Kingston Grammar School
Independent Co-educational Day School · Est. 1561
Kingston Grammar School is quietly exceptional. Founded in 1561, it occupies a handsome red-brick building minutes from Kingston town centre, yet produces results that sit comfortably in the national top 50. It is genuinely co-educational in a landscape dominated by single-sex schools, and it carries an easy confidence — rigorous without being punishing, traditional without being stuffy. This is the school for the child who is academically strong but also wants a full life: rowing on the Thames, performing arts, a Duke of Edinburgh Award, and 28 Olympic alumni who prove that sport here is taken very seriously indeed. There is no padding or pretension — just a school that quietly gets on with producing excellent human beings.
One of London's most genuinely co-educational independent schools, delivering top-50 national results and an Olympic-calibre sporting programme from the banks of the Thames.
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London Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT2 6PY
11+ Places
130–140
per year
Fees
£8,100
per term
Total Pupils
850
approx.
Founded
1561
years of excellence
A* Rate
35.2%
A-Level
Competition Ratio
~10:1
applicants per place
Best For
Families in SW London seeking a genuinely co-educational independent with strong academics, elite sport, and an entrance exam that tests depth over breadth — no VR or NVR required.
Watch Out For
The English paper contains both a multiple-choice AND a standard written section — most tutoring resources only cover one. The maths paper extends to Level 5 algebra beyond the standard Year 6 curriculum.
Entry Points
- 10+ (deferred entry)
- 11+ (main intake)
- 16+ (Sixth Form)
The Complete Admissions Timeline
Every key date, deadline and decision point — with insider intelligence you won't find on the school website. Click any item to reveal verified insider knowledge.
The critical window: The KGS exams are in early November — the earliest of all major independents in the area. Preparation needs to be complete by late October.
Open Events
Essential for viewing the campus and exploring the school's unique atmosphere. Book early — they fill up fast.
Registration Deadline
Online application form and £135 registration fee must be submitted. FSM families can claim a refund.
Entrance Exams
All candidates sit Mathematics and English written papers at the KGS campus. No VR or NVR tested.
Interview Shortlist Decisions
Parents receive email notification about whether their child has been shortlisted for interview.
Interviews
Shortlisted candidates attend a one-to-one interview on-site. Designed as a casual conversation, not a formal test.
Offer Letters
Offers are emailed to parents. Reserve list places have active movement until March.
Acceptance Deadline
Accepted families must formally confirm their place by the deadline.
Key Dates At-a-Glance — 2026/2027 Entry
Registration closes
Late October Year 6
Entrance Exams
Early November Year 6
Shortlist notified
Late November Year 6
Interviews
January Year 7 entry year
Offer letters
February
Acceptance deadline
Early March
Inside the KGS 11+ Papers
KGS sets its own Maths and English papers — no VR or NVR is tested. The Maths paper extends to Level 5 algebra beyond Year 6 curriculum, and the English paper uniquely combines multiple-choice and standard written sections. Most generic tutoring preparation misses both of these.
Mathematics
50 mins · Non-calculator, standard format
The last two questions are intentionally the hardest and most candidates will not finish them. The optimal strategy is to complete everything up to Q19 correctly and not sacrifice earlier marks by spending too long on the final questions.
English
50 mins · DUAL: Multiple Choice + Standard Format
Time management is the biggest risk in the English paper. The combined MC and writing sections run to 50 minutes and many children underestimate how much time the writing task will demand. Allocate exactly 25–30 minutes for the writing section and stick to it.
Topic Difficulty & Weight
Difficulty (%) and exam weight by topic area
Key takeaway: Premium
Topic Breakdown
Known Exam Traps — Mathematics
The pattern: The last two questions are intentionally the hardest and most candidates will not finish them. The optimal strategy is to complete everything up to Q19 correctly and not sacrifice earlier marks by spending too long on the final questions.
If you can only improve in one area, make it
Level 5 Algebra
What this means in practice:
Dedicate 60%+ of prep time to this area
Practice under timed conditions regularly
Review mistakes immediately after each session
Track progress weekly to spot patterns
All focus areas ranked by impact:
#1
Level 5 Algebra
Mathematics
#2
Dual Format (MC + Written)
English
Format
Non-calculator, standard written format
Duration
50 minutes
Answer Method
Written answers, must show working
Curriculum baseline: Aligned with KS2 National Curriculum but extends into Level 5 territory, particularly algebra.
Academic Performance vs National Average
KGS consistently outperforms national averages across both GCSE and A-Level examinations. These animated comparisons show where the school excels and how this translates to university placement opportunities.
A-Level Results Comparison
Camp Hill Girls vs. National Average — Higher percentages indicate stronger performance
What this means: Camp Hill Girls consistently exceeds national averages across all A-Level performance bands. With 65% A*/A compared to the national 38%, girls achieve top-tier results that support progression to leading universities, including Oxbridge, Russell Group institutions, and specialist programs in Medicine, Law, and STEM.
GCSE Grade Distribution Comparison
Cumulative percentage achieving each grade threshold — Camp Hill Girls vs. National Average
Grade Distribution Insight: Over 90% of Camp Hill Girls achieve grades 9-7 at GCSE, compared to 31% nationally. This exceptional spread demonstrates consistent high achievement across the cohort, with girls well-prepared for rigorous A-Level study.
Grade 9-8
52%
vs 18% national
Grade 9-7
90%
vs 31% national
Grade 9-6
98%
vs 64% national
Grade 9-5
99.5%
vs 82% national
University Placement Implications
- •
Oxbridge Eligibility
Strong A-Level performance (65% A*/A) makes girls competitive for Oxford and Cambridge, particularly in STEM and humanities.
- •
Russell Group Admission
90% GCSE 9-7 achievement provides strong foundation for Russell Group universities including Imperial, UCL, Durham, and Warwick.
- •
Competitive Edge
Results place girls in top 5% of UK cohort, giving advantage in Medicine, Law, and competitive STEM programs.
Supporting Strong Achievement
- •
No Pressure-Cooker Culture
Excellence achieved through supportive teaching, strong pastoral care, and girls' intrinsic motivation rather than relentless pressure.
- •
Well-Rounded Development
Balanced commitment to academics, co-curricular activities (sports, music, drama), and character formation.
- •
Resilience & Confidence
Girls develop confidence to tackle challenging subjects and university applications without anxiety-driven perfectionism.
GCSE Excellence
90%
Grade 9-7 achievement (vs 31% national)
A-Level Top Grades
65%
A*/A grades (vs 38% national)
Top Achievers
42%
A* grades at A-Level
University Ready
99.5%
Grade 5+ across GCSE
The KGS Interview
Getting to interview means your child has already cleared the academic bar. The interview is a pure personality and fit check — not an academic test. KGS explicitly discourages coaching and interviewers are trained to spot scripted answers.
Contact Admissions
Kingston Grammar School Admissions Team
Insider Intel: What Other Parents Don't Know
These are the verified insights you will not find on the school website, in Good Schools Guide, or from any single tutoring agency. Each insight is compiled and cross-referenced from 90+ sources including official documents, parent reports, and tutoring industry data.This is the intelligence that gives ClassAce families an edge.
8 verified insider tips locked
Including 4 high-severity warnings other parents miss. Subscribe to read every tip in full.
- Timing windows other applicants don't know about
- Exam-day patterns and trap questions verified across 90+ sources
- Interview cues that decide marginal offers
Premium unlocks 2 schools, Elite unlocks 5.
Common Mistakes Parents Make
The errors we see most often from families preparing for Kingston Grammar School. Avoid these and you're already ahead of the majority of applicants.
6 costly mistakes — and the fix for each
Most parents make at least three of these without realising. Subscribe to read every mistake and the corrective action.
- What to stop doing in the final 6 weeks
- The myth about practice papers that hurts most candidates
- Interview-day briefings that backfire
Premium unlocks 2 schools, Elite unlocks 5.
KGS vs Competitor Schools
How does Kingston Grammar School compare to the schools your child is most likely also applying to? This analysis covers the key factors that actually matter to families.
Important context: Your child is not competing against other KGS applicants in isolation. Many candidates are simultaneously applying to 3–5 schools on this list. Understanding the overlap helps you plan preparation that covers multiple targets efficiently.
| Factor | FeaturedKingston Grammar | Tiffin Boys | Hampton School | Surbiton High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | Independent | Grammar (Free) | Independent | Independent |
| Co-educational | Girls only | |||
| VR in Exam | ||||
| Annual Fee | £28,620 | Free | £28,000+ | £22,000+ |
| 11+ Difficulty | Moderate | Very Hard | Similar | Moderate |
| Interview Style | Friendly 1-on-1 | Formal | Formal | Yes |
Why Parents Choose KGS
- Co-ed in SW LondonRare at this academic level — biggest differentiator vs single-sex competitors
- Geographic convenienceShort walk from Kingston station, coach service available
- Exceptional facilities22-acre Ditton Field, boat house on Thames — rare for an urban school
- Olympic sporting heritage28 Olympic alumni — rowing and hockey at elite club level
- Balanced environmentLess 'hot-housed' feel than some comparable London schools
Points to Consider
- Off-site sports fieldsDitton Field is 1.5 miles away — sports day transport is a commitment
- Annual fee£28,620/year vs free Tiffin Grammar — a significant financial consideration
- No on-site swimming poolConfirmed in recent parent forum discussions (2025)
- Weekend sports commitmentSaturday rowing regattas and hockey fixtures are a genuine family expectation
- No published pass markMakes preparation benchmarking harder — this is where ClassAce helps
Scholarships & Financial Support
KGS offers multiple scholarship routes. Critically, scholarships and bursaries can be combined — a fact most families are unaware of.
| Scholarship Type | Value | Available Places | Selection Method | Stackable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Scholarship (11+) | 10% of fees | Up to 20 | Premium | Yes |
| Hans Woyda Memorial (Maths) | 10% of fees | 1 per year | Premium | Yes |
| Art Scholarship | 10% of fees | Limited | Premium | Yes |
| Music Scholarship | 10% of fees | Limited | Premium | Yes |
| Sport Scholarship | 10% of fees | Limited | Premium | Yes |
| Means-Tested Bursary | Up to 100% of fees | Varies | Premium | Yes |
* Scholarship values are indicative based on verified forum data. The Means-Tested Bursary requires a financial assessment including a home visit. Contact the bursar directly for current figures.
The Preparation Roadmap
Everything here is built around Kingston Grammar School's specific exam format, interview style, and selection criteria. This is not generic 11+ advice. Every recommendation is calibrated to this school.
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Verified exam preparation
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Parent community
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Everything included in ClassAce
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- Interview preparation guides
- Real-time admissions calendar with reminders
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- Peer comparison data from ClassAce families
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Intelligence Score
Updated April 2026 · 90 sources