Benenden School is a girls’ independent boarding school in Cranbrook, Kent, with entry at 11+ and 13+. Here is how admissions work and how to prepare.
One of the great girls' boarding schools. Academic, creative and fiercely independent — they look for character as much as grades.
Benenden School sets its own entrance assessments rather than using a shared national test. Depending on the entry point, these can include written papers in English and maths, reasoning tests, an interview or a group activity. Because the papers are the school’s own, practice should be matched to the style of questions it sets rather than to a generic test.
For 13+ entry (joining in Year 9), many schools assess children in Year 6 or Year 7, well before they start, so the timetable is worth checking early.
Dates and requirements change from year to year, so always check the latest details on the school’s website.
My Benenden School guide sets out the full process, the key dates, and a preparation plan, and my mock papers let children practise under real timings.
See every school on the Schools Finder map →
Benenden School has entry points at 11+ and 13+. 13+ entry means joining in Year 9.
The school’s own entrance assessments. The exact mix depends on the entry point, so check the school’s admissions page for your child’s year of entry.
Benenden School is a boarding school.