Apply to Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, in plain English.
The Mathematical School (SJWMS) is a boys' grammar for Years 7–11, with a co-educational sixth form where girls are also accepted. Entry uses the Medway Test — separate from the Kent PESE. There is no Pupil Premium criterion. Only four criteria apply: LAC, sibling, staff, and distance.
The three things to know first.
If you read nothing else on this page, read these.
The Medway Test — register through Medway Council, not KCC.
SJWMS uses the Medway Test run by Medway Council. It is completely separate from the Kent PESE. If you also want to apply to Kent grammar schools, your son must sit both tests separately. Register for the Medway Test through Medway Council's website — check their site for the registration window dates.
There is no Pupil Premium criterion — only LAC, sibling, staff, and distance.
Unlike most grammar schools in this area, SJWMS does not have a separate PP criterion. After LAC (criterion 1), places go to siblings, then staff children, then by distance. If your child is PP-eligible, that does not give them any advantage in this school's admissions over non-PP children at the same distance.
The sibling criterion applies to brothers — or sisters applying for sixth form Post-16.
The sibling criterion for Year 7 requires an existing brother at the school. For Post-16 (sixth form) entry, girls who have a sibling at SJWMS also qualify under the sibling criterion. This mirrors the school's boys Year 7–11 / co-ed sixth form structure.
Four steps — starting with the Medway Test.
If more boys pass than there are places, these 4 criteria decide.
Only boys who passed the Medway Test are eligible. Places are allocated in this order. Tap any criterion to see the exact wording.
In plain English: Boys 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: Boys who have a brother currently at SJWMS (in Years 7–13) who will still be at the school in September 2027. For Post-16 entry, girls who have a sibling (brother or sister) at the school are also covered under the sibling criterion.
What the document says: A sibling (brother) attending the school at the time of application and at the time of entry. For Post-16 admissions, sibling includes brothers and sisters.
In plain English: Boys whose parent or carer is employed at the school, either for at least 2 continuous years at the time of application, or in a role that the school was recruited specifically to fill because of 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: Boys who live closest to the school (by shortest road route) get priority within this criterion. Distance is measured by Medway Council's GIS system.
What the document says: Distance measured from home to school by shortest available route, using Medway Council's GIS measurement.
Shortest road route — Medway Council GIS.
Distance is the final criterion (4) — it only applies when LAC, sibling, and staff criteria 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. 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-4 boys: the closer one gets the place.
Both boys passed the Medway Test but neither has LAC, sibling, or staff priority. Both fall into criterion 4 (distance). 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 place.
Joining Year 12 from outside — girls are welcome.
The sixth form has a planned total capacity of 240. External places are what remains after internal Year 11 students transfer in. Both boys and girls are eligible for sixth form entry.
Academic requirements
You need at least 5 GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English and Maths. An average points score (APS) of at least 5.5 is required across your best subjects. Individual A-level subject grade requirements also apply — check the school's prospectus.
How to apply
External places = the sixth form capacity of 240 minus however many internal Year 11 students transfer up. The number of external places therefore varies each year. If oversubscribed, sixth form places are allocated by: LAC → sibling → staff (3+ years or shortage) → sporting aptitude (up to 10 places) → distance.
Visit sjwms.co.uk for the application form and exact deadlines.
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 boys who passed the Medway Test can be added to the Year 7 waiting list.
Appeal
Contact the school's Admissions Officer to request an Appeal Form. Appeals are heard by an independent panel. Appealing does not affect your waiting-list position.