List of Independent Schools in Kent

There are a range of independent schools in Kent covering mixed schools, schools for boys and schools for girls.

Below you’ll find a list of those private schools that we have included which have entry into year 7 (11 Plus entry).

Kent Independent Schools accepting entry into year seven

Bethany School – Cranbrook – Kent

Bethany School is a mixed private school.

Bethany School- 337 pupils.

“Bethany is a genuine extension of the home, providing a safe, secure and welcoming environment and pupils and staff come to know each other well throughout their time together. Good principles, such as tolerance and respect for one another, and a true feeling of belonging and self worth are of the utmost importance, and they seek to develop these within each and every pupil from the moment they arrive.”

School Website: www.bethanyschool.org.uk

Exam Format – Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) and School’s own. This typically covers the following:

Verbal, Non-Verbal, Spatial and Quantitative Reasoning (CAT4)

Followed by Creative Writing (school’s own)

Gad’s Hill School – Higham – Kent

Gad’s Hill School is a mixed private school.

Gad’s Hill School- 349 pupils.

“The school is a wonderfully happy, vibrant, forward looking community. Located in the small, semi-rural village of Higham, between Rochester and Gravesend on the North Kent coast, they provide independent day school for boys and girls aged 3-16. Set in the grounds of the former Georgian home of world-renowned author Charles Dickens, overlooking the countryside and just 22 minutes by train from London, the school enjoys a superb setting for the nurturing of young minds and development and growth of our pupils.”

School Website: www.gadshill.org

Exam Format -School’s own. This will typically cover the following:

English
Maths

Kent College – Canterbury – Kent

Kent College is an all girls private school.

Kent College- 559 pupils.

“Kent College Pembury is a leading Methodist independent girls’ senior school for boarding and day pupils in rural Kent. The ethos is founded on nurturing confidence and providing an exciting range of opportunities to inspire and achieve success. Pupils achieve excellent GCSE and A-level results, enabling them to gain places at universities of their choice to fulfil their cherished ambitions.”

School Website: www.kent-college.co.uk

Exam Format – School’s own. This will typically include the following:

English
Maths
Non-Verbal Reasoning

King’s School – Rochester – Kent

King’s School is a mixed private school.

King’s School- 658 pupils.

“King’s School, Rochester, is an HMC, IAPS, CSA and ESHA Independent Day School for boys and girls from the ages of 3 to 18 with boarding for boys and girls aged 11 to 18.”

School Website: www.kings-rochester.co.uk

Exam Format – ISEB Common Pretest. This is online and covers the following:

English
Maths
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning

Sutton Valence School – Sutton Valence – Kent

Sutton Valence School is a mixed private school.

Sutton Valence School- 874 pupils.

“Set in the heart of Kent, the beautiful surroundings of Sutton Valence School have been inspiring pupils since 1576. Their greatest strength is the community. Staff, pupils and parents enjoy a mutual respect and kinship that allows each individual to embark on a unique educational journey; a journey fuelled by self-confidence, hard work and high academic standards.”

School Website: www.svs.org.uk

Exam Format – ISEB Common Pretest. This is online and will cover:

English
Maths
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning

Walthamstow Hall – Sevenoaks – Kent

Walthamstow Hall is an all girls private school

Walthamstow Hall – 400 pupils

“Our teachers are enthusiastic experts who nurture intellectual curiosity, aim their expectations high and foster a deep love of learning. Our pupils have the freedom to explore who they might become and to avoid placing invisible restrictions on what they might find enjoyably fulfilling. We encourage pupils not to fear taking the risk of a little failure but, instead, to value persevering to learn from mistakes. After all, that is how the greatest in every field got there.”

School Website: www.walthamstow-hall.co.uk

Exam Format – ISEB Common Pretest. This is an online test that covers:

English
Maths
Verbal Reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning

Preparing for entry into an Independent School

We have developed a section on how to prepare for Independent school exams and how to prepare for Independent School interviews so do please feel free to use these resources if you would like to.

If you are thinking of trying for an Independent School scholarship or bursary then please see our information page on that topic.

Equally, many independent schools publish past papers and we have past papers and sample papers which are useful for preparation in all the core areas:

Free sample 11 Plus English practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Maths practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning practice and past papers