The Harvey Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2024
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Table of Contents
Introduction
The Harvey Grammar School (HGS) is a selective school for boys aged 11–18 in Folkestone, Kent. Boasting a varied notable alumni list, HGS caters for nearly 1,000 pupils, divided across four houses: Discovery, Endeavour, Resolution and Victory. [1]
Harvey Grammar’s educational programme caters to each student’s learning style. As such, it offers a broad and balanced curriculum that challenges pupils throughout their school life, including various subjects such as science, religious studies, French and DT.
In recent years, the school has invested in a range of modern facilities where pupils can participate in a selection of extracurriculars, including music, drama productions and sport. The programme of activities also includes trips to exciting destinations such as Nepal, Chile, Mongolia and Tanzania, aimed at developing boys’ understanding of cultural differences. [2]
The Harvey Grammar School encourages students to work towards their aspirations, have fun, and be there for their peers. Pupils at the school have access to everything they need to discover, nurture and refine their unique talents, whether in academics, sports or creative pursuits.
The school has a well-established reputation for academic excellence. Ofsted recently rewarded the school with an “Outstanding” grade. [3]
The Harvey Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2024
Address: Cheriton Road, Folkestone CT19 5JY
County: Kent
Admissions info: enquiries@harveygs.kent.sch.uk, 01303 252131
School type: Boys’ grammar
Number of places in Year 7: 150
Open Day date: July
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
The Harvey Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
Year 7 places at The Harvey Grammar School are allocated on the basis of student performance in the Kent Test, or alternatively, the Shepway Test. For the Kent Test, admissions are dealt with by the Local Authority (LA). For the Shepway Test, applications are made through the school’s website.
The Harvey Grammar School has fixed oversubscription criteria, implemented in the following priority order:
- Children in Local Authority Care or previously in Local Authority Care
- Pupil Premium recipients who reside in the District of Folkestone and Hythe (Shepway)
- Other boys who reside in the District of Folkestone and Hythe (Shepway)
- Other boys who satisfy the selection requirements, with those living nearest to the school being given the higher priority.
If your son fails to receive a Year 7 place at The Harvey Grammar, you can appeal the school’s decision. Our guide to grammar school appeals explains the process in more detail.
You can view the school’s exact location on the map below:
How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to The Harvey Grammar School
Parents who wish their son to sit the Kent Test must register him using an online portal, available on the Kent County Council website. The Secondary Common Application Form must also be completed and submitted, stating The Harvey Grammar School as the child’s preferred school.
The Council will communicate assessment decisions in October and offers will be sent out on National Offer Day in March of the following year. For further information about The Harvey Grammar admissions process for Year 7 entry, please reach out to the school directly.
Does The Harvey Grammar School belong to a Consortium?
The Harvey 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 The Harvey Grammar School have a catchment area?
Usually, The Harvey Grammar School prioritises prospective pupils who reside in the Folkestone and Hythe District, formerly known as Shepway.
The Harvey Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
For Year 7 entry, The Harvey Grammar School uses the Kent Test. The exam consists of two multiple-choice papers, with a separate answer sheet, split into the following format:
- An hour-long exam that evaluates Reasoning abilities. Pupils will be tested on Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning.
- An hour-long exam that tests English and Maths.
- A writing task that lasts for 40 minutes, including 10 minutes of preparation time. This 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 Harvey Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam?
The Harvey Grammar School is generally oversubscribed in Year 7, so parents should make sure that their son makes the most of the time and resources available ahead of the exam.
Children at this age are likely to perform better in exams if they have revised over a longer period. Students that revise in short sessions over a longer period of time tend to retain knowledge better.
The Kent Test covers a number of subjects and we have created targeted resources to help with every aspect of the examination. They will highlight your child’s weaker areas early on and are also a great way to monitor his progress.
The practice tests are challenging, and preparing for the Kent Test can sometimes feel overwhelming. But once a carefully thought-out revision plan is implemented, your son should find the process a lot more manageable.
The Harvey 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 Harvey Grammar School Test.
Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in The Harvey Grammar School 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.
The Harvey Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Practice Exam Papers
Pupils who are due to sit the Kent Test, with a view of gaining a Year 7 place at The Harvey Grammar School, will benefit from these 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 The Harvey Grammar School 11+ past papers. The information provided about The Harvey 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 The Harvey Grammar School
How old is The Harvey Grammar School?
The Harvey Grammar School was founded in 1674.
When are The Harvey Grammar School Open Days held?
The Harvey Grammar School hosts Open Evening in July, welcoming prospective families on campus for a lively event packed with fun yet useful activities.
What are the admissions criteria for The Harvey Grammar School?
The Harvey 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 Shepway Test.
How do I register my child for The Harvey Grammar School 11+ Kent test?
Parents applying to The Harvey 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 The Harvey 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 The Harvey 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 Harvey Grammar School 11+ Kent Test?
All 11+ applicants for entry to The Harvey 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 Harvey Grammar School 11+ Kent Test?
Yes, The Harvey Grammar School 11+ Kent exam does test Non-Verbal Reasoning, combining it with Spatial Reasoning questions.
Is there any way to prepare for The Harvey Grammar School 11+ Kent Test?
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 Harvey Grammar School 11+ Kent Test?
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+ The Harvey Grammar School mock exam for the Kent 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 Harvey Grammar School 11+ Kent Test?
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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