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

Oakwood Park Grammar School is a prestigious selective grammar school for boys located in Maidstone, Kent. Established in 1918, it provides a supportive, high-quality education to over 1,000 pupils aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Widely recognised as one of the best grammar schools in UK, OPGS consistently delivers strong academic outcomes for its students. Reflecting these high standards, the school’s current Ofsted Rating is "Good".

OPGS distinguishes itself with the Department for Education’s Sustainability Award 2020, reflecting its academic rigour and community ethos. 

A varied Enrichment programme and bespoke pastoral support further ensure students are exceptionally prepared for entry into Russell Group and other elite universities.

In this guide, I leverage my 6+ year education consultancy background to simplify Oakwood Park Grammar School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions for every parent.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar (Academy)
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Boys(Mixed Sixth Form)
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11-18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1000+
• Oakwood Park Grammar School GCSE Results (2025): 54.5% achieved Grade 9-7
• Oakwood Park Grammar School A-Level Results (2025): 64.7% achieved A*-B

Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 160
• Exam Board: GL Assessment (Kent Test)
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area: No. (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%(Standardised Score 332)

Preparing for the Oakwood Park Grammar School open day requires careful scheduling. I have compiled the official Oakwood Park Grammar School 11 plus exam dates to guide you. Below is the essential 11+ Exam date timeline and specific 11 plus exam dates for the upcoming cycle to help you structure your academic year effectively.

Admissions to OPGS are centrally coordinated by Kent County Council (KCC). Parents aiming for grammar schools in Kent must navigate two distinct steps in the 11 plus exam process to secure a Year 7 place.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• You must first register your son specifically for the 11+ Exam (Kent Test) via the Kent County Council website.
• Registration typically opens in early June and closes strictly in early July 2025.
• This registration is solely for testing eligibility and does not constitute a school application.
• Refer to the Oakwood Park Grammar School Admissions Policy for official criteria.

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Submitting the School Application

• After completing the 11 plus exam registration, you must formally apply for a school place.
• Log in to your home Local Authority Admissions Portal to access the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF).
• You must explicitly name Oakwood Park Grammar School as a preference on this form.
• The national closing date for the SCAF submission is Friday 31^st October 2025.

Oakwood Park Grammar School does not employ a fixed map or specific list of priority postcodes. Instead, the School catchment area is dynamic, determined primarily by the distance from the student's home. Consequently, the effective OPGS Catchment Area fluctuates annually based on the location of the applicant pool.

As stated in the Oakwood Park Grammar School Admissions Policy, distance is measured in a straight line. The measurement runs from the child’s permanent address to the school's designated reference point using the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) address point. This proximity criterion is applied after siblings and other priority groups are admitted.

• Offers are made to students passing the 11 plus test based on this straight-line distance.
• Historical cut-off distances provide a guide but do not guarantee future admission within the 11+ exam catchment.
• Parents must ensure their address is current to ensure accurate distance calculation.

As stated in the Oakwood Park Grammar School Admissions Policy, the school utilizes the Kent Test (PESE) for selection. This Oakwood Park Grammar School 11 Plus Test identifies students suitable for a grammar school education.

The exam consists of two main multiple-choice papers and one writing exercise. To secure a place for September 2026, students must sit the Kent test 2025.

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Parent’s Top 2 Queries

What exam board does OPGS follow? 

GL Assessment (Kent PESE).

How long is the 11+ Exam for OPGS? 

The total testing duration is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The GL assessment tests use separate answer sheets that are scanned by a computer. Ensure your son marks his answers with a heavy horizontal line in the correct box, as stray marks or incomplete erasures can affect the final score.

To secure a place at OPGS , students must achieve the required standard in the Kent Test. The qualifying score is set annually by Kent County Council based on age-standardisation.

Recent Kent Test Thresholds

• 2025 Entry: Total score 332+ (minimum 108 per paper).
  
• 2024 Entry: Total score 332+ (minimum 107 per paper).

Achieving the 11 plus exam results threshold allows you to apply, though oversubscription criteria may apply. Ample practice ensures your child is prepared for passing the eleven plus exam.

Oakwood Park Grammar School is a premier destination for boys’ education in Maidstone. However, competition is fierce, and securing a place is never guaranteed. High-achieving students need a balanced list of schools to ensure success.

I have advised UK families on school placements for over 18 years. Relying solely on OPGS is a strategy I often warn parents against.

I recommend maintaining a portfolio of three Grammar schools and two Private schools. This approach ensures your son enters an elite learning environment, regardless of the Kent Test outcome.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Most families applying to Oakwood Park Grammar School also consider Maidstone Grammar School. For those willing to travel, The Judd School offers a "super grammar" challenge.

The table below compares the top state and independent alternatives:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to OPGS

• Maidstone Grammar School (MGS): This is the most logical alternative to Oakwood Park Grammar School. It shares the same location and uses the same Kent Test (GL) for entry. MGS specialises in a traditional boys' grammar education with strong sports facilities.
  
• The Judd School: Judd is an aspirational choice for boys scoring in the top 5% nationally. It focuses heavily on academic rigour and fast-paced learning. Parents often list this as a "reach" school alongside OPGS.
  
• The Skinners' School: Located in Tunbridge Wells, Skinners’ is another high-performing "super grammar". It offers a slightly different peer group while maintaining exceptional STEM results. It is ideal for boys who thrive in competitive environments.
  
• Sutton Valence School: This independent school offers a more holistic approach than the state grammars. It is an excellent backup if the 11+ process becomes too stressful. Their scholarship track challenges bright students without the sheer volume of applicants.
  
• King's School Rochester: As the oldest school in the UK, King’s provides a rich historical setting. It offers small class sizes and excellent pastoral care. This is a strong option for families in the Medway and Maidstone border areas.

According to the National School Census, competition to secure a place at OPGS remains intense. Here is the breakdown of the recent application data:

• For the last three years (2022–2025), data shows approximately four applications for every single available place.
  
• This consistent demand translates to over 500 applicants competing for the Pupil Admissions Number (PAN) of 160 places annually.

As stated in the Oakwood Park Grammar School Admissions Policy, comprehensive preparation for the eleven plus exam is mandatory.

Source: National School Census.

Oakwood Park Grammar School remains consistently oversubscribed, with a 22% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Oakwood Park Grammar School?

Parents often ask me, “Is Oakwood Park Grammar School hard to get into?” and my response is always reassuring. Based on my experience, this is a entirely predictable challenge despite the statistics. Success at OPGS is highly manageable with a solid, targeted strategy that balances academic preparation with a clear understanding of the school’s specific admission criteria.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of the Oakwood Park Grammar School 11+ exam past papers reveals a specific topic weighting for the Kent grammar school test. This breakdown clearly shows that Numbers and Geometry account for over half of the expected questions in the 11 plus maths papers.

Try our 11+ practice papers and topic-wise questions with more than 15,000+ Questions. These resources are used by 20,000+ Students for their Kent test 2025 preparation.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

Based on our analysis of the Kent 11 plus test, Reading Comprehension (45%) and Vocabulary (35%) are critical areas. Mastery of these topics is essential for success in 11+ English past papers.

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

Our targeted 11 plus exam papers help students familiarize themselves with the exam pattern well in advance. We recommend the following resources for the Kent Test.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11 plus verbal reasoning for Oakwood Park Grammar School shows that Maths, Making Words, and Missing Words are primary focus areas. These topics collectively account for approximately 75% of the total marks in the exam.

Elevate your score with our Verbal Reasoning resources, featuring over 1,400+ topic-wise questions. 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 11 plus non verbal reasoning for the Kent test shows that Odd One Out and Analogies are critical focus areas. These topics carry significant weightage, meaning every section is equally important for securing a high score.

Prepare for success with our targeted questions across expert-designed practice papers. Our resources help students master logical patterns and spatial reasoning required for the Kent test practice papers.

Creative Writing Requirement

Although the Kent Test is largely multiple-choice, it includes a writing exercise. We recommend our creative writing 11 plus resources to prepare for this section.

Oakwood Park Grammar School is competitive, making consistent practice essential for success. Sitting an Oakwood Park Grammar School 11 plus mock exam helps boys familiarise themselves with the format. These sessions are vital to identify weak areas and refine speed under strict conditions.

OPGS uses the Kent Test, managed by GL Assessment, covering English, Maths, and Reasoning. We recommend the following resources to mirror this specific challenge effectively.

You can also access our 11 plus mock test papers pdf free to evaluate your child's current level. Securing an 11 plus mock test Kent booking ensures students handle the pressure of this Maidstone Grammar.

• Autumn Half Term 1: 3^rd September 2026 to 23^rd October 2026
• Autumn Half Term 2: 2^nd November 2026 to 18^th December 2026
• Spring Half Term 1: 4^th January 2027 to 12^th February 2027
• Spring Half Term 2: 22^nd February 2027 to 25^th March 2027
• Summer Half Term 1: 12^th April 2027 to 28^th May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: 7^th June 2027 to 16^th July 2027

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park Grammar School .

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