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A personalised 11+ plan for your child's target school that adapts all the way to exam day.
Introduction
Highsted Grammar School is a selective Kent-based grammar that admits girls aged 11-18. Known as Sittingbourne High School for Girls until the 1950s, it caters for over 850 pupils in line with high standards and the motto To be, rather than to seem. [1]
At Highsted Grammar, the goal isn’t just for students to memorise and regurgitate information. Although the curriculum is designed foundationally to provide a comprehensive and challenging insight, the school also encourages pupils to dive deep into their syllabus and learn information that traditional education might overlook by exploring the wealth of resources available in its library.
As learning at Highsted goes beyond the classroom setting, the school aims to empower pupils to develop their passions and realise their full non-academic potential. For this reason, Highsted offers many extracurricular activities designed to enrich the learning experience.
Additionally, the school aims to inspire a sense of responsibility towards environmentally responsible strategies. To achieve this, it encourages outdoor learning, incorporates environmental education and has adopted sustainable practices.
Staff are well-trained and dedicated to their work, prioritising the welfare of each pupil on campus with particular emphasis on their mental health. Related activities include the Education for Life Programme, aimed at maximising girls’ social skills on their path to forming positive relationships and lasting friendships. [2]
The school boasts a well-deserved reputation as a high-quality academic institution. Its educational approach leads to outstanding results yearly, with students’ consistently achieving high exam scores. In addition, Ofsted awarded it with an “Outstanding” score. [3]
Highsted Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2026
Address: Highsted Road, Sittingbourne ME10 4PT
County: Kent
Admissions info: admin@highsted.kent.sch.uk, 01795 424223
School type: Girls’ grammar
Number of pupils: 865 (approx.)
Number of places in Year 7: 120
Open Day date: June and October
Exam date: September 2026
Pass mark: Aim for 75%+ in our practice tests. See below for more details.
Exam type / Board: Kent 11 Plus (PESE) Test / Highsted Test (optional)
Highsted Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
To be considered for a Year 7 place at Highsted Grammar School, pupils must sit the Kent 11 Plus Test. Your daughter will also have the option to take the Highsted Test, set by the school itself. Both tests aim to assess whether a grammar school education is a suitable option for her.
A total of 120 Year 7 places are available at Highsted. Should applications exceed this number, the school uses the following oversubscription criteria, giving priority to:
- Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children
- Recipients of Pupil Premium
- Children with a sibling at the school at the time of entry
- Children who live closest to the school.
If your daughter is not awarded a grammar school place at Highsted, you can appeal the decision in front of an Independent Appeals Panel. You are also advised to check Highsted’s admission process directly via the school’s website. You can view the school’s exact location on the map below:
How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Highsted Grammar School
As Highsted Grammar School uses the Kent Test as a means of selection, you must register your child online with Kent Local Authority (LA). Alternatively, you have the option of registering your daughter for the Highsted Test through the school’s website.
Please note that all applicants must also complete the Local Authority Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF). Examination results are typically communicated in mid-October via post and can also be accessed through the LA’s website.
Does Highsted Grammar School belong to a Consortium?
Highsted Grammar School belongs to the Kent 11+ Consortium, a group of schools that use the same entrance exam format and share a very similar admissions process.
Does Highsted Grammar School have a catchment area?
Highsted Grammar School does not have a formal catchment area. However, in most cases, it prioritises prospective pupils who live closer to the school.
Highsted Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
The majority of Kent-based selective schools require pupils to sit the Kent 11 Plus exam and Highsted Grammar School is no exception.
➢ The Kent Test consists of two multiple-choice tests.
Test 1: This is an hour-long exam, split into two sections that cover English and maths. Each section has a 5-minute practice exercise and a 25-minute test.
Test 2: This is a 60-minute test, focusing on Reasoning, which is split into three sections:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Spatial Reasoning
Pupils must also complete a 40-minute writing task, which might be referred to during borderline or appeal cases.
➢ The optional Highsted Test consists of assessments that cover:
- standardised computer-based test that assesses verbal ability, numeracy and non-verbal reasoning
- English – focusing on reading and writing skills.
Highsted Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Practice Exam Papers
We highly recommend the following resources that have been specifically designed for the Highsted Grammar School 11 plus exam in mind.
The Kent Pre-11+ Practice Tests are designed for Year 4 and 5 students to introduce the exam format and boost their confidence. These tests are less challenging than the Kent 11+ Exam. They offer an accurate yet more straightforward representation of the actual exam, allowing students to familiarise themselves with exam specifics. This approach provides a solid foundation for students to progress to more challenging 11+ Practice Tests.
Practice Papers
The following practice tests are specifically designed to help your child prepare for the Kent Test. They provide excellent mock exam preparation, highlighting your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
Practice Papers
The following 11+ resources provide full preparation for the English section of the Kent Test, maximising your child’s comprehension and writing skills.
Practice Papers
Video Masterclasses
10 Minutes Test
Video Masterclasses
The following 11+ resources extensively cover the Mathematics section of the Kent Test, allowing your child to thoroughly prepare for exam day.
Practice Papers
Video Masterclasses
10 Minutes Test
Video Masterclasses
In order for your child to master Verbal Reasoning skills in the lead-up to the Kent Test, we recommend the following resources.
Practice Papers
10 Minutes Test
Video Masterclasses
The following resources will help boost your child’s Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning abilities ahead of the Kent Test.
Practice Papers
Video Masterclasses
Video Masterclasses
If you’d like to have your child’s writing assessed and marked, you may be interested in our Writing Marking Service. Please click here to learn more.
Don’t forget to use the code eppdiscount at checkout to get 10% off orders over £70 and 20% off orders over £250 if you don’t buy a bundle.
Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions have been included in Highsted Grammar School 11+ past papers. The information provided about Highsted Grammar School is believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the article.
Please note that Exam Papers Plus is an independent publisher of practice tests and resources, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Highsted Grammar School.
Frequently Asked Questions About 11+ Entry to Highsted Grammar School
Highsted Grammar School was established in 1904.
Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions have been included in Highsted Grammar School 11+ past papers. The information provided about Highsted Grammar School is believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the article.
Please note that Exam Papers Plus is an independent publisher of practice tests and resources, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Highsted Grammar School.
Highsted Grammar School hosts Open Evening in June and October, welcoming prospective families on campus for a lively event packed with activities.
Highsted Grammar School assesses prospective pupils through the standardised Kent Test (PESE), also used by other schools in the Kent Grammar School Consortium. The assessment covers English, Mathematics and Reasoning (Verbal, Non-Verbal and Spatial). Alternatively, prospective pupils can sit the Highsted Test.
Parents applying to Highsted Grammar School must register their child for the 11+ exam using an online portal, which can be accessed through the Kent County Council website. Residents of Kent also need to state Highsted Grammar School as their preferred secondary school on the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF).
Yes, you can apply for entry to up to four Kent grammar schools by naming them as preferences on the Secondary Common Application Form.
All 11+ applicants for entry to Highsted Grammar School will be asked to sit the Kent (PESE) Test which tests English comprehension, Reasoning abilities and Mathematics. There will also be a creative writing paper, which isn’t marked for the purposes of the 11 Plus exam but may be used as evidence for borderline cases.
Yes, the Highsted Grammar School 11+ Kent exam does test Non-Verbal Reasoning, combining it with Spatial Reasoning questions.
One of the best ways to prepare for a challenging entrance exam, such as the Kent Test, is to use practice tests. They will provide your daughter with the opportunity to become familiar with the format and question types that she will encounter in the actual exam. Our practice papers are used successfully every year by hundreds of thousands of students targeting schools with a competitive entrance exam.
We recommend beginning with a few full practice tests, such as this one. These will act as diagnostics so you can quickly work out which areas your child needs to focus on. You can then select the relevant topic based material listed above to target weaker areas. Please get in touch if you need advice on how to prepare or what to focus on for each section and stage of the exam.
Our 11+ Kent Practice Tests replicate the format and style of the actual exam, effectively preparing students for success in this competitive assessment. Each practice test is designed to mimic the full examination experience, covering relevant Maths, English and Reasoning question types. More details are available on this page.
Historical data shows that most schools in the area do not admit applicants who have a standardised score of less than 109 and a total score of less than 332. Exam results from previous years suggest this correlates with a score of roughly 75%+ in our 11+ practice tests.
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Author(s)
Louise Lang
Director of Learning