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Introduction
Founded in 1904, Highworth Grammar School is a selective, state-funded grammar for girls aged 11-18. The school gained academy status in 2011 and has had music specialist status since 2005. Its ethos is both competitive and welcoming, adhering to the motto Ad caelestia sequere (Reach for the stars). [1]
With approximately 1500 pupils on board, Highworth provides relevant education, constantly looking to find ways of improving what they do. The curriculum reflects the grammar’s efforts to produce knowledgeable young adults, including a number of disciplines that underpin positive learning experiences.
The extracurricular offering boasts varied club activities, ranging from archery, hockey and Eco Club to 3D animation, STEM Club and choir. Fostering a culture of camaraderie and collaboration, the programme inspires healthy competition and, consequently, strong achievements, stretching girls’ potential to its maximum capacity. [2]
Highworth Grammar aims to inspire R-E-A-C-H qualities among its students: R for reflective thinkers who are creative and innovative; E for enthusiastic learners who are committed to lifelong learning; A for aspiring individuals who tap into their full potential; C for compassionate beings who are self-assured and independent; and H for happy students who feel content within the school’s supportive community.
The school’s hard work has paid off, as Ofsted recognised it as an “Outstanding” institution after its latest inspection. [3]
Highworth Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2025
Address: Maidstone Road, Ashford TN24 8UD
County: Kent
Admissions info: office@highworth.kent.sch.uk, 01233 624910
School type: Girls’ grammar
Number of pupils: 1,520 (approx.)
Number of places in Year 7: 210
Open Day date: October
Exam date: September 2025
Pass mark: Aim for 75%+ in our practice tests. See below for more details.
Exam type / Board: Kent 11 Plus (PESE) Test
Highworth Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
All available Year 7 places at Highworth Grammar School are allocated on the basis of student performance in the Kent 11 Plus Test, created by GL Assessment. Admissions are dealt with by the Local Authority (LA). In cases where there are more suitable candidates than Year 7 places, Highworth Grammar School uses its oversubscription criteria, giving priority to:
- Children in Local Authority Care or previously in Local Authority Care
- Recipients of Pupil Premium
- Children who already have a sibling at the school at the time of entry
- Children who have health or special access requirements
- Children who live closer to the school, at a permanent address.
If your daughter is not offered a Year 7 place at Highworth Grammar School, you can appeal the decision. Our guide to grammar school appeals explains this process in detail.
More information about Highworth Grammar School’s admission criteria is available on 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 Highworth Grammar School
All applications for 11+ entry to Highworth Grammar School must go through the Local Authority, Kent County Council. Parents must submit the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) and state Highworth Grammar School as their daughter’s preferred school. Registration for the Kent Test must also be completed. More details about this step in the admissions process are available on the LA’s website.
Does Highworth Grammar School belong to a Consortium?
Highworth 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 Highworth Grammar School have a catchment area?
Highworth Grammar School does not have a formal catchment area. However, in most cases, it prioritises prospective pupils who live closer to the school.
Highworth Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
To be considered for a Year 7 place at Highworth Grammar School, girls must reach the required standard in the Kent 11 Plus test. This test is standard across the county of Kent and most selective grammar schools in the area adhere to it.
The Kent 11+ exam is split into three sections:
- Section 1 focuses on English and maths. Each subject is assessed with of a 5-minute practice exercise and a 25-minute test. The paper is multiple-choice and an hour long overall.
- Section 2 tests students’ Reasoning abilities. The test is split into three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning. The test is multiple-choice and an hour long in total.
- Section 3 is a writing task that lasts for 40 minutes. This is not marked as part of the overall 11+ score, but is considered when looking at borderline cases, or during an appeal process.
How to Prepare for the Highworth Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam?
If your daughter is due to sit the Highworth Grammar School 11 Plus, she will require a supportive and structured study environment. Whatever her attainment levels, your daughter is likely to benefit from regular revision, covering the key subjects that feature in the Kent Test.
At Exam Papers Plus, we are dedicated to helping students feel more confident and prepared for their exams. Accordingly, we offer a range of practice papers that are designed to closely mimic the style and format of the Kent Test.
By completing our practice tests, your daughter can become more familiar with the types of questions that she is likely to encounter on the day of the exam, which can help her feel more comfortable and self-assured. In addition, by taking these practice tests under timed exam conditions, your daughter can also improve her time management skills and learn to work more efficiently under pressure.
Highworth Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Marks and Target Scores
Following the exam, your child will receive three standardised scores, one for English, one for Mathematics, and one total score including Reasoning. In order to pass the exam, your child’s standardised score must be over 109 and their total score must be 332 or more. [1]
Based on historical data, we have found that students who are able to score 75%+ consistently in our 11+ Kent practice tests are on track to pass the Highworth Grammar School Test.
Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the Highworth Grammar School 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.
Highworth Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Practice Exam Papers
The following resources will give your daughter the best possible chance of success in the Kent 11 Plus exam:
Pre-11+ Practice Tests
➢ 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.
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Kent – Full Practice Tests
➢ 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:
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Kent – Subject Specific Practice
➢ The following 11+ resources provide full preparation for the English section of the Kent Test, maximising your child’s comprehension and writing skills:
English
Full Practice Tests
Skill specific practice
Masterclasses
Writing
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.
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11+ Kent English Bundle
➢ The following 11+ resources extensively cover the Mathematics section of the Kent Test, allowing your child to thoroughly prepare for exam day:
Mathematics
Full Practice Tests
Skill Specific Practice
11+ Fractions, Decimals & Percentages
11+ Reflection, Rotation & Symmetry
Masterclasses
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the Maths section of the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
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➢ In order for your child to master Verbal Reasoning skills in the lead-up to the Kent Test, we recommend the following resources:
Verbal Reasoning
Full Practice Tests
Skill Specific Practice
Masterclasses
11+ Verbal Reasoning Masterclass
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➢ The following resources will help boost your child’s Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning abilities ahead of the Kent Test:
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Full Practice Tests
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 1
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 2
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 3
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning – Pack 4
Skill Specific Practice
Masterclasses
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Masterclass
Spatial Reasoning
Full Practice Tests
11+ Spatial Reasoning – Pack 1
Skill Specific Practice
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Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions have been included in Highworth Grammar School 11+ past papers. The information provided about Highworth 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 Highworth Grammar School.
Frequently Asked Questions About 11+ Entry to Highworth Grammar School
How old is Highworth Grammar School?
Highworth Grammar School was founded in 1904.
Is Highworth Grammar School an academy?
Highworth Grammar School converted to academy status in 2011.
When are the Highworth Grammar School Open Days held?
Highworth Grammar School hosts Open Morning and Open Evening in October, welcoming prospective families on campus for a lively event packed with activities.
What are the admissions criteria for Highworth Grammar School?
Highworth 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).
How do I register my child for the Highworth Grammar School 11+ test?
Parents applying to Highworth 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 Highworth Grammar School as their preferred secondary school on the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF).
Can I apply for 11+ entry to a Kent school other than Highworth Grammar School?
Yes, you can apply for entry to up to four Kent grammar schools by naming them as preferences on the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF).
What’s the format of the Highworth Grammar School 11+ Exam?
All 11+ applicants for entry to Highworth 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.
Is there Non-Verbal Reasoning in the Highworth Grammar School 11+ Exam?
Yes, the Highworth Grammar School 11+ entrance exam does test Non-Verbal Reasoning, combining it with Spatial Reasoning questions.
Is there any way to prepare for the Highworth Grammar School 11+ entrance examination?
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.
Which are the best preparation materials for the Highworth Grammar School 11+ entrance examination?
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.
Where can I find the best 11+ Highworth Grammar School mock test?
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.
What is the pass mark for the Highworth Grammar School 11+ Exam?
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
