Holcombe Grammar School 11+ Papers
Past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Holcombe Grammar School as well as 11+ test details and school information.
Past 11+ Papers for Holcombe Grammar School
Unfortunately, Holcombe Grammar School has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use these 11+ practice papers to help your child prepare.
Practice 11+ Papers for Holcombe 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 Holcombe Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.
11+ Practice Papers for Holcombe Grammar School by Exam Ninja
These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful and we would encourage parents to download and use them with their children.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for Holcombe Grammar School by GL Assessment
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. They remain useful and we would encourage parents to download and use them with their children.
| 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 Holcombe Grammar School by Owl Tutors
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Holcombe Grammar School by Bond
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond.
| 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 Holcombe Grammar School by CGP
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. They are up to date and extremely useful.
| 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. Grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these tests remain useful.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEM | Maths | |||
| CEM | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| CEM | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
About Holcombe Grammar School
Holcombe Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Medway, Kent. For children to get into Holcombe Grammar School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Holcombe Grammar School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.
Nestled in the heart of Chatham, Kent, Holcombe Grammar School is a beacon of academic excellence, nurturing over 1,000 pupils across five distinct houses. This prestigious institution, formerly known as Chatham Grammar School for Boys, fosters a spirit of healthy competition among its students, encouraging them to strive for greatness in all aspects of their educational journey.
At Holcombe Grammar, students are immersed in a rich tapestry of subjects, ranging from the realms of technology and mathematics to the depths of science and humanities. The school's unique offering of astronomy lessons serves to sharpen pupils' logical deduction skills, as they delve into the analysis of observational data. This comprehensive approach to education ensures that students are well-equipped to tackle the challenges of the modern world.
As an accredited Thinking School, recognized by Exeter University, Holcombe Grammar is dedicated to cultivating a love for lifelong learning. By nurturing students' natural curiosity and fostering a resilient, can-do attitude, the school empowers them to think critically, reflect deeply, and grasp complex concepts with ease. This transformative approach to education lays the foundation for a bright and successful future.
Beyond the classroom, Holcombe Grammar offers a wealth of opportunities for students to explore their passions, whether it be in the creative arts, sports, or drama. This vibrant and friendly ethos is the bedrock of the school's profoundly holistic approach to education, ensuring that every pupil has the chance to thrive and grow as an individual.
Through this unwavering commitment to excellence, Holcombe Grammar molds its students into confident, tenacious, and dedicated individuals. Their remarkable achievements, as evidenced by their outstanding GCSE and A-Level results, stand as a testament to the school's transformative power and the students' unwavering dedication to their academic pursuits and personal growth.
School Information
Below you will find further information about Holcombe Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Holcombe Grammar School, Holcombe, Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 6JB |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.holcombegrammar.org.uk/ |
| Telephone | 03333602130 |
| Email Address | office@holcombegrammar.org.uk |
| Gender | Boys only |
| Total Year 7 Places | 150 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1067 (112 Girls / 955 Boys) |
| Principal | Mr Lee Preston |
Holcombe Grammar School is a boys 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 1,067 pupils attend Holcombe Grammar School and it's led by the Principal, Mr Lee Preston.
Holcombe 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 Holcombe Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.
| GCSE Subjects Offered |
|
|---|---|
| A-Level Subjects Offered |
|
Medway 11+ Information
In order to get into Holcombe 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
Aspiring students seeking admission to Holcombe Grammar School are required to sit for an entrance examination known as the Medway Test. This assessment, provided by GL Assessment, is designed to evaluate the academic aptitude and potential of the applicants.
The Medway Test comprises three distinct papers, each focusing on a specific subject area. These subjects include English, which assesses the candidate's language skills, comprehension, and writing abilities; Maths, which tests the student's numerical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and mathematical knowledge; and Reasoning, which evaluates the applicant's logical thinking, pattern recognition, and ability to draw conclusions from given information.
By examining the performance of the candidates across these three subject areas, Holcombe Grammar School aims to identify students who demonstrate exceptional academic promise and are well-suited to thrive in the school's challenging and stimulating educational environment.
Other Schools using Medway 11+
As well as Holcombe Grammar School, several other schools also use Medway 11+. These are:
- Chatham Grammar
- Fort Pitt 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 Holcombe 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 Holcombe 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 Holcombe Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 20/05/2024 | 11+ Registration Opens | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 14/06/2024 | 11+ Registration Closes | |
| 17/09/2024 | 11+ Exam Date | |
| 08/10/2024 | 11+ Results Released | |
| 31/10/2024 | Secondary School Application Deadline | |
| 03/03/2025 | School Allocations |
Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Holcombe Grammar School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Holcombe 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 Holcombe Grammar School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for Medway 11+ entrance exams. Please click here to be put in touch with an excellent 11+ private tutor from our friends at exams.courses.
Ofsted Information
Holcombe Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 30/09/2014 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 22/10/2014, 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
| Date Inspected | Inspection Duration (Days) | Reporting Date | Rating | Full Report | 30/09/2014 | 1 | 22/10/2014 | Good | Full Report |
|---|
GCSE & A-Level Performance
Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Holcombe 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) | 24 | - | - | 2 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | - |
| Astronomy | 14 | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - |
| Biology | 57 | - | - | - | - | 6 | 12 | 21 | 8 | 5 | 5 |
| Business Studies:Single | 82 | - | - | 3 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 4 |
| Chemistry | 57 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 9 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 65 | - | 1 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Design & Technology | 59 | - | 1 | - | 9 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
| English Language | 147 | - | - | 2 | 7 | 14 | 40 | 46 | 23 | 13 | 2 |
| English Literature | 146 | - | - | 5 | 8 | 17 | 29 | 48 | 19 | 15 | 4 |
| D&T Food Technology | 18 | - | - | 3 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| French | 13 | 1 | - | - | - | 2 | 8 | 1 | - | - | 1 |
| Geography | 82 | - | - | 5 | 6 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 10 | 7 | - |
| History | 82 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 14 | 21 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| Mathematics | 147 | - | - | - | 4 | 17 | 32 | 41 | 28 | 16 | 9 |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 17 | - | - | - | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | - |
| Music | 12 | - | - | - | 2 | - | 8 | 2 | - | - | - |
| Art & Design (Photography) | 12 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | - |
| Physics | 57 | - | - | - | - | 5 | 17 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 6 |
| Psychology | 53 | - | 1 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Religious Studies | 29 | - | 1 | - | 2 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 4 |
| Sociology | 24 | - | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | - |
| Spanish | 24 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | - | 2 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 35 | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Science: Double Award | 89 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 7 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | |||
| Biology | 23 | - | 2 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 4 | - | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 38 | - | 1 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 10 | - | |||
| Chemistry | 32 | - | 2 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 6 | 3 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 28 | - | 7 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 1 | |||
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 12 | - | - | 1 | 7 | 4 | - | - | |||
| Economics | 29 | - | - | 5 | 4 | 13 | 7 | - | |||
| English Language and Literature | 19 | - | 2 | 6 | 6 | 4 | - | - | |||
| English Literature | 12 | - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | - | |||
| Geography | 12 | - | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | - | - | |||
| Government and Politics | 8 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | - | |||
| History | 11 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 6 | - | - | |||
| Law | 28 | - | 3 | 3 | 13 | 6 | 3 | - | |||
| Mathematics | 68 | - | 7 | 4 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 9 | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 17 | - | - | 3 | 1 | 10 | 3 | - | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 10 | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | - | - | |||
| Physics | 20 | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 4 | |||
| Psychology | 21 | - | - | 2 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 2 | |||
| Sociology | 34 | - | 3 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 7 | 3 | |||
FAQ
Is Holcombe Grammar School hard to get into?
Yes, Holcombe 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 Holcombe Grammar School a private school?
No, Holcombe Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Holcombe Grammar School free?
Yes, Holcombe Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Holcombe Grammar School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Holcombe Grammar School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Holcombe 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 Holcombe Grammar School a boys-only school?
Yes, Holcombe Grammar School is a boys-only school.
