Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School
School summary
A selective boys' grammar in Rochester, Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School has built a reputation for sustained academic strength, holding an Outstanding rating from Ofsted across every category at its most recent inspection, including its sixth form. With around 1,528 pupils on roll against a capacity of 1,280, it operates well above its intended size, a reflection of how sought-after places here have become. Entry at 11 admits 203 pupils, and the school draws a varied community, with roughly one in seven pupils speaking English as an additional language.
How hard is it to get in?
Moderate · 1 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Entry is selective, but demand for the 203 Year 7 places is more manageable than at most selective schools - a solid qualifying performance is usually what matters.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
Attainment 8
69.5
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
94%
National average 47%
GCSE grade 9-7
57%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
45%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
74%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Outstanding
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Outstanding
- Last inspected
- 21 March 2023
Teaching & academics
Results sit far ahead of national benchmarks. The average Attainment 8 score of 69.5 dwarfs the national figure of 46.9, and 94% of pupils secure grade 5 or above in English and Maths, against a national average of 47%. Ofsted judged the quality of education Outstanding, and the picture is consistent through to a sixth form rated equally highly. A pupil-to-teacher ratio of about 21.1 is fairly typical for a large state school.
Languages
Principal · Eliot Hodges
Beyond the classroom
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1701
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 6.74%
- EHC plans
- 0.65%
- English as additional language
- 14.1%
- Free school meals
- 10.3%
Schools nearby
Holcombe Grammar School
Chatham, South East
Fort Pitt Grammar School
Chatham, South East
Rainham Mark Grammar School
Gillingham, South East
Gravesend Grammar School
Gravesend, South East
Invicta Grammar School
Maidstone, South East
Maidstone Grammar School
Maidstone, South East
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A consistently Outstanding boys' grammar where strong teaching translates into results well beyond the national norm. Families should note that competition for the 203 places, set against an already oversubscribed roll, is fierce.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School 11+: frequently asked questions
Passmate rating: benchmarked against every selective school in England using official admissions data. It measures demand for places, not school quality. Updated July 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.