Holcombe Grammar School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Boys Only
Places per year: 150
Ofsted Rating: Good
Holcombe Grammar School
Holcombe Grammar School in Chatham, Kent, is a selective grammar school that will become fully co-educational from September 2026. Currently, it educates boys aged 11 to 18 and girls in the sixth form. As part of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, the school focuses on developing confident, independent learners.
The school’s ethos is built around creativity, resilience, and adaptability, offering a balanced curriculum that combines academic excellence with enrichment in the arts, sports, and leadership. Students are encouraged to think critically and take ownership of their learning to prepare for lifelong success.
With its historic Holcombe Manor building alongside modern classrooms, science laboratories, and arts facilities, the school provides a rich and inspiring environment where tradition meets innovation.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Holcombe Grammar School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Holcombe Grammar School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Holcombe 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 Holcombe Grammar School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Holcombe Grammar School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Holcombe Grammar School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Holcombe Grammar School’s Key Information
The key information, such as student intake and contact information, for Holcombe Grammar School below is regularly updated.
School Address
Full Address:
Holcombe Grammar School, Holcombe, Letchworth AvenueChatham
Kent
ME4 6JB
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is some parking within the school as well as on-street parking nearby.
Additional parking off site
- Car Park: Railway St, Chatham, ME4 6PN, 1.1 miles from the school.
- Car Park: Old Rd, Chatham, ME4 6BJ, 1.2 miles from the school.
Holcombe Grammar School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Holcombe Grammar School continues to be a Good school, recognised for its inclusive environment and strong academic standards.
Academic strength: Teachers have excellent subject knowledge, delivering a broad and ambitious curriculum that prepares pupils well for future study.
Teaching and curriculum: Behaviour is calm and respectful, with pupils showing pride in their work and positive attitudes to learning.
Behaviour and culture: The school offers rich opportunities beyond the classroom, including leadership roles, clubs, and a well-structured careers programme.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leadership is effective and supportive, ensuring staff receive high-quality training and pupils’ welfare and safety remain a top priority.
Holcombe Grammar School Exam Format
Admission to Year 7 is based on the Medway Test, administered by Medway Council. The test is designed to assess a child’s suitability for grammar school education.
The Holcombe Grammar School Entry Exam: Overview
The Medway Test is made up of three papers, one of each Extended Writing, Maths, and Verbal Reasoning. Marks achieved in the Extended Writing and Maths papers are doubled, making them have greater weighting than the Verbal Reasoning paper. The Maths and Verbal Reasoning papers are provided by GL Assessment.
Paper One
Mathematics: Curriculum-based questions assessing numerical and problem-solving skills.
Paper Two
Verbal Reasoning: Evaluates logic, language, and pattern recognition abilities.
Paper Three
Extended Writing: A creative or persuasive writing task marked by teachers across Medway grammar schools.
The Medway Test 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional: Creative Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
The pass mark for the Kent Test is not a set mark but instead is changed to accommodate the top 25% of students in the country.Â
Catchment Area
Applicants attending the following primary schools will be given greater priority for places: The Gordon Children’s Academy, New Horizons Children’s Academy, All Faiths Children’s Academy, Cedars Children’s Academy. Remaining applicants will be awarded places based on distance of residence from the school, with those living closest being given greater priority.
Additional Eligibility
If more children meet the selective standard than there are places available, Holcombe Grammar School applies the following oversubscription criteria:
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Looked After Children – Children in public care or previously in care.
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Siblings – Children with a sibling attending Holcombe Grammar School or another Thinking Schools Academy Trust secondary school in Medway at the time of admission.
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Children of Staff – Children of staff employed at the school for two or more years or recruited to fill a vacancy with a demonstrable skills shortage.
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Health Reasons – Children with specific health needs that require attendance at Holcombe Grammar School, supported by medical evidence.
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Proximity – Children who live closest to the school, measured by the shortest distance from home to school.
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Click here to view the full Holcombe Grammar School admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Holcombe Grammar School
Supporting your child in preparing for the Medway Test can significantly impact their performance. Here are some 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
Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.
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 Holcombe Grammar 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.
Holcombe Grammar School’s Key Dates and Application Information
These are dates related to key events for Holcombe Grammar School, the Kent Test, and the Medway Test.
Medway Test Registration Opens
Medway Test Registration Deadline
Test (Medway primary schools)
Results Published
CAF Application Deadline
National Offer Day
Holcombe Grammar School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Holcombe 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 Holcombe Grammar School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyRegister for the Medway Test
Registration opens on Monday 19 May 2025 and closes on Friday 13 June 2025. You must register through Medway Council’s website.
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Holcombe 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.
Holcombe Grammar School FAQs
To apply, register your child for the Medway Test through Medway Council, then complete the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) by 31 October 2025, listing Holcombe Grammar as a preference.
The Medway Test includes three sections: Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and an Extended Writing task. It assesses numerical ability, logical thinking, and written communication skills.
Entry is highly competitive, with places offered to those who meet the Medway Test’s selective standard. Oversubscription criteria, such as siblings and distance, are used when more candidates qualify than places available.
Yes. While the school welcomes applications from across Medway and nearby areas, proximity to the school is one of the deciding factors if demand exceeds available places.