Apply to Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, in plain English.
MGGS is a girls' grammar school (Years 7–11) with a mixed sixth form. Entry requires the Kent 11+ (PESE). The school has a Pupil Premium criterion in 2nd place, and an unusual sibling rule: if your daughter has a brother at MGS (the boys' grammar next door), that counts as a sibling link here too.
The three things to know first.
If you read nothing else on this page, read these. They're the bits that catch parents out.
Your daughter needs the Kent 11+ (PESE).
MGGS only admits girls judged "suited to grammar school" by Kent's PESE (11+ assessment). Register with KCC separately from the school application — typically in June 2026. Without a qualifying result, no application to MGGS will be considered.
PP is the 2nd criterion — return the SIF by 31 October to claim it.
MGGS places Pupil Premium children second in the oversubscription order, just behind LAC. To get this advantage, you must return a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to the school by 31 October 2026. PP-eligible children who don't return the SIF lose this priority.
Sibling at MGS (the boys' grammar) counts — even though it's a different school.
MGGS's sibling criterion covers siblings currently enrolled at MGGS or at MGS (Maidstone Grammar School, the adjacent boys' grammar). If your daughter has a brother at MGS, that link is recognised. This reflects the close relationship between the two schools.
Five steps — starting with the Kent 11+.
From registering for the test to your daughter starting Year 7. Step 3 and 4 both have 31 October deadlines.
If too many girls pass the 11+, these 4 criteria decide.
Every eligible girl is sorted into the highest criterion that applies to her. Tap any criterion to see the exact wording.
In plain English: Girls in council care, or who previously were before being adopted, get the highest priority regardless of where they live. Also covers children who were in state care outside England and then 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: Girls who are eligible for free school meals now, or who were at any point in the last 6 years, get second priority. You must return the school's Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to MGGS by 31 October 2026 to claim this — it does not happen automatically. Without the SIF, your daughter will be ranked under criterion 4 (distance) instead.
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). A Supplementary Information Form must be submitted to the school by 31 October 2026.
In plain English: A girl gets sibling priority if she has a sibling currently enrolled at MGGS (this school) or at MGS (Maidstone Grammar School, the boys' grammar). The sibling must be expected to still be at the school in September 2027. This cross-school sibling link is unusual — most schools only count siblings at the same school.
What the document says: A child who has a sibling attending Maidstone Grammar School for Girls or Maidstone Grammar School at the time of application and who is expected to be attending the school at the time of entry.
In plain English: Girls who live closest to the school get priority — measured in a straight line (as the crow flies), not by road. Any girl who passed the PESE but doesn't qualify under criteria 1–3 falls into this category.
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 4th and final criterion — it decides places when criteria 1–3 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-4 girls: the closer one ranks higher.
Both girls passed the 11+, neither is LAC, PP, or has a sibling at MGGS or MGS. Both fall into criterion 4 (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.
MGGS has a mixed sixth form with up to 180 students in Year 12 total. Up to 50 external places are available each year for students joining from other schools.
Academic requirements
External applicants need a minimum of 6 GCSEs at grades 9–5, including at least grade 5 in English (English Language or English Literature) and at least grade 5 in Maths. Subject-specific grades apply on top for individual A-level courses.
How to apply
Up to 50 external places are available at Year 12 (out of 180 total). If oversubscribed, places are allocated using the same oversubscription criteria as Year 7. Apply directly to the school — see mggs.org for sixth form deadlines and the application form.
You have two routes, and you can use both.
Waiting list
Ask Kent County Council to add your daughter to the MGGS waiting list after National Offer Day. The list is re-ranked each time a child joins, using the same four 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.