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Schools in Cranbrook.

15 schools in Cranbrook, Kent. 2 rated Outstanding by Ofsted. See them on the map, or open any school for admissions, results and contact details.

15 Total
11 Primary
3 Secondary
1 Grammar
5 Independent

About schools in Cranbrook

Cranbrook has 15 schools listed on Schools in Kent, across every stage of a child's education, from nursery and reception through to sixth form. Families here can choose between 11 primary schools, 3 secondary schools, 1 grammar school and 5 independent schools, giving parents genuine flexibility whether they are moving to the area or simply weighing up next steps. Many schools in Cranbrook publish SEND information. Support varies by school, so check each school's SEND section and speak to the SENCO about your child's needs. Ofsted currently rates 73% of inspected schools in Cranbrook as Good or Outstanding, including 2 judged Outstanding.

Local highlights include Goudhurst and Kilndown CofE Primary School and Sissinghurst CofE Primary School. You will also find 3 schools with a sixth form, 6 with boarding places and Kent Test grammar options within Cranbrook, which is useful if you are planning for the longer term. Use the interactive map to see catchment areas at a glance, filter by phase, or open any school for admissions, results, term dates, contact details and the latest Ofsted or ISI report. Every entry is independent and free to browse.

What parents should know about Cranbrook

Cranbrook is a small Wealden town with an outsized reputation for schooling, and it is the only place in Kent with a state school taking pupils at Year 9 rather than Year 7. That single fact reshapes admissions planning for families across the whole Weald.

The surrounding villages, Sissinghurst, Benenden, Goudhurst, Hawkhurst and Staplehurst among them, are served by small rural primaries. Distances are longer here than the school count suggests, and rural bus provision is a real planning constraint.

Primary schools (11)

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Secondary schools (3)

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Grammar schools (1)

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Independent schools (5)

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Schools by village near Cranbrook

Villages and neighbourhoods in the Cranbrook area, with every school we list in each one.

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Parent FAQs

How many schools are there in Cranbrook?

There are 15 schools in Cranbrook covering 11 primary, 3 secondary, 1 grammar and 5 independent.

Which are the best-rated schools in Cranbrook?

Ofsted has judged 2 schools in Cranbrook as Outstanding: Goudhurst and Kilndown CofE Primary School and Sissinghurst CofE Primary School. Around 73% of inspected schools are rated Good or Outstanding overall.

Are there grammar schools in Cranbrook?

Yes — Cranbrook has 1 selective grammar school (Cranbrook School). Entry is via the Kent Test, usually taken in Year 6.

How do school catchment areas work in Cranbrook?

Kent County Council does not use strict catchment areas for most community schools. Distance from home to the school is one of several oversubscription criteria, alongside siblings, looked-after status and, for faith schools, religious criteria. Always check each school's individual admissions policy.

Can I compare schools in Cranbrook side by side?

Yes. Tap "Add to compare" on any school card to line up Ofsted ratings, results, pupil numbers, admissions and facilities on our compare page.

Which Kent school takes pupils at Year 9?

Cranbrook School is the only school in Kent with Year 9 entry. That means the application timetable and testing arrangements for it differ from the standard Year 7 secondary round, so check Kent County Council's published arrangements specifically for Year 9 entry.

What are the primary options around Cranbrook?

The area is served by small village primaries as well as schools in the town itself. Because rural schools are small, a single year group can fill quickly, so it is worth contacting the school directly about likely availability as well as reading the published criteria.