The Rochester Grammar School 11+ Guide

About The Rochester Grammar School

The Rochester Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Medway, Kent. For children to get into The Rochester Grammar School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, The Rochester Grammar School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the heart of Rochester, Kent, The Rochester Grammar School is a beacon of academic excellence for girls, with a vibrant co-educational sixth form. As one of the leading grammar schools in the nation, it takes immense pride in its students' outstanding performance in examinations. The school's unwavering commitment to fostering independent thinking and nurturing confident learners is evident in its Level 2 Advanced Accreditation as a Thinking School.

The Rochester Grammar School offers a comprehensive curriculum that spans a wide array of subjects, from the intricacies of language and technology to the depths of mathematics and science. In the sixth form, students embark on the challenging yet rewarding International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, which equips them with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. The school's dedicated faculty works tirelessly to ensure that each student receives the support and guidance they need to reach their full potential.

Beyond the classroom, The Rochester Grammar School provides a wealth of enrichment opportunities that cater to the diverse interests and passions of its students. From engaging in thought-provoking debates at the Law Society to expressing their creativity through drama and music, students have ample chances to explore their talents and forge lasting friendships. The school's six houses, each named after inspiring and influential women, foster a sense of belonging and healthy competition through various events and competitions throughout the year.

With its unwavering dedication to pastoral care, The Rochester Grammar School creates a nurturing environment where every student feels valued and supported. The school's commitment to embedding young people's rights in all aspects of its practices has earned it the prestigious UNICEF Silver Rights Respecting Schools Award. By embracing diversity and encouraging self-reflection, The Rochester Grammar School prepares its students to become compassionate, open-minded, and resilient individuals ready to make a positive impact on the world.

School Information

Below you will find further information about The Rochester Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

The Rochester Grammar School is a girls only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,182 pupils attend The Rochester Grammar School and it's led by the Principal, Mrs Clare Brinklow.

The Rochester Grammar School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at The Rochester Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Medway 11+ Information

In order to get into The Rochester Grammar School, children need to pass the Medway 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Medway 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Medway 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English
• Maths
• Reasoning

The Medway Test is an entrance examination for students seeking admission to The Rochester Grammar School. This assessment, provided by GL Assessment, evaluates the academic abilities and potential of prospective students across three core subjects.

The Medway Test consists of separate papers in English, Maths, and Reasoning. These subjects are designed to assess a student's literacy and numeracy skills, as well as their ability to think critically and solve problems using logical reasoning.

By performing well on the Medway Test, students demonstrate their readiness for the rigorous academic program offered at The Rochester Grammar School. Success on this exam is a key factor in gaining admission to the school.

Other Schools using Medway 11+

As well as The Rochester Grammar School, several other schools also use Medway 11+. These are:

• Chatham Grammar
• Fort Pitt Grammar School
• Holcombe Grammar School
• Rainham Mark Grammar School
• Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School

Medway 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as The Rochester Grammar School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Medway 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Medway 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at The Rochester Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Medway 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Medway 11+ tests (to get into The Rochester Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with The Rochester Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

The Rochester Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 17/01/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 05/03/2023, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

The Rochester Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 17 January 2023 and received an overall outcome of Good. The school was rated Good in all areas, including Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management, and Sixth form provision.

This inspection result demonstrates that The Rochester Grammar School provides a high-quality education to its students, with a strong focus on their academic, personal, and social development. The school's leadership and management team has effectively implemented strategies to ensure that students receive a well-rounded education and are supported in their growth and progress.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for The Rochester Grammar School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, The Rochester Grammar School has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use our 11+ practice papers to help your child prepare.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Medway 11+ Ensure you double-check with The Rochester Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.