Fort Pitt Grammar School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Fort Pitt Grammar School.
How to get into Fort Pitt Grammar School
Fort Pitt Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Medway, Kent. To get into Fort Pitt Grammar School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Fort Pitt Grammar School with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
Children applying for Year 7 entry in September 2026 must be born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015. Fort Pitt Grammar School offers 150 places annually [1]. This is a major change from previous years as the Department for Education has approved the school to become co-educational from September 2026 [1].
All children seeking admission must take an exam known as the Medway Test. Children currently attending a Medway primary school will sit the test at their own school, while those from outside the area will attend designated test centres. Except the change to allow boys to apply, the admissions criteria will remain the same [1].
Families must register for the Medway 11+ examination between Monday 19th May and Friday 13th June 2025 (see key dates). Following successful completion of the test, parents must submit their school preferences through the Common Application Form by 31st October 2025 (see key dates).
Application Process
The admission process involves two distinct steps that families must complete. First, children must be registered for and successfully pass the Medway 11+ examination. Second, families must submit their school application through official channels.
Registration for the 11 plus exam deadline is Friday 13th June 2025, available on the Medway Council website. Children attending Medway primary schools will take the test at their current school on either Tuesday 16th September or Wednesday 17th September 2025 (see key dates). Children not attending Medway primary schools will take the exam at a test centre on either Saturday 20th September or Sunday 21st September 2025 (see key dates).
Results are released on Wednesday 15th October 2025 (see key dates). Families must then name Fort Pitt Grammar School on their secondary school common application form, available from early September and submitted by 31st October (see key dates).
- Register for the Medway 11+ by 13th June 2025 (see key dates)
- Ensure children sit the examination in September 2025 (see key dates)
- Receive test results on 15th October 2025 (see key dates)
- Submit Common Application Form by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
- School offers announced on 2nd March 2026 (see key dates)
- Contact the school information section for specific queries
Oversubscription Criteria
When qualified applications exceed available places, the school applies oversubscription criteria to prioritise children. For September 2024, the school received 707 applications for 150 places, demonstrating high demand for admission.
Children are prioritised in the following order: children in public care or previously looked after children, children with siblings already at Fort Pitt Grammar School. Children attending Fort Pitt Thomas Aveling Junior Academies, specifically Balfour Junior Academy and Phoenix Junior Academy, receive priority. Children of staff employed for three years or more also receive consideration.
The main catchment area covers 2 miles from the school site, with children living within 2 miles prioritised according to criterion 4. Children from named parishes including Allhallows, Cliffe and Cliffe Woods, Cooling, Cuxton, Frindsbury Extra, Halling, High Halstow, Hoo St Werburgh, St James Isle of Grain, St Mary Hoo, and Stoke receive priority under criterion 5.
Examination Details
Children take the Medway 11+ examination, which consists of three papers: Extended Writing, Maths, and Verbal Reasoning. Marks in Extended Writing and Maths papers are worth double, giving them greater weighting than Verbal Reasoning. GL Assessment provides the Maths and Verbal Reasoning papers.
The pass mark changes annually to award the top 23% of applicants, with 2023 admissions requiring a score of 488. For Year 7 entry in 2025 and beyond, the minimum score is set at the 25th percentile. For September 2026 entry, the minimum score will be set at the 26th percentile.
Passing the 11 plus does not guarantee placement at preferred schools, as many grammar schools are oversubscribed with qualified children. The furthest distance offered in September 2024 was 3,978.35 metres from the school.
Preparation Guidance
Effective preparation requires consistent effort over an extended period. Building a good knowledge base before the 11 plus is important, using a 'little and often' approach as brains encode new information more effectively with smaller chunks. Child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11.
Preparation should cover extensive curriculum content, starting revision a year beforehand through regular, short study sessions. Familiarising with various question types through 11 plus test papers boosts exam confidence and reduces stress. Regular reading helps children develop analysis and interpretation skills required for examination success.
Families seeking additional support should consider accessing practice 11+ papers for comprehensive preparation materials. Those requiring personalised instruction may benefit from professional guidance through 11+ tutoring services. Celebrating milestones maintains motivation throughout the preparation process.
Practical Advice
On examination day, children should arrive prepared and confident in their abilities. Students sit three 50-minute exams, all multiple-choice with separate answer sheets. Children attending Medway schools take the test at their own school, while those from outside the area attend designated test centres.
Managing examination stress requires establishing realistic expectations and maintaining perspective. Encouraging a growth mindset means celebrating effort as well as achievement, helping children understand they improve through practice when struggling with topics. Regular praise helps children improve resilience when tackling challenging topics.
Families should consider backup options within the Medway area, including other grammar schools and high-performing secondary schools. The Medway area offers several educational opportunities for children who may not secure places at their first-choice school. For specific guidance about school options and application support, families should contact details available in the school information section.
Important changes for September 2026 include the school becoming co-educational, accepting both boys and girls [1]. Current pupils in Years 7-11 or joining in September 2025 will not be affected by this change, as the sixth form is already co-educational [1].
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.
Key Dates for the Fort Pitt Grammar School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Fort Pitt Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 19/05/2025 | 11+ Registration Opens | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 13/06/2025 | 11+ Registration Closes | |
| Mid October | 11+ Results Released | |
| Late October | Secondary School Application Deadline | |
| 02/03/2026 | Secondary School National Offers Day |
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.
11+ Tutor for Fort Pitt Grammar School
As the Medway 11+ entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.
Why use a private 11+ tutor?
Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the GL Assessment 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.
11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.
11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.
Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!
Private 11+ Tutors for the Fort Pitt Grammar School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Fort Pitt Grammar School 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.
11+ Past Papers for Fort Pitt Grammar School
Unfortunately, Fort Pitt Grammar School has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.
11+ Practice Papers for Fort Pitt Grammar School
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.
This is just a sample of our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers. Please click here to see the full collection.
11+ Practice Papers for Fort Pitt Grammar School by Bond
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond and cover and cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. As such they are very helpful for children hoping to pass the Medway 11+ to get into Fort Pitt Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Fort Pitt Grammar School by GL Assessment
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. As with the Bond papers, they cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. They remain useful and we encourage parents to download and use them with their children to help them get into Fort Pitt Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Fort Pitt Grammar School by Exam Ninja
These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful. They are straight-forward 10-question tests in Maths and English, following the same GL Assessment style (and multiple-choice format) as the Medway 11+.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for Fort Pitt Grammar School by Owl Tutors
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors. These too are written in a GL Assessment style and make useful practice for children hoping to get into Fort Pitt Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Fort Pitt Grammar School by CGP
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. As with the Bond, GL Assessment and Exam Ninja papers, they're written for the GL Assessment style, in multiple-choice format and are helpful for children hoping to pass their 11+ tests and get into Fort Pitt Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If Fort Pitt Grammar School ever used them then they don't anymore as grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these 11+ tests remain useful.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEM | Maths | |||
| CEM | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| CEM | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Fort Pitt Grammar School by 11+ For You
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Fort Pitt Grammar School by Examberry
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Fort Pitt Grammar School by Independent Junction
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Fort Pitt Grammar School by IPS
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
11+ Practice Papers for Fort Pitt Grammar School by Schofield & Sims
These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
School Information
Below you will find further information about Fort Pitt Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Fort Pitt Grammar School, Fort Pitt Hill, Chatham, Kent ME4 6TJ |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.fortpitt.co.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01634842359 |
| Email Address | office@fortpitt.medway.sch.uk |
| Gender | Girls only |
| Total Year 7 Places | 150 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 895 (875 Girls / 20 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Ms Salena Hirons |
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:
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
| Date Inspected | Inspection Duration (Days) | Reporting Date | Rating | Full Report | 04/10/2022 | 1 | 15/11/2022 | Outstanding | Full Report |
|---|
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 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.
| GCSE Subjects Offered |
|
|---|---|
| A-Level Subjects Offered |
|
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)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Art & Design (Fine Art) | 14 | - | - | - | - | - | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Art & Design (Graphics) | 14 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | - |
| Art & Design (Textiles) | 13 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | - |
| Biology | 91 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 20 | 29 | 16 | 12 | 13 |
| Business Studies:Single | 61 | - | - | - | 1 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
| Chemistry | 91 | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 22 | 25 | 16 | 16 | 6 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 18 | - | - | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| English Language | 118 | - | - | - | 1 | 8 | 30 | 28 | 23 | 22 | 5 |
| English Literature | 118 | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 24 | 30 | 22 | 25 | 3 |
| French | 30 | - | - | - | 2 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Geography | 50 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 19 | 8 |
| German | 29 | - | - | - | 2 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| History | 50 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Mathematics | 118 | - | - | - | 2 | 14 | 34 | 29 | 19 | 17 | 3 |
| Film Studies | 9 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4 | - | 4 | 1 |
| Music | 10 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 2 | 3 | 2 | - | 2 |
| Physics | 91 | - | - | - | - | 11 | 18 | 23 | 20 | 15 | 4 |
| Psychology | 60 | - | - | 2 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 1 |
| Religious Studies | 18 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
| Sociology | 13 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | - | 7 | 3 |
| Spanish | 56 | 3 | - | - | 5 | 16 | 16 | 4 | 8 | 4 | - |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 9 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | 4 | - | 2 | 1 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 13 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | - |
| Science: Double Award | 27 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Biology | 21 | - | - | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 18 | - | - | 2 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Chemistry | 16 | - | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | - | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 10 | - | 2 | - | 5 | 3 | - | - | |||
| Economics | 17 | - | 1 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 1 | - | |||
| English Language and Literature | 15 | - | - | 1 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |||
| English Literature | 9 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 4 | 3 | |||
| Film Studies | 15 | - | - | - | 2 | 6 | 5 | 2 | |||
| Geography | 9 | - | - | - | 4 | 4 | - | 1 | |||
| Government and Politics | 19 | - | - | 4 | 6 | 7 | - | 2 | |||
| History | 7 | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 1 | - | |||
| Mathematics | 20 | - | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 2 | |||
| Psychology | 35 | - | 1 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 4 | |||
| Religious Studies | 18 | - | - | 3 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Sociology | 35 | - | - | 3 | 5 | 14 | 7 | 5 | |||
FAQ
Is Fort Pitt Grammar School hard to get into?
Yes, Fort Pitt Grammar School is hard to get into! Children need to pass their challenging 11+ entrance test (with a high pass mark) and there's tough competition with many other children trying to get a place for Year 7.
Is Fort Pitt Grammar School a private school?
No, Fort Pitt Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Fort Pitt Grammar School free?
Yes, Fort Pitt Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Fort Pitt Grammar School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Fort Pitt Grammar School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Fort Pitt Grammar School for how up to date information on how to apply (it may be automatic or it may require some forms to be filled in). More information on their 11+ entrance test can be found here.
Is Fort Pitt Grammar School a girls-only school?
Yes, Fort Pitt Grammar School is a girls-only school.
