Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School 11+ Guide

About Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School is a selective secondary school in Medway, Kent. For children to get into Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the heart of Rochester, Kent, Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School stands as a beacon of academic excellence for boys aged 11-18. With a rich history and a forward-thinking approach to education, 'The Math' cultivates an environment where students thrive and unlock their full potential. The school's status as one of the first National Teaching Schools in the UK is a testament to its unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional learning experience.

At The Math, students embark on a transformative journey through a rigorous academic curriculum that spans a wide array of subjects, from science and technology to humanities and languages. The school's dedicated and experienced faculty employ innovative teaching methods, ensuring that lessons are engaging and inspiring. The state-of-the-art facilities further enhance the learning process, providing students with the tools they need to excel in their studies.

Beyond the classroom, The Math offers an extensive range of extracurricular activities designed to nurture students' passions and foster their personal growth. From the intellectually stimulating Model United Nations and politics clubs to the creatively enriching drama and choir groups, there is something for every student to explore and enjoy. The school's commitment to linguistic diversity is evident through its French and Mandarin clubs, while sports enthusiasts can hone their skills in tennis and other athletic pursuits.

The Math takes great pride in the outstanding academic achievements of its students, with a significant proportion consistently attaining top grades across all subjects. The school's mathematics department is particularly renowned, with an impressive percentage of students securing grades in the highest range. This success is a reflection of the students' dedication and the school's unwavering support in helping them reach their goals.

At the heart of The Math's ethos lies a deep-rooted belief in fostering a kind, inclusive, and supportive community. The school celebrates the unique talents and backgrounds of each individual, ensuring that every student feels valued and heard. By nurturing positive relationships and encouraging students to face challenges with resilience and determination, The Math equips its pupils with the skills and mindset necessary to thrive not only in their academic pursuits but also in their future endeavors beyond the school's walls.

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 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:

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.

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:

• Chatham Grammar
• Fort Pitt Grammar School
• Holcombe Grammar School
• Rainham Mark Grammar School
• The Rochester Grammar School

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.

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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical 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 Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School) as well as other relevant dates.

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.

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.

Last Ofsted Report Data

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 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)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

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.