Fort Pitt Grammar School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 150
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Fort Pitt Grammar School
The Henrietta Barnett School is a highly selective state grammar school for girls in North London, known for its academic excellence and supportive ethos. Founded in 1911 to offer quality education to girls from all backgrounds, it fosters confidence, curiosity and independence.
Recent upgrades include modern science labs, creative arts spaces and a student café, enhancing its broad, high-achieving curriculum. In 2019, HBS achieved outstanding results, with a Progress 8 score of 0.9, Attainment 8 of 85.2 and 100% of students scoring grade 5 or above in English and Maths.
With over 50 extracurricular clubs and strong exam results, HBS is a top choice for families. More than 2,000 applicants compete each year for 104 places, with admission based on 11 Plus exam performance.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Fort Pitt Grammar School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Fort Pitt Grammar School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Fort Pitt Grammar School
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for Fort Pitt Grammar School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Fort Pitt Grammar School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Fort Pitt Grammar School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Fort Pitt Grammar School’s Key Information
The key information, such as student intake and contact information, for Fort Pitt Grammar School below is regularly updated.
School Address
Full Address:
Fort Pitt Grammar School, Fort Pitt HillChatham
Kent
ME4 6TJ
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is parking within the school as well as on-street parking nearby.
Additional parking off site
- Car Park: Railway St, Chatham, ME4 6PN, 0.4 miles from the school.
- Car Park: Doust Way, Rochester, ME1 1BY, 0.4 miles from the school.
Fort Pitt Grammar School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Fort Pitt Grammar School is rated Outstanding across all areas, recognised for its exceptional teaching, ambition, and inclusive environment.
Academic strength: A well-structured and challenging curriculum enables all pupils, including those with SEND, to achieve excellent results.
Teaching and curriculum: Teachers use strong subject knowledge and engaging lessons to deepen understanding. Sixth form students thrive in thoughtful discussion and debate.
Behaviour and culture: Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary, showing respect, confidence, and care for others in a calm, supportive setting.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leadership is inspiring and effective, with robust safeguarding ensuring pupils feel secure and valued.
Fort Pitt Grammar School Exam Format
Admission to Fort Pitt Grammar School is determined by the Medway Test, used by all grammar schools in the area and managed by Medway Council.
The Fort Pitt Grammar School Entry Exam: Overview
The Medway Test is made up of three papers, one of each Extended Writing, Maths, and Verbal Reasoning. Marks awarded in the Extended Writing and Maths papers are worth double, making them have greater weighting than the marks achieved in the Verbal Reasoning paper. GL Assessment provides the Maths and Verbal Reasoning papers.
Paper One
Mathematics: Questions based on the national curriculum, focused on reasoning and problem-solving.
Paper Two
Verbal Reasoning: Multiple-choice questions testing logic, vocabulary, and pattern recognition.
Paper Three
Extended Writing: A creative or persuasive writing task marked by Medway grammar school teachers.
The Medway Test 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional: Creative Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
The Medway Test pass mark changes each year to reflect roughly the top 25% of pupils in the cohort. Recent thresholds have been around 480–490, though the exact score required varies annually depending on results.
Catchment Area
Fort Pitt Grammar School does not have a fixed catchment area, but distance from the school plays a key role in admissions. Priority is given to children living within two miles, followed by those from certain nearby parishes, before places are offered based on distance.
Additional Eligibility
If more pupils reach the selective standard than places available, priority is given to:
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Children in care or previously in care.
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Siblings of current pupils.
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Children of long-serving or newly recruited staff with a skills shortage.
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Children living within two miles of the school.
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Children from designated parishes.
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Other applicants, ranked by straight-line distance from the school.
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Click here to view the full Fort Pitt Grammar School admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Fort Pitt Grammar School
To help your child prepare for the Medway Test, consider the following strategies:
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This allows plenty of time for steady progress without creating too much pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.
Encourage Daily Reading
A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Best Chance of Success
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re currently working on setting up a network of local test centres to offer in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely match the format used by The Henrietta Barnett School. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for your child to practise under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available just yet, you can register your interest by completing the form below. We’ll get in touch as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
Fort Pitt Grammar School’s Key Dates and Application Information
These dates are related to key events that should be known when applying to Fort Pitt Grammar School.
Medway Test Registration Opens
Medway Test Registration Deadline
Test (Medway primary schools)
Results Published
CAF Application Deadline
National Offer Day
Fort Pitt Grammar School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Fort Pitt Grammar School, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the Fort Pitt Grammar School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyRegister for the Medway Test
Register via the Medway Council website between Monday 19 May and Friday 13 June 2025.
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Fort Pitt Grammar School listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed – failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
Fort Pitt Grammar School FAQs
You can apply through Medway Council by registering your child for the Medway Test and listing Fort Pitt Grammar School as a preference on the Common Application Form by 31 October 2025.
The Medway Test includes a mathematics paper, a verbal reasoning paper, and an extended writing task, designed to assess problem-solving, reasoning, and writing ability.
Entry is highly competitive, as only pupils who achieve the selective standard in the Medway Test are eligible, with priority given based on criteria such as distance and siblings.
There is no strict catchment area, but priority is given to children living within two miles of the school, followed by those in specified nearby parishes.