The Rochester Grammar School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for The Rochester Grammar School.
How to get into The Rochester Grammar School
The Rochester Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Medway, Kent. To get into The Rochester Grammar School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into The Rochester Grammar School with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
The Rochester Grammar School is a selective girls' grammar school for ages 11-18, which admits boys into the sixth form from September. Children applying for Year 7 entry in September 2026 must pass the Medway 11+ examination administered by the local authority for grammar ability assessment.
The school offers 205 places annually for Year 7 with a published admission number for Year 7. Families must register for the Medway 11+ test between Monday 19th May 2025 and Friday 13th June 2025 (see key dates) on the Medway Council website.
Children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) where the school is specifically named are guaranteed admission meeting requirements. The school requires families to complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) alongside their application if applying for a Pupil Premium place.
Application Process
Families must complete two separate processes for admission. First, register for the Medway 11+ test by Friday 13th June 2025 (see key dates) through the Medway Council website which opens on Monday 19th May 2025.
Second, complete the Common Application Form (CAF) by Friday 31st October 2025 (see key dates) ranking school preferences submitted through the local authority. Test results are released on Wednesday 15th October 2025 (see key dates) before the CAF deadline allowing families to make informed choices.
The Medway 11+ test takes place on Tuesday 16th or Wednesday 17th September 2025 for children attending Medway primary schools (see key dates) at their current school. Children not attending Medway primary schools sit the test on Saturday 20th or Sunday 21st September 2025 (see key dates) at designated test centres in the area.
For specific contact information, families should refer to the school information section for assistance with the application process.
Examination System
The school uses the Medway 11+ test, which consists of three papers: English, Mathematics, and Reasoning developed by GL Assessment. The English paper evaluates comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar following changes from 2024.
The Mathematics paper tests mathematical proficiency, problem-solving and logical reasoning abilities while the Reasoning section includes Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning. The test is designed to identify children working within the top 25% of their year group for September 2025 entry.
Recent pass marks have ranged between 480-490 standardised score over the past four years. Achieving the minimum score does not guarantee a place, as schools apply oversubscription criteria when demand exceeds available places due to popularity.
Oversubscription Criteria
The Rochester Grammar School does not have a catchment area but prioritises children living closer to the school when oversubscribed measured by the shortest available safe walking route. In September 2025, the furthest distance offered was 34,381.01 metres from the school.
Children are prioritised in the following order: looked after or previously looked after children; children eligible for pupil premium funding with SIF evidence; children with siblings at the school; children attending Thinking Schools Academy Trust primary schools (New Horizons, Gordon, All Faiths, Cedars Children's Academies) ; daughters of staff; children with specific health reasons supported by medical evidence.
The school received 773 applications for September 2025 and made 235 offers demonstrating high competition for places. Families may request placement on the waiting list if their child is not initially offered a place prioritised according to admissions criteria.
Preparation Guidance
Families should begin preparation early, with experts recommending regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11 using a 'little and often' approach. Building a solid knowledge base before the test is essential, as the test is designed to be challenging and identify top performers.
Free preparation resources are available through practice papers and familiarisation materials. Professional tutoring support can be accessed through qualified 11+ tutors to supplement preparation efforts.
The test aims for children scoring consistently 80%+ in practice tests as a strong indicator of potential success according to historical data correlations. Families should focus on timed practice papers to help children manage questions effectively under exam conditions providing confidence and improved performance.
School Open Events
The school holds its main Open Day on Saturday 4th October 2025, 9am-1pm (see key dates) allowing families to explore the setting. School tours are available every school day from 6th-16th October 2025 by appointment (see key dates) with booking details on the school website from September.
Attending these events is highly recommended before applying, as they provide valuable opportunities to ask questions and get a feel for the school environment prior to making application decisions. Families can explore facilities and understand the school's ethos of "excellence for all" and commitment to transforming life chances.
Practical Advice
On exam day, children should arrive prepared with necessary equipment and in comfortable clothing. The test takes place over three papers with a minimum 20-minute break between each section with clear timing visible in test rooms. Children may bring and use asthma inhalers without special arrangements during the test.
Families requiring special arrangements must contact their child's current school by Monday 23rd June 2025 (see key dates) to submit required documentation. Test stress can be managed through consistent preparation and familiarisation with test formats using official materials to reduce anxiety.
Backup school options in Medway include other grammar schools within the consortium such as Chatham Grammar School, Fort Pitt Grammar School, and Holcombe Grammar School which will be fully co-educational from September 2026. Families should include at least one local comprehensive school on their CAF as a safety option in case grammar school places are not offered.
Results are communicated on National Offer Day, 1st March 2026 (see key dates) when final school allocations are announced. For specific guidance and contact information, families should refer to the school information section for direct assistance.
[1]The Rochester Grammar School official website
Medway 11+ Information
In order to get into The Rochester 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 The Rochester Grammar School. This assessment, provided by GL Assessment, evaluates the academic abilities and potential of prospective students across three core subjects.
The Medway Test consists of separate papers in English, Maths, and Reasoning. These subjects are designed to assess a student's literacy and numeracy skills, as well as their ability to think critically and solve problems using logical reasoning.
By performing well on the Medway Test, students demonstrate their readiness for the rigorous academic program offered at The Rochester Grammar School. Success on this exam is a key factor in gaining admission to the school.
Other Schools using Medway 11+
As well as The Rochester Grammar School, several other schools also use Medway 11+. These are:
- Chatham Grammar
- Fort Pitt Grammar School
- Holcombe Grammar School
- Rainham Mark Grammar School
- Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School
Medway 11+ Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as The Rochester 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 The Rochester Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the The Rochester Grammar School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into The Rochester 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 The Rochester Grammar School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for The Rochester 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 The Rochester Grammar School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the The Rochester 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 The Rochester Grammar School
Unfortunately, The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 The Rochester Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | The Rochester Grammar School, Maidstone Road, Rochester, Kent ME1 3BY |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://rochestergrammar.org.uk/ |
| Telephone | 03333602120 |
| Email Address | office@rochestergrammar.org.uk |
| Gender | Girls only |
| Total Year 7 Places | 205 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1182 (1173 Girls / 9 Boys) |
| Principal | Mrs Clare Brinklow |
The Rochester 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 1,182 pupils attend The Rochester Grammar School and it's led by the Principal, Mrs Clare Brinklow.
The Rochester Grammar School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
The Rochester Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 17/01/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 05/03/2023, 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 | 17/01/2023 | 1 | 05/03/2023 | Good | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
The Rochester Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 17 January 2023 and received an overall outcome of Good. The school was rated Good in all areas, including Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management, and Sixth form provision.
This inspection result demonstrates that The Rochester Grammar School provides a high-quality education to its students, with a strong focus on their academic, personal, and social development. The school's leadership and management team has effectively implemented strategies to ensure that students receive a well-rounded education and are supported in their growth and progress.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at The Rochester 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 The Rochester 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 | ||
| Film Studies | 9 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Art & Design (Fine Art) | 27 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
| Biology | 149 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 8 | 32 | 28 | 49 | 31 |
| Business Studies:Single | 53 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 14 |
| Chemistry | 148 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 7 | 33 | 29 | 49 | 27 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 28 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Design & Technology | 22 | - | - | - | - | - | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| English Language | 200 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 18 | 57 | 63 | 38 | 20 |
| English Literature | 200 | - | - | - | 2 | 6 | 28 | 52 | 58 | 33 | 21 |
| French | 50 | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 6 |
| Geography | 117 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 23 | 38 | 28 | 9 |
| German | 96 | 1 | - | 2 | 3 | 11 | 24 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 3 |
| History | 96 | - | - | 1 | 5 | 6 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 15 | 14 |
| Mathematics | 200 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 24 | 29 | 57 | 57 | 30 |
| Music | 12 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | - | 5 | 2 | - |
| Physics | 148 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 11 | 32 | 42 | 39 | 23 |
| Psychology | 87 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 18 | 22 | 18 |
| Religious Studies | 178 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 32 | 50 | 53 | 19 |
| Sociology | 60 | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 19 | 12 | 6 |
| Spanish | 50 | - | - | - | 2 | 8 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 30 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 2 | 7 | 2 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 18 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Science: Double Award | 51 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Biology | 34 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Chemistry | 14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Economics | 9 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Geography | 19 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Government and Politics | 12 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| History | 13 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 7 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Psychology | 25 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Sociology | 19 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
FAQ
Is The Rochester Grammar School hard to get into?
Yes, The Rochester 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 The Rochester Grammar School a private school?
No, The Rochester Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is The Rochester Grammar School free?
Yes, The Rochester Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to The Rochester Grammar School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into The Rochester Grammar School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact The Rochester 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 The Rochester Grammar School a girls-only school?
Yes, The Rochester Grammar School is a girls-only school.
