Apply to Maidstone Grammar School, in plain English.
MGS is a boys' grammar school (Years 7–11) with a mixed sixth form. Entry requires the Kent 11+ (PESE). Unlike most grammar schools, MGS uses a layered system: where you live and how well your son scored both affect which criterion he falls into. FSM priority also has a stricter definition here than at most other schools.
The three things to know first.
If you read nothing else on this page, read these. They're the bits that catch parents out.
Where you live matters more than at most grammar schools — MGS uses a parish list.
MGS's oversubscription criteria are organised into geographic bands. Children living in one of the listed parishes (covering Maidstone, Aylesford, Bearsted, Kings Hill, Snodland, Staplehurst and many surrounding villages) are placed in criterion 2 or 3 — ahead of all out-of-area children, who fall into criterion 4. If you live in a listed parish, check the school website to confirm your village is on the list before the test.
Scoring 360 or more on the Kent Test puts your son in a higher tier within the parish band.
All children must pass the Kent 11+ (qualify as "suited to grammar"). Within the listed parishes, those who score 360 or more are placed in criterion 2 — a higher tier than those who pass but score below 360 (criterion 3). A higher score here gives a real advantage: criterion-2 children are considered before criterion-3 children, regardless of distance.
FSM means currently in receipt — not just the last 6 years. Send the SIF by email.
MGS uses a stricter FSM definition than almost all other grammar schools: your son must be currently receiving free school meals at the time of application. Most other schools accept FSM at any point in the last 6 years — MGS does not. If eligible, email a Supplementary Information Form to clerk@mgs.kent.sch.uk by 31 October 2026.
Five steps — starting with the Kent 11+.
From registering for the test to your son starting Year 7. Steps 3 and 4 both have 31 October deadlines.
4 main tiers — each with the same sub-order inside.
All children first qualify by passing the Kent 11+. They are then placed into one of 4 main tiers based on LAC status, parish, and score. Within tiers 2–4, places are decided by the same sub-order: FSM currently, then sibling, then staff, then distance. Tap any tier to see the detail.
In plain English: Boys in council care, or who were previously in care before being adopted, receive the highest priority regardless of address, score, or any other factor. This also covers boys who were in state care outside England and were subsequently adopted.
What the document says: All qualifying looked-after children and previously looked-after children, including those adopted from state care outside England.
In plain English: Boys who (a) live in one of the listed parishes and (b) achieved a qualifying score of 360 or more on the Kent Test are placed in this tier. Within this tier, places are allocated in the following sub-order: (a) FSM — currently receiving free school meals at time of application, SIF by email required; (b) sibling at MGS living at same address; (c) child of staff employed 2+ years or recruited for skill shortage; (d) straight-line distance, closest first.
What the document says: Qualifying children whose home address is in one of the specified parishes who have achieved a pass mark of 360 or more, in order: (a) children in receipt of FSM at the time of application; (b) siblings; (c) children of staff; (d) shortest distance.
In plain English: Boys who live in a listed parish and passed the Kent Test (any qualifying score, but under 360) fall here. The same sub-order applies: (a) currently on FSM with SIF submitted; (b) sibling at MGS; (c) child of qualifying staff; (d) straight-line distance. All tier-2 children are considered before any tier-3 child, regardless of distance.
What the document says: Other qualifying children whose home address is in one of the specified parishes, in order: (a) children in receipt of FSM at the time of application; (b) siblings; (c) children of staff; (d) shortest distance.
In plain English: Boys who passed the Kent Test but live outside all listed parishes — or who are in listed parishes but all places in tiers 2 and 3 have been filled — compete here. The sub-order is the same: FSM currently → sibling → staff → distance. If your son falls here, he will need to live very close to the school to receive an offer in a competitive year.
What the document says: Other qualifying children, in order: (a) children in receipt of FSM at the time of application; (b) siblings; (c) children of staff; (d) shortest distance.
Straight line, not driving time.
Distance is the final sub-criterion within each tier — used only when two boys in the same tier are otherwise equal (same FSM, sibling, and staff status). 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. Note that being closer to school does not help you move up a tier — parish and score tier always take priority over distance.
See the approximate catchment on the GrammarBound mapTier beats distance — a listed-parish boy always ranks above an out-of-area boy.
Boy A lives in a listed parish (tier 3). Boy B lives outside all listed parishes (tier 4) but is much closer to school. Boy A gets priority because he is in a higher tier — distance only decides between boys in the same tier. Tier always beats proximity.
Joining Year 12 from outside.
MGS has a mixed sixth form. Up to 50 external places are available each year. Entry requirements are more demanding than most grammar sixth forms — a strong GCSE average with specific subject breadth is required.
Academic requirements
External applicants need an average GCSE grade of 5.7 across 8 subjects. The 8 subjects must include at least one modern foreign language, at least one science, and at least one humanities subject (Geography, History, or Religious Studies). Additionally: grade 5 or above in at least one English GCSE, and grade 5 or above in Maths.
The 8 GCSEs must include ≥1 MFL, ≥1 science, ≥1 humanities (Geography/History/RS).
How to apply and oversubscription
If the sixth form is oversubscribed, external places are allocated in this order: LAC/PLAC → currently on FSM → highest GCSE average (sub-ranked by: siblings, then staff, then remaining). Applicants are ranked by their exact GCSE average — a higher average always ranks higher within each group.
See mgs.kent.sch.uk for sixth form application deadlines and the application process.
You have two routes, and you can use both.
Waiting list
Ask Kent County Council to add your son to the MGS waiting list after National Offer Day. The list is re-ranked each time a child joins, using the same tier and sub-criteria order. Late additions can jump above you if they hold a higher tier or sub-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.