About the school
Cranbrook School is a co-educational state grammar school located on Waterloo Road in the market town of Cranbrook, Kent. Set within 75 acres of Wealden countryside, it is unusual among state schools in offering boarding, and combines strong academic achievement with high-quality pastoral care.
Cranbrook School was founded in 1518 and was granted a royal charter by Elizabeth I in 1574, making it one of the oldest schools in the country; it celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2018. Having admitted 11-year-olds again from September 2017, the school now educates pupils from Year 7 to Year 13, with boarding available from Year 9 onwards.
As a Kent grammar school, Cranbrook School selects Year 7 (day) pupils through the Kent Test (the Kent Procedure for Entry to Secondary Education, or PESE), provided by GL Assessment, with admissions coordinated by Kent County Council. Boarding places are offered from Year 9 through the school’s own Year 9 entrance process.
School type
Co-Educational Grammar (Day & Boarding from Y9)
Exam date
Around September 10, 2026 (Kent pupils); weekend of September 12–13, 2026 (out-of-county)
Exam board
Kent Test (PESE) – GL Assessment
Address
Waterloo Road, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 3JD
Age range
11–18 (Years 7–13)
Our tuition for Cranbrook School supports pupils through Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 with structured lessons, intensive courses, full-time mock exams, and free practice papers
Year 3 Preparation
Foundational Skills for Success
Year 4 Preparation
Building Confidence and Competence
Year 5 Preparation
Intensive Exam Practice and Strategy
Year 6 Preparation
Path to Success
Intensive Course
Accelerated 11+ Revision and Mock Testing
Free Practice Paper
Gain a real insight to the exam
Mock Exams
Book Now
Admissions information
The Cranbrook School Year 7 entrance test is the Kent Test, administered through Kent County Council. Here is everything you need to know about the admissions process and exam structure.
Cranbrook School selects Year 7 day pupils using the Kent Test (PESE), provided by GL Assessment and used by most Kent grammar schools. The school does not run its own separate Year 7 entrance test (its own entrance exam applies only at Year 9 entry). The Kent Test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with all sections in multiple-choice format on a separate answer sheet.
The Kent Test consists of two papers, each lasting around one hour – one English and Maths paper and one reasoning paper (verbal and non-verbal reasoning) – plus a separate writing task of around 40 minutes that is used only in borderline cases. All scores are age-standardised so that younger children are not disadvantaged.
Registration for the Kent Test is completed online through the Kent County Council website. For 2026, registration opens on Monday 1st June 2026 and closes at midnight on Wednesday 1st July 2026; late registrations are not accepted. Parents must then name Cranbrook School on the Kent Secondary Common Application Form by 31st October 2026.
The Kent Test takes place in September of Year 6, with results issued by Kent County Council on Thursday 15th October 2026, before the Common Application Form deadline. To be assessed as suitable for grammar school, a child needs a total aggregate score of 332 or more, with no single score below 106. School allocations are confirmed on national offer day, 1st March 2027.
Key admissions details
Cranbrook School has 90 day places available for Year 7 entry in 2026 (the larger boarding intake is at Year 9).
Cranbrook School has a defined Priority Area and is super-selective within it, meaning places within the area are offered first to the highest-scoring Kent Test candidates rather than purely by distance. The Priority Area covers the civil parishes of Cranbrook and Sissinghurst, Goudhurst, Staplehurst, Frittenden, Benenden, Sandhurst and Hawkhurst, plus any other property within 8.5 kilometres of the school measured in a straight line. After looked-after children, Pupil Premium and health/special access priorities, eligible children living in the Priority Area are ranked by Kent Test score.
Our tutors understand the Kent Test format used by Cranbrook School. Book a free assessment today and let us build a personalised preparation plan for your child starting wherever they are right now.
Hi-Tech Learning Platform
Subject Specialist Tutors
Live & Recorded Lessons
1-to-1 Live Classes
3 Lessons Per Week
Kent Curriculum
Regular Homework
Real-Time Results
Weekly Assessments
Regular Feedback Reports
Unlimited Mock Practice
Exam Technique Coaching
In-Person & Online
Great Parent Support
Affordable Tuition Plans
“Jag is a profound tutor with excellent teaching skills and infectious sense of humor. He uses these skills to engage and motivate with students to achieve their full potential. My daughter was enrolled with Jag for 7 months in preparation for her 11 plus exam and she passed brilliantly!”
Jade
Parent
“I wanted to boost my English grade… they connected closely with parents, which kept me motivated and on track.”
Ayva
Student
“I decided to give Pass 11 Plus Grammar a try as it was cheaper than other services I had tried before. I ended up getting an A grade — great value for money.”
Yousif
Student
“I attended the course in June and finally felt satisfied after trying several tutoring services.”
Aurora
Student
“Strongly recommend 11+ Plus Grammar Preparation Success. It helped me reach my full potential and pass my exam. The support and resources from the tutor are excellent.”
Jovan
Student
“I wanted to boost my English grade, so I enrolled in Pass 11 Plus Grammar. It was a great investment and I got a grade much better than I imagined. Their regular contact with parents kept me motivated.”
Jennifer
Student
Cranbrook School was founded in 1518 and granted a royal charter by Elizabeth I in 1574, making it one of the oldest schools in the country. It is a co-educational state grammar school in Cranbrook, Kent, and celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2018.
Cranbrook School has 90 day places for Year 7 entry in 2026. Boarding is not available at Year 7; the larger boarding intake comes at Year 9. Demand is high, so thorough Kent Test preparation is essential for Year 7 entry.
Cranbrook School uses the Kent Test (PESE), provided by GL Assessment, for Year 7 day entry. It consists of a one-hour English and Maths paper and a one-hour reasoning paper, both multiple-choice, plus a short writing task used only in borderline cases. The school’s own entrance exam applies only at Year 9 entry.
Cranbrook School has a defined Priority Area covering several civil parishes plus any property within 8.5 kilometres of the school. It is super-selective within this area, so places are offered first to the highest-scoring Kent Test candidates living in the Priority Area, rather than purely by distance.
Registration for the 2026 Kent Test opens on Monday 1st June 2026 and closes at midnight on Wednesday 1st July 2026. Registration is completed online through the Kent County Council website and late registrations are not accepted.
Yes. Cranbrook School offers a rich co-curricular programme spanning sport, music, drama, science and the outdoors, supported by extensive facilities including the Queen’s Hall Theatre and an observatory, set within 75 acres of countryside.
Yes, all our tuition is available both in-person at our Edgbaston, Birmingham centre and online via live video sessions. Online tuition gives families across Cranbrook and the wider Kent area access to our expert tutors without the need to travel. The quality and personalisation of sessions is identical in both formats.
Other grammar schools
We prepare children for grammar school entry across Northern Ireland and the wider UK. Explore other schools or browse all locations.
Loading schools…
Book a free assessment and get a personalised Kent preparation plan for your child.