Holcombe Grammar School
Maidstone Road, Chatham, ME4 6JB
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Boys
Pupils
1036
Headteacher
Mr Lee Preston
Type
Grammar
Ofsted
Good
Local authority
Medway
Academy
Yes
Sixth form
Yes
About Holcombe Grammar School
Based in Chatham, Holcombe Grammar School is a grammar school for children aged 11 to 18 and takes boys. The school currently has about 1036 pupils. It is an academy, so its governing trust sets its own admission arrangements within the national code, and Medway coordinates offers. The school has its own sixth form for post-16 study. The headteacher is Mr Lee Preston.
Inspection at a glance
Ofsted rated Holcombe Grammar School Good at its inspection on 13 March 2024. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
At A level the published average grade is C+ (2024/25). Attendance works out at roughly 94.6% (absence 5.4%) (2024/25). Around 12.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Figures come from the Department for Education's published school performance data and are shown in full further down this page.
Getting a place at Holcombe Grammar School
Holcombe Grammar School is selective, so a place depends on the Medway Test as well as the usual application. You register for the Medway Test in the summer before Year 6 and then name the school on the common application form by 31 October. Always check the current admissions policy on the school's own website before you apply, because criteria can change year to year.
SEND at a glance
Holcombe Grammar School is a mainstream school, supporting pupils with SEND alongside their classmates through the graduated approach of assess, plan, do, review. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
Holcombe Grammar School contact details and location
Holcombe Grammar School is at Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6JB. The school office can be reached on 01634 830083. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Ofsted's most recent visit confirmed the overall rating. It did not re-grade the individual areas.
Holcombe Grammar School admissions and catchment area
This is a Medway grammar school
To be considered for a place at Holcombe Grammar School, your child needs to sit the Medway Test in September of Year 6. Places are offered on academic ability, with distance and siblings used as tie-breakers.
Official links
Dates and criteria change each year - always confirm with the school and Medway Council. Medway school admissions →
How to apply
1. Register for the Medway Test
Register with Medway Council in June of Year 5. Registration is free and done online.
2. Sit the test (September, Year 6)
Three papers: extended writing, maths and reasoning. Pupils sit the test at a Medway test centre.
3. Get the result (October)
Results are released in mid-October, before the national secondary application deadline.
4. Apply through Medway (by 31 October)
List Holcombe Grammar School on the Medway Secondary Common Application Form, in preference order (check the Medway Council site for the number of preferences allowed).
5. National Offer Day (1 March)
You'll be told your allocated school by email. If 1 March falls on a weekend or bank holiday, offers go out the next working day - for 2026 entry KCC emailed offers on Monday 2 March 2026. Appeals open shortly after.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If Holcombe Grammar School is not offered on 1 March, you can appeal the decision. Medway Council runs its own appeals process; check your offer letter for the deadline.
How to appeal a school offerHolcombe Grammar School results and attendance
KS2 results
N/A
A-Level results
Average grade · 2024/25
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Holcombe Grammar School
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Holcombe Grammar School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
Holcombe Grammar School term dates: Medway standard term dates for 2026/27
These are Medway Council's standard term dates. Your school may use different dates and INSET days, so check the school's website before making plans.
Autumn 1 · 2026
1 Sep-23 Oct
Autumn 2 · 2026
2 Nov-18 Dec
Spring 1 · 2027
4 Jan-12 Feb
Spring 2 · 2027
22 Feb-25 Mar
Summer 1 · 2027
12 Apr-28 May
Summer 2 · 2027
7 Jun-21 Jul
Holcombe Grammar School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Holcombe Grammar School?
Register your child for the Medway Test in the summer before Year 6, then name Holcombe Grammar School on the secondary common application form by 31 October. Offers are made on National Offer Day in March.
What is Holcombe Grammar School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated Holcombe Grammar School Good at its inspection on 13 March 2024. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does Holcombe Grammar School offer?
Holcombe Grammar School is recorded as a mainstream school. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are Holcombe Grammar School's term dates and INSET days?
Holcombe Grammar School follows the standard Medway pattern for 2026/27, set out term by term on this page. INSET days are set by the school itself, so confirm them on the school's own calendar.
Where is Holcombe Grammar School and how do I contact the school?
Holcombe Grammar School is at Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6JB. The office number is 01634 830083. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is Holcombe Grammar School and what ages does it take?
Holcombe Grammar School has around 1036 pupils on roll and covers ages 11 to 18. It is a single-sex school for boys.
About this information. Compiled from published sources including the Department for Education, Ofsted and the school's own website. Last reviewed Summer 2026.
Report an update →Do you run a business for families in Chatham?
Local businesses, tutors, clubs and nurseries can have a full profile page here, in front of the parents already reading about Chatham schools.
Get my profile builtSchools near Holcombe Grammar School
The closest schools to ME4 6JB, measured from each school's own location.
Chatham · Secondary · 0.6 miles
The Victory Academy
Rochester · Secondary · 0.7 miles
The Thomas Aveling School
Chatham · Secondary · 0.8 miles
St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School
Rochester · Grammar · 0.9 miles
The Rochester Grammar School
Rochester · Grammar · 0.9 miles
Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School
Chatham · Grammar · 1.0 miles
Fort Pitt Grammar School
Help us keep this page accurate
Spotted something wrong?
Tell us what needs updating on Holcombe Grammar School and we'll review it before the page changes.