Chatham Grammar 11+ Guide

About Chatham Grammar

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

Nestled in the heart of Medway, Kent, Chatham Grammar School for Girls has been a beacon of academic excellence since its inception. With a steadfast commitment to nurturing the minds of young women aged 11-18, the school has garnered a stellar reputation for its consistently impressive GCSE and A-Level results, particularly in the field of English, where it has produced some of the nation's top performers.

At Chatham Grammar, students are presented with a diverse and engaging curriculum that spans a wide array of subjects, from the creative realms of art and design technology to the analytical domains of computer science and geography. This comprehensive approach ensures that every student's unique interests and abilities are catered to, fostering a stimulating learning environment enhanced by interactive, high-quality teaching.

Beyond the classroom, Chatham Grammar takes immense pride in its vibrant extracurricular program, encouraging students to explore and develop their passions. From the melodic strains of the orchestra to the lively debates of the debating society, and from the invigorating activities of the Green Team to the thought-provoking discussions of the Med Society, there is no shortage of opportunities for personal growth and social enrichment. The school's unwavering dedication to its students' holistic development is further exemplified by its enthusiastic participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award initiative, which challenges participants to push their boundaries, discover hidden talents, and cultivate both physical and mental resilience.

At the heart of Chatham Grammar lies a profound commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community, where strong bonds between students and staff are nurtured and celebrated. Within this empowering atmosphere, young women not only acquire academic knowledge but also embark on a transformative journey of personal growth, emerging as confident, well-rounded individuals ready to make their mark on the world.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Chatham Grammar together with their admissions contact details.

Chatham Grammar 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 945 pupils attend Chatham Grammar and it's led by the Principal, Ms Wendy Walters.

Chatham Grammar 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 Chatham Grammar for the 2022-23 academic year.

Medway 11+ Information

In order to get into Chatham Grammar, 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 Chatham Grammar School. This assessment, provided by GL Assessment, evaluates the academic abilities and potential of prospective students across three key areas: English, Maths, and Reasoning.

The English section assesses the candidate's proficiency in reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills. The Maths paper tests the student's understanding of fundamental mathematical concepts, problem-solving abilities, and numerical reasoning. The Reasoning component evaluates the applicant's logical thinking, pattern recognition, and ability to draw conclusions from given information.

Success in the Medway Test is a crucial factor in securing a place at Chatham Grammar School, as it demonstrates the student's readiness to thrive in a challenging academic environment. Thorough preparation and practice are essential for achieving the best possible results in this competitive examination.

Other Schools using Medway 11+

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

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

Medway 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Chatham Grammar 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 Chatham Grammar, 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 Chatham Grammar) 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 Chatham Grammar as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Chatham Grammar was last inspected by Ofsted on 22/05/2018 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 20/06/2018, 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

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Chatham Grammar 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, Chatham Grammar has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

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 Chatham Grammar which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.