Chatham Grammar Review 2026: A Modern, Future-Focused Grammar

Chatham Grammar is shedding the dusty image of traditional selective education. As a lead school in the University of Kent Academies Trust (UKAT), it operates with a forward-looking ethos that prioritises digital fluency alongside academic rigour. A major change is on the horizon: from September 2026, the school will become co-educational, welcoming boys into Year 7 for the first time. Currently, it serves girls aged 11 to 16 with a mixed Sixth Form. Being an Apple Distinguished School, the approach here is unashamedly 21st-century; every student uses an iPad to access a curriculum that blends classical grammar school expectations with contemporary tech skills.

Walk past the reception and the atmosphere is purposeful but far from silent. The environment feels more like a modern university campus than a Victorian schoolhouse, a deliberate reflection of its sponsorship by the University of Kent. The "future-focused" mantra is visible in the way students work; digital devices are as ubiquitous as textbooks, used not as gimmicks but as integrated learning tools.

Ms Wendy Walters, the Principal, leads a school that values adaptability. The culture is inclusive and aspirational, actively encouraging students to look beyond the local area. The connection with the University of Kent provides a tangible pathway to higher education, with students frequently accessing university facilities and mentoring schemes.

The House system—named after inspirational figures like Seacole and Pankhurst—creates smaller communities within the school, fostering a sense of belonging and healthy competition. With the upcoming shift to co-education in 2026, the school is preparing for a significant cultural evolution, widening its modern, tech-rich offer to boys in Medway.

Academic performance at GCSE is a clear strength. In 2024, the school’s results placed it in the top 10% of schools in England (national high band). The average Attainment 8 score of 60.1 is significantly above the England average of 45.9, indicating that students achieve high grades across a broad range of subjects.

Ranked 454th in England and 2nd in Chatham for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school consistently adds value. The Progress 8 score of +0.36 demonstrates that students make above-average progress from their starting points compared to peers nationally.

At A-level, performance is solid, sitting in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (national typical band). The average grade is a C+, with 42% of grades at A*-B. While these results are respectable, they do not quite match the elite tier performance seen at GCSE level.

The curriculum is broad and ambitious, structured to keep options open for as long as possible. The status as an Apple Distinguished School means teaching often flips traditional models; students might research a topic independently on their iPads before debating it in class. This encourages autonomy and mirrors university-style learning.

Key Stage 3 covers a wide base, including dual linguist options and discrete sciences. The "Leadership and Mindfulness" curriculum is a unique addition, designed to build resilience and emotional intelligence alongside academic knowledge.

Pastoral care is organised through the vertical House system, meaning students mix across year groups during tutor time. This structure encourages older students to mentor younger peers, breaking down age barriers.

A dedicated student services team creates a "school within a school" feel, ensuring no individual gets lost in the bustling environment. The "Mindfulness" aspect of the curriculum provides practical tools for managing stress, a valuable skill in a selective grammar school environment where academic pressure can be high.

Extracurricular life is vibrant and explicitly designed to build "cultural capital". The University of Kent link adds significant value here, offering masterclasses, campus visits, and lectures that most schools cannot match.

STEM: Digital Innovation

The school’s tech focus is a defining pillar. Coding clubs, robotics, and digital art are popular, supported by the ubiquitous iPad scheme. The status as a regional training centre for Apple means facilities and expertise are cutting-edge.

Sports and arts are also well-represented. The annual school production is a major event, often involving collaboration with the wider trust. Netball, athletics, and football teams compete locally, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award is a rite of passage for many.

Important Change

For September 2026 entry, Chatham Grammar becomes co-educational, accepting both boys and girls into Year 7.

Entry is selective, determined by the Medway Test (11-plus). The school is popular and consistently oversubscribed; in 2024, there were over 5 applications for every place.

Families must register their child for the Medway Test in the summer of Year 5 (typically June/July). The test is sat in September of Year 6. If a child is assessed as grammar-eligible, families can list Chatham Grammar on their Common Application Form (CAF) by the 31 October deadline.

For those who narrowly miss the pass mark, the school has previously offered a review process, though this is strictly regulated by Medway Council procedures.

The majority of Year 11 students stay on for the UKAT Sixth Form, which is a collaborative provision shared with Brompton Academy. This partnership offers a wider range of A-level and vocational courses than a standalone grammar might provide.

In 2024, 66% of leavers progressed to university, with others choosing higher apprenticeships or employment. The link with the University of Kent provides a natural progression route for many, although students also secure places at other Russell Group institutions. One student secured a place at Oxbridge in the most recent cohort.

The school day runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm. The site on Rainham Road is well-connected by local bus routes serving Medway and Swale. There is no boarding provision; this is a day school serving the local community.

Co-education Shift: From September 2026, the school changes from girls-only (11-16) to co-educational. Families applying for 2026 should be aware they will be the pioneering mixed cohort in the main school.

Tech-Heavy Approach: The reliance on iPads is fundamental to the school's pedagogy. Families preferring a traditional "pen and paper" grammar school experience might find the digital focus intense.

Admissions Pressure: With a subscription ratio of over 5 applicants per place, securing entry is the primary hurdle. Passing the Medway Test is necessary but does not guarantee a place if the school is heavily oversubscribed.

Chatham Grammar offers a refreshing take on selective education, replacing stuffy tradition with digital innovation and university-style independence. It achieves stellar GCSE results and offers a supportive, modern environment. Best suited to bright students who will thrive in a tech-rich, forward-looking environment. The main challenge is securing a place in this increasingly popular school, especially with the move to co-education in 2026.