Grammar+ Pathway

At St Matthew Academy, we are a fully inclusive, caring Catholic community where every child is supported and encouraged to let their light shine.

To nurture academic excellence, we are proud to offer the Grammar+ Pathway - a tailored extra-curricular programme designed to stretch and challenge KS3 pupils.

The Grammar+ Pathway supports pupils in developing the skills and knowledge needed to achieve exceptional results at GCSE and beyond.

Eligibility and Entry

Pupils are invited to join the Grammar+ Pathway based on academic performance. Criteria include:

Having passed the 11+ exam (a certificate must be provided), or
Being in the top 10% of the cohort based on academic data upon entry to Year 7.
Pupils who are excelling in their studies and display improvement and strong work ethic throughout the academic year.

We recognise that children grow and develop at different stages. As such, the Grammar+ programme is designed to be flexible. Pupils may join or exit the pathway at any point in the year, depending on their academic progress. To remain on the programme, pupils are expected to maintain consistently high levels of achievement and engagement throughout their time at the Academy.

Enrichment Opportunities

Pupils on the Grammar+ Pathway benefit from a range of academically enriching experiences, including:

The Brilliant Club – working with PhD students from Russell Group universities on university-style assignments
University visits and summer schools
GCSE Astronomy course
Classic Literature Reading Challenge
Mini Lecture Programme – a series of thought-provoking talks across a range of academic disciplines.

We believe in fostering ambition, curiosity, and academic excellence in all our learners. The Grammar+ Pathway is one way we help our most able pupils fulfil their potential and shine brightly.