This year’s Kent Test candidates and their parents have the added strain that changes to some of the grammar schools selection criteria have meant smaller catchment areas, while out-of-county pupils can no longer rely on top marks to win a place at a ‘super selector’.  James Richards, Partner of Maddisons Residential, explains the consequences for the Tunbridge Wells’ rental market as families relocate to secure a grammar place for their child against a backdrop of high rents.

Kent Test pass rate up from 2022

Figures released by the Kent County Council reveal that this year 17,037 children sat the Kent Test (formerly known as the Eleven Plus), with 11,170 of those living in the county and the rest being from other local authority areas. The percentage of children from the county who passed was 45.2%, which is up from last year’s 44.6%.

Out of those from within Kent, 5,050 qualified to apply for a Kent grammar school. There are 5,801 grammar school places available across the county and in most cases, Kent children will be given priority over pupils from other local authorities. Tunbridge Wells offers three grammar schools: Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar, The Skinners School and Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar School.

Increased pressure to find local accommodation  

Each school sets out their individual admissions criteria, which can be found at kent.gov.uk. For example, in 2018 The Skinners School in Tunbridge Wells altered its admissions criteria to ensure a greater number of places were offered to those living within ‘catchment’.

Changes such as this present  increased pressures on families to find local accommodation with some urgency. An online forum for parents of children who have taken the test shows that many are anxiously seeking clarification and readying themselves to move their family to a new area to secure school places.

Demand for suitable family rental properties might outstrip supply this autumn

Over the last five years, Maddisons has seen many parents registering and looking to rent in the town at this time of year. Demand for quality rental accommodation is already high, as has been widely reported in the national press, and it is anticipated that this will be especially so over the coming weeks.

With an uplift in rent  over the last year due to added costs for private landlords, some families might find their ideal rental property is harder to secure and their wish list for may need to be amended so they can still achieve a successful relocation. 

Tunbridge Wells is a family-centric town and therefore attracts families with primary and secondary aged children to settle here. If you are considering relocating to the area and need help finding a rental property, please contact us - our friendly team would love to help.