Cranbrook School
Waterloo Road, Cranbrook, TN17 3JD
Pupils
918
Ages
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
918
Headteacher
Mr David Clark
Type
Grammar
Ofsted
Good
Faith
Christian
Local authority
Kent
Academy
Yes
Sixth form
Yes
Boarding
Yes
About Cranbrook School
Cranbrook School is a mixed grammar school based in Cranbrook for children aged 11 to 18. It has roughly 918 pupils on roll. On our figures that is above the typical size for a grammar school in Cranbrook. The school has a Christian character. It is an academy, so its governing trust sets its own admission arrangements within the national code, and Kent coordinates offers. The school has its own sixth form for post-16 study. Boarding places are offered alongside day places. The headteacher is Mr David Clark.
Inspection at a glance
Ofsted rated Cranbrook School Good at its inspection on 22 March 2022. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
At A level the published average grade is B (2024/25). Attendance works out at roughly 95.0% (absence 5.0%) (2024/25). Around 4.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Figures come from the Department for Education's published school performance data and are shown in full further down this page.
Getting a place at Cranbrook School
Cranbrook School is selective, so a place depends on the Kent Test as well as the usual application. You register for the Kent Test in the summer before Year 6 and then name the school on the common application form by 31 October. Always check the current admissions policy on the school's own website before you apply, because criteria can change year to year.
SEND at a glance
Cranbrook School is a mainstream school, supporting pupils with SEND alongside their classmates through the graduated approach of assess, plan, do, review. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
Cranbrook School contact details and location
Cranbrook School is at Waterloo Road, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 3JD. The school office can be reached on 01580 711 800. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Last inspection: 22/03/2022
Quality of Education
How well pupils are taught and what they learn
Behaviour and Attitudes
How pupils behave and their attitude to learning
Personal Development
Support for pupils' wider growth and wellbeing
Leadership and Management
How well the school is run
Sixth Form
Quality of post-16 education
Cranbrook School admissions and catchment area
This is a Kent grammar school
To be considered for a place at Cranbrook School, your child needs to sit the Kent Test in September of Year 6. Places are offered on academic ability, with distance and siblings used as tie-breakers. As a Christian school, faith-based criteria may apply in oversubscription - a supplementary information form is usually required. Boarding places have a separate application and interview process - start early.
Official links
Dates and criteria change each year - always confirm with the school and Kent County Council. KCC school admissions →
How to apply
1. Register for the Kent Test
Register with Kent County Council in Year 5. For the September 2026 test (September 2027 entry) registration opened on Monday 1 June 2026 and closed on Wednesday 1 July 2026. Registration is free and done online through KCC.
2. Sit the test (September, Year 6)
Two multiple-choice papers - English & maths, plus reasoning - and an unmarked writing exercise. Pupils at a Kent primary school sit it on Thursday 10 September 2026; everyone else sits it at a Kent test centre on the weekend of 12 and 13 September 2026.
3. Get the result (October)
Results day is Thursday 15 October 2026, before the 31 October secondary application deadline.
4. Apply through KCC (by 31 October)
List Cranbrook School on your KCC Secondary Common Application Form. You can list up to 4 schools in preference order.
5. National Offer Day (1 March)
You'll be told your allocated school by email. If 1 March falls on a weekend or bank holiday, offers go out the next working day - for 2026 entry KCC emailed offers on Monday 2 March 2026. Appeals open shortly after.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If Cranbrook School is not offered on National Offer Day, you can appeal the decision. For 2026 entry, secondary appeals had to be lodged by Monday 30 March 2026 and were heard by Wednesday 17 June 2026. The appeal is heard by an independent panel and is free to submit.
How to appeal a school offerCranbrook School results and attendance
KS2 results
N/A
A-Level results
Average grade · 2024/25
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Cranbrook School
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Cranbrook School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
Cranbrook School term dates: Kent standard term dates for 2026/27
These are Kent County Council's standard term dates. Your school may use different dates and INSET days, so check the school's website before making plans.
Autumn 1 · 2026
1 Sep-23 Oct
Autumn 2 · 2026
2 Nov-18 Dec
Spring 1 · 2027
4 Jan-12 Feb
Spring 2 · 2027
22 Feb-25 Mar
Summer 1 · 2027
12 Apr-28 May
Summer 2 · 2027
7 Jun-21 Jul
Cranbrook School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Cranbrook School?
Register your child for the Kent Test in the summer before Year 6, then name Cranbrook School on the secondary common application form by 31 October. Offers are made on National Offer Day in March.
What is Cranbrook School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated Cranbrook School Good at its inspection on 22 March 2022. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does Cranbrook School offer?
Cranbrook School is recorded as a mainstream school. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are Cranbrook School's term dates and INSET days?
Cranbrook School follows the standard Kent pattern for 2026/27, set out term by term on this page. INSET days are set by the school itself, so confirm them on the school's own calendar.
Where is Cranbrook School and how do I contact the school?
Cranbrook School is at Waterloo Road, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 3JD. The office number is 01580 711 800. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is Cranbrook School and what ages does it take?
Cranbrook School has around 918 pupils on roll and covers ages 11 to 18. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
About this information. Compiled from published sources including the Department for Education, Ofsted and the school's own website. Last reviewed Summer 2026.
Report an update →Do you run a business for families in Cranbrook?
Local businesses, tutors, clubs and nurseries can have a full profile page here, in front of the parents already reading about Cranbrook schools.
Get my profile builtSchools near Cranbrook School
The closest schools to TN17 3JD, measured from each school's own location.
Cranbrook · Independent · 2.1 miles
Benenden School
Cranbrook · Independent · 3.3 miles
St Ronan's School
Cranbrook · Independent · 3.6 miles
Bethany School
Tenterden · Secondary · 6.9 miles
Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre
Tonbridge · Secondary · 8.2 miles
Mascalls Academy
Sutton Valence · Independent · 8.5 miles
Sutton Valence School
Help us keep this page accurate
Spotted something wrong?
Tell us what needs updating on Cranbrook School and we'll review it before the page changes.