HomeGrammar schoolsMedwaySir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School
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Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School catchment area

Rochester · boys grammar school · ages 11 to 18
Admissions
Catchment area
(distance priority)
Intake
Boys · ages 11 to 18
11+ test
Medway Test
Year 7 places
180
Location
Rochester, Medway
Catchment, explained

How catchment works at Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School draws its intake using a designated catchment or distance priority around Rochester. To be considered your child first needs to pass Medway Test, which makes them eligible but does not guarantee a place.

180 places: after looked-after, sibling and staff priority, all other eligible children allocated by distance from school. The qualifying distance shifts every year with demand, so a postcode that was inside the catchment one year can fall outside it the next.

Bottom line: for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, both things matter, your child must pass the 11+, and you generally need to live close enough to clear that year's distance cut-off.
Grammar schools near Rochester
Medway
Applying

Sitting the 11+ for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School

1

Register

Sign up for Medway Test with the school or local authority, usually by early summer before Year 6 begins.

2

Sit the test

Your child takes the test in September of Year 6. Results follow in October, before the 31 October secondary application deadline.

3

Get your place

Pass, then your home distance decides. List Rochester schools by preference on the application.

FAQs

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School catchment, your questions answered

Does Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School have a catchment area?+
No catchment area - any child assessed selective can apply, but places are allocated by distance when oversubscribed.
Is Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School super-selective?+
No. Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School is a selective grammar with a catchment or distance priority, so both a qualifying mark and your home address affect whether you get a place.
How is the catchment for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School measured?+
180 places: after looked-after, sibling and staff priority, all other eligible children allocated by distance from school. Distances are normally measured in a straight line from your home to the school, and the cut-off moves each year with demand.
What test does my child sit for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School?+
Children applying to Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School sit Medway Test, usually at the start of Year 6. Register with the school or local authority before the summer deadline in Year 5.
How many places does Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School offer?+
Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School admits 180 pupils into Year 7 each year. With far more qualifiers than places, the score needed in practice is well above the basic pass mark.
Can we apply to Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School from outside the area?+
Yes, you can always apply. In quieter years out-of-area children are offered places, but in-catchment families take priority, so it is less predictable.
Does passing the 11+ guarantee a place at Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School?+
No. Passing qualifies your child, the place then depends on the admissions priorities, most often home-to-school distance.
When do we register for the Medway Test?+
Registration usually opens in the spring or early summer of Year 5 and closes before the test, which is sat in September of Year 6. Results come back in October, the secondary application deadline is 31 October, and offers are sent on national offer day, 1 March. Always confirm the exact dates with Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School or your local authority.

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Catchment and admissions details change every year. This page is an indicative guide for parents, always confirm the current catchment area, distances, places and test arrangements directly with Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School and your local authority before applying.