The Rochester Grammar School
Rochester, ME1 3BY · Medway · Grammar school
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3rd of 19 secondary schools in Medway we can score, 20 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 9.2/10 against 545 of them, against 9.4/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 93.0 · 97 | 30% | 2.90 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.67 · 90 | 25% | 2.25 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 67.5 · 96 | 10% | 0.96 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Rochester Grammar School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 92.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 68.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.67 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (9.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,206 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,110. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What specific support is available for pupils who need to catch up in English or maths? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while managing a high intake?
What Ofsted said about The Rochester Grammar School
Overview
The Rochester Grammar School is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, including overall effectiveness, the quality of education, and leadership. Leaders maintain an ‘aspirational vision’ for providing a high-quality education, with a curriculum designed to equip pupils with the ‘knowledge and cultural capital’ needed to succeed. Pupils respect high standards, behave ‘calmly, courteously and respectfully’, and feel safe within a diverse community.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘broad, ambitious and well planned’ in almost all subjects, enabling secure knowledge development.
- Teachers possess ‘strong’ subject knowledge and skilfully integrate technical vocabulary into lessons.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities follow the same curriculum, with teaching ‘adapted appropriately’ to meet their needs.
- A ‘comprehensive’ offer for broader development includes diverse activities, a well-planned personal, social and health education curriculum, and a new careers programme.
- Staff workload is managed effectively, with the ‘vast majority’ of staff feeling ‘proud to work at the school’.
Areas to improve
- Support for disadvantaged pupils is ‘not implemented consistently well’ across all subjects, meaning some do not achieve as well as they could.
- Some pupils feel their views are not taken into account; leaders should engage them more effectively in the school community.
- Leaders acknowledge a lack of clear strategy for supporting pupils who need help with reading and are putting plans in place to address this.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with a ‘strong safeguarding culture’ where staff are knowledgeable, prompt in sharing concerns, and pupils feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 71.6 |
| 2024/25 | 68.4 |
| 2025/26 | 67.5 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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