Borden Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2024
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Established in 1878, Borden Grammar School, is a selective grammar for boys located in Sittingbourne, Kent. The school caters for a mixed cohort in the Sixth Form and has academy status, educating pupils in line with the motto Nitere Porro (Strive forward). [1]
Each year, Borden Grammar School develops a curriculum that arms its students with the skills, knowledge and critical thinking abilities they need to excel academically and professionally. The school’s teaching approach focuses on promoting intellectual independence, ensuring that students acquire a comprehensive understanding of the subjects they study.
A broad range of sporting activities is also available, including hockey, table tennis and football. Drama, orchestra, chess and debating, among other clubs, ensure that time after classes is well-spent.
Borden School aims to foster intellectual growth, encouraging students to achieve their aspirations and cultivate the values of collaboration and inclusivity. Its goal is to provide an environment where everyone feels welcome, helping students become confident, creative and resilient.
In 2006, Borden was awarded specialist status in Sports and Modern Foreign Languages and hence received an increase in funding, which led to the development of new spacious facilities, including a private study area. It also boasts a well-established reputation for achieving academic excellence and pupils continue their educational journeys at top-tier universities. Ofsted recognises it as a respectable educational institution by giving it a “Good” score. [2]
Borden Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2024
Address: Avenue of Remembrance, Sittingbourne, ME10 4DB
County: Kent
Admissions info: school@bordengrammar.kent.sch.uk, 01795 424192
School type: Boys’ grammar
Number of pupils: 780 (approx.)
Number of places in Year 7: 150
Open Day date: June
Exam date: September 2024
Pass mark: Aim for 75%+ in our practice tests. See below for more details.
Exam type / Board: Kent 11 Plus (PESE) Test
Borden Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
Admission to Borden Grammar School is determined by student performance in the Kent 11 Plus Test. The school expects its pupils to demonstrate a strong work ethic and commitment to their studies. In order to be eligible to apply for entry in Year 7, students need to have attained the required standard in terms of aptitude.
In cases where the number of applicants is greater than the spaces available at the school, Borden Grammar uses the following over-subscription criteria, giving priority to:
- Children in Local Authority Care
- Pupils who are eligible for free school meals
- Students who already have a sibling at the school
- Students with health, social and special access requirements
- Students who live closest to the school.
The parents of students who are not awarded a place can appeal the decision in front of an Independent Appeals Panel. Specific details of the appeals process are normally sent to parents at the same time as the offer letters. You can view the school’s exact location on the map below:
How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Borden Grammar School
In order to apply for Year 7 entry to the school, parents need to register their child for the Kent Test through the Kent County Council webpage. Additionally, they will be asked to complete the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) and name Borden as their preferred school.
Does Borden Grammar School belong to a Consortium?
Borden 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 Borden Grammar School have a catchment area?
Yes, Borden Grammar School has a catchment area with priority based on location and distance from the school. Priority will be given to children residing in postcode areas beginning with ME9, ME10, ME11, and ME12, followed by children who reside in the postcode areas beginning ME8 & ME13.
Borden Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
Borden Grammar School follows the Kent 11 Plus exam format, which consists of tests in Reasoning, English and Maths, as well as a writing task. The test is used to assess whether your child is suitable for entry to the school and the format is used by most, but not all, of the 35 wholly selective and 4 partially selective grammar schools in the region.
The exam format is as follows:
- Section 1: A one hour long exam that tests students’ reasoning abilities. Broken down into three shorter sections, the test focuses on Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- Section 2: A one hour long exam that tests English and Maths.
- Section 3: A writing task that lasts for 40 minutes, including 10 minutes’ preparation time. The writing task isn’t marked for the purposes of the 11 Plus exam but may be used as evidence for borderline cases.
How to Prepare for the Borden Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam?
At Exam Papers Plus, we recommend dividing your child’s revision for the Kent 11+ exam into small, manageable chunks. This approach ensures thorough coverage of the material and allows for dedicated focus on weak areas.
Additionally, we recommend that you make use of practice papers as a great way to familiarise your child with the exam layout and the types of questions they will encounter on exam day. In this way, the stress associated with the preparation process can be significantly reduced.
Our practice tests consist of up-to-date, competitive questions and have been used successfully by hundreds of thousands of students to improve their chances of passing the 11+ exam. Practical and convenient, they are available for immediate download, print and use after purchase.
Borden 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 Borden Grammar School Test.
Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the Borden Grammar School 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.
Borden Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Practice Exam Papers
We have a number of 11+ practice papers that are specifically designed to help students prepare for the Kent Test that is used by Borden Grammar. We highly recommend the following resources:
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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11+ Kent Tests 1-10 Bundle - Save 20%
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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
11+ Spatial Reasoning – Pack 1
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%
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Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions were included in Borden Grammar School 11+ past papers. The information provided about Borden Grammar School was 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 post.
Frequently Asked Questions About 11+ Entry to Borden Grammar School
How old is Borden Grammar School?
Borden Grammar School opened in 1878 and initially tought only 23 pupils.
Is Borden Grammar School an academy?
Borden Grammar School converted to academy status in 2012.
When are the Borden Grammar School Open Days held?
Borden Grammar School typically hosts open events in June, welcoming prospective families on campus for a lively event packed with activities.
What are the admissions criteria for Borden Grammar School?
Borden 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 Borden Grammar School 11+ test?
Parents applying to Borden 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 Borden 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 Borden 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.
What’s the format of the Borden Grammar School 11+ Exam?
All 11+ applicants for entry to Borden 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 Borden Grammar School 11+ Exam?
Yes, the Borden Grammar School 11+ entrance exam does test Non-Verbal Reasoning, combining it with Spatial Reasoning questions.
Is there any way to prepare for the Borden 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 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 Borden 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+ Borden 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 Borden 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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