SCHOOL
ADMISSIONS
Fort Pitt is a girls’ grammar school with 900 students aged 11-18. Every September approximately 150 girls are admitted to Year 7 on the basis of a selection procedure. Late entry to Years 7–11 is determined by school assessment and any entry to the sixth form is on the basis of GCSE results.
DETERMINED ADMISSIONS POLICIES
Determined Admissions Policy 2025
- 254 KB - 01/11/2023
Determined Admissions Policy 2024
- 225.7 KB - 01/11/2022
CASUAL IN YEAR ADMISSIONS
If you are considering moving school and would like to apply for a place at Fort Pitt please contact the school first to ascertain numbers and the process of application. Below is the link to the Medway site for the in-year application form.
Apply to move school | Apply to move school | Medway Council
Please be aware that your child will need to do a selective ability assessment and may be asked for copies of work from their current school to evidence their ability to work at selective level.
You will be contacted within 15 school days from receipt of your application form to advise you of the assessment date your child will be required to attend.
Results of the assessment will follow after marking and verification has taken place. This usually occurs within 15 school days. Parents have the right to appeal if a place is not offered at this stage and the school should be contacted as soon as possible.
Parents wishing to apply for a place in a year group outside of the student’s chronological age should first contact the school to explain their rationale for their admission request. The school will, in accordance with the School Admission Code, consider all requests and will respond to parents as soon as possible. If a request is accepted then it will be processed in line with the admissions arrangements applying the oversubscription criteria for the school.
INFORMATION FOR ENTRY TO YEAR 7
National Offer Day: 1st March 2025
Offers sent to parents/carers
Dates for Year 7 appeals:
Any parent/carer wishing to appeal and has named Fort Pitt Grammar School on their application form may submit an appeal form by 28th March 2025.
Appeal Hearings: w/c 2nd June 2025
If numbers necessitate, there will be a group meeting held (date tbc). You will be given at least 10 school days’ notice of the date of your appeal hearing in writing, together with information about the process.
On submitting your appeal, please advise us if any of the dates are unsuitable as it may not be possible to change the timetable at a later date.
Every year we look forward to meeting all our new Year 7 students. If you would like to apply for a place in Year 7, please visit our online tour.
Each Year 6 student will have worked exceptionally hard to gain a place here and we make every effort to ensure that the transition from primary to secondary school goes smoothly, with the minimum of stress. We care about our students enormously, both in terms of their academic achievement and their emotional wellbeing.
During Terms 5 and 6 of the academic year, our pastoral team visit local primary schools, to get to know the new intake of Fort Pitt students. Staff will use this opportunity to talk about how our school day works and set out the school’s expectations. We will also outline the school’s uniform policy. We hope this will give our prospective students the opportunity to discuss any fears or uncertainties they may have about the move to secondary school. Students will also be invited to the Year 6 taster day. During the taster day, we let you know about the house you will join at the start of Year 7. The taster day is also a good time to start getting to grips with the layout of the school, as you make your way around to attend sample lessons. This day promises to be fun and exciting, a chance to attend lessons and make new friends. Students really enjoy this first day at secondary school; it is the start of a happy and exciting time in their lives, as they take their first steps as members of the Fort Pitt community.
Parents will be invited to attend an information evening, providing them with the opportunity to ask any questions they may have about their child’s new school.
FORT PITT TRANSITION EVENTS FOR NEW YEAR 7 STUDENTS 2025
Year 6 into 7 Transition Day:
Thursday 3rd July 2025
Year 6 into 7 Parent/Carer Information Evening:
Thursday 3rd July 2025
SCHOOL
TIMES
TIMINGS OF THE DAY:
SCHOOL OPEN FROM
REGISTRATION/ASSEMBLY
PERIOD 1
PERIOD 2
BREAK
PERIOD 3
PERIOD 4
PERIOD 5
LUNCH
PERIOD 6
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
FROM
7.30AM
8.25 AM
8.45 AM
9.40 AM
10.30 AM
10.50 AM
11.45 AM
12.40 PM
1.30 PM
2.10 PM
3.00 PM
TO
4.30AM
8.45 AM
9.35 AM
10.30 AM
10.50 AM
11.40 AM
12.35 PM
1.30 PM
2.10 PM
3.00 PM
4.30 PM
(TOTAL SCHOOL HOURS - 32HRS 55 MINS)
TERM
DATES
TERM
DATES
SEPTEMBER 2024 TO JULY 2025
TERM 1
Monday 2nd September 2024
STAFF INSET DAY & YEAR 12 REGISTRATION
Tuesday 3rd September 2024
YEAR 7 ONLY
Wednesday 4th September 2024
ALL YEAR GROUPS RETURN
Friday 18th October 2024
FINISH
AUTUMN BREAK
Monday 21st October 2024 to Friday 1st November 2024
TERM 2
Monday 4th November 2024
START
Friday 22nd November 2024
TRUST INSET DAY - SCHOOL CLOSED TO STUDENTS
Friday 20th December 2024
FINISH (Early Close 12.00pm)
CHRISTMAS BREAK
Monday 23rd December 2024 to Friday 3rd January 2025
TERM 3
Monday 6th January 2025
START
Friday 14th February 2025
FINISH
FEBRUARY BREAK
Monday 17th February 2025 to Friday 21st February 2025
TERM 4
Monday 24th February 2025
START
Friday 4th April 2025
FINISH (Early Close 12.00pm)
EASTER BREAK
Monday 7th April 2025 to Monday 21st April 2025
Friday 18th April 2025
GOOD FRIDAY
Monday 21st April 2025
EASTER MONDAY
TERM 5
Tuesday 22nd April 2025
START
Monday 5th May 2025
EARLY MAY BANK HOLIDAY
Friday 23rd May 2025
FINISH
LATE SPRING BREAK
Tuesday 27th May 2025 to Friday 30th May 2025
Monday 26th May 2025
LATE MAY BANK HOLIDAY
TERM 6
Monday 2nd June 2025
START
Wednesday 23rd July 2025 (Early Close 12.00pm)
FINISH
SEPTEMBER 2025 TO JULY 2026
TERM 1
Monday 1st September 2025
STAFF DAY AND YEAR 12 REGISTRATION
Tuesday 2nd September 2025
YEAR 7 ONLY
Wednesday 3rd September 2025
ALL YEAR GROUPS RETURN
Friday 17th October 2025
FINISH
AUTUMN BREAK
Monday 20th October 2025 to Friday 31st October 2025
TERM 2
Monday 3rd November 2025
START
Friday 19th December 2025
FINISH (Early Close 12.00pm)
CHRISTMAS BREAK
Monday 22nd December 2025 to Friday 2nd January 2026
Friday 28th November 2025
TRUST INSET DAY
TERM 3
Monday 5th January 2026
START
Friday 13th February 2026
FINISH
FEBRUARY BREAK
Monday 16th February 2026 to Friday 20th February 2026
TERM 4
Monday 23rd February 2026
START
Thursday 2nd April 2026
FINISH (Early Close 12.00pm)
EASTER BREAK
Friday 3rd April 2026 to Friday 17th April 2026
Friday 3rd April 2026
GOOD FRIDAY
Monday 6th April 2026
EASTER MONDAY
TERM 5
Monday 20th April 2026
START
Monday 4th May 2026
EARLY MAY BANK HOLIDAY
Friday 22nd May 2026
FINISH
LATE SPRING BREAK
Tuesday 26th May 2026 to Friday 29th May 2026
Monday 25th May 2026
LATE MAY BANK HOLIDAY
TERM 6
Monday 1st June 2026
START
Wednesday 22nd July 2026 (Early Close 12.00pm)
FINISH
KEY
DATES
SEPTEMBER 2024 - AUGUST 2025
Thursday 12th September
YEAR 12 INFORMATION EVENING
Wednesday 18th September
YEAR 10 INFORMATION EVENING
Thursday 19th September
YEAR 13 UCAS EVENING
Thursday 10th October (Early Close 12:30pm)
MAIN OPEN EVENING 5.30 - 8.00PM
Wednesday 13th November
YEAR 13 INTERVIEW EVENING
Thursday 21st November
YEAR 11 REVISION EVENING
Friday 22nd November
TRUST INSET – SCHOOL CLOSED TO STUDENTS
Wednesday 27th November
YEAR 8 INFORMATION EVENING
Thursday 12th December
SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING
Wednesday 18th December
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Thursday 19th December
PRESENTATION EVENING
Wednesday 29th January
YEAR 13 PARENTS EVENING (V)
Wednesday 5th March
YEAR 11 PARENTS EVENING (V)
Thursday 6th March
"Forty Pitt" Evening Event 7.00 - 9.00PM
Tuesday 11th March
YEAR 9 OPTIONS EVENING
Wednesday 19th March
YEAR 9 PARENTS EVENING (V)
Wednesday 2nd April
SPRING CONCERT
Wednesday 30th April
YEAR 12 PARENTS EVENING (V)
Thursday 15th May
YEAR 10 PARENTS EVENING (V)
Wednesday 4th June
YEAR 8 PARENTS EVENING (V)
Tuesday 24th June
YEAR 7 PARENTS EVENING (V)
Thursday 3rd July
YEAR 6 INDUCTION DAY & INFORMATION EVENING
(V) = Virtual
STAFF
LIST
ART AND DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Teacher of Food Technology
Teacher of Textiles
Head of Department
Teacher of Art
BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
Head of Department
Teacher of Business & Economics
MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Teacher of Spanish
Teacher of French / Spanish
Head of Department
Teacher of French / Spanish
PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION
Head of Department
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Teacher of PE
Teacher of PE
Teacher of PE
Head of Department
ENGLISH AND FILM
Head of Film /Teacher of English
Teacher of English
Teacher of English
Director of English
Teacher of English
Teacher of English
Teacher of English/Film, KS5 LeadTeacher of English
GEOGRAPHY
Head of Department
Teacher of Geography
Teacher of Geography
HISTORY
Teacher of History
Head of Department
Teacher of History
SCIENCE
Teacher of Science/ Chemistry
Teacher of Science/Physics
Teacher of Science/Biology
Subject Lead Biology
Subject Lead Physics
Teacher of Science/Physics
Teacher of Science/ Biology
Department Second in Charge
Teacher of Science/Physics
Teacher of Science/Chemistry
Teacher of Science/Chemistry
Head of Department
Teacher of Science/Biology
MATHS
Teacher of Maths
Teacher of Maths
Teacher of Maths, KS4 Lead
Teacher of Maths
Teacher of Maths, KS3 Lead
Teacher of Maths, KS5 Lead
Head of Department
EXPECTATIONS
& UNIFORM
SCHOOL UNIFORM
At Fort Pitt, we believe that successful and happy learning starts with self-respect. Accordingly, we have high expectations of how our students should behave and present themselves at all times, wherever they may be.
All students in Years 7-11 wear the school uniform and are expected to take pride in their appearance. This attitude of self-respect does not start at the school gate, but should apply at all times that a student is wearing the Fort Pitt uniform, including the journey to and from school.
The following list provides details of what constitutes the correct school uniform. It is non-negotiable, and any persistent failure to comply with it will lead to appropriate sanctions.
GIRLS SHOULD WEAR
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A navy-blue blazer with school badge and house colours (given to all new students on their first day).
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A pink-checked, open-necked, short- or long-sleeved school blouse.
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An official, navy blue, pleated school skirt, which must measure no longer than 6cm below the knee and no shorter than 6cm above the knee. Please note: the pleats are stitched down at the top of the skirt.
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Navy blue trousers, tailored fit.
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A navy blue, V-necked, long-sleeved sweater, with the school logo on the left-hand side. (Official sleeveless sweaters are also available if required). Jumpers are optional.
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Plain white, navy or black socks (under knee) or navy, black or flesh-coloured tights, with no patterns
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Plain black shoes: this means no platform heels, stilettos, sling backs, trainers, boots or canvas shoes, and no heel higher than 4cm.
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Black or navy-blue coat. All coats must be plain and display no prominent logos.
PE KIT
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Polo Shirt (embroidered with student initials)
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Shorts/Skort (embroidered with student initials)
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Hoodie
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Long blue socks
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Plain navy jogging bottoms (no logos)
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Plain white ankle socks (these can only be worn in the summer term - no logos or frills)
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Trainers
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PE bag (available from School time)
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Football boots
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Shin pads
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Mouth guard
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Hair band
ALL UNIFORM IS AVAILABLE FROM THE ‘SCHOOL TIME’ SHOP IN CHATHAM.
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Phone: 01634 831684
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Website: www.schooltime.co.uk
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Email: info@schooltime.co.uk
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Address: School Time, 87-89 High Street, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4EE
JEWELLERY AND MAKE-UP
Jewellery is not allowed, apart from a watch and one small stud (no larger than 0.5cm) in the lobe of each ear. Multiple ear, facial and body piercings are not acceptable and should be removed whilst in school uniform. The school adheres to Health and Safety rules, to avoid injury whilst activities are taking place. Therefore, no jewellery is allowing during Physical Education lessons. Parents can help by ensuring that school guidance on jewellery is adhered to and that ears are pierced at the start of the summer holidays to allow maximum healing time. It is not acceptable for ears to be taped in school.
Tattoos. It is prohibited for under 18s to have a tattoo, even with parental permission.
Subtle make-up only. No false eyelashes.
Hair should be of one natural colour and conventionally styled: shaved hair is not permitted. For afro-textured hair, we pledge to follow the Halo Code, which promises "freedom and security to wear all afro-hairstyles without restriction or judgement" (www.halocollective.co.uk). Please contact the school if you are unsure as to what is acceptable; this will ensure there are no misunderstandings and will avoid unnecessary expense.
Students with afro-textured hair can choose a range of styles that support their hair's health and maintenance, including headscarves and wraps, although these should be plain and navy blue or black.
No nail varnish, gel nails or false nails. Please note that nails should be of natural colour and of a safe length which is not a Health & Safety issue or a danger to other students.
With all jewellery, uniform, hair and accessories, we ask students and parents/carers to be aware of cultural appropriations.
Parents are asked to note these basic rules and to support the school in maintaining high standards of appearance. We would ask that you check with the school before buying anything about which you have doubts, to avoid unnecessary expense.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Please Note: The School cannot take responsibility for the loss of staff or student personal property.
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Mobile phones are the responsibility of the student.
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Small sums of money should be kept on the student at all times or stored securely in a locker. On occasions such as PE lessons, students should hand in the purse to the appropriate member of staff.
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Issues with lockers should be reported to reception.
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Large sums of money should be handed in to reception for safekeeping, if it is necessary for them to be brought onto school premises at all.
ABSENCE
Details of our attendance procedures can be found by clicking here or by going to our Policy and Procedures Page
Parents are reminded that they are required by law to inform us of a student’s absence on the first day of the absence. It is essential that a signed absence note is sent into school when the student returns to confirm details of the length of absence and reasons why.
If students are late for school and miss registration they should sign in the late book at reception.
TELEPHONE
01634 842359
LETTER
Attendance Officer
Fort Pitt Grammar School
Fort Pitt Hill
Chatham
Kent
ME4 6TJ
CATERING
LUNCH MENU
Independent Catering manage our catering service in the school dining room, where students are offered a wide range of foods at breakfast, morning break and lunchtime. The available food ranges from pastas and salads to full cooked meals. Click here for the current menus.
Students may prefer to bring a packed lunch.
PARENT PAY
CASHLESS CATERING
Food and drinks are purchased via our trust-e Cashless Catering Solution using a key fob. Accounts can be credited via Parent Pay or Paypoint.