Apply to Cranbrook School, in plain English.
Cranbrook School is a co-educational grammar academy with both day and boarding places. It is one of very few Kent grammars with Year 9 entry alongside the standard Year 7 route, and one of even fewer that is score-ranked — your child's 11+ result determines their position, not how close you live. The local Priority Area (seven civil parishes or within 8.5 km) governs which criteria apply to your child.
The three things to know first.
If you read nothing else on this page, read these. They're the bits that catch parents out.
Score ranks candidates — not distance. Higher score = higher position in every criterion.
Cranbrook is score-ranked, which is unusual among Kent grammars. Once your child qualifies by passing the relevant test, their rank within each oversubscription criterion is determined by their aggregate test score — highest first. Distance is only used to break a tie when two candidates have identical scores. Living closer to school does not help — getting the best possible score does.
Two separate entry points: Year 7 (90 day places, Kent PESE) and Year 9 (8 day + 52 boarding, Cranbrook exam).
Cranbrook offers entry at Year 7 and at Year 9. These are two independent competitions with different tests and different places. Year 7 uses the standard Kent 11+ (PESE) and offers 90 day places. Year 9 uses Cranbrook's own entrance exam (English, Maths and NVR) and offers 8 day places plus 52 boarding places. A child who misses Year 7 can reapply for Year 9 entry — it is not one or the other.
The Priority Area (7 parishes OR within 8.5 km) gates several criteria — including PP and Sibling.
Cranbrook defines a Priority Area: the civil parishes of Cranbrook & Sissinghurst, Goudhurst, Staplehurst, Frittenden, Benenden, Sandhurst, and Hawkhurst — or anywhere within 8.5 km (approximately 5.28 miles) straight line. Pupil Premium priority (criterion b) and Sibling priority (criterion d) are only available to children within the Priority Area. Children outside the Priority Area compete in a separate criterion (g), ranked by score against other out-of-area applicants.
Year 7: five steps starting with the Kent 11+.
The Year 7 route follows standard Kent timelines. Year 9 entry uses a separate Cranbrook exam — check the school website for Year 9 registration dates and process.
If too many children qualify, these criteria decide.
Children with an EHCP naming Cranbrook are admitted before these criteria apply. All other qualifying children are placed in the highest criterion that applies to them. Within every criterion, score ranks first — distance is only a tiebreaker for identical scores. Tap any criterion to read the detail.
In plain English: Children currently or previously in council care (including those internationally adopted from state care) who qualify by passing the relevant test receive the highest priority, regardless of where they live or their test score.
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: PP-eligible children who also live within the Priority Area (seven named parishes or within 8.5 km of school) are given second priority. Both conditions must be met. A PP-eligible child from outside the Priority Area falls into criterion g (all others), not criterion b. Within this group, children are ranked by test score, highest first. Submit the SIF to the school Registrar by 31 October 2026.
What the document says: Children eligible for Pupil Premium (FSM in the last 6 years, excluding UIFSM) who reside within the Priority Area, ranked by test score. SIF to Registrar by 31 October.
In plain English: Children with an exceptional social need that requires them to attend Cranbrook School specifically, and who live within the Priority Area. Written evidence from an appropriate professional is required explaining why this school is necessary. This criterion is distinct from medical need and is assessed carefully.
What the document says: Children for whom there is a compelling social reason to attend this school, residing within the Priority Area, supported by written evidence, ranked by score.
In plain English: Children with a sibling currently attending Cranbrook School in Years 7 to 13, who also live within the Priority Area. Both conditions apply. A sibling connection alone — without residing in the Priority Area — does not qualify for this criterion. Within this group, children are ranked by test score, highest first.
What the document says: Children with a sibling (including half and step siblings at the same address) attending the school in Years 7–13 who reside within the Priority Area, ranked by score.
In plain English: Children of staff members employed permanently at Cranbrook School, working at least 0.5 FTE and having been employed there for at least 2 years at the time of application. This criterion applies regardless of where the family lives — there is no Priority Area restriction. Within this group, children are ranked by score.
What the document says: Children of staff employed permanently at the school at 0.5 FTE or more for two or more years, ranked by score.
In plain English: Children who live within the Priority Area — either in one of the seven named civil parishes, or within 8.5 km of school — rank in criterion f. Within this group, children are ranked by test score. This is the main criterion for most local applicants. A child in Staplehurst and a child 8.4 km away in a different parish both fall here, ranked against each other by score.
What the document says: Children residing in the named Priority Area civil parishes or within 8.5 km of the school, ranked by test score, then distance as tiebreaker.
In plain English: Children who live outside the Priority Area and do not qualify for any of criteria a–e. They are ranked by test score against all other out-of-area qualifying children. Because Cranbrook is score-ranked and attracts applications from across Kent and beyond, the score threshold for out-of-area places tends to be high. However, unlike distance-ranked schools, a child anywhere in the country with a sufficiently high score can rank ahead of someone who lives closer.
What the document says: All other children who meet the selection requirements, outside the Priority Area, ranked by test score, then distance as tiebreaker.
Higher score beats closer distance.
Cranbrook is score-ranked — one of the few Kent grammars where your child's test result is the primary ranking factor within every criterion. A child who lives further from school with a higher score ranks above a child who lives closer with a lower score. Distance is only applied to break an exact tie between two children with identical scores. This makes Cranbrook unusual: the priority area still determines which criterion applies, but within that criterion, it is entirely about score.
Where distance is needed as a tiebreaker, it 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 Priority Area pupils: higher score wins, even from further away.
Both pupils are in the Priority Area and passed the 11+. Pupil B is closer to school but scored 392. Pupil A scored 418 and ranks higher — even though they live further away. Distance is only used if scores are identical.
Joining Year 12 — around 30 external places (day and boarding).
Cranbrook's sixth form offers both day and boarding places. Approximately 30 external places are available — roughly 20 day and 10 boarding. The application deadline is 16 December 2026.
35+ points from best 6 GCSEs — plus English and Maths minimums.
External applicants need at least 35 points from their best 6 GCSEs (on the 1–9 scale, so 35 ÷ 6 ≈ average grade 5.8). A minimum of grade 5 in both Maths and in English Language or Literature is also required. External applicants are ranked by predicted GCSE total.
Apply by 16 December 2026.
Applications close on 16 December 2026. External applicants are ranked by predicted GCSE total. Day and boarding places are allocated separately. Internal Year 11 students who meet entry requirements transfer first. Check the school website for subject entry requirements and the boarding prospectus.
See cranbrookschool.co.uk for the sixth form prospectus, subject requirements, and boarding information.
You have two routes, and you can use both.
Waiting list
Ask your council to add your child to the Cranbrook waiting list after National Offer Day. The list is re-ranked each time a new child joins, using the same score-based criteria. A late addition with a higher score can move above your child's position.
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 position on the waiting list. Year 9 entry also has an appeal right.