Apply to Holcombe Grammar School, in plain English.
Holcombe Grammar became co-educational from 1 September 2026 — it now admits both boys and girls. Entry uses the Medway Test (separate from the Kent PESE). As a Thinking Schools Academy Trust (TSAT) school, children attending TSAT Medway primary schools get third priority. There is no Pupil Premium criterion.
The three things to know first.
If you read nothing else on this page, read these.
Holcombe became co-educational on 1 September 2026 — both boys and girls can apply.
From September 2026, Holcombe Grammar is a mixed (co-educational) school. Both boys and girls are eligible for Year 7 entry. If you have seen older information describing Holcombe as a boys' school, that is now out of date. The admissions arrangements for 2027/28 entry reflect the co-educational structure.
The Medway Test — register through Medway Council, separate from the Kent 11+.
Holcombe uses the Medway Test run by Medway Council. It is not the Kent PESE and has its own registration process. Check Medway Council's admissions website for the 2026 registration window. One Medway Test registration covers all four Medway grammar schools — you still apply separately on your CAF.
TSAT Medway primary pupils get 3rd priority — and there is no PP criterion.
Unlike Rochester Grammar, Holcombe has no PP criterion. After LAC and siblings, the next priority is children attending one of four TSAT Medway primary schools (Gordon, New Horizons, All Faiths, Cedar). After that, staff children and then distance. PP-eligible families have no admissions advantage over non-PP families at Holcombe.
Four steps — starting with the Medway Test.
If more children pass than there are places, these 6 criteria decide.
Only children who passed the Medway Test are eligible. Places are allocated in this order. Note 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 (brother or sister, including step-siblings and adoptive siblings at the same address) currently at Holcombe 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 currently attending one of the four TSAT Medway primary schools — Gordon Primary School, New Horizons Primary Academy, All Faiths Children's Academy, or Cedar Primary Academy — get 3rd priority, ahead of staff children and distance. This reflects the shared trust between these primaries and Holcombe.
What the document says: Children currently attending a TSAT primary school in Medway: Gordon Primary School, New Horizons Primary Academy, All Faiths Children's Academy, Cedar Primary Academy.
In plain English: Children whose parent or carer has been employed at Holcombe for at least 2 continuous years, or was recruited to fill a role for which there was a demonstrable skill shortage.
What the document says: Children of members of staff employed at the school for two or more years, or recruited to fill a vacancy for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
In plain English: Children for whom a health or medical reason makes attendance at Holcombe specifically necessary. Written evidence from a GP or consultant is required — parental statements alone are not accepted.
What the document says: Children for whom there are compelling health reasons for attending the school, supported by written evidence from a GP or consultant.
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.
What the document says: Distance measured by shortest route using Medway Council's GIS measurement.
Shortest road route — Medway Council GIS.
Distance is the 6th and final criterion — it only applies when all earlier criteria (LAC, sibling, TSAT primaries, staff, health) 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-6 children: the closer one gets the place.
Both children passed the Medway Test but neither has LAC, sibling, TSAT primary, staff, or health priority. Both reach criterion 6 (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.
Holcombe has a sixth form with 50 external places available (200 total sixth form capacity).
Academic requirements
Specific grade requirements for sixth form entry are published on the school's website and prospectus. Check holcombegrammar.org.uk for the full entry requirements for September 2027.
How to apply and oversubscription
50 external places are available for September 2027 (out of 200 total sixth form capacity). If oversubscribed, sixth form places go in this order: LAC → TSAT Medway secondary (Victory Academy or Rochester Grammar) → Sibling → Staff (2+ years or shortage) → Health → Distance.
See holcombegrammar.org.uk for deadlines and the application form.
You have two routes, and you can use both.
Waiting list
The waiting list is maintained in the same 6-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.