Apply to Chatham Grammar School for Girls, in plain English.
Despite its name, Chatham Grammar became co-educational from 1 September 2026 — both boys and girls are now eligible. Entry uses the Medway Test (separate from the Kent PESE). As a University of Kent Academies Trust (UKAT) school, the system is straightforward: just four criteria, and no Pupil Premium criterion.
The three things to know first.
If you read nothing else on this page, read these.
The school became co-educational on 1 September 2026 — the name still says "for Girls".
Despite the official name, Chatham Grammar School for Girls now admits both boys and girls. The name change may follow in due course. If you have seen older information describing it as a girls-only school, that is no longer correct. The 2027/28 admissions arrangements are fully co-educational.
The Medway Test — register through Medway Council, separate from the Kent 11+.
Chatham Grammar uses the Medway Test run by Medway Council. It is not the Kent PESE and has its own registration process. One Medway Test registration covers all four Medway grammar schools — you still list each school separately on your CAF. Registration typically opens in May and closes in June.
Four criteria, no PP — distance (by road) is the final tiebreaker.
Chatham Grammar has no Pupil Premium criterion. After LAC, siblings and staff children, the final criterion is distance measured as the shortest road route by Medway Council GIS — not a straight line. PP-eligible families have no admissions advantage here.
Four steps — starting with the Medway Test.
If more children pass than there are places, these 4 criteria decide.
Only children who passed the Medway Test are eligible. Places are allocated in this order. There is no PP criterion — PP-eligible children are considered under the same criteria as everyone else. Tap any criterion to see the exact wording.
In plain English: Children currently or previously in council care who passed the Medway Test get the highest priority.
What the document says: Looked-after children and all previously looked-after children who have met the selection requirements.
In plain English: Children who have a sibling (including step-siblings and adoptive siblings living at the same address) currently at Chatham Grammar who will still be at the school in September 2027.
What the document says: A sibling attending the school at the time of application and expected to be at the school at the time of entry.
In plain English: Children whose parent or carer has been employed at Chatham Grammar for at least 1 continuous year at the time of application qualify — as do children of staff recruited to fill a demonstrable skill shortage, regardless of how long they have been in post. This is a lower service threshold than most grammar schools, which typically require 2 years.
What the document says: Children of members of staff who have been employed at the school for one or more years at the time of application, or who are recruited to fill a demonstrable skill shortage.
In plain English: Children who live closest to the school (by shortest road route) get priority. Distance is measured by Medway Council's GIS system — road distance, not a straight line.
What the document says: Distance measured by shortest route using Medway Council's GIS measurement.
Shortest road route — Medway Council GIS.
Distance is the 4th and final criterion — it only applies when all earlier criteria (LAC, sibling, staff) leave two or more children equal and one place remains. Medway Council measures the shortest available road route from the home address to the school entrance using their GIS mapping system. Road distance, not straight-line.
Home address is your child's permanent address at the time of application. If parents live at different addresses, the address where the child spends the majority of the school week is used. Proof of residency may be requested.
See the approximate catchment on the GrammarBound mapTwo criterion-4 children: the closer one gets the place.
Both children passed the Medway Test but neither has LAC, sibling, or staff priority. Both reach criterion 4 (distance). Child A's road route measures 1.2 miles; Child B's measures 2.8 miles by Medway GIS. Child A is closer and is offered the last place.
Joining Year 12 from outside.
Sixth form places at Chatham Grammar are provided through the UKAT consortium. Check the school website for current entry requirements and capacity.
Academic requirements
Entry requirements for Year 12 are published by the UKAT consortium. See chathamgrammar.org.uk for the current entry criteria, subject requirements, and application process for September 2027.
How to apply and oversubscription
The UKAT sixth form has capacity for up to 150 Year 12 students. Where the sixth form is oversubscribed, priority follows the published UKAT oversubscription criteria. Contact the school directly to confirm the current sixth form application process and deadlines.
See chathamgrammar.org.uk for the sixth form prospectus.
You have two routes, and you can use both.
Waiting list
The waiting list is maintained in the same 4-criterion order and re-ranked each time a new name is added. Only children who passed the Medway Test can be added.
Appeal
Contact the school to request an Appeal Form. Appeals are heard by an independent panel and do not affect your waiting-list position.