Independent school for girls

Benenden School: entry, assessments, dates and fees

Benenden School, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AA

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial TeamSchool website

Can we apply, and when?

For September 2027 entry

Registration closes
Not published yet
Places
Not published
Fees at 11+, day
£15,400a term
2026–27 school year, including VAT
Checked, source: Benenden School, checked 10 Oct 2026

Your next steps for 11+ entry

Next: Scholarship applications close
Tue 1 Dec 2026in 6 weeks
Only if you are applying for a scholarship
Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by
Mon 1 Mar 2027in about 19 weeks

Benenden School sets its own tests and decides after them and the interviews. We have not found a published pass mark, so we do not show one.

How entry works

In short

Benenden School, near Cranbrook in Kent, is a school for girlsBenenden School: PupilsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Meet our students and staff, explore our beautiful Kent setting and discover life at our boarding and day school for girls aged 11–18.View the official source aged 11 to 18Benenden School: Age rangeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Meet our students and staff, explore our beautiful Kent setting and discover life at our boarding and day school for girls aged 11–18.View the official source, with day pupils and boardersBenenden School: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Meet our students and staff, explore our beautiful Kent setting and discover life at our boarding and day school for girls aged 11–18.View the official source. Its entrance process starts unusually early: for 11+ entry in September 2027 and 13+ entry in September 2029, girls attended a Preview Day on Saturday 19 September 2026Benenden School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: For 11+ 2027 entry and 13+ 2029 entry, this Preview Day will be held on 19 September 2026, with formal offers made before the end of the Autumn Term of Year 6.View the official source, and formal offers follow before the end of the autumn term.

How entry works

Ways in, and how children are assessed

Benenden School takes new pupils at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Each way in has its own tests and dates.

11+ entry
How children are assessed: a piece of creative writing, an interview, a reference from the current school and the ISEB Common Pre-Test (an online test many independent schools share).

Other ways in: 13+ and 16+Places, tests and registration for each

13+ entry
How children are assessed: a piece of creative writing, an interview, a reference from the current school and the ISEB Common Pre-Test (an online test many independent schools share). Tests are taken in Year 6, with a place offered ahead of entry.
16+ entry
How children are assessed: an interview, a reference from the current school, own subject papers and ukiset.

Source: Benenden School, checked 10 Oct 2026

More about entry from our guide

11+ (Year 7)

Families accept 11+ offers by Monday 1 March 2027Benenden School: Acceptance deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: All 11+ 2027 places must be accepted, and a deposit paid, by Monday 1 March 2027.View the official source. Scholarship applications for 11+ and 13+ entry close on Tuesday 1 December 2026Benenden School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: The closing date for Lower School Scholarship applications for September 2027 is 1 December 2026.View the official source.

What the school assesses: interviewBenenden School: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: For 2027 entry and beyond, the first stage is our Preview Day which consists of a multi-subject immersive academic experience, including a creative writing assessment and an interview.View the official source; ISEB Common Pre-TestBenenden School: Iseb pretestChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: To help with the demands placed on pupils in terms of testing for several different schools, we have adopted the ISEB Common Pre-test for 11+ entry.View the official source; creative or extended writing taskBenenden School: Own creative writingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: For 2027 entry and beyond, the first stage is our Preview Day which consists of a multi-subject immersive academic experience, including a creative writing assessment and an interview.View the official source; reference or report from current schoolBenenden School: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Following the Assessment Day, the ISEB Common Pre-test and the reference from the current school, firm offers of places will be made in December.View the official source
The school’s current admissions information covers: entry in September 2027Benenden School: Current cycleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: For 11+ 2027 entry and 13+ 2029 entry, this Preview Day will be held on 19 September 2026, with formal offers made before the end of the Autumn Term of Year 6.View the official source

Entry in September 2027

Step	Date
Assessment	Saturday 19 September 2026Benenden School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: For 11+ 2027 entry and 13+ 2029 entry, this Preview Day will be held on 19 September 2026, with formal offers made before the end of the Autumn Term of Year 6.View the official source
Accept an offer by	Monday 1 March 2027Benenden School: Acceptance deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: All 11+ 2027 places must be accepted, and a deposit paid, by Monday 1 March 2027.View the official source
Scholarship application by	Tuesday 1 December 2026Benenden School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: The closing date for Lower School Scholarship applications for September 2027 is 1 December 2026.View the official source

Entry in September 2028

Step	Date
Registration closes	Benenden School: Registration deadline (2028)Not yet published by Benenden School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: For 11+ 2027 entry and 13+ 2029 entry, this Preview Day will be held on 19 September 2026, with formal offers made before the end of the Autumn Term of Year 6.View the official source
Assessment	Benenden School: Assessment date (2028)Not yet published by Benenden School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: For 11+ 2027 entry and 13+ 2029 entry, this Preview Day will be held on 19 September 2026, with formal offers made before the end of the Autumn Term of Year 6.View the official source
Offers	Benenden School: Offer date (2028)Not yet published by Benenden School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: For 11+ 2027 entry and 13+ 2029 entry, this Preview Day will be held on 19 September 2026, with formal offers made before the end of the Autumn Term of Year 6.View the official source

13+ (Year 9)

Year 9 places are decided in Year 6Benenden School: Pre test year groupChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: All 13+ and 12+ candidates are asked to take the ISEB Common Pre-test during the Autumn Term of Year 6.View the official source alongside the 11+ round, and successful girls receive a deferred offer.

What the school assesses: interviewBenenden School: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: The day consists of a multi-subject immersive academic experience, including a creative writing task and an interview, as well as being lots of fun.View the official source; ISEB Common Pre-TestBenenden School: Iseb pretestChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: To reduce the burden of multiple assessments, Benenden uses the ISEB Common Pre-test for 13+ entry.View the official source; creative or extended writing taskBenenden School: Own creative writingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: The day consists of a multi-subject immersive academic experience, including a creative writing task and an interview, as well as being lots of fun.View the official source; reference or report from current schoolBenenden School: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: In advance, we will have requested a confidential report from her current school which will include latest test data.View the official source
First assessment taken in: Year 6Benenden School: Pre test year groupChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: All 13+ and 12+ candidates are asked to take the ISEB Common Pre-test during the Autumn Term of Year 6.View the official source
Offers made early for deferred entry: YesBenenden School: Deferred offerChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Benenden assesses 13+ candidates three years in advance of entry, during Year 6.View the official source
The school’s current admissions information covers: entry in September 2029 (entrance assessment); entry in September 2027 (scholarships)Benenden School: Current cycleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: For 11+ 2027 entry and 13+ 2029 entry, this Preview Day will be held on 19 September 2026, with formal offers made before the end of 2026.View the official source

Entry in September 2027

Step	Date
Scholarship application by	Tuesday 1 December 2026Benenden School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: The closing date for Lower School Scholarship applications for September 2027 is 1 December 2026.View the official source

Entry in September 2028

Step	Date
Bursary application by	Wednesday 1 September 2027Benenden School: Bursary deadline (2028)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 13+ entry in September 2028 \| 1 September 2027View the official source

Entry in September 2029

Step	Date
Assessment	Saturday 19 September 2026Benenden School: Assessment date (2029)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: For 11+ 2027 entry and 13+ 2029 entry, this Preview Day will be held on 19 September 2026, with formal offers made before the end of 2026.View the official source

16+ (sixth form, Year 12)

Sixth-form scholarship applications close on Thursday 1 October 2026Benenden School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Closing date for all Sixth Form Scholarship applications for September 2027 is 1 October 2026.View the official source, with assessments on Friday 6 November 2026Benenden School: Scholarship assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Examinations for candidates pursuing a Scholarship for September 2027 entry will be held at Benenden on 6 November 2026.View the official source.

What the school assesses: interviewBenenden School: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: We will also request a confidential reference from the candidate’s current school, including predicted GCSE grades, and arrange to interview her (either in person or via Microsoft Teams).View the official source; subject papersBenenden School: Own subject papersChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: For the assessment for Sixth Form entry, we ask candidates to choose two academic subjects in which they would like to sit the exams – usually two that they plan to study for A Level.View the official source; reference or report from current schoolBenenden School: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: We will also request a confidential reference from the candidate’s current school, including predicted GCSE grades, and arrange to interview her (either in person or via Microsoft Teams).View the official source; UKiset (candidates whose first language is not English)Benenden School: UkisetChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: All candidates whose first language is not English will be asked to sit the UKiset test to assess their English proficiency.View the official source
The school’s current admissions information covers: entry in September 2027Benenden School: Current cycleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Sixth Form Scholarships for September 2027 EntrantsView the official source

Entry in September 2027

Step	Date
Scholarship application by	Thursday 1 October 2026Benenden School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Closing date for all Sixth Form Scholarship applications for September 2027 is 1 October 2026.View the official source
Scholarship assessment	Friday 6 November 2026Benenden School: Scholarship assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Examinations for candidates pursuing a Scholarship for September 2027 entry will be held at Benenden on 6 November 2026.View the official source

Entry in September 2028

Step	Date
Registration closes	Benenden School: Registration deadline (2028)Not yet published by Benenden School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Sixth Form Scholarships for September 2027 EntrantsView the official source
Assessment	Benenden School: Assessment date (2028)Not yet published by Benenden School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Sixth Form Scholarships for September 2027 EntrantsView the official source
Offers	Benenden School: Offer date (2028)Not yet published by Benenden School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Sixth Form Scholarships for September 2027 EntrantsView the official source

Key dates

11+ dates for September 2027 entry

All dates checked 10 Oct 2026Benenden School

Done: Entrance tests
Sat 19 Sept 2026
Next: Scholarship applications close
Tue 1 Dec 2026in 6 weeks
Only if you are applying for a scholarship
Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by
Mon 1 Mar 2027in about 19 weeks

Dates for the other ways in13+ and 16+

13+ entry, September 2027

Next: Scholarship applications close
Tue 1 Dec 2026in 6 weeks
Only if you are applying for a scholarship

16+ entry, September 2027

Done: Scholarship applications close
Thu 1 Oct 2026
Only if you are applying for a scholarship
Next: Scholarship assessments
Fri 6 Nov 2026
Only if you are applying for a scholarship

A year younger? 11+ dates for September 2028 entrySome are not published yet; we show what the school has said.

Not published yet: Registration closes for 11+ entry
Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026
Not published yet: Entrance tests
Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026
Not published yet: Offers sent
Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

At a glance

Benenden School in brief

All facts checked 10 Oct 2026tap a value for its source

Ages: 11 to 18AgesChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Meet our students and staff, explore our beautiful Kent setting and discover life at our boarding and day school for girls aged 11–18.View the official source; The ages the school teaches, from youngest to oldest.
Scholarships: 9 kinds; Awards for a talent, such as academic work, music or sport.
Day or boarding: day pupils and boarders; Whether pupils go home each day or can live at the school.
Ways in: 11+, 13+, 16+; The ages at which the school takes new pupils (4+, 11+ and so on).
Help with fees: Yes, up to 100%; Bursaries reduce fees for families on lower incomes, after a check of income and savings.
Registration fee: £420including VAT; Paid to the school when you register your child for its tests.

Fees

From £15,400 a term, including VAT

11+ entry, day: £15,400 a term, including VAT
11+ entry, full boarding: £21,300 a term, including VAT
13+ entry, day: £15,400 a term, including VAT
13+ entry, full boarding: £21,300 a term, including VAT
16+ entry, day: £15,400 a term, including VAT
16+ entry, full boarding: £21,300 a term, including VAT

Fees for the 2026–27 school year, as the school publishes them. We never add or remove VAT.

the published fees include VAT

Registration fee: £420 (including VAT).

Source: Benenden School, checked 10 Oct 2026

Joining at	Day	Full boarding
11+	£15,400 per term (including VAT)Benenden School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Day: £15,400 (including VAT) per termView the official source	£21,300 per term (including VAT)Benenden School: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Boarding: £21,300 (including VAT) per termView the official source
13+	£15,400 per term (including VAT)Benenden School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Day: £15,400 (including VAT) per termView the official source	£21,300 per term (including VAT)Benenden School: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Boarding: £21,300 (including VAT) per termView the official source
16+	£15,400 per term (including VAT)Benenden School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Day: £15,400 (including VAT) per termView the official source	£21,300 per term (including VAT)Benenden School: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Boarding: £21,300 (including VAT) per termView the official source

Registration fee: £420 (including VAT)Benenden School: Registration feeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Please use Registration Form A for a place on our main admissions list, where a £420.00 (inc. VAT) registration fee is payable.View the official source

Bursaries and scholarships

Bursaries up to 100% of fees

Bursaries (help with fees): Available, up to 100% of the fees. They depend on a check of household income and savings.
Scholarships: For academic, all rounder, art, choral, design and technology, drama, music, other and sport, at 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry, worth up to 0% of the fees.

Source: Benenden School, checked 10 Oct 2026

Largest bursary: up to 100%Benenden School: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Each place may be fully funded – that is to say up to 100% of School fees, subject to means-testing.View the official source of fees, means-tested
Income guide: £125,000 (combined income, guide) (unlikely to qualify above); £35,000 (joint net disposable income, guide) (may be eligible for up to 100% below)Benenden School: Income thresholdChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Alternatively, a family with a combined income of over £125,000 is unlikely to qualify for any support.View the official source
Scholarships offered: academicBenenden School: AcademicChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 13+ Scholarships are available in Academic, Music, Art and Design, Sport, Drama, Creative Technology and All-Rounder categories.View the official source, all-rounderBenenden School: All rounderChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 13+ Scholarships are available in Academic, Music, Art and Design, Sport, Drama, Creative Technology and All-Rounder categories.View the official source, artBenenden School: ArtChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 13+ Scholarships are available in Academic, Music, Art and Design, Sport, Drama, Creative Technology and All-Rounder categories.View the official source, choralBenenden School: ChoralChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Music Awards (Music Scholarships and Exhibitions, Choral Scholarships)View the official source, design and technologyBenenden School: Design technologyChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 13+ Scholarships are available in Academic, Music, Art and Design, Sport, Drama, Creative Technology and All-Rounder categories.View the official source, dramaBenenden School: DramaChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 13+ Scholarships are available in Academic, Music, Art and Design, Sport, Drama, Creative Technology and All-Rounder categories.View the official source, musicBenenden School: MusicChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 13+ Scholarships are available in Academic, Music, Art and Design, Sport, Drama, Creative Technology and All-Rounder categories.View the official source, otherBenenden School: OtherChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 13+ Scholarships are available in Academic, Music, Art and Design, Sport, Drama, Creative Technology and All-Rounder categories.View the official source, sportBenenden School: SportChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 13+ Scholarships are available in Academic, Music, Art and Design, Sport, Drama, Creative Technology and All-Rounder categories.View the official source
Scholarship value: no fee reduction (scholarships are honorary)Benenden School: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Scholarships do not carry a remission in fees.View the official source
Scholarship entry points: 11+Benenden School: 11 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 11+ Scholarships are available in Music and Sport.View the official source, 13+Benenden School: 13 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 13+ Scholarships are available in Academic, Music, Art and Design, Sport, Drama, Creative Technology and All-Rounder categories.View the official source, 16+ (sixth form)Benenden School: 16 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Sixth Form Scholarships are available in:View the official source

Open days

Next: Open Morning, Sat 14 Nov 2026

Done: Open Morning (passed)
Sat 10 Oct 20269.30am
Coming up: Open Morning
Sat 14 Nov 20269.30am
Coming up: Coffee with the Headmistress
Tue 24 Nov 20269.30am
Coming up: Coffee with the Headmistress
Tue 23 Feb 20279.30am
Coming up: Open Morning
Sat 27 Feb 20279.30am
Coming up: Coffee with the Headmistress
Tue 16 Mar 20279.30am
Coming up: Open Morning
Sat 24 Apr 20279.30am
Coming up: Open Morning
Sat 22 May 20279.30am
Coming up: Coffee with the Headmistress
Tue 22 Jun 20279.30am

Source: Benenden School, checked 10 Oct 2026

Results, as published by the school

A level grades A* to B: 88% (2025)

A level grades A* to B, 2025
88%A level grades A* to B, 2025Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 88% A*- B grades, 2025 A LevelsView the official source
No earlier year published
GCSE grades 9 to 7, 2025
79%GCSE grades 9 to 7, 2025Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 79% Level 9-7, 2025 GCSEsView the official source
No earlier year published

Results are the school's own figures. Schools count them in different ways, so compare with care.

Year	Measure	Figure
2025	A level grades A* to B	88%Benenden School: A level astar bpercent (2025)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 88% A*- B grades, 2025 A LevelsView the official source
2025	GCSE grades 9 to 7	79%Benenden School: Gcse9to7 percent (2025)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: 79% Level 9-7, 2025 GCSEsView the official source

What is distinctive about applying to Benenden

Benenden's bursary policy gives two income guides: £125,000 (combined income, guide) (unlikely to qualify above); £35,000 (joint net disposable income, guide) (may be eligible for up to 100% below)Benenden School: Income thresholdChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Alternatively, a family with a combined income of over £125,000 is unlikely to qualify for any support.View the official source. Bursaries can cover up to 100%Benenden School: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Each place may be fully funded – that is to say up to 100% of School fees, subject to means-testing.View the official source of fees; scholarships carry no fee reduction (scholarships are honorary)Benenden School: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Scholarships do not carry a remission in fees.View the official source.

There is one fee for every year group, £21,300 per term (including VAT)Benenden School: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Boarding: £21,300 (including VAT) per termView the official source a term for boarders and £15,400 per term (including VAT)Benenden School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: Day: £15,400 (including VAT) per termView the official source for day girls in 2026–27Benenden School: Academic yearChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Benenden School.The source says: For the 2026/27 academic year:View the official source. Open mornings and coffee mornings with the Headmistress run through the year.

Official documents and sources

10 sources, each kept as an archived copy

Benenden School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Benenden School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Benenden School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Benenden School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Benenden School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Benenden School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Benenden School
PDF document · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Benenden School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Benenden School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
Department for Education (Get Information about Schools)
Spreadsheet · copy archived by ExamKind on 11 Oct 2026

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