Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School 11+

Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School.

How to get into Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School is a selective secondary school in Medway, Kent. To get into Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School with all the important information you need to know.

Background Information

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School is a boys' grammar school with a mixed sixth form located in Rochester, Kent [1]. The school was founded in 1701 and specialised in teaching maths and navigation to the sons of Freemen of the City of Rochester. The school is known locally as 'the Math' [1].

The school has over 1500 students on roll and is very popular and regularly oversubscribed [1]. There are 203 seats available for Year 7 admissions at the school. The school is rated outstanding in all areas by Ofsted [1].

Admission Requirements

Registration for the Medway Test opens 19 May and closes 13 June 2025. Children born between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2025 (see key dates). Children applying to Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School take an exam known as the Medway Test.

All images © Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School.
All images © Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School.

Before families register, they should speak to their child's teacher or headteacher to see if the Medway Test and grammar school is right for them. If a child is not working at or above their expected levels for their age, it is not recommended they sit the Medway Test. Families should also think about whether they are likely to be offered a Medway grammar school even if their child is assessed as grammar. The Medway Test results only apply to Medway grammar schools. Medway grammar schools do not prioritise applications by score so every child who is assessed as grammar is prioritised against different criteria.

There is no catchment area at Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School [1]. However, a child's distance from the school plays a role in how likely it is they will be offered a place. In the last 10 years, the furthest distance a child has been offered a place has been 5.84 miles away from the school. The average furthest distance in the last 10 years has been 4.38 miles.

Application Process

To secure a Year 7 place at Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, families need to fill out two application forms, both of which are accessible on the Medway Council's website. First, families should submit the registration form by the June deadline of the year before entry. Registration for the Medway Test opens 19 May and closes 13 June 2025 (see key dates).

All images © Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School.
All images © Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School.

Second, families should complete the preference (CAF) form, where they rank their child's school choices. This form must be submitted by the October deadline and is available from September. Families need to name the school as one of their preferred schools on the secondary school common application form. This will be available on the home council website from early September and must be submitted by 31st October (see key dates).

A test registration is not a school application. Families must apply for schools separately during the September to October application window. If children need special arrangements to sit the test, families will need to register them in the same way as other families. Families should speak to their child's school before this date if they think their child needs special arrangements for the Medway Test. Their current school must submit a request by completing a special arrangements request form. The deadline for schools to submit a special arrangements request form and evidence is Monday 23 June 2025 (see key dates).

  • Register for the Medway Test by 13 June 2025 (see key dates)
  • Submit the Common Application Form (CAF) by 31 October 2025 (see key dates)
  • Provide all required supporting documentation through the local authority portal
  • Apply for special arrangements by 23 June 2025 if needed (see key dates)
  • Contact details available in the school information section

Exam Information

If children go 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 children do not go to a Medway primary school, they will be invited to take the exam at a test centre in the area on either Saturday 20th September or Sunday 21st September 2025 (see key dates).

All images © Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School.
All images © Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School.

The assessment, provided by GL Assessment, evaluates the academic abilities and potential of prospective students across three key areas: English, Mathematics, and Reasoning. The Reasoning component evaluates the applicant's logical thinking, pattern recognition, and ability to draw conclusions from given information. The exam consists of 3x 50 minutes exams.

Families will receive their child's results on Wednesday 15th October 2025 (see key dates). A pass mark cannot be determined until after the tests have been marked and the scores ranked in order. However, in the last four years, the pass mark has been between 480 and 490. The recent standardised pass mark for pupils sitting the Medway 11+ Selection Test was 488. Historical data suggests that this standardised score correlates to a score of roughly 80%+ in practice tests. Consistently scoring 80%+ in practice tests is a fairly strong indicator that children should do well in the Medway 11+ exam.

Oversubscription Criteria

If the number of children who have met the qualifying standard for entry to the school exceeds the number of places available, the school applies oversubscription criteria [1]. Allocation of places at this school is overseen by Medway Council, and in the event of the number of pupils seeking admission exceeding the number of places available, oversubscription criteria are applied. These are children in care, those previously in care outside of England, sibling link, health reasons, staff parent and then distance [1].

Children are prioritised for places in the following order: Children in public care or previously in public care ('looked after' or 'previously looked after' children) Children who have a sibling attending Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School Children who have a specific health reason, supported by medical evidence, for attending the school Children who have a parent employed by Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School Nearness of children's homes to the school, calculated by the shortest safe walking route.

Distance is a key determinant of the likelihood of gaining a place because distance is the most frequently applied of the oversubscription criteria. While some children gain admission via the sibling link or due to health reasons, the vast majority of the 203 places (commonly 217 after Appeals) in Year 7 are offered on the basis of distance [1]. The size of the Medway Test score is not a determining factor. It is just necessary to have passed [1].

Preparation Guidance

It is important to build a good knowledge base before the 11 plus. Using a 'little and often' approach when learning is key - brains encode new information more effectively when dealing with smaller 'chunks' of information. For children aged 10–11, child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20–30 minutes. The Medway Test is designed to be challenging.

Families should begin preparation early and maintain consistent practice throughout. Regular assessment helps identify areas needing improvement. For free preparation resources, visit the practice papers section. For professional support, consider accessing the tutoring services section.

  • Start preparation at least 12-18 months before the exam date
  • Practice 20-30 minute sessions regularly rather than long study periods
  • Focus on English, Mathematics and Reasoning skills development
  • Use familiarisation materials available from Medway Council
  • Aim for consistent scores of 80%+ in practice tests
  • Take advantage of mock exams to simulate test conditions
  • Review and understand the GL Assessment format used by the Medway Test

Practical Advice

If children have been assessed as suitable for grammar school, it does not guarantee them a grammar school place. Like other schools, grammar schools can get more applications than they have places for. If this happens, the schools must use their oversubscription criteria to decide who can be offered places. Passing the 11 plus doesn't guarantee that children will be allocated a place at their preferred school. Many grammar schools are often oversubscribed with qualified children.

Families should prepare thoroughly for exam day by ensuring children are well-rested and familiar with the test format. Families can view the familiarisation booklet to help children become familiar with the test. The exam environment will be carefully supervised and children should arrive with appropriate stationery and identification as required.

If unsuccessful, families can appeal the decision through an independent panel. The last day for lodging appeal forms for a place in year 7 to start in September 2025 is 4pm on Wednesday 2 April 2025 to guarantee that appeals will be heard in the first tranche of appeals. Appeals lodged later may not be heard until the second tranche which could be in September 2025 (see key dates) [1].

  • Ensure children are well-rested and have eaten properly before the exam
  • Arrive at the test venue with adequate time to spare
  • Bring all required identification and stationery as specified
  • Consider backup school options in the Medway area
  • Prepare for potential appeals process if needed
  • Visit the school on Open Days to assess suitability
  • Contact the school information section for specific queries

[1]Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School official website

Medway 11+ Information

In order to get into Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School. This assessment, provided by GL Assessment, evaluates the academic abilities and 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 understanding of fundamental mathematical concepts, problem-solving abilities, and numerical reasoning. The Reasoning component evaluates the applicant's logical thinking, pattern recognition, and ability to draw conclusions from given information.

Success in the Medway Test is a crucial factor in securing a place at Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, as it demonstrates the student's readiness to thrive in a challenging academic environment that emphasizes the importance of mathematical and analytical skills.

Other Schools using Medway 11+

As well as Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, several other schools also use Medway 11+. These are:

Medway 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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.

Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.
Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.

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).

Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.
Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.

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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Key Dates for the Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School 11+ Entrance Tests

Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School) as well as other relevant dates.

DateEventCalendar Link
19/05/202511+ Registration Opens
13/06/202511+ Registration Closes
Mid October11+ Results Released
Late OctoberSecondary School Application Deadline
02/03/2026Secondary 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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School as they may well change.

11+ Tutor for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 help ensure preparation work gets done!
11+ tutors help ensure preparation work gets done!

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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School 11+ Tests

We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School

Unfortunately, Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMixed

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMixed

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentWriting
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
CEMMaths
CEMVerbal Reasoning
CEMNon-Verbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School by 11+ For You

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School by Independent Junction

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School by IPS

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School by Schofield & Sims

These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths

School Information

Below you will find further information about Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School together with their admissions contact details.

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School is a boys-only grammar school.
Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School is a boys-only grammar school.
Address
Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School,
Maidstone Road,
Rochester,
Kent
ME1 3EL
School Website
Telephone01634844008
Email Addressoffice@sjwms.co.uk
GenderBoys only
Total Year 7 Places203
Total Pupils (Girls/Boys)1479 (93 Girls / 1386 Boys)
Headteacher Mr Eliot Hodges

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 1,479 pupils attend Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Eliot Hodges.

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

Ofsted Information

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School was last inspected by Ofsted on 21/03/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 18/05/2023, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School obtained <strong>Outstanding</strong> in their last Ofsted inspection in 2023.
Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School obtained Outstanding in their last Ofsted inspection in 2023.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Date InspectedInspection Duration (Days)Reporting DateRatingFull Report
21/03/2023118/05/2023OutstandingFull Report

Ofsted Report Summary

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School was inspected by Ofsted on 21 March 2023 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional quality of education, with students consistently achieving high standards across the curriculum.

The inspection also highlighted the school's outstanding behaviour and attitudes, with pupils displaying exemplary conduct and a strong commitment to learning. The school's personal development provision was deemed outstanding, ensuring that students receive well-rounded support and guidance to help them thrive both academically and personally.

The leadership and management of the school were rated as outstanding, with the inspectors recognizing the effective strategies and vision implemented by the school's leaders. Additionally, the sixth form provision was found to be outstanding, preparing students exceptionally well for their future endeavors.

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School for the 2022-23 academic year.

GCSE Subjects Offered
  • English Language (203 pupils)
  • English Literature (203 pupils)
  • Mathematics (203 pupils)
  • Biology (146 pupils)
  • Chemistry (146 pupils)
  • Physics (146 pupils)
  • History (127 pupils)
  • Economics (125 pupils)
  • Geography (104 pupils)
  • Design & Technology (94 pupils)
  • French (94 pupils)
  • Latin (65 pupils)
  • Spanish (60 pupils)
  • Physical Education/Sports Studies (58 pupils)
  • Science: Double Award (57 pupils)
  • Computer Studies/Computing (47 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Photography) (28 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (26 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Fine Art) (16 pupils)
  • Drama & Theatre Studies (6 pupils)
A-Level Subjects Offered
  • Mathematics (123 pupils)
  • Psychology (69 pupils)
  • Biology (57 pupils)
  • Chemistry (54 pupils)
  • Physics (39 pupils)
  • Economics (38 pupils)
  • English Literature (29 pupils)
  • Design and Technology (Product Design) (25 pupils)
  • Geography (24 pupils)
  • Physical Education / Sports Studies (23 pupils)
  • Computer Studies / Computing (21 pupils)
  • Mathematics (Further) (21 pupils)
  • Classical Civilisation (19 pupils)
  • Government and Politics (17 pupils)
  • History (13 pupils)
  • Art and Design (Fine Art) (12 pupils)
  • Drama and Theatre Studies (12 pupils)
  • Art and Design (Photography) (7 pupils)

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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)

SubjectTotal Pupils Grades Achieved
U123456789
Art & Design (Fine Art)16----2371-3
Biology146----11232214040
Chemistry146----3633273344
Computer Studies/Computing47-1244118755
Design & Technology94--2510191819129
Economics125---1122436182113
English Language203---253161533021
English Literature203---173654573414
French94---9161592997
Geography104--1251228202313
History127-1-392031321714
Latin65--2161111131011
Mathematics203----11838524351
Art & Design (Photography)28-----6994-
Physics146---13838283236
Religious Studies26-----15866
Spanish603--2211618810
Drama & Theatre Studies6----123---
Physical Education/Sports Studies58----681412135
Science: Double Award57----------

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

SubjectTotal Pupils Grades Achieved
UEDCBAA*
Art and Design (Fine Art)12---3252
Art and Design (Photography)7--11131
Biology57-439191111
Chemistry54-110911158
Classical Civilisation19--131041
Computer Studies / Computing21--2694-
Design and Technology (Product Design)25-265741
Drama and Theatre Studies12---435-
Economics38--1371710
English Literature29--31187-
Geography24--37752
Government and Politics17---1763
History13--23512
Mathematics123-81319203626
Mathematics (Further)21-1123410
Physical Education / Sports Studies23---10742
Physics39-2669115
Psychology69--41518239

FAQ

Is Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School hard to get into?

Yes, Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School a private school?

No, Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.

Is Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School free?

Yes, Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School won't cost you any money.

How do I get my child into Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School?

You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School a boys-only school?

Yes, Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School is a boys-only school.

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