Apply to Borden Grammar School, in plain English.
Borden Grammar is a boys' grammar academy in Sittingbourne. It offers a unique dual test route — you can qualify through the standard Kent 11+ (PESE) or through Borden's own in-house assessment, and both carry equal weight. With 150 places, entry is governed by postcode tiers (the Traditional School Area) and distance. Girls are admitted to the sixth form only.
The three things to know first.
If you read nothing else on this page, read these. They're the bits that catch parents out.
Two equal test routes: Borden's own assessment or the Kent PESE. You can do both.
Borden runs its own Borden Assessment Procedure — four paper-based tests (verbal, numerical, non-verbal reasoning, and English) held on a Saturday in September, one week after the Kent Test. The Borden Assessment is entirely optional. Your son can qualify by passing the Kent PESE alone, by passing the Borden Assessment alone, or by taking both. Both routes carry equal weight in the admissions process. To enter the Borden Assessment, register directly with the school by 1 July 2026. There is no separate SIF for it.
The FSM criterion uses a different definition: KS2 eligibility in years 3–6, not the standard "last 6 years".
Borden reserves up to 15% of places (approximately 22 places) for boys eligible for Free School Meals — but the definition is stricter than most schools. To qualify, your son must have been eligible for FSM during Key Stage 2, in Years 3, 4, 5, or 6 of primary school (not just "at any point in the last 6 years"). Universal Infant Free School Meals does not count. He must also live in postcodes ME9, ME10, ME11, or ME12. Submit the FSM SIF to the school by 31 October 2026.
Your postcode tier (ME9/10/11/12 → ME8/13 → everywhere else) determines your criterion in the main allocation.
Borden's Traditional School Area is divided into three tiers within criterion 5: (a) ME9, ME10, ME11, ME12 — the core Sittingbourne and Isle of Sheppey postcodes — rank first. (b) ME8 and ME13 — the Gillingham and Faversham areas — rank second. (c) All other postcodes form the final tier. Within each tier, places go to the closest boys first. Your tier is determined by postcode, so it is immediately clear which group your son competes in.
Five steps — with an optional Borden Assessment alongside the Kent 11+.
The Borden Assessment registration deadline comes before the Kent Test. If you want the option of both routes, register for the Borden Assessment first.
If too many boys qualify, these criteria decide.
Children with an EHCP naming Borden are admitted before these criteria apply. All other qualifying boys are placed in the highest criterion that applies to them. Within each criterion, closest boys rank first. Tap any criterion to read the detail.
In plain English: Boys currently or previously in council care (including those internationally adopted from state care) who qualify by passing either test are admitted first, regardless of where they live.
What the document says: Looked After Children, Previously Looked After Children and Internationally Adopted Previously Looked After Children who have met the selection requirements.
In plain English: Up to 15% of places (approximately 22) are reserved for boys who meet all three conditions: (1) they live in postcodes ME9, ME10, ME11, or ME12; (2) they were eligible for Free School Meals at any point during KS2 Years 3, 4, 5, or 6 of primary school — this is not the standard "last 6 years" definition; and (3) they have not received FSM through Universal Infant FSM only. Submit the Supplementary Information Form to the school by 31 October 2026. Within this group, closest boys rank first.
What the document says: Up to 15% of places for children resident in ME9, ME10, ME11 or ME12 who were eligible for FSM during KS2 (Years 3–6 of primary education), excluding Universal Infant FSM. SIF to school by 31 October. Ranked by distance.
In plain English: Boys who have a brother attending Borden Grammar in Years 7 to 13 at the start of the September term are given third priority. Unlike Borden's FSM criterion, there is no geographic restriction here — siblings from outside the Traditional School Area still qualify for this criterion. Within this group, closest boys rank first. Half-brothers and step-brothers at the same address are included.
What the document says: Children who have a sibling (including half and step siblings at the same address) attending the school in Years 7–13, ranked by distance.
In plain English: Boys with a serious medical or social need that means they must attend Borden Grammar specifically. Written evidence from a doctor or social worker is required explaining why this school — not just any grammar school — is necessary. A general preference does not meet this criterion.
What the document says: Children for whom there is a compelling medical or social reason why they need to attend this school, supported by written evidence submitted with the application.
In plain English: The main oversubscription criterion at Borden. All remaining qualifying boys are sorted into three postcode tiers based on where they live. Within each tier, closest boys rank first. Boys in tier (a) are offered before tier (b), who are offered before tier (c).
- 5a — ME9, ME10, ME11, ME12 (Sittingbourne, Isle of Sheppey, Queenborough): highest priority. These are the core postcodes immediately surrounding the school.
- 5b — ME8, ME13 (Gillingham, Faversham): second tier. Secondary traditional catchment.
- 5c — All other postcodes: lowest tier. Any boy qualifying outside the above postcode areas.
What the document says: Children ranked by distance within three Traditional School Area sub-criteria: (a) ME9/ME10/ME11/ME12, (b) ME8/ME13, (c) all remaining addresses.
Your postcode tier sets the group you compete in — distance decides your rank within it.
Borden uses a two-layer system. First, your postcode determines which tier of the Traditional School Area criterion you sit in — boys in ME9/ME10/ME11/ME12 are in tier (a), which ranks above ME8/ME13 (b), which ranks above everywhere else (c). Second, within each tier, places go to the closest boys first. A boy in tier (a) who lives further from school still ranks above a closer boy in tier (b) or (c). Score has no bearing on ranking — passing the qualifying threshold is all that matters from the test.
Distance is measured in a straight line from the address point of your home (from the National Land and Property GazetteerNLPGThe official UK address database. Distance is measured as a straight line between two address points: your home and a fixed point at the school.) to a fixed point on the school site.
See the approximate catchment on the GrammarBound mapTwo qualifying boys — postcode tier decides who ranks above whom.
Boy A lives in ME10 (tier a) and is 3 miles from school. Boy B lives in ME8 (tier b) and is 1.5 miles away — closer, but in a lower tier. Boy A ranks higher because his postcode tier takes priority over Boy B's shorter distance.
Joining Year 12 — open to boys and girls.
Borden's sixth form is open to both boys and girls from external schools. 30 external places are available. Internal Year 11 students have priority. Offers are made before the end of May.
5 GCSEs at grades 9–5 including English and Maths — plus subject minimums.
External applicants (boys and girls) need at least 5 GCSEs at grades 9–5, including both English Language and Maths. Each A-level subject has its own entry threshold: typically grade 6 or above in the relevant GCSE subject. Check the school's prospectus for subject-specific requirements.
Internal students prioritised — external offers made by end of May.
Internal Year 11 students who meet the entry requirements are allocated places first. External places are what remains. Offers to external applicants are made before the end of May. Apply directly to the sixth form office at the school. Girls are welcome to apply for external entry from Year 12.
See the school website for the sixth form prospectus and subject entry requirements.
You have two routes, and you can use both.
Waiting list
Ask your council to add your son to the Borden Grammar waiting list after National Offer Day. The list is re-ranked each time a new child joins, using the same postcode-tier and distance criteria. A new addition in a higher postcode tier can move above your son's position even if they are further away.
Appeal
Lodge an appeal with the school within 20 school days of your refusal letter. An independent panel hears the case. Appealing does not affect your waiting-list position.