School profile Record updated 27 October 2026

Medway Medway 11+

The Rochester Grammar School

Maidstone Road, Rochester, ME1 3BY

A selective girls grammar school in Rochester, Kent, serving ages 11-18 with a sixth form and around 1,171 pupils on roll.

Grammar school Girls Academy converter Ages 11-18 Sixth form Medway Test
2025–2026 GCSE rank ?
UK Rank #113
Year 7 places
205
Competition ?
Moderate (estimated)
Ofsted ?
Good
11+ route
Medway Test
Compare Official website Map

At a glance

Key facts

2025–2026 GCSE rank ?
UK Rank #113
Sector
Grammar school
Admissions
Girls only
Assessment
Medway Test
Places in Year 7
205
Competition ?
Moderate (estimated)
Catchment
You can apply from any area. There is no defined catchment or local-priority area, although distance may still affect allocation or a tie-break.
Ofsted ?
Good

Overview

The Rochester Grammar School is a Medway selective girls' grammar for Years 7 to 11 with a co-educational sixth form. Its stated ethos is 'excellence for all', linked to the Thinking Schools Academy Trust mission of transforming life chances through high expectations, personal support and respect.

The school is notable for the International Baccalaureate in the sixth form as well as its selective main-school pathway. Its sixth-form material stresses independent study, a dedicated Independent Learning Centre, specialist advice and guidance, and preparation for higher education, apprenticeships or employment.

In the main school, the curriculum is presented as innovative and ambitious, with modern languages, personal development, music, drama, sport, debating and trips giving the grammar experience breadth. Published measures show a Good Ofsted judgement in 2023 and very strong GCSE English and mathematics attainment.

Year 7 entry has 205 places and is tied to the Medway Test. The test covers English, mathematics and reasoning; English and mathematics are double-weighted, reasoning is single-weighted, and scores are age-adjusted before the total is calculated. Passing the Medway Test makes a child eligible for grammar consideration, with the school's oversubscription criteria deciding offers where demand exceeds places.

Key points

Assessment route
Medway Test: 3 papers, covering English, Maths, Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning.
Places and demand
205 places in Year 7 and Moderate (estimated)
Catchment
You can apply from any area. There is no defined catchment or local-priority area, although distance may still affect allocation or a tie-break.
Results
93% grade 5+ in English and maths and 67.5 Attainment 8
Sixth form
Sixth form available with 78.4% in higher education.

GCSE benchmark

Latest 2025/26 KS4 measures compared with Medway and England.

School Local authority England
GCSE benchmark comparison Latest GCSE benchmark measures for Rochester Grammar School, Medway, and England. 0 50 100 Att. 8 5+ E&M
Attainment 8
67.5
Grade 5+ English and maths
93%

Attainment 8 trend

Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Medway and England.

School Local authority England
Attainment 8 trend line Attainment 8 over time for Rochester Grammar School, Medway, and England. 80 66.7 53.3 40 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25 25/26

Destinations

Latest 2024/25 Year 11 destination mix compared with Medway and England.

Education Apprenticeships Employment Other / unknown
Destinations stacked bar comparison Year 11 destinations for Rochester Grammar School, Medway, and England across education, apprenticeships, employment, and other or unknown destinations. 0 50 100 School Local auth. England

School details

Sector
Grammar school
School type
Academy converter
Application
Local authority CAF
Gender
Girls only
Age range
11-18
Principal
Mrs Clare Brinklow
Pupil roll
1,206 pupils
Sixth form
Yes
Trust
The Thinking Schools Academy Trust
FSM ?
11.8%
EAL ?
21.4%
EHCP ?
0%

School statistics

Ethnicity

Pupil ethnicity

Whole-school roll of 1,206 pupils; 1,199 had a recorded ethnic group.

White 26.2% Asian 17.2% Mixed 8.5% Black 46% Other 1.5% Unclassified 0.6%

Location and contact

Address

Address
Maidstone Road, Rochester, Kent
Postcode
ME1 3BY
Exam area
Medway 11+

School leadership

Principal
Mrs Clare Brinklow

School contact

School phone
03333602120

Admissions contact

Admissions team
Admissions
Admissions phone
0333 360 2120

Admissions

Appeals and waiting lists

A school admission appeal follows a refusal of a place. Use the school's current timetable and your refusal letter for the deadline. A test review, if available, has separate rules.

Year 7 places
205 places
Applications listed
838 applications (2026 entry)
First preferences
240 first preferences (2026 entry)
Competition ?
Moderate (estimated)
Catchment
You can apply from any area. There is no defined catchment or local-priority area, although distance may still affect allocation or a tie-break.
Pass mark note
The Medway Test uses an annual minimum weighted score to assess grammar suitability. Recent minimum scores were 481 for 2026 admissions, 482 for 2025 and 492 for 2024; passing does not guarantee an offer.

No catchment area is used. Selective Medway Test candidates are ranked through priority categories, with distance used within categories and as the final criterion.

Oversubscription and eligibility

  1. 1

    Looked-after and previously looked-after children

    Selective applicants in care or previously in care are prioritised first.

  2. 2

    Pupil Premium

    Eligible Pupil Premium applicants are prioritised after looked-after priority.

  3. 3

    Siblings

    Applicants with a sibling at the school receive priority after Pupil Premium priority.

  4. 4

    Trust primary schools

    Children attending named Thinking Schools Academy Trust Medway primary schools are prioritised after siblings.

  5. 5

    Staff children

    Children of staff are prioritised within the published criteria.

  6. 6

    Health reasons

    Priority can be considered for accepted health reasons.

Exam and test format

September 2027 entry

Three multiple-choice papers: English, maths and reasoning.

Test provider
GL Assessment
Format
Multiple choice
Scores
Age-standardised

Papers and timings

  • English Multiple choice
    30 min
  • Mathematics Multiple choice
    50 min
  • Reasoning Verbal reasoning · Non-verbal reasoning Multiple choice
    45 min

The times below exclude separate practice periods.

What the test includes

  • English
  • Maths
  • Verbal reasoning
  • Non-verbal reasoning

Official exam resources

Past papers and practice materials

No released past entrance-test papers are currently verified here. The resources below are labelled by type.

Medway Test test guide

Application

Find open days and plan a visit
  1. Medway Test registration opens

    18 May 2026, 9am

    Past
  2. Medway Test registration closes

    12 June 2026, 5pm

    Past
  3. Special arrangements request deadline

    22 June 2026

    Past
  4. Secondary applications open

    1 September 2026

    Past
  5. Medway Test for Medway primary pupils

    15 and 16 September 2026

  6. Medway Test for non-Medway pupils

    19 or 20 September 2026

    One day is allocated for each child.

  7. Medway Test results

    14 October 2026, after 10am

    Past
  8. Secondary application deadline

    31 October 2026

    Past
  9. National Offer Day

    1 March 2027

  10. Accept/refuse offer and waiting-list request deadline

    12 March 2027

  11. On-time appeal request deadline

    13 April 2027

  12. Year 7 open day

    3 October 2026

    Past

    Arrive between 9am and midday; principal talks at 9.15am and 10.30am.

  13. School tours

    5-15 October 2026

    Tours at 8.55am, 11.15am and 2.10pm; book with the school office.

How to apply

  1. 1

    Read the admission arrangements

    Check the Year 7 policy before applying so the Medway selective process and oversubscription rules are clear.

    Open admissions page
  2. 2

    Register for the Medway Test

    Register through Medway Council during the published test-registration window for the relevant entry year.

    Open Medway Test
  3. 3

    Sit the Medway Test

    Selection for Year 7 grammar places is based on the Medway Test result.

    Check test route
  4. 4

    Submit the secondary application

    List the school on the secondary application through the home local authority after Medway Test results are available.

    View Medway guidance

Results

Inspection

Good

Latest inspection: 18 January 2023

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Sixth form provision
Good

Quick summary

  • Overall effectiveness: The Rochester Grammar School was rated Good overall. The report describes a calm, ambitious school where pupils respect high standards, feel safe, celebrate diversity and value enrichment such as Duke of Edinburgh activities and sixth-form leadership opportunities.
  • Quality of education: The curriculum was broad, ambitious and designed to build knowledge and cultural capital. Most subjects were well sequenced and assessed, with teachers revisiting ideas and developing technical vocabulary, although a very small number of subjects were still being refined.
  • Behaviour and attitudes: Behaviour in lessons and around the site was calm, courteous and respectful. Pupils attended well, arrived punctually and worked hard, while bullying was described as rare and dealt with quickly when it did occur.
  • Personal development: Pupils are encouraged to become confident global citizens in a diverse community. The enrichment offer includes Duke of Edinburgh, clubs and hobbies, with sixth-form students leading some activities and using those roles to build character and confidence.
  • Leadership and management: Leaders had an aspirational vision for high-quality education and high standards. Safeguarding was a strength, with a knowledgeable designated lead, regular staff training, weekly bulletins and detailed records showing how concerns were followed up.
  • Sixth form provision: Sixth-form provision was Good. Students valued the learning environment, particularly the depth of discussion and debate, and older students took responsibility in wider school activities, giving them visible leadership roles and helping younger pupils.

Similar schools and comparisons

Nearby schools families also consider

Local rivals appear first, followed by nearby alternatives where the journey and admissions route are still comparable.

Nearby schools with similar results

Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which entrance tests does Rochester Grammar School use?

For September 2027 entry, Rochester Grammar School uses Medway Test. Check the named test and any alternative or later-stage requirements in the admissions policy.

How do I apply to Rochester Grammar School?

1. Read the admission arrangements: Check the Year 7 policy before applying so the Medway selective process and oversubscription rules are clear. 2. Register for the Medway Test: Register through Medway Council during the published test-registration window for the relevant entry year. 3. Sit the Medway Test: Selection for Year 7 grammar places is based on the Medway Test result. 4. Submit the secondary application: List the school on the secondary application through the home local authority after Medway Test results are available.

When are the key dates for Rochester Grammar School?

Medway Test registration opens: 18 May 2026, 9am. Medway Test registration closes: 12 June 2026, 5pm. Special arrangements request deadline: 22 June 2026. Secondary applications open: 1 September 2026. Medway Test for Medway primary pupils: 15 and 16 September 2026. Medway Test for non-Medway pupils: 19 or 20 September 2026. Medway Test results: 14 October 2026, after 10am. Secondary application deadline: 31 October 2026. National Offer Day: 1 March 2027. Accept/refuse offer and waiting-list request deadline: 12 March 2027. On-time appeal request deadline: 13 April 2027. Year 7 open day: 3 October 2026. School tours: 5-15 October 2026

What does the latest inspection picture look like for Rochester Grammar School?

Rochester Grammar School is currently rated Good following the latest published inspection dated 18 January 2023.