INTRODUCTION:

Benenden School is an independent residential school in Hemsted Park, Kent, established in April 1923. The school swiftly expanded, with 126 girls by 1924, from its original founding of 24 girls from Wycombe Abbey. A fundamental component of the school's ethos is the founders' objective of giving girls a comprehensive education that includes a demanding academic program and a wide variety of enjoyable activities. With a focus on motivating and pushing girls, the curriculum covers a wide range of subject areas, such as science, math, languages, the arts, physical education, and humanities. Offering cultural, spiritual, social, athletic, and creative activities including lacrosse, netball, tennis, model United Nations (MUN), and more, the co-curricular program complements the academic curriculum.

The school's robust pastoral care program, which is intended to assist the girls' moral, emotional, and personal development, demonstrates its dedication to holistic development. Benenden places a strong emphasis on fostering these four guiding characteristics in each student: courage, compassion, confidence, and civility. The school's accomplishments in the Model United Nations (MUN) Program, where Benenden was honored internationally for its participation and excellence, show that it is successful beyond the classroom. All things considered, Benenden School offers a well-rounded education that fosters academic excellence, the development of critical life skills, and the instillation of values that lead to success in the classroom and beyond.

ADMISSION GUIDELINES:

During Open Mornings, the school offers a student-led tour, a talk by the Headmaster, and an opportunity to meet with the staff to ask any questions you or your daughter may have. You can also arrange for individual family visits after the first Open Morning.

Oversubscription Criteria:

There are no oversubscription criteria for the school.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

It's best to register your kid at least three years ahead of time, putting her on the provisional list, to guarantee her a spot at the school. An overview She can display her extracurricular and academic interests, get a taste of boarding life, and socialize with peers during the weekends. This weekend's schedule consists of a paper test, an unofficial staff interview, and a request for a private report from her present school by the school. Following these evaluations, a spot may be offered without conditions. An online exam is required for the following step, which can be completed at the current institution or an approved testing facility in the UK. To guarantee a spot, a deposit must be paid by the deadline in March. Firm offers will be provided in December before the planned entering year.

CATCHMENT AREA:

There is no defined catchment area.

EXAM FORMAT:

There are two phases to the Benenden School 11+ exam. The Stage 1 test comprises evaluations for:

Ø  English

Ø  Mathematics

Your daughter's writing abilities, especially her use of inference and punctuation, will be evaluated on the English paper.

Her problem-solving and arithmetic abilities are assessed in the math paper. There will be questions on geometry, algebra, statistics, numbers, and measuring in the test.

The Stage 2 test for Benenden School consists of:

Ø  ISEB Common Pretest

The ISEB Pretest evaluates your child's proficiency in math, language, and problem-solving techniques, with a focus on her cognitive processes and her responses to the curriculum. Test modules cover verbal reasoning, nonverbal reasoning, arithmetic, and English.

PREPARATION AND TARGET TEST SCORES:

Utilizing focused tools can help you in preparing your daughter for the Benenden School 11+ admission exam. With the help of the practice exams, your daughter can become accustomed to the format and question kinds of the real exam, which will boost her confidence before the big day. The example exams will help you pinpoint your daughter's strengths and shortcomings, which will help you create a well-planned revision schedule that emphasizes studying "little and often." They will also assist your daughter in becoming accustomed to responding to questions fast and under time constraints.

Summary:

Name: Benenden Lower School 

School Type: Independent Boarding School for Girls

School Website: https://www.benenden.school/academic/lower-school-curriculum-desktop/

County: Kent

Address: Cranbrook TN17 4AA

Email: registry@benenden.kent.sch.uk

Phone: 01580 240592

Number of Places Available: 550 (Approx.)

11+ Exam Date (Stage 1): October of Year 6

11+ Exam Date (Stage 2): November of Year 6

Exam Format: School’s Own and ISEB Pretest

This information was last updated in December 2024.