Ofsted: Good schoolGrammar School trending_up Places Available emoji_events #5 in Medway public Top 3% UK

Holcombe Grammar School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Lee Preston

corporate_fareTHE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST

location_onChatham, ME4 6JB

language Visit Website phone 3333602130

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2018

groups

Students

1,067

trending_up

Attainment 8

62.4

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#5 in Medway

#201 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Holcombe Grammar School is a Academy converter secondary school in Chatham, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

article

School Summary

Holcombe Grammar School is an academy converter in Chatham, Medway, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 1,036 pupils on roll, of whom 13% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 62.4, placing the school #5 in Medway and #201 of 3,216 nationally. 84.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 36.7% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 24 A-level subjects. 46.1% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 20.0% at A*–A. A-level value added: 0.07 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2018. The school's current overall rating is Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.7× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.3:1. There is 1 teaching vacancy.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 3.8 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

62.4

Grade 5+ E&M

84.70%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)36.7%

Entering EBacc96.70%

EBacc APS5.97

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

59.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc96.40%

EBacc APS5.67

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.06

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

57.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc25%

EBacc APS5.02

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.29

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

62.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc49%

EBacc APS5.51

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc38%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.12

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

59.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41%

EBacc APS5.25

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.17

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

59.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc33%

EBacc APS5.19

explore

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)97%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

100%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)97%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

workspace_premium

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.07

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

129

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*4.8%

Achieving A*–A20.0%

Achieving A*–B46.1%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate96.9%

A-level subjects offered24

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.24

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

163

Retention rate97.50%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

165

Retention rate90.90%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

155

Retention rate97.4%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

12 March 2024

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

24 April 2018

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

30 September 2014

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

11 February 2014

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

22 October 2013

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

25 June 2013

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

23 February 2012

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

14 February 2012

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2018-04-24

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2014-09-30

Schools into Special Measures Visit 3 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2013-06-25

None EIF

Inadequate

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Inadequate

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

3.7%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.7%(28 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,036 pupils. During this period, there were 38 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.7%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,036	38	3.7%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,035	40	3.9%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,025	37	3.6%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,033	49	4.7%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,034	26	2.5%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,071	30	2.8%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,067	21	2.0%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,069	25	2.3%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,053	31	2.9%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,057	20	1.9%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,062	21	2.0%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	943	14	1.5%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	946	1	0.1%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	956	15	1.6%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	847	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	847	11	1.3%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	841	8	1.0%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	843	12	1.4%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	852	15	1.8%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	858	15	1.7%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	835	22	2.6%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	843	16	1.9%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	849	16	1.9%	3.7%	2
2016/17 (Summer term)	821	14	1.7%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	825	12	1.5%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	827	14	1.7%	3.1%	1

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

accessibility_new

psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 16 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 9 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 2 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 2 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 1 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

86.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

90.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

18.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree33%

agree49%

disagree11%

strongly disagree5%

don't know2%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree23%

agree50%

disagree17%

strongly disagree7%

don't know3%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree38%

agree28%

disagree10%

strongly disagree6%

don't know2%

not applicable16%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes17%

no83%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree53%

agree23%

disagree13%

strongly disagree7%

dont know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree55%

agree35%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree42%

agree47%

disagree7%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree28%

agree55%

disagree13%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree40%

agree54%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree58%

agree38%

disagree3%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree33%

agree42%

disagree14%

strongly disagree5%

don't know6%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes82%

no18%

Top Secondary Schools in Medway

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School

Outstanding

location_on Rochester, ME1 3EL

emoji_events #1 in LA

The Rochester Grammar School

Good

location_on Rochester, ME1 3BY

emoji_events #2 in LA

Fort Pitt Grammar School

Outstanding

location_on Chatham, ME4 6TJ

emoji_events #3 in LA

Rainham Mark Grammar School

Good

location_on Gillingham, ME8 7AJ

emoji_events #4 in LA

Chatham Grammar

Good

location_on Chatham, ME5 7EH

emoji_events #6 in LA

The Howard School

Good

location_on Gillingham, ME8 0BX

emoji_events #7 in LA

View all schools in Medway arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Selective Admission (Grammar)

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Medway

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School

The Rochester Grammar School

Fort Pitt Grammar School

Rainham Mark Grammar School

Chatham Grammar

The Howard School