Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School

Papers and rounds

1. Paper 1

   English, Maths

   Kent Test English and mathematics paper

   The first Kent Test paper has multiple-choice English and mathematics sections, each with a short practice section followed by a timed test.

2. Paper 2

   Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning

   Kent Test reasoning paper

   The second Kent Test paper is a multiple-choice reasoning paper covering verbal and non-verbal reasoning.

3. Paper 3

   Writing task

   Writing exercise

   A 40-minute writing exercise is not marked for the standardised score but may be used by a local headteacher panel.

What the test includes

Official admissions documents

Quick summary

• Overall effectiveness: The structured record lists a Good grade, while the linked 2025 evidence is a special-measures monitoring letter. It records progress on safeguarding, attendance and curriculum equality, but says the school still needs substantial improvement, especially in governance.
• Quality of education: Inspectors did not fully evaluate the quality of education on this monitoring visit. The evidence that is available says pupils now study the same curriculum irrespective of sex, with remaining variation linked to teaching quality and class differences.
• Behaviour and attitudes: The clearest behaviour-related evidence is improved attendance, especially in the sixth form, where routine logging and firm expectations helped students be in school. The report also says staff now work more systematically with families to remove barriers.
• Personal development: The school consulted parents on RSHE and adapted the curriculum after those discussions. Most younger pupils engage sensitively with PSHE, but sixth-form arrangements in large groups were not working well and were due to change.
• Leadership and management: Senior leaders had taken decisive action after the previous inspection, including safeguarding training, timetable changes and external support. Governance remained the major weakness: governors relied too heavily on leaders and lacked the expertise to check records and legal duties robustly.
• Sixth form provision: Sixth-form attendance had risen sharply since the graded inspection, helped by stronger expectations, cover arrangements and routine attendance logging. However, students' PSHE lessons were too large for useful discussion, and leaders planned a different timetable.