Chatham 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, encouraging 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 the 2024-25 / 2025 dataset, the school ranks 710th out of 3,895 schools in England for GCSE academic outcomes. The average Attainment 8 score of 61.8 indicates that students achieve high grades across a broad range of subjects.

Ranked 710th out of 3,895 schools in England for GCSE academic outcomes and 2nd in Chatham for secondary 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 more modest, ranking 2,226th out of 2,549 schools in England for academic outcomes. In 2025, 30% of grades were at A*-B and 10% at A*-A. While these results are respectable, they do not quite match the stronger 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.

Current admissions timetable

For September 2027 entry, Chatham Grammar is a co-educational Year 7 option, with Medway secondary applications closing on 31 October 2026.

Entry is selective, determined by the Medway Test (11-plus). For September 2027 entry, Medway Test registration opens on 13 May 2026, with secondary applications closing on 31 October 2026 and offers released on 1 March 2027.

Families must register their child for the Medway Test through the current Medway timetable; for September 2027 entry, registration opens on 13 May 2026. The test is sat before secondary applications close, and if a child is assessed as grammar-eligible, families can list Chatham Grammar on their Common Application Form (CAF) by the 31 October 2026 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.

The current A-level dataset records 188 exam entries, with 30% of grades at A*-B. The link with the University of Kent provides a natural progression route for many, although families should check the school's latest destinations information for current university, apprenticeship and employment outcomes.

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 strong 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, with Medway Test registration for September 2027 entry opening on 13 May 2026 and secondary applications closing on 31 October 2026.