Highsted Grammar School, Sittingbourne

In its own words: "Highsted Grammar School, a school considered good by Ofsted, has always strived for excellence. Whether this is through academic, sporting or artistic achievement, we encourage and nurture our students throughout their transition from young girls, to mature and strong young women."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Highsted Grammar School. Highsted is a happy and cohesive community and an environment which liberates young women to take the risks and embrace the challenges that will prepare them for their future roles and responsibilities as leaders in tomorrow’s society. Our success is as a consequence of striking a fine balance between tradition and innovation."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include basketball, swimming, drama, choir, orchestra, guitar, STEM and gardening.

In 2026, pupils at Highsted Grammar School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 61.9, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 48.1 in Kent and 47 across England.

83% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 49% in Kent and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 61.1.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.04: pupils made about average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 58.5, against 62.3 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 3.8 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 21 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were History, German and Social Studies.

Highsted Grammar School is a grammar school: places go to children who reach the required standard in its entrance test, and only then are the oversubscription criteria applied.

For September 2026 entry, 139 families put Highsted Grammar School as their first choice and 336 named it as one of their preferences, for 109 places offered. That is 1.3 first choices for every place. 31 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

Highsted Grammar School admits pupils through an entrance test - in Kent, the Kent Test. Children have to be registered for it in advance, normally in the spring or summer of Year 5; the test itself is usually sat in September of Year 6, and results come out in October, before the 31 October deadline for naming secondary schools.

Passing the test makes a child eligible rather than guaranteeing a place: when more children pass than there are places, Highsted Grammar School ranks them by the criteria in its admissions policy, which can include test score and distance. Check Kent's admissions pages and the school's own policy for this year's registration deadline - a child who is not registered in time cannot sit the test.

Kent has 32 state grammar schools in all, so a child who passes may have several selective schools to choose between.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Highsted Grammar School are Fulston Manor School (under 0.1 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 36.8); Borden Grammar School (0.3 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 62.7); The Sittingbourne School (0.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 34.8); and Westlands School (1.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 42.3).

Highsted Grammar School's 2026 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

Highsted Grammar School is run by its own single-school academy trust.

Of the 148 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 95% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 13% to a further education college, 1% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

Of the 82 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 76% went on to university or other higher education, 6% to apprenticeships and 13% into work. 28% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

11.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 7.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (66%), Black (13%) and Mixed (7%).

In 2026, 59 pupils (7.4%) received SEN support and 2 (0.3%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Sittingbourne Rail Station, about 940 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Fulston Manor and Highsted Schools (outside), 130 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 300 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Kent (101), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Highsted Grammar School issued 39 suspensions, 4.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Highsted Grammar School are South Avenue Primary School (0.3 miles), The Oaks Infant School (0.5 miles), St Peter's Catholic Primary School (0.6 miles) and Canterbury Road Primary School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.