Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys is a selective, state grammar school, based in Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Founded as a technical school in 1956, and becoming a grammar school in 1982, the school admits boys from Year 7 to Year 11, though the Sixth Form is co-educational. Parents considering grammar school education across the county should also see our guide to Kent grammar school admissions.
In terms of academics, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys has a strong reputation. In the most recent academic year, over 65% of students scored between an A* and a B at A Level, while around 80% of the year gained a place at their top choice of university, many of which were Russell Group universities such as Cambridge, Bath and Durham.
Alongside academics, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys offers a plethora of extra-curricular activities. The school operates across two distinct campuses: one in Tunbridge Wells, which is the main site, and another in Sevenoaks, both of which accommodate students and various facilities. There is a wide variety of clubs and societies on offer, such as Gardening Club, Spanish Film Club and Pride Club, which are run by staff members and take place during lunchtimes and after school. The school has excellent sports facilities, including a modern sports centre, a 3G pitch and a multi-use games area for sports including basketball, netball and tennis. There is a drama studio onsite, which is used for theatrical productions, as well as a music hall and various other spaces for rehearsals and lessons.
Entry Points
Much like many grammar schools, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys has two main points of admission: Year 7 and Year 12. In-year admissions are also possible if vacancies come up.
The school currently admits 300 students into Year 7, which is a fairly large intake: there are 210 places at the Tunbridge Wells campus and 90 at Sevenoaks. In Year 12, up to 30 external students are admitted, with a planned intake of 180, though internal students are given priority.
Admissions Process for 11+ Entry
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys allocates places according to candidates’ results in the Kent Test. As with all other grammar schools in the county, parents are required to register their sons for this test in June of Year 5, with the examination sat in September of Year 6. The Kent Test assesses students’ skills in English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Results for the test are released in mid-October. To be considered eligible for a grammar school place anywhere in the county, pupils must achieve an overall score of at least 332, with a minimum score of 108 in each individual subject.
Following the release of results, parents must complete a Common Application Form and submit it to their local authority, ranking schools in order of preference. Based on this, offers are issued on National Offer Day, which typically falls at the beginning of March.
If the number of candidates who meet the qualifying score exceeds the number of available places, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys applies the following oversubscription criteria:
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children
- Students who currently have a family member at the school
- Students with a verified medical or social need that can only be met at the school
- Students who live within a 3 mile radius of the school
- Distance from home to school
If any of the above criteria are oversubscribed, priority is initially given to students receiving Pupil Premium.
Example Questions in the Kent Test
The Kent Test is used for all grammar schools in the county. It is supplied by GL Assessment, a national provider of most grammar schools in the country. The assessment consists of two multiple-choice papers, each lasting approximately sixty minutes. The first paper evaluates English and Mathematics, while the second evaluates Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Test scores are age-standardised, ensuring that younger pupils are not unfairly disadvantaged.
In addition to the multiple-choice tests, candidates are asked to complete a 40-minute writing task. Although this part of the examination does not contribute to the overall test score, it may be considered in cases where a pupil’s result is close to the qualifying threshold.
Although official past papers are not released, GL Assessment does offer free familiarisation materials on their website to support candidates with preparation for the test. For practical tips on preparing for these tests, read our grammar school entrance exams guide.
English: Comprehension Sample Question
‘I paused at the end of the footbridge, fingers curled tightly around the cold metal railing. Beneath me, the river twisted and turned, swollen from days of heavy rain, carrying leaves and branches in its dark current. The path behind me was familiar and safe, well-worn by years of footsteps, but ahead, the trail narrowed and disappeared into the oak trees. I checked my watch again, then glanced at the sky, where the light was already beginning to fade. With a deep breath, I loosened my grip on the railing and stepped forward.'
Q: ‘Fingers curled tightly around the cold metal railing’
What does this phrase suggest about the narrator?
A: He was exhausted from walking.
B: He was greatly admiring the construction of the bridge.
C: He felt nervous or hesitant.
D: He was attempting to keep himself warm.
E: He was preparing to climb over this railing.
English: Word Groups Sample Question
To which word group do the underlined words belong?
Q: ‘Although it was deep into the night, I decided to take a stroll outside.’
A: Noun
B: Adjective
C: Preposition
D: Connective
E: Pronoun
Q: Arriving late was not a good idea.
A: Adjective
B: Noun
C: Adverb
D: Preposition
E: Determiner
Mathematics: Working Backwards to Find a Number Sample Question
Q: I think of a number. I square it. I divide it by 2. I add 2. I end up with the number 20. What number did I begin with?
A: 5
B: 6
C: 72
D: 4
E: 38
Mathematics: Negative Numbers Sample Question
Q: In Alaska, it is currently 2 degrees Celsius. In Greenland, it is 17 degrees colder. What is the temperature in Greenland, in degrees Celsius?
A: -17
B: -15
C: 17
D: -21
E: -11
Verbal Reasoning Sample Question
Which Word Fits Equally With With Both Groups?
Q: (Hello, greetings) (sea, pebbles)
A: Hi
B: Ocean
C: Wave
D: Salute
E: Underwater
Q: (production, theatre) (amusement, fun)
A: director
B: funny
C: line
D: play
E: enjoy
Verbal Reasoning Sample Question: Jumbled Sentences
Which two words must be swapped in order for the sentence to make sense?
Q: Although it was decided, we challenging to stick to our budget.
Q: My dearest friend time out to me after a long reached.
Non-Verbal Reasoning
These questions are generally centred on shape-based problems. Boys may be asked to identify which shape belongs to a group, to reflect or rotate shapes, or to understand how shapes can combine to create a larger shape.
Writing Task
Previous questions cannot currently be found online, either by Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys or the Kent County Council website, however in years gone by, candidates have been asked to produce a piece of narrative, descriptive, or discursive writing, with 10 minutes allowed for planning, and 30 minutes for writing.
16+ (Sixth Form) Admission Requirements
External students apply in December of Year 11, in which they select which subjects they would like to study at A Level; contact will then be made with a student’s school, requesting predicted GCSE results. Once received, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys makes conditional offers, based on students’ upcoming GCSEs. If these conditions are met, places are confirmed on GCSE results day, though this also depends on whether there are adequate spaces in the subjects candidates have chosen to study at A Level.
There is a minimum level of performance required at GCSE, which is at least 48 points from students’ best eight GCSE grades, along with a minimum of a Grade 5 in both Mathematics and English Language. Additionally, students must score at least a 7 in any subject that they wish to study at A Level.
In the case of more students qualifying than there are places available, the same oversubscription criteria referenced above will apply.
In-year Admissions
Students can apply to the school between the two main entry points. The year after the Kent Test has taken place, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys uses electronic CAT tests, and a minimum mean score of 115 must be achieved in order for students to be added to a waiting list, which is maintained for one academic year. Applications are ranked in accordance with the aforementioned oversubscription criteria. As soon as a place becomes available, the student at the top of the waiting list is offered the place.
Preparation Tips for the Entrance Test for Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
Thorough preparation is essential for students aiming to secure a place at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys. As the Kent Test is sat over only one day in Year 6, it is important that students are well-prepared for it and have ample exam experience, as well as a thorough knowledge of the KS2 syllabus. Read more in our Kent Test preparation tips guide.
Keystone have provided specialist tutors for these tests for over a decade, who are experienced and can guide candidates through the entire process. For more details on how Keystone can help with preparation for the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys exam, feel free to call the office for a chat with one of our client managers, or contact us via our request a tutor form.
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