About Holcombe Grammar School
Holcombe Grammar School is a selective grammar school in Chatham, Medway. From September 2026 the school is co-educational. Entry uses the Medway Test (GL Assessment papers) — the same test used by all six Medway grammar schools. Three papers: English, Mathematics and Reasoning. Pass mark approximately 488 (top 25–26% of Medway Year 6 cohort). 180 Year 7 places.
Holcombe Grammar School offers an outstanding education with excellent academic standards, small class sizes and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. GCSE 9–7: 37.4%.
About the Medway Test for Holcombe Grammar School
Holcombe Grammar School is a selective grammar school in Chatham, Medway, becoming co-educational for Year 7 from September 2026 (previously boys only; the sixth form is already co-educational). Entry to Year 7 is by the Medway Test, the shared 11+ used by all Medway grammar schools — you register for the test and apply through your home Local Authority’s Common Application Form.
The Medway Test has three papers — Extended Writing, Mathematics and Reasoning (verbal and non-verbal) — with the Maths and Verbal Reasoning papers supplied by GL Assessment. Scores are age-standardised and weighted (English ×2, Maths ×2, Reasoning ×1); the pass mark is set to select roughly the top quarter of the Medway cohort.
For 2026 entry, the Medway Test is sat in mid-September 2025, results are released to parents in mid-October, and Year 7 offers are made on National Offers Day in March. Always confirm current dates and arrangements on Medway Council’s and the school’s admissions pages.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Holcombe Grammar School
Holcombe Grammar School Admissions Criteria
Holcombe Grammar School is a selective grammar school in Chatham, Medway. From September 2026 the school is co-educational. Entry uses the Medway Test (GL Assessment papers) — the same test used by all six Medway grammar schools. Three papers: English, Mathematics and Reasoning. Pass mark approximately 488 (top 25–26% of Medway Year 6 cohort). 180 Year 7 places.
- ✓Register for the Medway Test via Medway Council's Parent Portal (medway.gov.uk) — opens May 2026, closes June 2026.
- ✓Children at Medway primary schools sit the test at their own school on a weekday (16th–17th September 2026).
- ✓Children NOT at Medway primaries sit at a designated test centre on the weekend (20th–21st September 2026).
- ✓Sit three Medway Test papers: English (comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, grammar — 40 min), Mathematics (50 min), Reasoning — Verbal, Non-Verbal and Spatial (50 min).
- ✓Scoring: English raw score ×2, Maths raw score ×2, Reasoning raw score ×1 = total weighted score (max 700). Historical pass mark approximately 488 (top 25–26% of Medway Year 6 cohort).
- ✓Results released Wednesday 15th October 2026.
- ✓Complete Supplementary Information Form (SIF) if eligible for Free School Meals — submit to the school.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- ✓Pupil Premium / Free School Meals pupils given priority at most Medway schools.
- ✓All qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
- ✓Apply via Medway Council Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) by 31st October 2026.
- ✓Note: All six Medway grammar schools are co-educational from September 2026.
Holcombe Grammar School Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 180 Year 7 admission number, the Board of Governors / Trust applies the following criteria in priority order. Final ranking uses the standardised score achieved in the Medway Test.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the qualifying mark in the Medway Test taken for entry to Holcombe Grammar School
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium / Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME)
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school
- Children with sibling(s) currently attending the school
- Children of staff (where staff member has worked at the school for 2+ years)
- Children ranked by total standardised score (highest first) up to the published admission number
- Tiebreak: distance from home to school (straight-line) for children with equal scores
Key Dates & Deadlines — Holcombe Grammar School 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | May 2025 |
| 📌 Registration closes | Friday 30 June 2025 (Medway Test registration) |
| 📌 Medway Test (Year 7 entrance) | Wednesday 17 September 2025 (Medway Test — English + Maths + VR) |
| 📌 Test results released | Mid-October 2025 |
| 📌 CAF deadline (apply via Local Authority) | Friday 31 October 2025 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 2 March 2026 |
How to Apply to Holcombe Grammar School via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register for the Medway Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal when registration opens. Closes Friday 30 June 2025 (Medway Test registration). There is no fee to sit the test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Holcombe Grammar School
Visit during Year 5 or early Year 6 to assess fit before listing this school on your CAF.
Step 3 — Sit the Medway Test
Test held on Wednesday 17 September 2025. Covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with age-standardised scoring.
Step 4 — Receive standardised test results
Test results released on Mid-October 2025, BEFORE the CAF deadline.
Step 5 — Complete your Common Application Form (CAF)
List Holcombe Grammar School as one of your preferences on the CAF submitted via your home Local Authority.
Step 6 — Submit the CAF by the deadline
Submit by Friday 31 October 2025. Late applications are processed only after on-time ones.
Step 7 — Receive your school offer on National Offers Day
Offers issued on Monday 2 March 2026 via your Local Authority.
Subjects Tested at Holcombe Grammar School (Medway Test)
Medway Test Practice Papers for Holcombe Grammar School
Holcombe Grammar School uses the Medway Test (GL Assessment papers). Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Holcombe Grammar School 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
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Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Holcombe Grammar School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Holcombe Grammar School is a selective grammar in Chatham (formerly Chatham Grammar School for Boys), with strong academic outcomes and a co-educational sixth form.
- GCSE: strong results across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level: a wide sixth-form offer supporting competitive university applications.
- Progression: high rates of progression to leading universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Holcombe Grammar School
Admission to Year 7 is by the Medway Test, administered by Medway Council on the school’s behalf and produced by GL Assessment: papers in English, Mathematics and Reasoning (verbal, non-verbal and spatial). A qualifying standard is set each year at roughly the top 25% of the cohort, and reaching it makes a child eligible but does not guarantee a place. From September 2026 Holcombe Grammar admits both girls and boys into Year 7 (previously boys only, with girls in the sixth form), as part of a Medway-wide move to spread grammar places more evenly. The school has no catchment area.
Families register for the Medway Test with Medway Council in late May/June, sit it in September, receive results in October, and then name the school on the Medway Common Application Form by 31 October. Always confirm the current dates, qualifying score and oversubscription criteria with the school and Medway Council. Where the school is oversubscribed, places are allocated by test score after looked-after children, with distance to the school used as the tie-break.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Holcombe Grammar is based in Chatham and offers a selective, academically focused education alongside a broad pastoral and enrichment programme. From September 2026 it becomes co-educational at Year 7, widening access to selective education locally for both girls and boys.
Pupils have access to a range of sport, music, drama and other extracurricular activities. For the full list of clubs and teams, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Holcombe Grammar School
How do I apply to Holcombe Grammar School for Year 7?
Applications to Holcombe Grammar School are made through your home Local Authority's Common Application Form (CAF), not directly to the school. Your child must sit the Medway Test (registration closes Friday 30 June 2025 (Medway Test registration)), then list Holcombe Grammar School on the CAF by Friday 31 October 2025.
What test does Holcombe Grammar School use?
Holcombe uses the Medway Test, the shared 11+ for all Medway grammar schools, with its Maths and Verbal Reasoning papers supplied by GL Assessment — it is not a CEM test. The Medway Test covers Extended Writing (English), Mathematics and Reasoning (verbal and non-verbal).
What's the difference between CEM and GL Assessment?
Both test similar subjects (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) but differ in style: CEM was designed to be less coachable with broader vocabulary and varied question types per paper; GL Assessment has more structured, predictable papers per subject area. The Medway Test, including its reasoning paper, is now provided by GL Assessment.
How many Year 7 places does Holcombe Grammar School have?
Holcombe Grammar School admits approximately 180 Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly.
When is the 11+ test for Holcombe Grammar School?
For 2026 entry, Holcombe Grammar School's 11+ entrance assessment is held in Wednesday 17 September 2025 (Medway Test — English + Maths + VR). Registration closes Friday 30 June 2025 (Medway Test registration).
What's the pass mark / qualifying score for Holcombe Grammar School?
Holcombe Grammar School sets its own qualifying mark each year based on the standardised score distribution of applicants. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) up to 180 places.
Is Holcombe Grammar School a state school or fee-paying?
Holcombe Grammar School is a state-funded grammar school — there are no tuition fees. As a state grammar, it is academically selective via the Medway Test.
How can my child prepare for the Holcombe Grammar School 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a comprehensive 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question, and downloadable resources covering English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the test for best results.
Where can I find Holcombe Grammar School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Holcombe Grammar School 2026 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, current test format, qualifying mark, supplementary forms, and any school-specific application requirements.