Atom Learning is partnered with Holcombe Grammar School. You can read more about our partnership here.
Thinking about applying to Holcombe Grammar School for entry in 2026? Find out everything you need to know about admissions and how to prepare your child for success in the 11 plus.
Key information about Holcombe Grammar School
- Address: Holcombe Grammar School, Holcombe Hill, Chatham, Kent ME4 6TJ
- Number of pupils: 1,000+
- Admissions contact: [email protected]
- Number of places in Year 7: 150
- 11+ exam: Medway Test
- Catchment area: no
Dates for your diary
- Monday 19th May 2025: 11+ registration opens
- Friday 13th June 2025: 11+ registration closes
- Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th September 2025: 11+ exam dates
- Wednesday 15th October 2025: 11+ results released
- Friday 31st October 2025: secondary school application deadline
- Monday 2nd March 2026: secondary school national offers day
About Holcombe Grammar School
Holcombe Grammar School is a boys' grammar school with a mixed sixth form in Medway, Kent. The University of Exeter awarded the school 'Advanced Thinking School status' in 2022. This recognises the school's commitment to helping students develop successful habits and become life-long learners.
The curriculum at Holcombe Grammar School is designed to challenge and inspire students. As well as traditional subjects, the curriculum caters to less conventional interests. GCSE and A level options include astronomy, creative iMedia, criminology, and financial studies.
A proposal by Medway Council has been put forward for the school to accept girls into Year 7 from 2025. This is to provide a more equal balance of the number of grammar school places available to boys and girls in the area.
How to apply to Holcombe Grammar School
Holcombe Grammar School is a selective school. This means that your child will need to take the local 11 plus exam, known as the Medway Test, to be eligible for a place.
The deadline to register for the 11 plus exam at Holcombe Grammar School is Friday 13th June 2025. You can register your child for the test on the Medway Council website.
If your child goes to a Medway primary school, they will take the test at their current school on either Tuesday 16th September or Wednesday 17th September 2025. If your child does not go to a Medway primary school, they’ll be invited to take the exam at a test centre in the area on either Saturday 20th September or Sunday 21st September 2025.
You’ll receive your child’s results on Wednesday 15th October 2025. You can then use these results to decide whether to apply for a place at Holcombe Grammar School.
To apply, you’ll need to name the school as one of your preferred schools on the secondary school common application form. This will be available on your home council website from early September and must be submitted by 31st October.
Remember – passing the 11 plus doesn’t guarantee that your child will be allocated a place at your preferred school. Many grammar schools are often oversubscribed with qualified children. Schools and their admissions authorities work through admissions criteria to prioritise children for places. We’ve included the admissions criteria for Holcombe Grammar School below.
What subjects are on the entrance exam?
Children applying to Holcombe Grammar School take an exam known as the Medway Test. The exam papers are supplied by GL Assessment.
The Medway Test consists of three papers:
- English
- Maths
- Reasoning
