Kendrick admits girls through the 11+ Secondary Transfer Test, with further stages for candidates who qualify. The process runs from registration in the summer before Year 6 through the autumn test to offers in March. Selection is by rank order, so the qualifying score changes each year. Both the school registration and your local authority application are required.

For context: 83.6% of families in England were offered their first-preference secondary school for September 2026 entry, and 92.4% their first-preference primary. — DfE, School applications and offers, 2026

Kendrick Grammar School, located in Reading, Berkshire, is a prestigious institution known for its rigorous academic standards and selective admission process. This blog post aims to demystify the admissions process for prospective students and their families, focusing on the crucial 11+ Secondary Transfer Test (STT).

What Is Kendrick Grammar School?

What is the admission process?

Kendrick Grammar School is a highly selective girls' grammar school that requires potential students to undergo a comprehensive evaluation process. Admission is competitive, focusing on academic excellence and other key factors.

What are selection criteria?

The school assesses various aspects of a candidate's profile:

- Academic abilities in core subjects

- Primary school performance

- Attendance records

What are detailed admission steps?

What is registration?

Prospective students must register for the 11+ STT during May of Year 5. It is the first critical step in the admission process.

What is examination?

The 11+ STT, held in September of Year 6, evaluates:

- Maths: Problem-solving and numerical understanding

- English: Comprehension and language skills

- Verbal Reasoning: Logical thinking and pattern recognition

- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Spatial awareness and visual problem-solving

What is the interview?

Successful candidates are invited for an interview to further assess their suitability for the school's environment and academic rigor.

What is final selection?

Admission decisions are based on:

- 11+ STT scores

- Primary school report

- Interview performance

- Attendance record

What is additional information?

Kendrick Grammar School hosts open days and other events to provide insights into the school's offerings and culture, helping families make informed decisions.

What should you do next?

Securing a place at Kendrick Grammar School is a competitive process that demands high performance and well-rounded capabilities. By understanding and preparing for each step of the admission process, candidates can improve their chances of success.

What else is worth reading?

What can this guide not tell you about a particular school?

There is no national 11+ exam. Each school or local authority sets its own test, dates and admissions criteria, and republishes them every year, so the detail here can go out of date within a cycle. Confirm against the school’s own admissions policy and gov.uk school admissions before you rely on any date.

Every school publishes its own rule, and the national position is short:

“All schools have admission criteria to decide which children get places.” — gov.uk, School admissions

Where can you check this at source?

University application rules, deadlines and Clearing dates are set by UCAS and change each cycle. Always confirm against UCAS directly and the course page itself: