Benefactorum Recordatio Jucundissima Est

Things done well make the best memories

Sir Norton Knatchbull - 1637

In Year Admissions

In Year (Casual) Admissions – Entrance Exam

If you wish your child to join the school outside of the usual Kent Test arrangements, you can contact the school's Admissions Officer, Mrs. E. Seccombe, at eseccombe@nks.kent.sch.uk to arrange to have your child tested. The test we use is a Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT). Further information on this test can be found by visiting www.glassessment.co.uk and clicking on the new CAT4 graphic. This page explains how the CAT is used to assess ability but is for information only – parents cannot buy CAT practice papers. However, the test is very similar in format to the 11+ Exam and the multiple choice practice papers for this test are the nearest thing you can buy for your child to practice on at home. There is a link on the GL Assessment website to buy 11+ multiple choice papers on-line, or you can purchase them from most large bookshops. Although the age range for the 11+ is 9 to 11 years, the format can be practised by all age groups as preparation for the CAT.

We usually test once a month throughout the academic year, as close as possible to the date at which you wish your child to join the school, and the testing opportunities on the calendar are as follows:

  • Tuesday 12 September 2023
  • Tuesday 3 October 2023
  • Tuesday 14 November 2023
  • Friday 1 December 2023
  • Tuesday 9 January 2024
  • Tuesday 6 February 2024
  • Tuesday 19 March 2024
  • Friday 19 April 2024
  • Wednesday 8 May 2024
  • Friday 28 June 2024
  • Tuesday 9 July 2024

You can only have your child tested for casual admission to the school once per academic year, and the test will only be valid for the academic year for which your child was tested.

If your child takes and passes the test, will he be offered a place at NKS?

The offer of a place following a successful result in the test will depend upon a place being available in the appropriate year group. Should the PAN in the relevant year group be reached or exceeded, we will not be able to offer a place, although we will put your child on our waiting list if you wish.

You do also have the right to appeal on your child’s behalf to an Independent Appeals Panel. If you have applied for a place at the school and your child has been tested here, you have the right to appeal if your application is turned down, regardless of whether your child has been assessed as selective or not. Unsuccessful applicants may appeal against the decision by writing to PA to the Headteacher, stating clearly the reasons why they feel they should be admitted to the school.  If your appeal is unsuccessful your child cannot test or appeal again for the same academic year.

Contact details: