Apply to Rainham Mark Grammar School, in plain English.
Rainham Mark uses the Medway Test — administered by Medway Council, completely separate from the Kent PESE. Register for the Medway Test through Medway Council's website, then apply on your home council's CAF. If your child is eligible for Free School Meals or Pupil Premium, return a SIF to rmgs-office@rmet.org by 31 October.
The three things to know first.
If you read nothing else on this page, read these.
The Medway Test is separate from the Kent 11+ — register through Medway Council.
Rainham Mark Grammar uses the Medway Test, run by Medway Council. This is not the same as the Kent PESE run by KCC, and registration is entirely separate. Visit Medway Council's website to register your child for the Medway Test. The test typically takes place in September.
PP/FSM priority: email the SIF to rmgs-office@rmet.org by 31 October.
If your child is currently eligible for free school meals, or has been at any time in the past six years, they qualify for Pupil PremiumPupil Premium (PP)Additional funding for disadvantaged pupils. Broadly covers children who have been eligible for free school meals in the last six years. priority (criterion 2). Submit the school's SIF to rmgs-office@rmet.org by 31 October 2026. Without the SIF your child cannot be considered under criterion 2.
Health and Special Access is its own criterion — written GP evidence needed.
Children who have a medical, health or special access reason that means a place at Rainham Mark is especially important qualify under criterion 4. This requires written evidence from a GP or relevant practitioner — not a parental statement. It is separate to the SEND/EHC plan process.
Five steps — starting with the Medway Test registration.
If more children pass than there are places, these 6 criteria decide.
Only children who passed the Medway Test are eligible. Within that group, the following order applies. 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. A SIF must be returned to the school by 31 October.
What the document says: Looked-after children and all previously looked-after children who have met the selection requirements. SIF required by 31 October.
In plain English: Children currently eligible for free school meals, or who have been at any point in the past six years. Email the SIF to rmgs-office@rmet.org by 31 October 2026. The SIF must be received by the deadline — late SIFs will not be considered under this criterion.
What the document says: Children in receipt of Pupil Premium or who have been eligible for free school meals at any point in the six years prior to the closing date for the SIF. SIF required by 31 October, to rmgs-office@rmet.org.
In plain English: Children who have a brother or sister (including step-siblings and adoptive siblings living at the same address) who will be attending Rainham Mark in September 2027.
What the document says: Children who have a sibling who will be attending the school in the year of entry.
In plain English: Children for whom there is a medical, health or special access reason that makes a place at Rainham Mark particularly important. This must be supported by written evidence from a GP or other relevant practitioner — a parental statement alone is not enough. This criterion is separate from the EHC plan/EHCP process.
What the document says: Children for whom there are compelling medical, health or special access reasons for attending the school, supported by written evidence from a GP or relevant practitioner.
In plain English: Children of staff members who have been employed at the school continuously for at least 3 years, or who were recruited specifically to fill a post for which there was a demonstrable skill shortage. The staff member must be in permanent employment.
What the document says: Children of members of staff employed at the school for three or more years at the time of application, or recruited to fill a vacancy for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
In plain English: Children who live closest to the school (shortest road route, not straight-line distance) get priority when no other criterion separates them. Distance is measured by Medway Council's GIS system.
What the document says: Distance measured from home to school by the shortest available route, using Medway Council's GIS measurement system.
Shortest road route — Medway Council GIS.
Distance is the final criterion (vi) — it only comes into play when all higher criteria leave two or more children equal and there is one place left. Medway Council measures the shortest available road route from the home address to the school entrance using their GIS mapping system. This is 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-vi children: the closer one gets the place.
Both children passed the Medway Test but neither has LAC, PP/FSM, sibling, health, or staff priority. Both fall into criterion vi. Child A's road route to school measures 1.2 miles; Child B's measures 2.8 miles by Medway GIS. Child A is closer and is offered the last available place. In practice most places at Rainham Mark are filled by criteria i–v before distance is needed.
Joining Year 12 from outside.
Rainham Mark recruits around 30 external students into Year 12 each September, subject to availability after internal Year 11 students are prioritised.
Academic requirements
You need at least 8 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths. You must also achieve at least grade 5 in either English or Maths. A best-8 total points score of 44 is required. Individual A-level subject requirements may also apply.
How to apply
Around 30 external places are available, but internal Year 11 students are prioritised first — external places depend on how many internal students remain. Apply directly to the school in the second week of February 2027. Offers are conditional on GCSE results.
Visit rainhammark.com for the application form and full subject requirements.
You have two routes, and you can use both.
Waiting list
The waiting list is maintained in admissions criteria 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. Appealing does not affect your waiting-list position.