Holcombe Grammar School extends Co-Educational Provision


Holcombe Grammar School, alongside Fort Pitt Grammar School and Chatham Grammar are delighted to become Co-Educational Institutes from September 2026.

Department for Education gives green light for three Medway grammar schools to go co-ed

Three single-sex schools - Chatham Grammar, Fort Pitt Grammar School, and Holcombe Grammar School - are set to become co-educational schools from September 2026 to allow for equal access to grammar education in Medway.

Following consultations in December 2023 and January 2024 with parents and carers as well as the wider community and neighbouring localities, the Department for Education has approved the changes.

The schools, alongside Medway Council, said they are pleased with the outcome and believe it will bring about many benefits for the children and families of Medway.

They cited that all three schools, two of which are currently all-girls schools and one of which is all-boys from Year 7 to 11, becoming co-educational establishments will help balance opportunity for access to grammar school education for boys and girls in the area.

They added that over time, alongside changes to the Medway Test, the move will support more young people from Medway to attend grammar schools. This will also reduce pressure on non-selective secondary schools in the area, ensuring that there are enough places for all Medway pupils whether or not they wish to attend a grammar school.

The transition will also mean that boys’ and girls’ places are more evenly spread across Medway and that pupils will not have to travel as far to access a grammar education. This will minimise disruption for families, as siblings will be able to attend the same school.

The three schools are now planning to welcome a mixed-gender Year 7 cohort from September 2026 and are working together with the council to ensure a smooth transition and ensure any disruption to current pupils and staff is minimised.