If your child is hoping to join Kingston Grammar School in Year 7, the 11+ process is actually more straightforward than many private-school entrance exams. There are two written papers, English and Mathematics, followed by an interview for selected candidates.
The difficulty for parents is knowing what to practise and how much preparation is really necessary. Here are 17 things worth knowing about the Kingston Grammar School 11+ for September 2027 entry.
1. Kingston Grammar School is selective
Kingston Grammar School, usually known as KGS, is a co-educational independent day school in Kingston upon Thames.
Year 7 is one of its main entry points and places are awarded through a competitive admissions process involving the entrance examination, school information and, for shortlisted pupils, an interview.
2. Around 800 to 900 children apply
KGS says it normally receives approximately 800 to 900 applications for around 150 Year 7 places.
That means there are roughly five or six applicants for each place. It is competitive, although those figures should not tempt parents into excessive preparation.
3. Registration closes on 5 October 2026
For children hoping to start Year 7 in September 2027, the current registration deadline is 5 October 2026.
Your child should be in Year 6 when sitting the examination.
4. The exam is in November
KGS states that its 2027-entry examination takes place in November 2026.
The school’s published calendar currently marks Friday 6 November 2026 as its 11+ examination day.
5. There are just two written papers
Forget verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning for the current KGS 11+.
The entrance assessment consists of:
English: 50 minutes
Mathematics: 50 minutes
There is a break between the two papers when children can have a drink, snack and toilet break.
6. The English paper starts with a passage
This is one of the most useful details for parents to know.
The KGS admissions policy explains that the English examination is built around a passage. Children have to read carefully and then demonstrate that they understand both the straightforward meaning and some of the ideas beneath the surface.
7. Part of the English paper is multiple choice
The first section contains multiple-choice questions about the passage.
So preparation should include reading unfamiliar fiction and answering questions accurately rather than simply writing long comprehension answers.
Children need to get used to going back to the text rather than guessing from memory.
8. Children also need to analyse quotations
The next part requires children to work with quotations from the passage and think about what they show.
This is a skill parents can practise quite naturally.
After your child reads something, ask questions such as:
“What does this sentence tell us about the character?”
“Which words make you think that?”
“What is the writer suggesting here?”
That is much closer to the skills KGS describes than simply completing endless spelling worksheets.
9. There is creative writing too
The final English section involves a short composition.
KGS says this is likely to be a narrative task linked to the original passage, perhaps continuing the story or using it as inspiration for a new piece.
Children therefore need to be able to produce a clear, imaginative piece of writing within limited time.
10. Accuracy still matters
Creative does not mean careless.
KGS specifically looks at spelling, grammar, punctuation, understanding of the text and the ability to communicate ideas effectively.
A simple, well-written story is likely to be more convincing than a complicated story filled with memorised vocabulary that the child cannot use naturally.
11. Reading is probably the best English preparation
Encourage your child to read regularly and vary what they read.
Afterwards, talk about it.
What happened?
Why did a character behave that way?
What do you think will happen next?
Which phrase gives you that impression?
What does an unfamiliar word probably mean?
Ten minutes of good conversation about a book can develop many of the skills KGS is actually testing.
12. The maths paper is broader than arithmetic
The KGS admissions policy lists areas including number, shape, space, measures and handling data.
Examples given by the school include calculations using whole numbers, decimals and simple fractions, together with money, time, length, area, volume, speed and mass. Children may also need to interpret statistical information.
13. Calculators are not allowed
KGS explicitly states that calculators cannot be used.
Mental arithmetic and written methods therefore matter.
Children should be fluent with the four operations and comfortable working accurately without reaching for a calculator.
14. Do not rush into very advanced maths
The school says its assessments are broadly aligned with age-appropriate National Curriculum knowledge and does not recommend tutoring specifically for the entrance examination.
For most children, a better preparation strategy is to make the fundamentals extremely secure.
Concentrate on arithmetic, fractions, decimals, measures, shapes, tables, interpreting information and multi-step problems before hunting for unusually difficult 11+ questions.
15. Registered applicants receive sample papers
This should be one of the most important parts of your preparation.
KGS says that sample papers are emailed once a child is fully registered for the examination.
Use these before spending large amounts of money on generic 11+ resources. They give you a much better idea of what KGS itself expects.
A good approach is to try a sample paper without pressure first, identify the areas that caused difficulty and then practise those particular skills.
16. Successful candidates are invited for interview
Children who demonstrate potential in the written examinations are invited back for an interview in January 2027.
KGS describes this as a casual conversation exploring the child’s interests and hobbies and says that it strongly discourages interview coaching because it wants to see the candidate’s authentic personality.
Instead of rehearsing perfect answers, encourage your child to be comfortable talking about things they genuinely enjoy: books, sport, music, hobbies, school subjects or something interesting they have recently learned.
17. The exam is only one part of the picture
KGS also contacts the child’s current Headteacher for a confidential reference and asks parents to upload their child’s latest school report. Final decisions consider examination performance, interview and school references.
That is worth remembering.
Preparing well for the examination makes sense. Turning Year 6 into one long entrance-exam course probably does not.
So how should you prepare for the Kingston Grammar 11+?
Keep it simple.
English: regular reading, comprehension, discussing quotations, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation, plus a short piece of creative writing each week.
Maths: secure arithmetic first, followed by fractions, decimals, money, time, measures, area, volume, data and mixed problem solving.
Timing: once your child understands the work, introduce occasional timed 50-minute practice.
KGS sample papers: use these to identify weaknesses rather than repeatedly testing your child.
Interview: talk naturally at home about books, interests, school and hobbies rather than learning prepared answers.
For most families, steady preparation over several months should be far more useful than suddenly completing multiple papers every weekend.
What about SEND and extra time?
Tell KGS when you register if your child may require extra time or the use of a laptop.
The school requires supporting evidence from an appropriate professional and says this documentation must be received by the registration deadline. Its Head of Learning Support then decides what concessions can be offered.
Do not leave this until close to the examination.
What does it cost to apply?
The current registration fee is £185 including VAT and is non-refundable. KGS says this fee can be waived for children who receive free school meals.
For the 2026 to 2027 academic year, published school fees are £9,750 per term, or £29,250 per year, including VAT. The acceptance deposit is £2,000.
KGS also offers means-tested fee assistance, potentially covering up to 100% of fees depending on family circumstances. Parents interested in assistance need to apply as part of the admissions process; late applications are not considered.
Key Kingston Grammar 11+ dates for 2027 entry
Registration deadline: 5 October 2026
11+ examination: November 2026, with 6 November currently marked as the school’s 11+ examination day
Interviews: January 2027
Offers: February 2027
Acceptance deadline: first week of March 2027
Final advice for parents
Kingston Grammar’s entrance process is competitive, but the preparation does not need to be mysterious.
The school is telling parents quite clearly what it wants: strong age-appropriate English and maths, careful reading, good written communication, secure numerical skills and children who can think for themselves.
Start with those basics. Register on time. Study the KGS sample papers when they arrive. Practise working within 50 minutes.
Then keep the whole thing in proportion.
The aim is not simply to produce a child who can pass an entrance examination. It is to find out whether Kingston Grammar is the right school for them.
Sources
Research for this article included Kingston Grammar School’s current 11+ admissions information, Admissions Policy, FAQs, fees and fee-assistance information, registration information, term dates, 10+ admissions information and wider school information. The most important source for examination format is KGS’s own current admissions guidance and Admissions Policy.
Admissions dates and procedures can change, so parents should check the Kingston Grammar School website for the year in which their child is applying.