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School profile Verified 2 June 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.

Girls Academy converter Ages 11-18 Sixth form GL Assessment
UK rank
UK Rank #114
Year 7 places
205
Competition i
Moderate
Ofsted
Good
11+ route
GL Assessment
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On this page

At a glance

Key facts

GCSE rank
UK Rank #114
Admissions
Girls only
Assessment
GL Assessment
Places in Year 7
205
Competition i
Moderate
Catchment
No catchment area is used. Selective Medway Test candidates are ranked through priority categories, with distance used within categories and as the final criterion.
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
GL Assessment across a 3-stage process, covering English, Maths, Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning.
Places and demand
205 places in Year 7 and Moderate
Catchment
No catchment area is used. Selective Medway Test candidates are ranked through priority categories, with distance used within categories and as the final criterion.
Results
97.8% grade 5+ in English and maths and 68.4 Attainment 8
Sixth form
Sixth form available with 83% in higher education.

GCSE benchmark

Latest 2024/25 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 EBacc APS EBacc %
Attainment 8
68.4
Grade 5+ English and maths
97.8%
EBacc APS
6.51
EBacc entry
93.8%

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

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
School type
Academy converter
Admissions
Girls only
Age range
11-18
Principal
Mrs Clare Brinklow
Pupil roll
1,171 pupils
Sixth form
Yes
Trust
The Thinking Schools Academy Trust
FSM i
10.5%
EAL i
22.6%
EHCP i
0%

Ethnicity

January 2025 school census

Pupil ethnicity

Whole-school roll of 1,171 pupils; 1,163 had a recorded ethnic group.

White 29.3% Asian 16.1% Mixed 7.8% Black 43.9% Other 2% Unclassified 0.7%
Recorded group Share Category Pupils
African Black 500
White British White 290
Indian Asian 104
Any other mixed background Mixed 52
Any other White background White 52
Any other Asian background Asian 33
Any other ethnic group Other 24
White and Asian Mixed 24
Bangladeshi Asian 21
Chinese Asian 18
Pakistani Asian 13
White and Black African Mixed 13
Unclassified Unclassified 8
Any other Black background Black 7
Caribbean Black 7
White and Black Caribbean Mixed 4
Irish White 1

Location and contact

Address

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

School leadership

Principal
Mrs Clare Brinklow

School contact

School email
office@rochestergrammar.tsat.uk
School phone
03333602120

Admissions contact

Admissions team
Admissions
Admissions email
office@rochestergrammar.tsat.uk
Admissions phone
0333 360 2120
Open in Map Open school website

Admissions
Year 7 places
205 places (2027 entry)
Applications listed
771 applications (2025 entry)
First preferences
248 first preferences (2025 entry)
Competition i
Moderate
Catchment picture
No catchment area is used. Selective Medway Test candidates are ranked through priority categories, with distance used within categories and as the final criterion.
Residence requirement
Yes, home address evidence is part of the published admissions checks
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.

Admissions policy

Rochester Grammar admissions policy 2027-28

2027 entry

Exam and test format

The GL Assessment 11+ entrance test format

The Medway Test has English, mathematics and reasoning papers. English and mathematics are each double-weighted, reasoning is single-weighted, and scores are adjusted for age before the total score is calculated.

Assessment route
GL Assessment
Papers and stages
3 papers
Format
Multiple-choice papers
Weighting
English 40% / Maths 40% / Reasoning 20%
Age standardisation
Published as age-standardised

Shared exam route

Practice for this school's entrance test

Rochester Grammar School uses the shared Medway Test route. Use these common practice resources for the route, then check the full consortium guide for the complete set and current test guidance.

View all Medway Test practice papers
Practice paper English

GL Assessment English Paper 2

Practice paper Maths

GL Assessment Maths Practice Paper 1

Practice paper Non-Verbal Reasoning

GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths Practice Paper 1

Practice paper Verbal Reasoning

GL Assessment Verbal Reasoning Paper 1

Papers and rounds

  1. Paper 1

    English

    English paper

    The English paper covers comprehension, punctuation and grammar and is double-weighted in the total score.

  2. Paper 2

    Maths

    Mathematics paper

    The mathematics paper is double-weighted in the total score.

  3. Paper 3

    Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning

    Reasoning paper

    The reasoning paper covers verbal, non-verbal and spatial reasoning and is single-weighted in the total score.

What the test includes

English, Maths, Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning are included in the published format.

Science is not listed in the current published format.

Included

  • English

  • Maths

  • Verbal reasoning

    The reasoning paper covers verbal, non-verbal and spatial reasoning and is single-weighted in the total score.

  • Non-verbal reasoning

    The reasoning paper covers verbal, non-verbal and spatial reasoning and is single-weighted in the total score.

Not listed

  • Science

Application

Key dates

  1. Medway Test registration opens

    18 May 2026, 9am

    Past

  2. Medway Test registration closes

    12 June 2026, 5pm

  3. Special arrangements request deadline

    22 June 2026

  4. Secondary applications open

    1 September 2026

  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

  8. Secondary application deadline

    31 October 2026

  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

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

Official admissions documents

Admissions policy

Rochester Grammar admissions policy 2027-28

2027 entry

Results

Attainment snapshot

Progress 8 i
+0.67 Progress 8
Attainment 8 i
68.4 Attainment 8
GCSE results
99.1% grade 4+ in English and maths
Grade 5+ English and maths i
97.8% grade 5+ in English and maths
EBacc average point score i
6.51 EBacc APS

Where students go next

Higher education progression
83% in higher education
Apprenticeships
3% in apprenticeships
Employment
10% in sustained employment

Latest official destinations data currently covers 2022/23 study leavers.

Subject performance

Maths
95.1% grade 5+ in EBacc maths
English
96.9% grade 5+ in EBacc English
Sciences
95.6% grade 5+ in EBacc sciences
Languages
74.6% grade 5+ in EBacc languages

Performance trends

Recent trend

Overall GCSE performance

This follows the school's published overall GCSE score across the subjects pupils take. Higher is better.

Rochester Grammar School Grammar schools England
Overall GCSE performance across 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 for Rochester Grammar School, grammar schools, and England. 80 70 60 50 40 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Year This school Grammar schools England
2021/22 72.7 74.2 49.4
2022/23 71.6 71.8 47.0
2023/24 71.6 72.1 46.7
2024/25 68.4 72.3 46.8

Recent trend

Grade 5+ in English and maths GCSEs

This school does not have a published A-level trend in the local GOV.UK files, so we have shown the share of pupils getting grade 5 or above in English and maths instead.

Rochester Grammar School Grammar schools England
Grade 5+ in English and maths GCSEs across 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 for Rochester Grammar School, grammar schools, and England. 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Year This school Grammar schools England
2021/22 100% 97.7% 66.1%
2022/23 99% 97.7% 61.8%
2023/24 99.4% 97.8% 61.5%
2024/25 97.8% 97.6% 61.3%

Recent trend

Where pupils go after Year 11

This follows the share of pupils moving into a sustained destination after Year 11, such as education, apprenticeships, or employment.

Rochester Grammar School Grammar schools England
Where pupils go after Year 11 across 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 for Rochester Grammar School, grammar schools, and England. 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Year This school Grammar schools England
2021/22 99% 99.1% 94.1%
2022/23 98% 98.9% 93.9%
2023/24 100% 99.0% 93.3%
2024/25 99% 98.7% 91.8%

Latest year breakdown

In education 98%
In apprenticeships 0%
In employment 1%

Inspection
View report
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

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Shortlist comparisons

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Explore this school in context

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Related pages and guides

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What assessment types does Rochester Grammar School use?

Rochester Grammar School currently uses GL Assessment.

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

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

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