A leading grammar school has announced it will no longer be offering its pupils A-levels.

Rochester Grammar, in Maidstone Road, is going to exclusively offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) from September 2020 to its sixth form students.

The decision has been made to give students the chance to "succeed on the world stage".

Year 11 students who will begin their A-levels next September will be the last group to complete the qualifications at the school.

Head of School Clare Brinklow said: “The IB puts students in a very strong position in terms of both university admissions and today’s highly competitive jobs market.

“As the top state school in the country delivering the IB, and one of the best in the world, we believe, after much consideration, that the time is right to specialise fully and ensure all our students have the chance to take a high-quality international qualification that gives them the best chance to succeed on an increasingly global stage.”

To achieve the IB, pupils study six subjects, picking three at a higher level, and are encouraged to take part in non-assessed activities.

It has been recognised for over 40 years by 4000 schools worldwide and has been taught at Rochester Grammar for 11 years.

In 2016 and 2017, the school was ranked in the top 7% globally.