About Cranbrook School
Cranbrook School is a co-educational grammar school in Cranbrook, Kent, admitting 120 day pupils per year. Cranbrook is unique among Kent grammar schools in also offering residential boarding places — approximately 250 boarders from Year 9 onwards. Day pupils use the Kent Test (GL Assessment). Boarding places have a separate application process.
Cranbrook School provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 53.5%. A-Level A*–B: 67%.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Cranbrook School
Cranbrook School is a co-educational state grammar school in England that selects pupils through the Kent Test (the Kent PESE 11+, set using GL Assessment papers) for Year 7 admission. The school admits approximately 120 Year 7 pupils each September, and applications must be made through your home Local Authority via the Common Application Form (CAF) — never directly to the school.
The GL Assessment 11+ is one of two main 11+ test providers in England (the other being CEM, now retired in many regions). The Kent test typically consists of multiple papers covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Scores are standardised against the cohort age distribution, so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. Each school sets its own qualifying mark (pass mark).
For 2026 entry, the GL Assessment test is sat in Thursday 11 September 2025 and results are released to parents on Friday 17 October 2025 — crucially, before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2025, giving parents time to consider results before listing school preferences. National Offers Day is Monday 2 March 2026, when Local Authorities issue Year 7 secondary school offers.
Cranbrook School is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the 11+ test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (120 places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Cranbrook School
Cranbrook School Admissions Criteria
Cranbrook School is a co-educational grammar school in Cranbrook, Kent, admitting 120 day pupils per year. Cranbrook is unique among Kent grammar schools in also offering residential boarding places — approximately 250 boarders from Year 9 onwards. Day pupils use the Kent Test (GL Assessment). Boarding places have a separate application process.
- ✓Day places (120 per year): Register for the Kent Test via Kent County Council.
- ✓Sit the Kent Test: two one-hour multiple-choice papers plus 40-minute writing task.
- ✓Achieve the qualifying threshold (total 332+, no subject below 106).
- ✓Cranbrook has a wide catchment area covering the Weald of Kent.
- ✓Boarding places: Contact the school directly — boarders may enter from Year 9 and follow a separate assessment.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
Cranbrook School Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 120 Year 7 admission number, the Board of Governors / Trust applies the following criteria in priority order. Final ranking uses the standardised score achieved in the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test (above the qualifying standard set by Cranbrook School)
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium / Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME)
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school
- Children with sibling(s) currently attending the school
- Children of staff (where staff member has worked at the school for 2+ years)
- Children ranked by total standardised score (highest first) up to the published admission number
- Tiebreak: distance from home to school (straight-line measurement) for children with equal scores
Key Dates & Deadlines — Cranbrook School 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | Tuesday 1 July 2025 |
| 📌 Registration closes | Friday 4 July 2025 |
| 📌 GL Assessment 11+ Entrance Test | Thursday 11 September 2025 (in-school for state primary pupils); Saturday 13 September 2025 (for independent/out-of-county pupils) |
| 📌 Test results released | Friday 17 October 2025 |
| 📌 CAF deadline (apply via Local Authority) | Friday 31 October 2025 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 2 March 2026 |
How to Apply to Cranbrook School via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register your child for the GL Assessment 11+ Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Kent) when registration opens. Closes Friday 4 July 2025. There is no fee to sit the GL Assessment test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Cranbrook School
Visit during Year 5 or early Year 6 to meet staff and pupils and decide whether to list this school on your CAF.
Step 3 — Sit the GL Assessment Entrance Test
Your child sits the GL Assessment in Thursday 11 September 2025. The test typically covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised scores age-adjusted.
Step 4 — Receive your standardised test results
Test results are released to parents on Friday 17 October 2025, BEFORE the Common Application Form deadline. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
Step 5 — Complete your Common Application Form (CAF)
List Cranbrook School as one of your preferences on the CAF submitted via your home Local Authority (not the school's LA, unless they are the same). You can usually list 3-6 preferences depending on your LA.
Step 6 — Submit the CAF by the deadline
Submit your CAF by Friday 31 October 2025. Late applications are processed only after all on-time applications have been allocated, dramatically reducing your chance of a place.
Step 7 — Receive your school offer on National Offers Day
Offers are issued via your Local Authority on Monday 2 March 2026. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Cranbrook School's waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Cranbrook School
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Cranbrook School
Cranbrook School uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
Academic Performance at Cranbrook School
Cranbrook’s results are consistently among the strongest for state schools, with many leavers progressing to Oxbridge and Russell Group universities. As a grammar that admits a slightly wider ability range than some, it combines high academic standards with broad support; Ofsted rated the school Good (with boarding judged Outstanding in 2025).
- ✓Strong GCSE and A‑Level outcomes within the state sector.
- ✓A broad sixth‑form curriculum and high rates of progression to leading universities.
Pastoral Care, Boarding & Enrichment at Cranbrook School
Cranbrook combines a day and boarding community in the Kent countryside. Boarding is available from Year 9 (with boarding provision judged Outstanding by Ofsted in 2025), and there is an extensive enrichment programme for all pupils.
- ✓Pastoral support: a strong house and tutor structure focused on wellbeing.
- ✓Boarding (Year 9+): day and boarding houses; boarding fees are VAT‑exempt, with no tuition fees as a state school.
- ✓Enrichment: a wide range of sport, music, drama and outdoor activities on an extensive rural site.
Year 7 Entry, Catchment & Oversubscription at Cranbrook School
Year 7 entry is day‑only (around 90 places) and is by the Kent Test. Once a child is assessed as suitable for grammar school, places are offered by the school’s oversubscription criteria, with priority to those living in the school’s priority area (broadly within about 6 miles).
- Looked‑after and previously looked‑after children.
- Children with exceptional medical or social needs.
- Children living in the priority area, then by distance.
- Remaining qualified applicants by distance from the school.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cranbrook School
Is Cranbrook a boys’ or co‑educational school?
It is co‑educational (boys and girls), ages 11–18.
What test is used for Year 7 entry?
The Kent Test (the Kent PESE 11+), set using GL Assessment papers. Register through Kent County Council during the summer registration window; the test is in September.
Is there boarding at Year 7?
No — Year 7 entry is day‑only. Boarding is available from Year 9.
Is Cranbrook free?
Yes — it is a state grammar school with no tuition fees. Boarders (Year 9+) pay boarding fees only, which are VAT‑exempt.
How many Year 7 places are there?
Around 90 day places, and the school is heavily oversubscribed.
How do I apply?
Register for the Kent Test with Kent County Council, then list Cranbrook on your home local authority’s Common Application Form by 31 October. Offers are made on National Offer Day (1 March).
How to Prepare for the Cranbrook School 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
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Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
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Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
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Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
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Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
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Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.