I know it's a little late, but I have a ninth-year-old son in Cranbrook who had been in an independent place for a couple of years before and at a state school in London before that. It's in a slightly changing state right now, as funding has been cut and they're now accepting it in the seventh year, so they're going through an uncertain time. Subjects such as music, physical education, design technology (DT), information and communication technology (ICT), for example, have been eliminated, which means that creative options in the GCSE are very limited (art, theater, food technology). There are a few teachers who have not impressed me, as have other parents, and this has been addressed to some extent.
My son is content, settled, enjoys school, participates in a large number of extracurricular activities (scheduling schedules is a bit frustrating because there are a lot of clashes). There they have plenty of opportunities to explore all kinds of different areas. They have an excellent compulsory after-school program in which they have to get involved in the local community. If you have a child who is willing to work hard, as in most schools, he will do very well at Cranbrook. It's a state school, it's not perfect, some kids will have a terrible experience, but overall, the discipline is good, the spirit is good and education is good, and there's a lot of support from parents.
The class size is large, there are interruptions like in any state school; there's nothing you can do about it. He's going through a tough time right now, but what school doesn't go through at some point. But from my personal point of view, it's working for us, and I don't see any other state school being better. In its most recent inspection, Ofsted awarded Cranbrook School an overall rating of Outstanding. The Gap students also mentioned that schools here are more academic but less sporty.
They said that they think that everyone who can should do the sabbatical year, as it's an incredible experience to participate in and that prepares you to work. If there are more applicants at a school than there are places available, who enters depends on which candidates best meet the admission criteria. When schools have changed types recently, data from previous years covering their previous incarnation are also included below. The best source of information is usually the website of the relevant local authority, but once you've set your sights on a school, it's a good idea to ask them how they see things for the year you're interested in. Located in the heart of the Kent countryside, Cranbrook School has superb facilities, a 75-acre campus and a truly dedicated teaching staff. As a selective elementary school, they challenge the brightest boys and girls in the local area (along with interns from elsewhere) to develop their true potential in the classroom and beyond.
Although Cranbrook is a selective school that admits students based on their good academic performance on their daytime entrance exams and boarding schools, it does not believe in boarding school methods. I would like to hear from parents who currently have children in school what impact this is having on children, results, sports and the extracurricular element. Students applying for an internship will be invited to a boarding school interview, in which the school will assess their suitability for accommodation; places will be offered soon after the interview. I know several parents who have sent their children to Cranbrook on the grounds that it is a free public education or that it costs 30% if it is boarding school. Daytime places for students at non-selective state boarding schools such as Cranbrook are made using the Common Application Form (CAF) addressed to local authorities and students must apply for a seventh-year position in the sixth year. The entry point for those over 13 means that most students come from the private sector and therefore have an advantage over their counterparts in state schools. Cranbrook normally has 60 places available for people over 11 years of age and the admission process involves taking the Kent exam (the old one for people over 11).
In conclusion, Cranbrook School Kent offers an outstanding educational experience with plenty of opportunities for students to explore different areas. It has excellent facilities and dedicated teaching staff who challenge students to reach their full potential. Although Cranbrook is selective and admits students based on their academic performance on entrance exams and boarding schools interviews, it does not believe in boarding school methods. Parents should be aware that although Cranbrook offers free public education or 30% discount if it is boarding school; entry points for those over 13 means that most students come from private sector with an advantage over their counterparts in state schools.
