SchoolScoresHolcombe Grammar School
Grammar school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Boys only · Sixth form
Part of THE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST
Holcombe, Maidstone Road, Chatham, ME4 6JB
03333 602130 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 30 September 2014.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 13 March 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
176 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Medway comparisons use the 8 of its 21 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 13 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Medway. Higher than 60% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 78% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Medway. Higher than 61% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 81% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Medway. Higher than 59% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82% | 75% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 60 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Medway. Higher than 59% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 53% | 48% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 147 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Medway. Higher than 73% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 69% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Medway. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82%said yes | 75% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Medway figures pool parents at the Medway schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
150 pupils in this year group.
85% — 41 points above the Medway average, and 39 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 85% | 44% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 62.4 | 46.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 6.0 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
147 pupils in this year group.
97% — 6 points above the Medway average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 97% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 73% | 54% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 3% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 16% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 97% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
124 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 20% | 21% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 46% | 47% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 33.5 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
24 subjects, 375 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 43 | 7% | 44% | 40% |
| Business Studies:Single | 35 | 9% | 23% | 16% |
| Chemistry | 35 | 0% | 23% | 30% |
| Psychology | 34 | 6% | 21% | 19% |
| Biology | 28 | 4% | 11% | 27% |
| English Language and Literature | 24 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Economics | 22 | 0% | 18% | 26% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 18 | 0% | 11% | 15% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 17 | 6% | 35% | 24% |
| History | 16 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Law | 16 | 13% | 19% | 17% |
| Physics | 14 | 7% | 21% | 31% |
| Geography | 13 | 0% | 8% | 23% |
| Sociology | 13 | 23% | 46% | 20% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 10 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Government and Politics | 8 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 7 | 0% | 14% | 14% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), English Literature, Mathematics (Further), Music Technology, French, Art and Design (Photography), Spanish.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
176 students in this year group.
88% — 12 points above the Medway average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 88% | 76% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 9% | 7% |
| Work | 16% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 88% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
152 students in this year group.
64% — 13 points above the Medway average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 64% | 51% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 19% | 11% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 73% | 64% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Medway. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 179 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 137 |
| Of those, offered a place | 87 (64%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 968 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.8
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a grammar school: places depend on passing an entrance test (the 11 plus), usually taken in September of Year 6.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Higher than 13% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.3% | 27.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Higher than 3% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.4% | 1.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Higher than 2% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.7% | 12.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Higher than 43% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7% | 13.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Lower than 91% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.4% | 7.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Lower than 88% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 14.1% | 21.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Lower than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7 | 23.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Lower than 49% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.9% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.10% | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Higher than 79% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.3 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Higher than 95% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.0 | 12.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Higher than 53% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 13.7% | 15.3%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- The Victory Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 22% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Thomas Aveling School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2022 · 26% grade 5+ English and maths
- St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 32% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Rochester Grammar School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 92% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 94% grade 5+ English and maths
- Fort Pitt Grammar School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 85% grade 5+ English and maths
- Walderslade School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2023, before conversion) · 11% grade 5+ English and maths
- Oasis Restore 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected
- Greenacre School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2023, before conversion) · 17% grade 5+ English and maths
- Rochester Independent College 1.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 26% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Holcombe Grammar School's Ofsted rating?
Holcombe Grammar School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 30 September 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 13 March 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Holcombe Grammar School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 85% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 39 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Holcombe Grammar School?
82% of the 176 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Holcombe Grammar School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Holcombe Grammar School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 137 families put Holcombe Grammar School as their first choice for 179 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 87 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 136594.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.