Medway Grammar School Directory
Medway Grammar SchoolsComplete 11 Plus Guide.
Complete list of all 6 grammar schools in Medway. School details, the Medway Test format, addresses, entry requirements, qualifying scores, and preparation advice for the GL Assessment entrance exam.
6
Grammar Schools
1,100
Year 7 Places
3
Areas
GL
Assessment
About the Medway Test
One Test, Six Schools
Medway is a unitary authority separate from Kent, with its own 11+ selection system called the Medway Test. All 6 grammar schools use this single coordinated test administered by Medway Council. The Medway Test is not transferable to Kent — children wanting to apply to both Medway and Kent grammar schools must sit both tests separately.
The Medway Test uses GL Assessment with 3 multiple-choice papers: English, Maths, and Reasoning (VR + NVR), plus a creative writing task. Scores are age-standardised and weighted: (English x 2) + (Maths x 2) + (Reasoning x 1), giving a maximum of 700. The qualifying score is set at approximately the top 25% of the cohort (recently around 482–492).
Exam Board
GL Assessment
- 6 Grammar Schools
- 1,100 Year 7 Places
- 3 Areas
2027 entry · verified August 2026
Medway Test key dates and how selection works
Medway runs its own test, separate from Kent's — a child aiming at both counties sits both. Registration is through the Medway Parent Portal. Dates below are for the September 2026 sitting.
Registration
18 May – 12 Jun 2026
Opens 9am, closes 5pm. Medway Parent Portal.
Test — Medway pupils
15–16 Sept 2026
Two days, sat in school.
Test — out of area
19–20 Sept 2026
Weekend sitting.
Results
14 Oct 2026
Before the application deadline.
Apply by
31 Oct 2026
National deadline for the Common Application Form.
Selection
Top ~26%
Medway assesses roughly the top quarter of the Medway cohort as suitable for grammar. The weighted threshold moves each year.
School Directory
All Medway Grammar Schools
Every grammar school in the Medway Towns, grouped by area. Includes addresses, Year 7 intake numbers, and key admissions information. Three Chatham schools are becoming co-educational from September 2026.
Chatham
3 SchoolsChatham Grammar School
Founded in 1904 as Chatham Grammar School for Girls, this academy (part of UKAT) is becoming fully co-educational from September 2026 following DfE approval. Existing single-sex year groups will remain single-sex until those students leave. Oversubscription is determined primarily by distance from the school (shortest safe walking route) after looked-after children priority. No catchment area or faith criteria apply.
- Address
- Rainham Road, Chatham, Kent, ME5 7EH
- Year 7 Places
- 150 places
- Test
- Medway Test (English, Maths, Reasoning)
Fort Pitt Grammar School
Established in 1900, Fort Pitt Grammar School is located on Fort Pitt Hill overlooking the River Medway. Formerly a girls' school, it becomes co-educational from September 2026 following DfE approval. The school is updating its uniform for the transition — replacing its trademark pink shirt with a pale blue collared top and blue-and-pink striped tie. Approximately 150 Year 7 places are available each year.
- Address
- Fort Pitt Hill, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6TJ
- Year 7 Places
- 150 places
- Test
- Medway Test (English, Maths, Reasoning)
Holcombe Grammar School
Founded in 1955 as Chatham Grammar School for Boys, the school was renamed Holcombe Grammar School in 2016 in preparation for co-education. Part of TSAT Trust, it becomes fully co-educational from September 2026. The largest of the three Chatham grammar schools with 180 Year 7 places. The school is located on Maidstone Road with an additional entrance via Letchworth Avenue.
- Address
- Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6JB
- Year 7 Places
- 180 places
- Test
- Medway Test (English, Maths, Reasoning)
Rainham
1 SchoolRainham Mark Grammar School
Founded in 1923, Rainham Mark is Medway's largest grammar school with 235 Year 7 places and has been co-educational throughout its history. Heavily oversubscribed — receiving over 1,040 applications for 235 places. A Supplementary Information Form (SIF) is required. After looked-after children, priority goes to Free School Meals-eligible pupils, then siblings, medical/health needs, children of staff (3+ years), and finally by distance from the school. No catchment area applies.
- Address
- Pump Lane, Rainham, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 7AJ
- Year 7 Places
- 235 places
- Test
- Medway Test (English, Maths, Reasoning)
Rochester
2 SchoolsThe Rochester Grammar School
Founded in 1888, The Rochester Grammar School is one of two single-sex grammar schools remaining in Medway. An academy offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) alongside A-levels in its sixth form. With 205 Year 7 places, it received 773 applications for its most recent intake. A Supplementary Information Form (SIF) is required alongside the Common Application Form. Oversubscription is determined by standard Medway criteria after qualifying on the Medway Test.
- Address
- Maidstone Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3BY
- Year 7 Places
- 205 places
- Test
- Medway Test (English, Maths, Reasoning)
Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School
Founded in 1701 by Sir Joseph Williamson, Secretary of State to King Charles II, this historic boys' grammar school is one of two remaining single-sex grammars in Medway. Co-educational sixth form. Oversubscription criteria prioritise looked-after children, then Pupil Premium-eligible boys ranked by test score, siblings, medical/special access needs, and finally distance (straight-line measurement). No catchment area applies — places are awarded based on proximity to the school among qualified candidates.
- Address
- Maidstone Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3EL
- Year 7 Places
- 180 places
- Test
- Medway Test (English, Maths, Reasoning)
Eleven Ace Tutoring
Preparing for the Medway Test?
Eleven Ace offers personalised 1:1 live online tuition, small 4-student batch classes, and realistic mock exams — all designed specifically for the Medway Test GL Assessment format with its unique English x2, Maths x2, Reasoning x1 weighting.
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FAQs
Medway 11 Plus Questions
The Medway Test and Kent Test are completely separate exams run by different authorities. The Medway Test has 3 compulsory papers (English, Maths, Reasoning) while the Kent Test has 2 compulsory papers with an optional writing paper for borderline cases. The scoring and weighting systems differ — Medway uses (English x2) + (Maths x2) + (Reasoning x1). Results are not transferable between the two authorities. Children wanting to apply to both Medway and Kent grammar schools must register for and sit both tests separately.
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