Questions About Admissions

1. Is there a catchment area?

There are two areas from which pupils at Skinners’ now come from: A West Kent Area from which we fill 140 places and an Outer Area from which we fill 20 places.

2. What score will be needed to get in?

We have set a qualifying score of 40 points higher than the Kent Test threshold score (KCC threshold score varies each year) As an example, if the Kent Test threshold was 332, Skinners’ minimum entry requirement would be 372. If we do not fill our ‘quota’ from each area, the qualifying score for 2025 to fill the remaining places will be a grammar school assessment.

3. Apart from the qualifying score how will you allocate places?

After allocating places to Looked After Children and up to 16 children in receipt of the Pupil Premium, children with the qualifying score will get into the school in the following order:

• If they are siblings of current pupils, or sons of members of staff

• By virtue of living closest to the school

• These criteria apply to both areas

• West Kent Area Governors’ Places

Up to 14 Governors’ Places will be offered to children living in the West Kent area who would not otherwise be offered a place, who scored highest in the PESE (11+) Kent test, places determined by combined rank order.

4. How many places are available in Year 7?

The school will admit 160 boys into Year 7 divided into five forms.

5. How many pupils apply to Skinners’?

For 2025 admissions, applicants are entitled to name up to four schools on the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) There were 757 grammar school assessed SCAF applications to Skinners’ for 2024 Year 7 entry, 237 of them put Skinners’ as first choice.

6. Are the PESE test scores weighted for age?

Yes. Youngsters born at the end of the academic year receive a weighting (the weighting is done by NFER to compensate for immaturity).

7. Is there a 13+ entry at Skinners’?

No, there are no reserved places for 13+ entry (Year 9).

8. Are there any places available in the Sixth Form for external candidates?

There is a 95%+ stay on rate between Year 11 and Year 12 and therefore we only offer a small number of places for Year 12 entry. Approximately 20 join the school for the Sixth Form. The Admissions Policy for September 2025 requires a total of 50 GCSE points over a pupil’s best eight subjects (with the GCSE grade 9-1 counting as the number). Places are dependent upon subject and timetable constraints.

9. Are there any plans to add girls into the Sixth Form?

Our plan is to offer external places to girls from 2026 onwards, subject to completing public consultation.

10. Can a parent appeal?

All parents have the statutory right to appeal against any decision refusing them a school place, regardless of where they ranked the school on a SCAF. Of 65 appeals heard by an independent appeals panel, four were upheld for 2024 Year 7 entry.

11. Do first preferences come first?

If applicants qualify for a place at two or more schools they will only be offered one place – the school they ranked highest on the SCAF (Secondary Common Application Form). It is vital therefore to put Skinners’ first if you want to come here. If you do not get into your first choice school, KCC will place you in the school that you qualify for next.

12. Have Skinners’ new admissions arrangements changed things?

The change to our arrangements in 2023 has made Skinners’ more accessible for children living in West Kent. The previous 360 threshold resulted in the West Kent area catchment shrinking significantly to 3 miles for 2022. By raising the threshold score and adding Governors’ places, we have expanded our furthest distance offered to 9.865 miles for 2024 admission. The furthest distance offered in the Outer Area for 2024 is 15.669 miles. We have traditionally taken about 20 pupils from Sussex each year (Skinners’ is under three miles from the Sussex border)

13. If my son is grammar school assessed but is not offered a place at Skinners’, what should I do?

KCC will operate a waiting list for pupils who are not offered places in the first round of allocations. Parents who wish to have their son considered by the School in the reallocation process must inform KCC by completing the online form received with their offer letter and returning it to Sessions House in Maidstone in March 2025. Prospective candidates on the waiting list will be ranked according to the school's oversubscription criteria. Parents of eligible pupils who are denied a place have a right of appeal. After the reallocation process is completed, the ownership of waiting lists will return to schools in April 2025 and should vacancies arise, schools will offer places to children on their waiting lists. Pupils will be offered places according to the School’s over-subscription criteria.

14. Do you have any plans to set your own test rather than using the KCC Test?

No. We plan to continue with the present testing arrangements.