Kingston Grammar School Entrance Guide

A whole-school open day takes place in the Autumn Term and is bookable on the school website. In addition, there are specific open events for 11+ and 16+ entry. Virtual tours are also available on the school website. 

There is a deferred entry option to Kingston Grammar School known as 10+ entry. This is fairly common in highly competitive schools and allows both school and parent to start the process early and assure themselves of the next step. 10+ candidates would take English and Maths assessments in the Spring Term of Year 5, followed by an interview if they pass these exams. Should they be successful at interview, they then have a guaranteed place to start to KGS in Year 7. 11+ entry to Kingston Grammar School, which can be undertaken even if a child is unsuccessful the previous year at 10+ entry, is also a two-stage process. English and Maths tests are taken in the Autumn Term of Year 6, followed by an interview if successful at this stage. All entrance assessments for 10+ and 11+ entry to KGS are based on the National Curriculum, and although past papers are not available, the English paper is a mix of multiple choice, longer answer comprehension and creative writing, and the Maths paper is based around Level 4 (10+) and Level 5 (11+ ) work. All offers are sent out in the Spring Term for entry the same year (11+) or the following year (10+).

There are a very small number of places available for 13+ entry to Kingston Grammar School. As with the process for 10+ and 11+ entry, this is a two-stage process. Pupils first sit assessments in Maths and English when they are in Year 8, and, if successful, are invited to interview. Offers are sent out following these interviews and must be accepted promptly.

There are up to 50 places available for entry to Kingston Grammar School at 16+. Around one in two applicants will be offered a place at this entry point. Prospective pupils in Year 11 must write a personal statement of around 500 words and must be expected to achieve excellent GCSE grades. The school will then take some candidates through to the second stage, which consists of an interview with senior staff. Offers will be conditional on GCSE grades and will be sent out shortly after the process is complete. 

Scholarships are available at Kingston Grammar School at 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry points. Academic scholars at 11+ will be selected following the initial entry process described above, and will be invited back to undertake academic scholarship assessments. For 13+ and 16+ academic scholarships, scholars will be chosen based on the entrance process. Art, Music and Sport scholarships are also available at 11+, 13+ and 16+, with the addition of DT and Drama scholarships at 16+. 

Bursaries are available at Kingston Grammar School at 11+ and 16+ for those families otherwise unable to afford the fees. Applications must be made at the time of registration and will involve a home visit and annual assessment. It is possible to apply for a scholarship and a bursary and combine the two.