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Introduction
Located in Ashford, Kent, The Norton Knatchbull School is a selective boys’ grammar school with a co-educational Sixth Form. Although led and funded by the family of Sir Norton Knatchbull, an esteemed 17th-century English politician, it was known as ‘Ashford Grammar School’ until 1973. [1]
The school consistently produces good examination results, supporting their academic provision with a broad and relevant curriculum. Pupils benefit from focused lessons for science, DT, computing and languages, among other disciplines.
When it comes to learning opportunities outside the classroom, the school offers a wide range of activities catering to diverse interests. Pupils can sign up for clubs such as basketball, football, rugby, table tennis, debating, chess and board games. They can also participate in district and national-level competitions of their chosen sports activity.
The school takes great pride in its rich tradition and ability to nurture students’ unique qualities and inherent capabilities. Its core values are mutual respect, compassion, integrity, and trust, allowing for learning experiences that challenge creativity while pushing pupils to excel.
The achievements of The Norton Knatchbull School are well-recognised by various organisations and many of the school’s leavers manage to secure places at prestigious universities to continue their education. Ofsted gave the school a “Good” score following its latest inspection. [2]
If you’re interested in learning more about this grammar, watch this video:
Norton Knatchbull School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2025
Address: Hythe Road, Ashford TN24 0QJ
County: Kent
Admissions info: information@nks.kent.sch.uk, 01233 620045
School type: Boys’ grammar
Number of places in Year 7: 210
Open Day date: June, 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
The Norton Knatchbull School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
Year 7 places at Norton Knatchbull School are allocated on the basis of student performance in the Kent 11 Plus Test. Admissions are dealt with by the Local Authority (LA) and, when parents apply, they must do so directly with Kent County Council.
If the school receives more applications than there are places available, it will implement the following oversubscription criteria, giving priority to:
- Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children
- Recipients of Pupil Premium
- Children with siblings at the school
- Children with specific health and special access requirements
- Children who live closer to the school.
If your child is not granted a grammar place at The Norton Knatchbull School, you have the right to appeal the school’s decision. To learn more about the appeals process, please read this article. You can view the school’s exact location on the map below:
How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to The Norton Knatchbull School
Applications for Year 7 places at Norton Knatchbull School must go through the LA, Kent County Council. Registrations for the Kent Test are completed on the Council’s website.
The Common Application Form (CAF) must also be completed, stating Norton Knatchbull School as a school of preference. Please contact the LA directly with any specific registration questions.
Does The Norton Knatchbull School belong to a Consortium?
The Norton Knatchbull 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 The Norton Knatchbull School have a catchment area?
The Norton Knatchbull School does not have a formal catchment area. However, in most cases, it prioritises prospective pupils who live closer to the school.
The Norton Knatchbull School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
To be considered for one of the Norton Knatchbull School’s available places in Year 7, children 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 eleven plus exam is split into three sections:
- Section 1 focuses on English and maths. Both topics have a 5-minute practice exercise and a 25-minute test. The test is multiple-choice and is hour-long overall.
- Section 2 evaluates students’ Reasoning abilities. The test is split into three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning. A multiple-choice exam, it is 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 can be referred to in borderline cases or appeals.
How to Prepare for The Norton Knatchbull School 11 Plus (11+) Exam?
The Kent Test requires strong skills across a range of areas and we highly recommend that students follow a structured study plan that includes starting revision early and combining it with relevant practice tests. The more time your son has to prepare, the more time he’ll have to improve any weak areas.
Additionally, practice tests serve as a great way to monitor a child’s progress and will help you assess your son’s natural aptitude and ability regardless of past learning.
Our practice papers give students the best chance of success in the Kent 11 Plus test, allowing them to familiarise themselves with the exam format, structure, timings and layout. Up-to-date and well-researched, they are available for immediate download, print and use after purchase.
The Norton Knatchbull 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 Norton Knatchbull School Test.
Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in The Norton Knatchbull School 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.
The Norton Knatchbull School 11 Plus (11+) Practice Exam Papers
We would particularly recommend these practice tests that have been specifically designed to help students prepare for 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:
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended full practice resources for the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
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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.
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the English section of the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
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:
11+ Kent Mathematics Bundle
➢ 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
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the Verbal Reasoning section of the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ Kent Verbal Reasoning Bundle
➢ 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
Skill Specific Practice
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning section of the Kent 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ Kent NVR & SR Bundle - Save 35%
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 The Norton Knatchbull School 11+ past papers. The information provided about The Norton Knatchbull 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 The Norton Knatchbull School.
Frequently Asked Questions About 11+ Entry to The Norton Knatchbull School
How old is The Norton Knatchbull School?
The Norton Knatchbull School was established in 1630.
Is The Norton Knatchbull School an academy?
The Norton Knatchbull School converted to academy status in 2012.
When are The Norton Knatchbull School Open Days held?
The Norton Knatchbull School typically hosts Open Evening in June and October, welcoming prospective families on campus for a lively event packed with activities.
What are the admissions criteria for The Norton Knatchbull School?
The Norton Knatchbull 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 Norton Knatchbull School 11+ test?
Parents applying to The Norton Knatchbull 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 The Norton Knatchbull 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 The Norton Knatchbull 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.
What’s the format of The Norton Knatchbull School 11+ Exam?
All 11+ applicants for entry to The Norton Knatchbull 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 Norton Knatchbull School 11+ Exam?
Yes, The Norton Knatchbull School 11+ entrance exam does test Non-Verbal Reasoning, combining it with Spatial Reasoning questions.
Is there any way to prepare for The Norton Knatchbull 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 son with the opportunity to become familiar with the format and question types that he 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 Norton Knatchbull 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+ mock test for The Norton Knatchbull School?
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 Norton Knatchbull 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
