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Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School is a mixed grammar school in Kent. It uses the GL exam board for its 11+ entry, with no interview stage. Parents should aim for 75%+ in practice tests, and the school operates a catchment area.
If you have an academically able child on the Kent coast, Chatham & Clarendon is one of the names families in Thanet talk about first — and its academic record is genuinely strong. At GCSE it sits in the top 10% of schools nationally, with 47% of grades at 9-7. It is a co-educational state grammar in Ramsgate, with around 1,390 pupils aged 11 to 18 and the largest sixth form in Thanet — around 500 students — drawing in a third of its intake from other local schools.
The school carries real history. Chatham House, one of its two founding schools, dates to 1797 and counts Edward Heath among its alumni; a bomb that struck the library during the Second World War failed to detonate and a skylight still marks the spot! The two schools merged in 2011 and are spread across three sites in Ramsgate, which gives daily life a varied geography.
Parents should be aware of one significant recent development. A March 2024 Ofsted inspection rated the school inadequate, finding that its previous practice of teaching boys and girls in separate classes constituted unlawful sex discrimination. The school contested the judgment, and moved to fully mixed classes from September 2025, addressing Ofsted's core concern. Academic results remained strong throughout however, and music, drama and STEM are particular strengths. For families comfortable with a school in active recovery — and the academic credentials are not in doubt — Chatham & Clarendon remains a serious option on the Kent coast.
Key facts
Admissions
Sibling policy
Yes
What this school tests
Kent Test
English16 question types
Maths23 question types
Non-verbal Reasoning14 question types
Verbal Reasoning26 question types
Spatial Reasoning8 question types
Catchment area
Yes, Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School has a catchment area with priority based on location and distance from the school, covering Thanet, Broomfield, Chestfield, Herne, Herne Bay, Reculver, Swalecliffe and Whitstable.
Previous exam results
GCSE results
In 2025 students achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 64 across their GCSEs. 84.9% gained a grade 5 or better in both English and Maths. 54.2% achieved the English Baccalaureate at grade 5 or above. Reference: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/
A-level results
In 2025 students achieved a B- average grade per A-Level entry. 16% gained AAB or better including two facilitating subjects. Reference: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/
Frequently asked questions
What exam board does Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School use for the 11+?
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School uses the GL exam board for its 11+ entrance exam.
What is the recommended 11+ pass mark for Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School?
While an official pass mark isn't stated, it is recommended to aim for 75% or higher in practice tests.
Does Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School conduct interviews for 11+ entry?
No, there is no interview stage as part of the 11+ admissions process for Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School.
Is Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School a co-educational or single-sex school?
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School is a mixed grammar school, accepting both boys and girls for Year 7 entry.
Does Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School have a catchment area for 11+ admissions?
Yes, the school has a catchment area covering Thanet, Broomfield, Chestfield, Herne, Herne Bay, Reculver, Swalecliffe and Whitstable, with priority based on location and distance.
What is the official website for Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School?
The official website for Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School is https://www.ccgrammarschool.co.uk/.
How do you get a place at Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School?
Your child first needs to reach the required standard in the Kent Test (the 11+) and name the school on the Kent application form. Children with an EHCP naming the school are admitted first. Remaining places are then ranked in this order: looked-after and previously looked-after children; children with health and special access reasons; children receiving Pupil Premium or service premium; children with a sibling at the school; children of permanent staff; children living in Thanet, Broomfield, Chestfield, Herne, Herne Bay, Reculver, Swalecliffe or Whitstable; then all others. Within each group, nearest to the school comes first.
What happens if my child is ill on 11+ test day at Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School?
The Kent Test is run by Kent County Council, so the illness procedure follows their scheme. If your child is unwell on the test day, do not send them in; contact the Kent admissions team or the test centre as soon as you can so a later date can be arranged. For access arrangements such as extra time, declare any special educational need when you register; adjustments mirror your child's normal way of working at primary school and usually need supporting evidence, for example an EHCP.
Location
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