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Children take three tests: verbal reasoning, mathematics and extended writing. The first two tests are multiple choice, the English is a single piece of extended writing, usually to an essay title, but it can be any Key Stage 2 theme. The scores on each test are standardised according to the scores of Medway children taking the tests, so that a score of 100 is allocated to the average child who took the test. Scores then range from 70 to 140.

The scores from the three tests are then added together in the following way: verbal reasoning score given a weighting of one, and the maths and English scores given a weighting of two, so for example:

 

The pass score is then determined to admit 23% of Medway children (those from out of Medway are found selective in the same way, but their scores do not influence the calculations).  In 2008 the pass score was 525 so this child would not have passed. 

 

I am quite critical of this pattern, as Extended Writing is the least reliable of all tests used for selection processes, according to NFER who are the country's leading experts in test setting. Because it receives a double weighting, the result dwarfs that of verbal reasoning, the best predictor of academic success according to NFER. As a result, a child can gain a pass on the strength of a single strong essay, or similarly lose a place because they have misunderstood the extended writing question. For these reasons, different children will perform well in Kent and Medway and so it may well be worth taking both sets of entrance tests, to secure a grammar school assessment (although each is only accepted in the Authority in which it is taken).

 

Kent parents who apply for a Medway grammar school place and need to go to Review (see below) will only receive the outcome a few days before the Kent SCAF needs to be submitted. You cannot appeal for a Medway grammar school place unless it is named on the SCAF.

The Schools

A grammar school assessment does not necessarily secure a place at the school of one's choice. Rochester Grammar School is regularly oversubscribed and takes those girls with the highest scores (together with able musicians). Rainham Mark Grammar School takes highest scorers but in recent years these have included all who were assessed grammar. Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School takes those boys who live nearest (but in recent years have usually taken all who have passed and appealed, in several of those years after complaints by me to the ombudsman). Chatham Grammar School for Girls would take high scorers, but traditionally takes all those who have passed. Fort Pitt reduced its Planned Admission Number to 120 following its change to Foundation status. This made it oversubscribed, children in the Hoo Peninsula and  further parts of Medway were turned down, and there are susually few successful appeals, and so to be sure of a grammar school place  you should also include Chatham Grammar Girls. Chatham Grammar for Boys will take all who have passed so if your son has passed the Medway test and so if is named on your application form above any non selective school you name, you can be confident you will offered a grammar school place.