Oakwood Park Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2024
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Founded in 1918, Oakwood Park Grammar School (OPGS) is a boys’ grammar in the Kent town of Maidstone. It has a co-educational Sixth Form and a rich history, catering for nearly 1000 students in line with the motto Strive and Serve. [1]
Oakwood Park Grammar School prides itself on providing an unmatched educational experience. The school follows the national curriculum, thanks to which students have the opportunity to gain knowledge in mathematics, English, science and more.
While the curriculum offers a wide range of challenging subjects that help students discover their full potential, the school doesn’t only focus on academic excellence; it takes equally great care to ensure students stretch their intellectual limits and develop personal resilience.
Split across five houses, the cohort enthusiastically participates in a range of extracurriculars, including sports at local, county and national levels. Spacious music and drama facilities ensure boys’ strong creative outcomes, while volunteering initiatives facilitate their personal and character development, successfully preparing them for prosperous lives beyond school. [2]
By upholding a high standard of behaviour, Oakwood Park Grammar encourages students to become self-reliant learners who take advantage of opportunities while showing kindness, tolerance and respect.
Results speak louder than words, and many generations of OPGS students have graduated with flying colours. Recently, 94.37% attained strong passes (grades 9-5) in English and Maths in the GCSEs, while 64.1% attained A*, A, or B grades at A-levels. Ofsted gave the school a “Good” score. [3]
Experience life at the school in the brief video below:
Oakwood Park Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2024
Address: Oakwood Park, Maidstone ME16 8AH
County: Kent
Admissions info: admissions@opgs.org, 01622 726683
School type: Boys’ grammar
Number of pupils: 994 (approx.)
Number of places in Year 7: 160
Open Day date: October
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
Oakwood Park Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
To be considered for a Year 7 place at Oakwood Park Grammar School, pupils must sit the Kent 11 Plus Test. With 160 Year 7 places available, competition for entry is high. In the case of oversubscription, the school uses the following criteria, giving priority to:
- Children in Local Authority Care or Previously in Local Authority Care
- Children previously in Care outside of England
- Children whose siblings already attend the school
- Children with health issues and special access requirements
- Children in receipt of Pupil Premium
- Children who live closer to the school.
Please note that, if your child has not been awarded a grammar place at OPGS, you will have the right to appeal the school’s decision. You can view the school’s exact location on the map below:
How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Oakwood Park Grammar School
Oakwood’s Year 7 admissions are coordinated by Kent County Council, the Local Authority (LA), hence registrations for the Kent Test are completed through an online portal which can be accessed on the Council website.
The admissions process also requires that parents complete the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) and state Oakwood Park Grammar School as a school of preference. Kent Test results are communicated in October.
Does Oakwood Park Grammar School belong to a Consortium?
Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park Grammar School have a catchment area?
Oakwood Park Grammar School does not have a formal catchment area. However, in most cases, it prioritises prospective pupils who live closer to the school.
Oakwood Park Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
Oakwood Park Grammar School follows the Kent 11 Plus exam format, which is split into the following sections:
- Section 1: A one-hour exam that aims to test students’ Reasoning abilities. It is broken down into three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- Section 2: An hour-long exam that tests English and Maths.
- Section 3: A 40-minute writing task. While not marked as part of the overall 11 Plus score, it can be used as evidence for both borderline cases and in appeals for a grammar school place.
How to Prepare for the Oakwood Park Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam?
To keep your son ahead of his competition in the lead-up to the Kent Test, we advise creating an easy-to-follow revision timetable that covers all the required subjects, while also allowing time for relaxation to ensure he doesn’t become overworked and anxious about the exam.
Practice papers should be an essential part of his revision routine as they can help you monitor his progress. Up-to-date and well-researched, they will also give your son a much-needed confidence boost as the exam date approaches.
Our resources provide a clear understanding of the test format, enabling students to effectively tackle the questions they will encounter on the big day. Through regular practice with our tests, they can focus their efforts and maximise their chances of achieving a high score.
Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park Grammar School Test.
Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the Oakwood Park Grammar School 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.
Oakwood Park Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Practice Exam Papers
We have specifically designed the following practice resources for the Kent Test:
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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PRE-11+ KENT TESTS 1-5 BUNDLE - SAVE 15%
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:
11+ Kent Tests 1-10 Bundle - Save 20%
✅ Alternatively, you can choose a bundle of five of our recommended full practice tests for the Kent 11+ Exam, and still save 15%. Select the relevant bundle below to learn more:
11+ Kent Tests 1-5 Bundle - Save 15%
11+ Kent Tests 6-10 Bundle - Save 15%
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%
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 were included in Oakwood Park Grammar School 11+ past papers. The information provided about Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park Grammar School
How old is Oakwood Park Grammar School?
Oakwood Park Grammar School was established in 1918.
Is Oakwood Park Grammar School an academy?
Oakwood Park Grammar School converted to academy status in 2011.
When are the Oakwood Park Grammar School Open Days held?
Oakwood Park Grammar School hosts Open Events in October, welcoming prospective families on campus for a day packed with fun activities.
What are the admissions criteria for Oakwood Park Grammar School?
Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park Grammar School 11+ test?
Parents applying to Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park Grammar School 11+ Exam?
All 11+ applicants for entry to Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park Grammar School 11+ Exam?
Yes, the Oakwood Park Grammar School 11+ entrance exam does test Non-Verbal Reasoning, combining it with Spatial Reasoning questions.
Is there any way to prepare for the Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park 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+ Oakwood Park 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 Oakwood Park 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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