Highworth Grammar School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

 Highworth Grammar School is a vibrant selective grammar school for girls located in Ashford, Kent. Established in 1904, it provides an inspiring education to 1,500+ students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Often listed among the best grammar schools in the UK, Highworth Ashford currently holds an "Outstanding" ofsted rating. The school is renowned for its Music Specialist status and distinctively strong community spirit.

As a designated Music Specialist and accredited Advanced Thinking School, Highworth Ashford champions cognitive education alongside artistic excellence. This dynamic environment uses a vertical tutoring system to empower students as independent, creative learners within a supportive community.

In this guide, I apply 6+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Highworth Grammar School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar (Academy Converter)
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Girls (Mixed Sixth Form)
• Religion: Does not apply
• Age Range: 11-18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1560+
• Highworth Grammar School GCSE Results (2025): 57% achieved Grade 7-9
• Highworth Grammar School A-Level Results (2025): 68% achieved A*-B

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Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 210
• Exam Board: GL Assessment (Kent Test)
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

​Planning for the Highworth Grammar School open day is the first step in your admission journey. I have compiled the essential Highworth Grammar School 11 plus exam dates below to assist your family's preparation.

Keeping track of every 11+ Exam date prevents last-minute panic. These 11 plus exam dates align with the Kent PESE scheme, serving as your definitive roadmap for the academic year.

​Highworth Grammar School follows the Kent County Council (KCC) Procedure for Entry to Secondary Education (PESE). As one of the leading Grammar schools in Kent, admission is determined by the Kent Test.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• Parents must complete the 11 plus exam registration directly through the Kent County Council website.
• The registration window for the 11+ Exam typically opens in early June 2025 and closes in early July 2025.
• This step is mandatory for your child to sit the test in September 2025.
• Highworth also offers places based on musical aptitude, which requires a separate application form available from the school in May 2025.

The Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF)

• To apply for a place, parents must complete the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF).
• You must submit this form to your Local Authority, listing Highworth Ashford as a preferred school.
• Refer to the Highworth Grammar School Admissions Policy to understand the oversubscription criteria.
• The national deadline for submitting the SCAF is Friday 31 October 2025.
• Families outside Kent should apply via their home Local Authority, such as the Pan London eAdmissions System.

Understanding the 11 plus exam process ensures you meet all critical statutory deadlines.

Highworth Grammar School operates admission zones primarily based on distance and specific priority regions. As stated in the Highworth Grammar School Admissions Policy, residency plays a crucial role after the 11 plus test.

Priority Postcodes

The school gives priority to children receiving Pupil Premium who reside within the highworth ashford Catchment Area. This designated zone specifically encompasses the postcodes TN23, TN24, TN25, TN26, TN27, and TN30.

Distance Allocation

For general applicants, the School catchment area is effectively dynamic, determined by proximity. Distance is measured in a direct "as the crow flies" line from the child’s permanent residence to the school.

Only students who pass the 11+ exam catchment standards are considered. However, due to high demand, living further away significantly reduces the likelihood of securing a place.

​Highworth Grammar School is a premier choice for Kent girls. However, with roughly 900 applicants for 210 places, securing entry is fiercely competitive. Parents must prepare a robust backup strategy.

I strongly advise families to target three state grammars and two private schools. This smart portfolio mitigates competition, ensuring an exceptional education even if Highworth Ashford is oversubscribed.

Here are the top five alternatives:

• Invicta Grammar School (State): Uses the GL Assessment. In 2025, an impressive 60% of GCSEs were graded 9-7.
• The Folkestone School for Girls (State): A fantastic grammar requiring the Kent Test. It heavily prioritises home proximity for admissions.
• Weald of Kent Grammar (State): A highly regarded girls' school. It consistently delivers strong A-Level progress scores.
• Ashford School (Private): A co-educational independent option located nearby. In 2025, 61% of pupils achieved 9-7 at GCSE.
• Benenden School (Private): An elite girls' boarding school. It requires the ISEB Pre-test and bespoke interviews.

Advisory Note

Highworth Grammar School remains the gold standard for many locally. However, roughly 30% of applicants pass the Kent Test but do not secure their first-choice school. I strongly recommend a strategy involving three grammar schools and two private schools to mitigate this risk.

According to the National School Census, competition for Highworth Ashford remains consistently strong. For the last three years (2022–2024), there have been approximately two applications for every single available place.

With a Pupil Admission Number (PAN) of 184, this demand makes the eleven plus exam preparation critical. As stated in the Highworth Grammar School Admissions Policy, meeting the entry standard is just the first step.

Source: National School Census

Highworth Grammar School remains consistently oversubscribed, with a 39% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Highworth Grammar School?

Parents often come to me and ask, “Is Highworth Grammar School hard to get into?” given the statistics. Based on my experience, success is manageable with a solid, targeted strategy.

Keep reading to uncover the 11+ Exam Format and preparation strategy you need to secure your daughter’s place!

As stated in the Highworth Grammar School Admissions Policy, students looking for entry in September 2026 will sit the Kent Test in September 2025. The Highworth Grammar School 11 Plus Test process uses the Kent Procedure for Entry to Secondary Education (PESE). 

This ensures a standardised assessment for all applicants wishing to attend this selective school in Highworth Ashford. The assessment focuses on three primary academic areas: English, Mathematics, and Reasoning.

The examination is generally conducted on a single day. The tests are designed to assess a child's potential for grammar school education rather than just their current knowledge. While the main papers are machine-marked using OMR sheets, there is a writing component that is only marked in specific borderline circumstances. 

Parents should note that registration for the Kent test 2025 is vital for eligibility.

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Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The school utilises GL Assessment 11+ optical mark reader sheets. Students must mark their answers with a clear horizontal line inside the correct box using an HB pencil, ensuring any mistakes are rubbed out completely to avoid computer reading errors.

Parent’s Top 4 Queries

Does Highworth Grammar School have its own exam? 

No, candidates take the Kent 11 plus test (PESE), which covers entry for all Kent grammar schools.

What format are the questions? 

Most papers involve multiple-choice questions suitable for GL Assessment tests, except for the creative writing exercise.

What exam board does Highworth Grammar School follow?

GL Assessment (Kent PESE)

How long is the 11+ Exam for Highworth Grammar School?

Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes total.

Admission relies on the Kent Test (PESE); the qualifying score varies annually. To secure a place at Highworth Ashford, students must meet the threshold defined in the Highworth Grammar School Admissions Policy.

Historical Qualifying Scores

• 2024 Entry: Aggregate 332 (minimum 107 per paper).
• 2023 Entry: Aggregate 332 (minimum 109 per paper).

The maximum possible 11 plus test results score is 423. As the eleven plus exam is competitive, consistent practice helps your child score comfortably above the required threshold.

Highworth Grammar School uses the Kent test practice papers style for its entrance procedure. This exam, administered by the Kent Consortium, covers Maths, English, and Reasoning.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of the Kent test past papers reveals a distinct topic weighting in the mathematics section. This breakdown clearly shows that Numbers and Geometry account for a significant portion of the questions.

Try our 11+ maths topics questions with more than 15,000+ Questions. Used by 20,000+ Students, it includes a complete planner and worksheets.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for Highworth Grammar School?

We recommend specific resources that mirror the Kent 11 plus test format. These papers help students familiarise themselves with the GL Assessment style questions used by the school.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

Based on our analysis of 11+ English past papers, Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary are critical areas. The exam tests a child's ability to understand context and word choices accurately.

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Best English Resources for Highworth Grammar School

To succeed, students should practise with papers that replicate the 11 plus exam papers format. Our packs cover comprehension, SPAG, and vocabulary extensively.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11+ Verbal reasoning past papers for Kent schools shows that Logic and Codes are primary focus areas. These topics collectively account for approximately 60% of the total marks.

Elevate your score with our 11+ practice papers for Verbal Reasoning. This pack includes a complete VR exam planner and detailed answer hints.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of Non verbal reasoning 11 plus papers for the Kent 11 Plus exam highlights Spatial Reasoning as a key component. 2D Views and Spatial Logic are critical focus areas alongside standard matrices.

Prepare for success with our targeted resources. Our NVR pack provides instant access to guides on 3D Shapes and Nets.

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Analysis of Creative Writing

The Kent Test includes a Creative Writing 11 plus exercise. Although not always scored, it is used in borderline cases to determine a student's suitability.

​Highworth Grammar School is competitive, making consistent practice crucial for admission. Sitting an 11 plus mock test helps students familiarise themselves with the rigorous Kent Test format. A specific Highworth Grammar School 11 plus mock exam simulation identifies weak areas and improves speed under pressure.

For Highworth Ashford, which follows the GL Assessment structure, we suggest these resources:

You can access our free 11 plus mock test to assess your child’s readiness today. Securing an 11 plus mock test Kent ensures your child is ready for the specific challenges of this region.

• Autumn Half Term 1: 03^rd September 2025 to 17^th October 2025
• Autumn Half Term 2: 03^rd November 2025 to 19^th December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: 05^th January 2026 to 13^th February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: 23^rd February 2026 to 02^nd April 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: 16^th April 2026 to 22^nd May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: 02^nd June 2026 to 17^th July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Highworth Grammar School Official Website.

Navigating the 11+ grammar school entry requires coordinating with your local authority and understanding specific exam formats. Here are the essential, official resources to help you prepare your application for Highworth Grammar School.

• GL Assessment Familiarisation Materials
• UK Govt. - Get Information on Highworth Grammar School Page
• Highworth Grammar School Ofsted Report
• Highworth Grammar School Admissions Policy
• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data
• Gov.UK Find your Local Council Page