Chatham Grammar School 11 plus: a parents' guide for 2023

Chatham Grammar School is a smaller than average selective girls’ academy for ages 11-19, with an attached mixed sixth form, in Medway, Kent. Their most recent (2018) Ofsted rating was ‘Good’, with interviewed pupils describing Chatham Grammar School as having a 'lovely atmosphere' and 'caring ethos' with a strong community feeling.

Chatham Grammar School has a reputation for producing consistently excellent GCSE and A level results, above the national average. Chatham Grammar School is part of the University of Kent Academies Trust (UKAT). The University of Kent is a lead sponsor allowing students to access university resources during their time at the school.

Chatham Grammar School may become co-educational from 2024, under plans put forward by Medway Council. The proposed changes mean that 5% more children who pass the Medway Test could get a place at a grammar school in the area, resulting in a more equal split of boys and girls' places. The plans for this are still in progress.

11 plus information for Chatham Grammar School

• Address: Chatham Grammar School, Rainham Road, Chatham, Kent, ME5 7EH

• County: Kent

• Admissions contact: [email protected], 01634 851262

• School type: Academy

• Number of pupils: 800

• Number of places in Year 7: 150

• Open day date: early/mid-October

• 11 plus exam dates: mid-September

• Exam board type: Medway Test

Chatham Grammar School term dates

The 2023–2024 term dates for Chatham Grammar School are:

• Autumn term: 1st September – 20th December 2023

• Half term: 23rd October – 3rd November 2023

• Spring term: 3rd January – 28th March 2024

• Half term: 12th–16th February 2024

• Summer term: 15th April – 19th July 2024

• Half term: 27th–31st May 2024

Admissions process for Chatham Grammar School

Chatham Grammar School uses the Medway admission criteria to determine which pupils are eligible for a place. If places are oversubscribed, priority will be given to students who have an elder sibling at a UKAT academy, children of staff at a UKAT academy, and proximity to the school. Chatham Grammar School has a catchment area based on location and distance from the school.

Open days for Chatham Grammar School are in October, which allows both parents and potential pupils to learn more about the admissions process and see the school and facilities.

How to apply for Chatham Grammar School

To apply to Chatham Grammar School for Girls, parents need to complete the common application form (CAF), which you can get from the Medway Local Authority. Parents looking to apply from schools outside the Medway Local Authority should apply by using the form provided by the Local Authority where they live.

Chatham Grammar School uses the Medway 11 plus to assess potential students. Your child can take the Medway Test whether they live in Medway or not. The test can be sat at their school if they go to a Medway school, or alternatively in a Medway Test centre.

When is the Chatham Grammar School 11 plus exam taken?

Registration for the Medway Test opens and closes in June. The test takes place on various dates in September, depending on whether you live in Medway or not, with results issued in October. Deadlines for academic reviews close on 10th October. Chatham Grammar School sends out offers for potential students the following March.

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The Chatham Grammar School 11 plus exam format

The Chatham Grammar School 11 plus consists of a verbal reasoning test, a maths test and an extended writing test. The verbal reasoning and maths tests last 50 minutes, each being multiple-choice. The English test is usually a 50-minute essay with 10 minutes of planning time. You can learn more about the format and content of the Medway Test here.

How to prepare for the Chatham Grammar 11 plus

It's best to start preparing as early as possible for the Chatham Grammar School 11 plus to give your daughter the maximum amount of time to master all the material before the exam.

A good way to prepare for the Chatham Grammar School 11 plus is to practice as many questions as possible in the format of the GL exams. Carrying out mock tests helps students practice answering questions under pressure and improve their exam technique and time management.

Atom Nucleus is the UK's leading online learning and exam prep platform, designed to help your child build academic confidence and succeed in the 11 plus. As a subscriber, you'll get access to:

• Over 90,000 interactive questions in Key Stage 2 English, maths, science, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning

• Unlimited online practice papers that replicate the 11 plus, including tests set by GL Assessment

• Daily live lessons and revision programmes with engaging teachers to help your child master key topics and revise efficiently

• Automatic progress-tracking so you can see how your child is performing compared to their peers

• Access to expert advice from education specialists, with ongoing parent webinars and WhatsApp groups for your child’s cohort

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