Apply to Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School, in plain English.
TWGGS is a girls' grammar Foundation school — it sets its own admissions. Entry requires the Kent 11+ (PESE). Of the 174 places, 157 are allocated by distance through eight criteria, and 17 Governors' Places are reserved for the highest-scoring girls from the local area who would otherwise miss out. A key geographic boundary — the criterion-6 area (38 named parishes or within 4 miles) — determines eligibility for several criteria.
The three things to know first.
If you read nothing else on this page, read these. They're the bits that catch parents out.
The 17 Governors' Places are a score-ranked second chance for girls in the local area who narrowly miss out on distance.
After allocating 157 places through criteria 1–7, the school makes 17 Governors' Places available. These go to the highest-scoring girls from the criterion-6 area (38 named parishes or within 4 miles) who were not offered a place through criteria 1–7. They are ranked by 11+ score, not distance. This means a girl who lives in the local area but failed to rank highly enough on distance in criterion 6 gets a second chance if her score is high enough. Score matters for this route.
PP and Sibling priority only count if your daughter also lives in the criterion-6 area.
At TWGGS, PP (criterion 2) and Sibling (criterion 3) both require the girl to live in the criterion-6 area — 38 named parishes or within 4 miles — as a condition of eligibility. A PP-eligible girl who lives outside that area does not benefit from criterion 2; she competes in criterion 7 (all others) instead. Similarly, having a sibling at the school only provides criterion 3 priority if your daughter is in the local area. Submit the PP SIF to the school by 31 October 2026 if applicable.
The criterion-6 area is 38 named parishes OR within 4 miles — check both.
The "criterion-6 area" is the key geographic boundary for TWGGS. A girl is in it if she lives in one of 38 named civil parishes — or if she lives within 4 straight-line miles of school. These are two separate tests: you qualify if you meet either one. A girl who lives in a named parish more than 4 miles away still qualifies. A girl who lives within 4 miles but outside all listed parishes also qualifies. Check both criteria — civil parish look-up does not always match postal address.
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 eight criteria decide.
Children with an EHCP naming TWGGS are admitted before these criteria apply. All other qualifying girls are placed in the highest criterion that applies to them. Within criteria 1–7, closest girls rank first. The 17 Governors' Places (criterion 8) are ranked by score. Tap any criterion to read the detail.
In plain English: Girls currently or previously in council care (including those internationally adopted from state care) who pass the Kent 11+ receive the highest priority, 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: PP-eligible girls who also live in the criterion-6 area (38 named parishes or within 4 miles of school) are given second priority. Both conditions must be met — a PP-eligible girl who lives outside the criterion-6 area falls into criterion 7, not criterion 2. Within this group, closest girls rank first. Submit the Supplementary Information Form to the school by 31 October 2026.
What the document says: Children who are eligible for Pupil Premium (FSM in the last 6 years, excluding Universal Infant FSM) who also reside in the criterion 6 area, ranked by distance. SIF required by 31 October.
In plain English: Girls who have a sister attending TWGGS in Years 7 to 13 at the start of the September term, and who also live in the criterion-6 area. Like criterion 2, both conditions must be met. A sibling connection alone — without being in the local area — does not qualify for this criterion. Within this group, closest girls rank first. Half-sisters and step-sisters living at the same address are included.
What the document says: Children with a sibling (including half and step siblings at same address) attending the school in Years 7–13 at the start of the year, who also reside in the criterion 6 area, ranked by distance.
In plain English: Girls with a serious medical or social need that means they must attend this particular school. Written evidence from a doctor or social worker is required, explaining why TWGGS specifically — not just any grammar school — is necessary. This criterion is not met by a general preference.
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: Daughters of staff members who are employed permanently at the school, working at least 0.5 FTE and having worked there for at least 2 years at the time of application. Within this group, closest girls rank first. This criterion applies regardless of where the family lives — there is no geographic restriction.
What the document says: Children of staff who are employed at the school in a permanent post, working at least 0.5 FTE for two or more years, ranked by distance.
In plain English: Girls who live in any of 38 named civil parishes, or within 4 straight-line miles of school, rank in criterion 6. This is the main geographic criterion. Within this group, closest girls rank first. The two tests (parish OR 4 miles) are independent — qualifying either one is sufficient. A girl closer to school ranks above a girl further away regardless of which route qualified her.
What the document says: Children residing in the named civil parishes or within 4 miles of the school, ranked by distance, closest first.
In plain English: Girls who live outside all 38 named parishes and more than 4 miles from school. This criterion is rarely reached in practice — TWGGS fills most of its 157 main places through criteria 1–6. Girls here are ranked by distance.
What the document says: All other children who meet the selection requirements, ranked by distance.
In plain English: After allocating all 157 main places through criteria 1–7, the Governors award 17 additional places to the highest-scoring qualifying girls who live in the criterion-6 area but were not offered a place through criteria 1–7. These girls are ranked purely by 11+ score (highest first), with distance as a tiebreaker. This is a meaningful route for local girls who live in the area but are not close enough to win a place on distance alone — a strong test score can get them in through Governors' Places even if criterion 6 was oversubscribed at a shorter distance.
What the document says: 17 places awarded to the highest-scoring applicants who reside in the criterion 6 area and who have not been offered a place under criteria 1–7, ranked by 11+ score, then distance.
Mostly distance — but score opens a second route for local girls.
For criteria 1–7, TWGGS is distance-ranked: closest girls rank highest within each criterion. Passing the 11+ is the entry bar; beyond that, how far you live from school determines your position. However, there is a significant exception: the 17 Governors' Places are filled by score. If your daughter lives in the criterion-6 area but would not rank highly enough on distance, a strong 11+ score can earn her one of the 17 score-ranked Governors' Places. For these places, score matters directly.
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 criterion-6 girls — the closer one wins in criterion 6; the higher-scorer may win via Governors' Places.
Both girls are in the criterion-6 area. Girl A is closer, so she ranks higher in criterion 6 on distance. Girl B is further but scored 415 — if criterion 6 is oversubscribed before she is reached, she may still win a Governors' Place through her higher score.
Joining Year 12 — 30 external places available.
TWGGS's sixth form has a total Year 12 PAN of 175. Internal Year 11 students have priority. 30 external places are available. Entry requires a minimum average GCSE grade of 6 across the top 6 subjects, plus grade requirements for each chosen A-level.
Average grade 6 from best 6 GCSEs — plus subject minimums.
External applicants must achieve an average grade of 6 across their top 6 GCSEs (i.e. at least 36 total points). A minimum of grade 5 in English Language or Maths (with at least grade 4 in the other) is required. Each A-level subject has its own entry threshold: typically grade 7+ in the subject to be studied.
Apply by October — conditional offers confirmed in August.
Applications open in autumn and must be submitted by October. External applicants are ranked by their GCSE performance. Conditional offers are made once GCSEs are sat, with confirmation in August. Internal Year 11 students who meet the entry requirements transfer first. Apply via the school sixth form office.
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 daughter to the TWGGS waiting list after National Offer Day. The list is re-ranked each time a new child joins, using the same criteria and distances. A late addition can move above your daughter if they live closer or hold a higher criterion.
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.