Fort Pitt Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Fort Pitt Grammar School

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

Nestled in the heart of Chatham, Kent, Fort Pitt Grammar School is a beacon of academic excellence for girls aged 11-18. This selective grammar school, which has attained academy status, boasts a picturesque campus adorned with listed buildings, providing an inspiring backdrop for the education of its approximately 900 pupils. With a mixed sixth form, Fort Pitt Grammar offers a comprehensive and inclusive learning experience.

The school's curriculum is carefully crafted to nurture pupils' aspirations and cater to a diverse range of academic interests, spanning mathematics, sciences, technology, and humanities. The dedicated teaching staff at Fort Pitt Grammar are committed to fostering a lifelong love for learning in their students, encouraging them to approach challenges with critical thinking and creativity. Through a combination of rigorous academics and supportive pastoral care, the school cultivates a environment where girls can thrive both intellectually and personally.

Beyond the classroom, Fort Pitt Grammar offers a vibrant and engaging school life. The house system promotes a sense of community and friendly competition, with students participating in various events throughout the year, such as sports days and inter-house quizzes. Pupils are also encouraged to explore their passions through a wide array of extracurricular activities and embark on exciting annual trips, both within the UK and overseas. These experiences contribute to the holistic development of each student, preparing them for future challenges and opportunities.

Fort Pitt Grammar School is committed to aligning its ethos with core British values, fostering a dynamic community of ambitious learners who approach their interactions with empathy and understanding. By working closely with parents and providing exceptional pastoral support, the school ensures that every child feels cared for and valued. With a strong academic record and a dedication to nurturing the unique potential of each student, Fort Pitt Grammar School is well-positioned to guide its pupils towards personal and professional success.

School Information

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

Fort Pitt 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 895 pupils attend Fort Pitt Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Ms Salena Hirons.

Fort Pitt 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 Fort Pitt Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Medway 11+ Information

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

The English section assesses the candidate's proficiency in reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills. The Mathematics paper tests the student's ability to solve numerical problems, apply mathematical concepts, and demonstrate logical thinking. The Reasoning component evaluates the applicant's capacity for critical thinking, problem-solving, and abstract reasoning.

Success in the Medway Test is a crucial factor in securing a place at Fort Pitt Grammar School, as it helps the institution identify students with the necessary academic aptitude and potential to thrive in its challenging educational environment.

Other Schools using Medway 11+

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

• Chatham Grammar
• 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 Fort Pitt 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 Fort Pitt 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 Fort Pitt 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 Fort Pitt Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Fort Pitt Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 04/10/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 15/11/2022, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

Fort Pitt Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 4 October 2022 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional quality of education, with students consistently achieving high standards. The behaviour and attitudes of students were also deemed outstanding, creating a positive learning environment throughout the school.

The school's personal development provision was highly effective in supporting students' well-being and preparing them for future success. Leadership and management at Fort Pitt Grammar School were found to be outstanding, with a clear vision and strong commitment to maintaining the highest standards of education.

The sixth form provision was also rated as outstanding, offering students an excellent range of opportunities and support to help them progress to their chosen destinations. Overall, Fort Pitt Grammar School has demonstrated exceptional performance across all areas, providing its students with an outstanding educational experience.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Fort Pitt 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, Fort Pitt Grammar School 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 Fort Pitt Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.