Three Medway Grammar Schools to Transition to Co-Education

The government has approved a change that will see three single-sex grammar schools in Medway begin admitting both boys and girls from September 2026. These institutions are Chatham Grammar and Fort Pitt Grammar School, which currently enroll only girls, and Holcombe Grammar School, which is presently for boys. Tracy Coombs, Medway Council’s portfolio holder for education, commented on the development, stating: “It’s a progressive step which will benefit all Medway children.” Previously, Peter Read, a former grammar school head teacher and Kent education expert, had raised concerns about the initiative, asserting that recent Medway Test results indicated no scarcity of places for boys. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the council had contended that this change would create additional spaces for boys in the selective schools within the towns, citing an insufficient number of girls to occupy existing places. Mr Read further elaborated: “Chatham Grammar struggles to attract enough Medway girls to fill itself and Holcombe Grammar has the same with boys.“Opening them both up means they can take on more Medway children, rather than taking on children from outside Medway to fill those places.” In a collective statement, the three schools affirmed: “[We] know that our schools’ move to a co-educational model will ensure a more equal balance of grammar school places for boys and girls and support the council’s wider efforts to relieve pressure on school places across Medway.” The schools also stated: “We are now working with the local authority, our staff, families, pupils and each other to ensure a smooth transition.” Medway currently operates six grammar schools. With this change, the three institutions will join Rainham Mark as co-educational establishments. The Rochester Grammar School, which is exclusively for girls, and Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School, exclusively for boys, will maintain their single-sex status.