About Rochester Grammar School
The Rochester Grammar School is a selective girls' grammar school in Rochester, Medway (co-educational Sixth Form). Entry uses the Medway Test (set by GL Assessment) — three papers: English, Mathematics and Reasoning. All six Medway grammar schools share the same test. Pass mark approximately 488 (top 25–26% of Medway Year 6). 180 Year 7 places. A Supplementary Information Form (SIF) is required for Pupil Premium pupils.
Rochester Grammar School offers an outstanding education with excellent academic standards, small class sizes and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. GCSE 9–7: 52%.
About the Medway Test for Rochester Grammar School
Rochester Grammar School is a selective state grammar school in Medway, Kent. Entry to Year 7 is by the Medway Test, set by GL Assessment: three one-hour papers covering English, Mathematics and Reasoning (verbal and non-verbal), plus a school-set extended writing task. The Medway Test is shared by all six Medway grammar schools, so a child sits it once. The school admits approximately 180 Year 7 pupils each September, and applications must be made through your home Local Authority via the Common Application Form (CAF).
The Medway Test consists of one or two papers covering English (comprehension, cloze passages, vocabulary), Mathematics (numerical reasoning, problem-solving), Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Test scores are age-standardised so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. The reasoning paper covers both verbal and non-verbal questions.
For 2026 entry, the test is sat in Wednesday 17 September 2025 and results are released on Mid-October 2025. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2025, with National Offers Day on Monday 2 March 2026.
Rochester Grammar School is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (180 places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places fairly. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Rochester Grammar School
Rochester Grammar School Admissions Criteria
The Rochester Grammar School is a selective girls' grammar school in Rochester, Medway (co-educational Sixth Form). Entry uses the Medway Test (set by GL Assessment) — three papers: English, Mathematics and Reasoning. All six Medway grammar schools share the same test. Pass mark approximately 488 (top 25–26% of Medway Year 6). 180 Year 7 places. A Supplementary Information Form (SIF) is required for Pupil Premium pupils.
- ✓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.
Rochester 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 (GL Assessment).
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the qualifying mark in the Medway Test set by Rochester 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 — Rochester Grammar School 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | May 2025 |
| 📌 Registration closes | Friday 30 June 2025 (Medway Test registration) |
| 📌 Medway Test (GL Assessment) | 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 Rochester Grammar School via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register for the Medway Test (GL) 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 Rochester 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 (GL Assessment)
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 Rochester 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 Rochester Grammar School
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Rochester Grammar School
Rochester Grammar School uses the Medway Test (GL Assessment) format. 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 Rochester 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.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Rochester Grammar School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
The Rochester Grammar School (RGS) is a high-performing selective girls’ grammar with a co-educational sixth form, consistently ranked among the top grammar schools nationally.
- GCSE: strong results across a broad, traditional curriculum with enquiry-based learning.
- Sixth form: students take the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma alongside A-Levels, supporting applications to leading universities.
- Progression: high rates of progression to Russell Group and other competitive universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Rochester 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. RGS has no catchment area; its Published Admission Number is 205 girls into Year 7.
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, priority runs: looked-after and previously looked-after children; up to two places for demonstrated musical aptitude; then by test score, with straight-line distance to the school used as the tie-break.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1888 on Maidstone Road in Rochester, RGS is an academy within the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, educating girls aged 11–18 with a co-educational sixth form. Its ethos promotes curiosity, confidence and ambition, with particular strengths in science, languages and the humanities.
Beyond the classroom pupils take part in a wide range of activities including sport, music, debating and volunteering. For the full list of clubs, teams and ensembles, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rochester Grammar School
How do I apply to Rochester Grammar School for Year 7?
Applications to Rochester 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 Rochester Grammar School on the CAF by Friday 31 October 2025.
Does Rochester Grammar School use the Medway Test?
Rochester Grammar School uses the Medway Test for Year 7 selection. The Medway Test is set by GL Assessment (it was previously run by CEM) and is shared by all six Medway grammar schools. GL Assessment-style practice papers remain valuable preparation as the topic areas (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) are still tested in most formats.
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 Rochester Grammar School have?
Rochester 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 Rochester Grammar School?
For 2026 entry, Rochester 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 Rochester Grammar School?
Rochester 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 Rochester Grammar School a state school or fee-paying?
Rochester 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 Rochester Grammar School 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete GL Assessment 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 Rochester Grammar School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Rochester 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.