The Norton Knatchbull School
School summary
A selective boys' grammar in Ashford, The Norton Knatchbull School draws its intake from across Kent through the Kent Test consortium. With 1,289 boys against a capacity of 1,316, it is a large school operating close to full, which speaks to its popularity. Ofsted judged it Good across every category at its most recent inspection, including its sixth form. Around one in six pupils speaks English as an additional language, while the proportion on free school meals and receiving SEN support both sit below what many comparable schools report.
How hard is it to get in?
Moderate · 1 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Entry is selective, but demand for the 210 Year 7 places is more manageable than at most selective schools - a solid qualifying performance is usually what matters.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Key dates · 2028 entry
Free month · No payment needed
Latest results
Attainment 8
67.3
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
91%
National average 47%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Good
- Last inspected
- 13 December 2023
Teaching & academics
Results comfortably outpace national figures: an Attainment 8 score of 67.3 against a national average of 46.9, and 91 per cent of pupils gaining grade 5 or above in English and Maths, more than double the national 47 per cent. A pupil-to-teacher ratio of 18.3 is typical for a school of this size. Ofsted rated quality of education Good, a sound foundation beneath the strong headline grades.
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 1.4%
- EHC plans
- 0.62%
- English as additional language
- 17.8%
- Free school meals
- 8.4%
Schools nearby
Highworth Grammar School
Ashford, South East
Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys
Canterbury, South East
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School
Faversham, South East
Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School
Canterbury, South East
The Folkestone School for Girls
Folkestone, South East
The Harvey Grammar School
Folkestone, South East
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A well-subscribed Kent grammar where boys who thrive on academic challenge can expect results well above the national norm. Entry is via the Kent Test, so early 11+ preparation across all four assessed subjects matters.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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The Norton Knatchbull School 11+: frequently asked questions
Passmate rating: benchmarked against every selective school in England using official admissions data. It measures demand for places, not school quality. Updated July 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.