Classpot

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys

Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9XBSecondaryAges 11–18BoysState
Ofsted Rating
Good
May 2026
Progress 8
+0.46
Above average
−20+2
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
291 1st-choice / 299 places
Ranking
🏆Top 25%
#546 of 3,141 nationally

About Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys is a large state secondary in Kent, a local authority with 16 outstanding-rated schools among its 106 same-type secondaries. The school ranks 18th in the county by Progress 8 score, placing it behind the top three local peers: Dartford Grammar School, The Judd School, and Dartford Grammar School for Girls. Within the Tunbridge Wells area specifically, it sits third out of five schools, putting it in the 60th percentile locally. The school is significantly oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 1,059 applications for 299 places, with 291 first-preference applications and 189 offers made to first-preference families. That works out at 3.54 applications per place, a clear sign of its popularity among local families. The school is boys-only from ages 11 to 18, with a sixth form, and has no religious character. Headteacher Amanda Simpson leads a roll of 1,799 pupils, well above its official capacity of 1,308.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderBoys
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressSt John's Road, Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9XB
HeadteacherAmanda Simpson
Local AuthorityKent
Number of Pupils1,799
Free School Meals (FSM)5.4%
School Capacity1,799 / 1,308 (138% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

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    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

25 Nov 2021
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Latest monitoring visit (25 Nov 2021): School remains Good

Source: Ofsted, 1 Feb 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

12
Swimming PoolICT SuiteAstro TurfMusic RoomsPlaying FieldsDining HallSixth Form CentreGymnasiumLibrarySports HallTheatreChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

19

Sports

RugbyHockeyBadmintonGymnasticsMartial ArtsCross CountryBasketballAthleticsRowing

Clubs & Activities

ChessChoirNewspaperArt ClubScience ClubCodingModel United NationsDuke of EdinburghDebateYoung Enterprise

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguagePhysicalOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:45 – 15:30

Source: twgsb.org.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.