Apply to Invicta Grammar School, in plain English.
Invicta is a girls' grammar school (Years 7–11) with a mixed sixth form in Maidstone. Entry requires the Kent 11+ (PESE). Invicta has a Pupil Premium criterion — but it sits at 5th place, behind a Medical and Health criterion at 4th. The sibling rule also has an unusual "same address" requirement.
The three things to know first.
If you read nothing else on this page, read these. They're the bits that catch parents out.
PP is criterion 5, not criterion 2 — a Medical criterion sits above it.
Invicta does have a Pupil Premium criterion, but it is ranked 5th out of 7. Criterion 4 is a Medical, Health and Special Access criterion — meaning children with demonstrable medical needs that make this specific school necessary rank above PP-eligible children. This is unusual among Kent grammars. You still need a SIF by 31 October 2026 to claim the PP criterion.
Sibling must live at the same address — cousins don't count.
For the sibling criterion to apply, the sibling at Invicta must be living at the same address as your daughter. Natural, adopted, half- and step-siblings qualify — but cousins explicitly do not, even if they live together. Many schools use "same household" language; Invicta specifically requires the same address to be registered.
Staff must be full-time — part-time staff are excluded from the staff criterion.
Unlike most grammar schools, Invicta's staff criterion applies only to children of full-time staff who have been employed for 2 or more years (or are recruited to fill a demonstrable skill shortage). Part-time staff — however many hours they work — do not qualify under criterion 6.
Five steps — starting with the Kent 11+.
From registering for the test to your daughter starting Year 7. Steps 3 and 4 both have 31 October deadlines.
If too many girls pass the 11+, these 7 criteria decide.
Children with an EHCP naming Invicta are admitted before these criteria apply. All other eligible girls are sorted into the highest criterion that applies to them. Tap any criterion to see the exact wording.
In plain English: Girls currently in council care, or who were previously in care before being adopted, get the highest priority. This also covers girls who were in state care outside England and were subsequently adopted.
What the document says: Looked-after children and previously looked-after children (including those adopted from state care outside England) who have met the selection requirements.
In plain English: A girl qualifies under this criterion if she has a sibling currently attending Invicta who will still be there in September 2027, and that sibling lives at the same address. Natural, adopted, half- and step-siblings all count. Cousins — even those living in the same home — are explicitly excluded. If your daughter and the sibling are registered at different addresses, this criterion does not apply.
What the document says: A child who has a sibling attending the school at the time of application and who is expected to be attending the school at the time of entry, where that sibling resides at the same address. A sibling is a natural, adopted, half or step-sibling. Cousins are not considered to be siblings.
In plain English: This criterion applies when a child's medical condition, health needs, or special circumstances mean it is medically or practically essential for her to attend Invicta specifically — not just any nearby grammar school. Evidence must come from a suitably qualified professional (such as a doctor or specialist) and must explain why this particular school is necessary. A parent's own medical needs can only count if they directly create a social need for the child to attend this school. The school may seek further evidence.
What the document says: Children whose medical condition, health, or special access reasons make it essential that they attend this school. Written evidence from a suitably qualified practitioner must be provided at the time of application. A parent's own medical needs may only be considered where they create a social need for the child to attend this particular school.
In plain English: Girls eligible for free school meals now, or at any point in the last 6 years, qualify under this criterion — but only if you return the school's Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to Invicta by 31 October 2026. Universal Infant Free School Meals (which all KS1 children receive automatically) does not count. Without the SIF, your daughter drops to criterion 7 (distance). Note this criterion is ranked 4th — below the Medical criterion at 3rd.
What the document says: Children eligible for the Pupil Premium (in receipt of free school meals, or having been in receipt at any point in the past 6 years, not including Universal Infant Free School Meals). A Supplementary Information Form must be submitted to the school by 31 October 2026.
In plain English: Children of full-time staff who have worked at Invicta for 2 or more continuous years qualify — as do children of staff recruited to fill a demonstrable skill shortage, regardless of service length. Importantly, this criterion applies only to full-time employees; part-time staff are excluded.
What the document says: Children of full-time members of staff who have been employed at the school for two or more years at the time of application, or who are recruited to fill a demonstrable skill shortage.
In plain English: Any girl who passed the Kent 11+ but does not qualify under criteria 1–5 is ranked by straight-line distance from her home to the school. The closer you are, the higher you rank. This is the final criterion — the shortest straight-line distance wins.
What the document says: Distance measured as a straight line from the address point of the home (National Land and Property Gazetteer) to a fixed point on the school site. Shortest distance ranks highest.
Straight line, not driving time.
Distance is the 6th and final criterion — it decides places when criteria 1–5 leave two or more girls equal. Kent measures the distance between your home and a fixed point on the school site as a single straight line. Routes, bus times and travel difficulty are not considered.
Addresses come 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.. For new-build homes not yet in that database, planning coordinates are used instead.
See the approximate catchment on the GrammarBound mapTwo criterion-6 girls: the closer one ranks higher.
Both girls passed the 11+, neither qualifies under criteria 1–5. Both fall into criterion 6 (distance). House A's straight-line distance is shorter — so it ranks higher. If two addresses tie exactly, a random draw decides.
Joining Year 12 from outside.
Invicta has a mixed sixth form with up to 60 external places in Year 12. If fewer than 240 of the current Year 11 students continue into Year 12, additional external students may be admitted up to a total Year 12 capacity of 300.
Academic requirements
Entry requirements for Year 12 are published on the school's website. See invicta.kent.sch.uk for the current subject-level entry criteria and application process for September 2027.
Capacity and oversubscription
The school will admit up to 60 external students into Year 12. If fewer than 240 current Year 11 students progress internally, additional external students may be admitted up to a maximum Year 12 cohort of 300. Where oversubscribed, places are allocated by the same oversubscription criteria as Year 7 entry.
You have two routes, and you can use both.
Waiting list
Ask Kent County Council to add your daughter to the Invicta waiting list after National Offer Day. The list is re-ranked each time a child joins, using the same seven criteria. Late additions can jump above you if they hold a higher criterion.
The waiting-list form is on the KCC admissions website.
Appeal
Write to the Clerk to the Governors at the school. Your refusal letter will include the deadline and grounds. Running an appeal does not affect your waiting-list position.