and its published oversubscription criteria were applied to determine which applicants were offered places. This was a 4% increase in the number of first-choice preferences from 2024.

What is actually tested in the entrance exam for Cranbrook School?

The Kent 11+ exam assesses English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and Creative Writing.

What does oversubscription to a school mean exactly?

Oversubscription means that more children apply for a school than there are places available.

When the school is oversubscribed, how does the school decide which child gets gains entrance?

Before oversubscription criteria are applied, children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that names the school will be offered a place.

If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, places will be allocated in the following order of priority:

1. Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children
   Children who are currently in care or who were previously in care.

2. Pupil Premium within the Priority Area
   Children who have received free school meals within the last 6 years. 

3. Medical Health, Social and Special Access Reasons within the Priority Area
   Priority may be given where a child’s physical or mental health needs, or those of a parent or guardian, make attendance at this specific school essential.

4. Sibling Link (Current Family Association) within the Priority Area
   Children who have a sibling attending the school at the time of entry.

5. Child of Staff Member
   Children who have a parent who fulfil a minimum of 0.5 of a full time role. 

6. Children who live within the Priortity Area.

7. Children who live outside the Priority Area.

What is the Priority Area for Cranbrook School?

The priority areas include the civil parishes of Cranbrook and Sissinghurst, Goudhurst, Staplehurst, Frittendenm, Benenden, Sandhurst and Hawkhurst. Also, any other property which is within 8.5km of the school by straight line is within the priority area. 

Do I have to live in Kent to apply to Cranbrook School?

No — you do not have to live in Kent to apply to Cranbrook School.

Families living outside Kent are welcome to apply and register for the entrance assessments. However, if the school is oversubscribed, distance from home to school is one of the factors used in the oversubscription criteria, which can make it more competitive for applicants who live further away.

What is the admissions process for this school?

1. Register for the Kent Test (11+)
   Parents must register their child for the Kent Test through Kent County Council by the published deadline.

2. Receive test results
   You will be informed whether your child has met the grammar school standard.

3. Submit the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF)
   Parents must complete the SCAF through Kent County Council, ranking schools in order of preference.

4. Submit the Supplementary Information Form

If your child has been registered for free school meals in the last 6 years, complete this form. 

5. Offers are made
   School places are offered on National Offer Day - If more eligible children apply than there are places, oversubscription criteria are used to decide who is offered a place.

6. Waiting list or appeal (if needed)
   If a place is not offered, parents can choose to join the waiting list and/or submit an appeal.

My child has a learning difficulty - will the entrance exam be adjusted to meet their needs?

If your child has a disability or special educational needs which will affect their access to testing, you need to discuss this with their primary school's special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) before you register them for the test as the school will need to apply for any necessary access arrangements.

Does my child need to do 11-plus preparation prior to the exam?

It is helpful for pupils to practise the types of questions they may be asked, particularly verbal and non-verbal reasoning, as these question styles are often unfamiliar to many children. It is also beneficial to become familiar with exam techniques, such as working to time, understanding instructions and managing pressure on the day. Preparation can help identify and bridge any gaps in knowledge and support from an experienced tutor can guide pupils through all of these areas, building confidence and ensuring they are able to show their true ability in the test environment.