Apply to Weald of Kent Grammar School, in plain English.
Weald of Kent is a girls' grammar school with two campuses — Tonbridge and Sevenoaks. Entry requires passing either the Kent 11+ (PESE) or the school's own Weald Grammar Assessment — parents can use one or both. The school operates one of the largest dedicated Pupil Premium allocations in Kent: 40 PP places ranked by distance. Campus allocation is decided by the school and cannot be appealed.
The three things to know first.
If you read nothing else on this page, read these. They're the bits that catch parents out.
There are two separate routes into the school — Kent PESE or the Weald Grammar Assessment. You can use both.
Most Kent grammars require only the Kent 11+ (PESE). Weald of Kent also runs its own Weald Grammar Assessment, which any girl can sit regardless of whether she has taken the Kent Test. The Weald Assessment tests English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning to no higher than the Year 5 curriculum. Registration with the school opens 1 June 2026 and closes 10 July 2026. Results come at the same time as Kent Test results. Passing either test gives the same access to a place — the same oversubscription criteria then apply.
40 Pupil Premium places are ranked purely by distance — not score. SIF to school by 31 Oct (post).
Weald of Kent reserves 40 places for Pupil Premium-eligible girls (FSM in the last 6 years, not Universal Infant FSM), ranked by straight-line distance to the school's OS reference point — not by 11+ score. This is the second oversubscription criterion, ranking above siblings. To claim it, you must post the Supplementary Information Form to Admissions Dept, Weald of Kent Grammar School, Tudeley Lane, Tonbridge TN9 2JP by 31 October 2026. If fewer than 40 eligible PP girls apply, the remaining places flow into the sibling criterion.
Campus (Tonbridge or Sevenoaks) is decided by the school — you cannot choose it on appeal.
When your daughter is offered a place, she is offered a place at Weald of Kent Grammar School — not at a specific campus. The school allocates students to Tonbridge or Sevenoaks based on its own internal criteria (broadly reflecting your address). You may indicate a campus preference when you apply. However, if you are allocated the campus you did not prefer, you have no right to appeal against the campus decision — only against the offer of a place itself. Both campuses teach the same curriculum under the same leadership. After an offer is made, the school sends a Campus SIF for you to record your preference, but the final decision rests with the school.
Six steps — including an optional early registration for the Weald Assessment.
If you want to enter the Weald Assessment as well as (or instead of) the Kent Test, you must register with the school separately before 10 July 2026.
If too many girls qualify, these 7 criteria decide.
Children with an EHCP naming Weald of Kent 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.
Postcodes TN9, TN10, TN11, TN12, plus the parishes of Ightham, Ivy Hatch, Kings Hill, Pembury, Platt and St Mary's Platt, Plaxtol and Shipbourne.
Sevenoaks district: Brasted, Chevening, Chiddingstone, Cowden, Dunton Green, Edenbridge, Godden Green, Halstead, Hever, Kemsing, Knockholt, Leigh, Otford, Penshurst, Riverhead, Seal, Sevenoaks town, Sevenoaks Weald and Underriver, Shoreham, Sundridge and Ide Hill, Westerham and Crockham Hill.
All other addresses fall into criterion 7.
In plain English: Girls currently or previously in council care (including those adopted from state care outside England) who passed either qualifying test receive the highest priority, regardless of where they live.
What the document says: Children in Local Authority Care, Previously in Local Authority Care or Internationally Adopted Previously Looked After Children who have met the selection requirements.
In plain English: Up to 40 places are reserved for girls eligible for free school meals at any point in the last 6 years (not Universal Infant FSM). Within this pool, girls are ranked by straight-line distance to the school's OS grid reference (TQ 59489 45217) — closest first. Score does not affect ranking within this criterion. You must post the Supplementary Information Form to the school (not email — post) by 31 October 2026. If fewer than 40 eligible PP girls apply, remaining places roll into the sibling criterion.
What the document says: Up to 40 places for children eligible for Pupil Premium (FSM at any point in the last six years, excluding Universal Infant Free School Meals), ranked by straight-line distance to OS Reference TQ 59489 45217. SIF required by post by 31 October.
In plain English: Girls who have a sister (natural, adopted, step, or foster) currently attending Weald of Kent (who will still be there in September 2027), living at the same address, receive sibling priority. Twins and other multiple births may be admitted beyond the published admission number if necessary to avoid separating them.
What the document says: A sister attending the school at the time of admission, living in the same household. Includes natural, adopted, step and foster sisters. Twins and multiple birth siblings may exceed PAN.
In plain English: Children with a medical need that makes it essential to attend Weald of Kent Grammar School specifically. Evidence must come from a Hospital Consultant (not a GP) and must explicitly name this school and explain why it is necessary. The Admissions Committee decides whether evidence is sufficient. Applications must be submitted by 31 October. A parent's medical need may also qualify if it creates a specific need for the child to attend this school.
What the document says: Children whose medical condition, or that of a parent/guardian, means they have a demonstrable and significant need to attend Weald of Kent Grammar School. Written evidence from a Hospital Consultant required by 31 October, explicitly naming the school. Assessed by the Admissions Committee.
In plain English: Children of staff who have worked at Weald of Kent for at least 2 years, or who were recruited to fill a demonstrable skill shortage. Qualifying categories are full-time teaching staff, full-time support staff (term-time or equivalent), part-time teaching staff at 50%+ of full-time, and part-time support staff at 15 or more hours per week for 37 or more weeks per year. Contract and peripatetic staff do not qualify under this criterion.
What the document says: Children of staff with 2 years' service or recruited to fill a skill shortage; full-time teaching, full-time support (37wk+), part-time teaching 50%+, part-time support 15h+/37wk+. Contract and peripatetic staff excluded.
In plain English: Girls whose home address is in the Tonbridge/Sevenoaks priority area (TN9, TN10, TN11 or TN12 postcodes, or the listed Tonbridge parishes, or any of the listed Sevenoaks district parishes — see the blue box above) compete under this criterion, ranked by straight-line distance to the school's OS reference point (TQ 59489 45217), closest first.
What the document says: Girls resident in the priority distance area (specified postcodes and parishes in Tonbridge & Malling and Sevenoaks District), ranked by straight-line NLPG distance to OS Reference TQ 59489 45217.
In plain English: Girls who live outside the criterion 6 area compete in this final pool, again ranked by straight-line distance to the school's OS reference point. Being in criterion 7 does not prevent a place — it simply means you are ranked after all criterion 6 applicants.
What the document says: Girls resident outside the criterion 6 area, ranked by straight-line NLPG distance to OS Reference TQ 59489 45217.
Straight line, not driving time.
For criteria 6 and 7, distance is measured as a single straight line between your home address point and the school's fixed OS grid reference TQ 59489 45217. Routes, bus times and travel difficulty are not considered. The same OS reference is also used for the PP pool in criterion 2.
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 live in TN11 (criterion 6) and passed the qualifying test. Girl B lives further away — so Girl A ranks higher. If two addresses tie exactly, a random draw decides.
Joining Year 12 — at least 25 external places.
Weald of Kent guarantees a minimum of 25 external places in Year 12. Applications close 15 January 2027 via the school's Applicaa system.
Average 5.5 from best 8 — with Maths and English floors.
External applicants must have taken at least 8 full-course GCSEs and achieve an average of 5.5 across their best 8. They also need a minimum of grade 5 in Maths and grade 5 in English Language or Literature. Subject-specific entry requirements apply on top of these minimums.
Apply online by 15 January 2027.
Apply online via the school's Applicaa portal (linked from the school website) by 15 January 2027. Where more applicants meet the threshold than places exist, ranking is by average GCSE grade, then by distance if equal. Check the school website for subject-specific entry requirements before applying.
See wealdofkent.org for the sixth form prospectus.
You have two routes, and you can use both.
Waiting list
Ask your council to add your daughter to the Weald of Kent waiting list after National Offer Day. The list is re-ranked each time a child joins, using the same seven criteria. Late additions can move above you if they hold a higher criterion.
Appeal
Lodge an appeal with the school within 20 school days of your refusal letter. Note: you can appeal against the refusal of a place, but not against the campus you are allocated if you were offered a place. Running an appeal does not affect your waiting-list position.