Ages 
A traditional grammar school inducing great loyalty and pride with a modern twist – beating the drum for inclusivity and playing its part on the journey to challenging stereotypes. Best for self-motivated pupils, prepared to put the hard graft in and take responsibility for their learning.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,458 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 400 ·
- Religion
- None
- Local authority
- Kent County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Head
Mr M Tomkins
Since 2012, Mark Tomkins BSc NPQH PGCE. Grew up in Cheltenham, where he was educated at Arle Comprehensive and Pate's Grammar. Read maths at Birmingham, returning to Cheltenham to do his PGCE. Kent boys’ grammars have almost exclusively been his
Entrance
Selective via the 11-plus (Kent test). Frequently oversubscribed by two applicants per place. Priority given to those scoring 360+ (normally about 50 per cent of the 205 intake) from the 63 named parishes (which includes Maidstone) then pupil
- Admissions policy
- Academically selective state school
- Open days
- Open Evening for Year 7 entry: October; Sixth Form Open Evening: November
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
About 40 per cent depart post GCSEs (the school is focused on reducing this). Either they don’t hit the grades, they simply fancy a change or they apply to one of the other top-rate local schools or somewhere that offers different subject options. A
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2025, 49 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 31 per cent A*/A at A level (67 per cent A*-B).
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Parents choose the school, confident that its longstanding traditions and reputation have ‘stood the test of time’. Occasional ‘blips’ in results only serve to inject a greater effort in specialist teacher recruitment and strategies, they believe.
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Among the lowest percentage of pupils (just 0.8!) we’ve ever seen on a school SEN register (national average is nearer 13 per cent) and there’s no withdrawal from lessons. Mainly autism, ADHD and visual and hearing impairment – including thee EHCPs
Arts & extracurricular
Art has a studious edge. The two large ‘sun trap’ studios have magnificent views across the grounds and beyond to Mote Park and are clearly inspiring, judging by the excellent standard of work especially when it comes to architectural skills. Just
Sport
The school has a strong reputation for sport – and it seems to be impossible to have a conversation about it without mention of the ‘amazing’ onsite 3G pitch. ‘I play there every day,’ gushed one pupil, ‘in all weathers!’ Rugby, football, cricket and
Ethos & heritage
‘Lay your stones, build your future,’ is a slogan that follows you around the school at every turn, and a nice touch is that the houses are named after the different locations where the school has done just that – Barton, College, Corpus Christi and
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
School tackles thorny adolescent issues head-on so pupils have confidence talking about the likes of consent, sexual harassment and homophobia. Frequent assemblies, tutor time, visits by speakers (including a drag queen) and the many bold displays
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Students in years 7-13 should have their phones off and out of sight at all times during the school day (other than in private study, the library and/or common room for sixth form students). The only exception is if phone use is specifically directed by a teacher in a lesson for an educational purpose or if directed by the house team in form time.
Pupils & parents
Pupils we met had a sense of fun, as well as being bright and confident with no pretentions. A few ‘cheeky chappies’ too, who may not always get it right but are happy to put hands up and take responsibility. Parents mainly white British and
The last word
A traditional grammar school inducing great loyalty and pride with a modern twist – beating the drum for inclusivity and playing its part on the journey to challenging stereotypes. Best for self-motivated pupils, prepared to put the hard graft in and
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Short inspection: Good
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Leadership and management | Good |
|---|---|
| Sixth form provision | Good |
Full inspection: Outstanding
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
|---|
