Cranbrook School

Cranbrook School is a mixed state grammar school with 900+ pupils aged 11-18 years, including around 260 boarders. It was founded in 1518. Day pupils come from within 5.28 miles of the school, following a test to judge their suitability for a grammar school education. Boarders are admitted from a wide area, having sat the same test. Although it is a selective school, Cranbrook admits a wider ability range than many other grammar schools. We provide a challenging and supportive curriculum so that students of all abilities are catered for. The value-added scores that are achieved each year bear testimony to the success of our provision. 

Pupils join at the age of 11 or 13, and in Year 10 they start GCSEs in nine or ten subjects. Most students then qualify for the Sixth Form, this being supplemented by a healthy intake into Year 12 from other schools. All Sixth Formers take at least three A levels and can choose the EPQ and other qualifications in addition.

For a state school, the facilities are impressive. Within the seventy acres of school grounds are found the six boarding houses, the Queen’s Hall Theatre (used for assemblies, school productions, visiting theatre companies and concerts), a large library and lecture theatre. Sports facilities include a large sports hall, dance studio, cardio gym, weights room, heated outdoor swimming pool, squash courts and extensive playing fields and facilities for games - hockey, rugby, cricket, netball, tennis and athletics – as well as an astro-turf pitch. The school also possesses a Performing Arts Centre that houses a drama studio and music practice rooms, and a vibrant Sixth Form Centre. The school boasts an Observatory named after Dr Piers Sellers OBE, an Old Cranbrookian and NASA astronaut.

Head

David Clark

Our Mission

• To provide an outstanding all-round education with academic fulfilment at its heart
• To add value to our local community and provide exceptional boarding for those outside it
• To develop curious, resilient and empathic young adults, who are confident to follow their own paths

Our Motto

Maiora tento praesentibus aequus

Equal to today, I reach for greater things

Our Values

• Kindness
• Integrity
• Curiosity
• Aspiration
• Individuality