It might be difficult to find your way around the 11 Plus the first time as a parent. How do you aid your kid in getting ready for Skinners 11 Plus Exam? What kind of exam structure is it? What stores sell test papers? We’ve provided parents with a “Skinners 11 Plus Tips” in this article that seeks to address all of your concerns.

The Skinners’ School

School introduction

The Skinners’ School is a grammar school for boys in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. It has around 1100 students aged 11 to 18.

The Skinners’ School has academy status, meaning it has more control over its curriculum than most schools. It specialises in science, computer science and mathematics. Its facilities include purpose-built design and technology facilities and a new sixth form centre and library opened in 2020. The library hosts book clubs and other events.

The school is named after the London livery company that founded it in 1887. It maintains a range of traditions from the time of the founding, including strong ties to the Skinners’ Company and a school song from the late 19th century. The school was a fee-paying grammar school until 1948, when it became free to attend.

The Skinners’ School has large playing fields across the road from the school. They contain five rugby pitches and three cricket squares. The school also has a recently opened sports hall. The sports scene is active, with the rugby team touring internationally. There is a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities; in addition to sports teams, the school is home to two orchestras and a number of choirs and bands. Other popular pursuits include a maths club.

Skinner’s School performance

At GCSE level, 60% of grades achieved at The Skinners’ School were 9-7 in 2019, with 17% at the maximum 9.

In 2019, the school’s Progress 8 score was 0.62, meaning that pupils achieve, on average, almost two thirds of a grade higher per subject in their GCSE examinations than other pupils with the same prior attainment.

At A-level in 2019, almost 80% of grades were A* to B, while half of all students achieved AAB or higher.

The Skinners’ School has an Outstanding Ofsted rating.

Skinners 11 Plus Admissions information

The Skinners’ School will admit 160 students to Year 7 in 2024. To be admitted, boys must pass the Kent 11+ Exam set by Kent County Council and used by grammar schools across the county.

Of those who pass the 11+ exam, places are first given to applicants who are looked after or in care, followed by applicants from the school’s catchment area, known as the West Kent Area. The full definition of this area can be found in the school’s admissions policy. A map is also available as part of the policy. Up to 140 places are allocated to pupils from the catchment area, meaning that there are at most 20 places for applicants from elsewhere. Within these categories, priority is given to students with siblings at the school, and those living closer to it, as long as they score over 360 points in the 11+ Exam. After this, the remaining places in each category are given to pupils who scored below 360 but did pass the exam.

It is also possible to join The Skinners’ School for Sixth Form. There are at least 15 places available for external candidates each year, though this number may be exceeded if all internal students do not continue to the Sixth Form. Applicants are admitted based on their GCSE results; more information about the entry requirements can be found on the school website.

Skinners 11 Plus Admissions timeline

Skinners 11 Plus Examination

The Skinners’ School uses the Kent Procedure for Entry to Secondary Education (PESE) 11+ Test, administered by Kent County Council.

This test consists of two papers: the first tests English and maths, and the second tests reasoning. Each paper takes one hour. The English section involves comprehension questions as well as questions that test literacy skills. The reasoning paper involves a non-verbal reasoning section and a verbal reasoning section of roughly the same length. In addition to these two papers there is also a 40-minute writing exercise which isn’t marked but may be used in the headteacher assessment stage of the process.

Parents must register for the test on the website of Kent county council in the summer before entry, and the test is usually taken in September.

Sample test papers

Kent County Council have produced a familiarisation paper that introduces the test and the correct way to answer the multiple choice questions. It also contains example questions.

The Kent Test uses the GL Assessment 11+ exam. You can find sample test papers and familiarisation materials for the GL Assessment here.

Think Academy UK has compiled a guide to the GL Assessment, which includes a great range of free resources and sample test papers.

Additional information

• Location: The Skinners’ School is located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, on the western edge of Kent. The school is in the northern part of the town, in a leafy, suburban environment. The school playing fields are a short distance away.
• House system: The Skinners’ School does not offer boarding, but it operates a system of five houses. All pupils are assigned to a house when they join the school, and represent their houses in sport and other competitions.

FAQ 

Does the school have a catchment area?

Yes. Most students are admitted from an area of west Kent known as the West Kent Area. Up to 20 students are also admitted from outside this area each year. The full definition of this area can be found in the school’s admissions policy. A map is also available as part of the policy.

Share your experiences!

Visit our dedicated forum thread if you would like to learn more about The Skinners’ School.

Has your child attended The Skinners’ School, or are you in the process of applying? Share your experience on our forum!

You can also access further 11 plus exam resources below:

11 Plus Mock Exam 

A Guide to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests

11 plus Exam: Parental Guide For Grammar School Entry

11+ Maths Exam: Helping Your Child to Prepare and Pass in 2022

Meet the 11+ Online Tutors Delivering Results

When Should you Start to Prepare Your Child for the 11 Plus Exam