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Best Schools in Medway 2026 — Rankings, Ofsted Ratings & Reviews

Compare 97 schools and nurseries in Medway — Ofsted ratings, exam results & admissions data.

Medway is a unitary authority in Kent with 97 schools. The area covers Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, Strood and Rainham. Medway retains grammar schools through the Kent 11+ system, offering parents the choice between selective and comprehensive education.

Medway at a Glance

97Total schools — 76 Primary, 21 Secondary
91%Good or Outstanding Ofsted rating (97 inspected)
-0.10Average Progress 8 across 18 secondary schools
81Schools oversubscribed — more applicants than places available

Top Primary Schools in Medway

SchoolAreaOfstedKS2 RWM %ReadingMaths
Swingate Primary SchoolMedwayGood87%
The Pilgrim School (A Church of England Primary With Nursery)MedwayOutstanding87%
Leigh Academy High HalstowMedwayOutstanding81%
St Margaret's at Troy Town CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolMedwayGood80%
Horsted Junior SchoolMedwayGood80%

Top Secondary Schools in Medway

SchoolAreaOfstedProgress 85+ GCSE %EBacc %
Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical SchoolMedwayOutstanding+0.90100%97%
The Rochester Grammar SchoolMedwayGood+0.67100%91%
Fort Pitt Grammar SchoolMedwayOutstanding+0.6495%99%
Chatham GrammarMedwayGood+0.3697%96%
Rainham School for GirlsMedwayGood+0.3364%44%

Admissions in Medway — Key Dates

Medway Council coordinates admissions. The area has grammar schools selecting by the 11+ test administered by Medway council. Non-selective schools use distance as the primary criterion. The grammar school test is taken in September of Year 6.

Tip: Classpot shows the applications-to-places ratio for every school so you can gauge how competitive admissions are before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there grammar schools in Medway?

Yes. Medway has several grammar schools including Rochester Grammar School, Chatham Grammar School for Girls, Fort Pitt Grammar School and Holcombe Grammar School. Entry is through the Medway 11+ test.

What are the best schools in Medway?

The grammar schools top results tables. Among comprehensives, Rainham Mark Grammar, The Howard School and Hundred of Hoo Academy are well-regarded. Rochester Independent College offers private education.

How does the Medway 11+ work?

Children take the Medway 11+ test in September of Year 6. The test covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and English. Results are released before the secondary school application deadline.

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