Rainham Mark Grammar School
125%
Capacity
1,551
Pupils
4.5x
Demand
About Rainham Mark Grammar School
Rainham Mark Grammar School is a popular choice among Medway families, and the numbers back that up. For entry in 2025/26, the school received 1,041 applications for 232 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 4.49. Of those, 305 families put it as their first preference, and 216 first-preference offers were made. That level of demand suggests a strong reputation locally, though it is worth noting that the school does not publish a parent-view survey score, so direct feedback from current families isn't available in the data. The school is a mixed, non-denominational state secondary with a sixth form, and it currently educates 1,551 pupils, which is above its stated capacity of 1,242. The headteacher is Agnes Hart, and the school has been rated Good by Ofsted in its most recent inspection in 2022, a downgrade from the Outstanding rating it held in its previous inspection in 2014.
Academically, Rainham Mark Grammar School performs well above the local average. Its Progress 8 score of 0.28 is rated as 'Above average' nationally and compares very favourably with the Medway local authority average of -0.1. The Attainment 8 score sits at 63.4, and 97.5% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, with 91.9% achieving a grade 5 or above. The school places a strong emphasis on the EBacc, with 97% of pupils entering the qualification and 73.7% achieving a grade 4 or above across the component subjects. At A-level, the average points per entry is 39.13, equivalent to a B grade, and the best three A-levels average out at a B as well. The sixth form value-added score is 0.02, which is rated as 'Average', meaning students make broadly expected progress. In the Medway local authority, the school ranks 6th out of 18 similar schools on Progress 8.
The school offers a wide range of facilities, including a swimming pool, sports hall, theatre, and dedicated sixth form centre, plus science labs and ICT suites. Sports on offer include rowing, rugby, hockey, and athletics, while clubs range from Young Enterprise and Model UN to coding and choir. The school has a comprehensive SEND provision, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, and speech, language and communication needs, among others. With 10.4% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the intake is slightly below the national average for state secondaries. This is a selective grammar school that suits families who are confident their child will thrive in an academically demanding environment, and who are willing to navigate a competitive admissions process. The oversubscription ratio of 4.49 makes it one of the more sought-after schools in Medway, so early registration and preparation for the entrance test are essential.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Pump Lane, Gillingham, Medway, ME8 7AJ |
| Headteacher | Agnes Hart |
| Local Authority | Medway |
| Number of Pupils | 1,551 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 10.4% |
| School Capacity | 1,551 / 1,242 (125% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 May 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 12 Jul 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.28)
873rd of 3,141
Nationally
138th of 461
In South East
6th of 18
In Medway
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
41.3
'22/23
38.5
'23/24
39.1
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2385%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 207 pupils).
- School sixth form (stay)85%
- FE college8%
- Apprenticeship2%
- Not sustained2%
- Employment1%
97% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
Where school leavers go
2022/2360%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 170 pupils).
Top-tier university progression
21%
Russell Group
26%
Top-third HE
3%
Oxford / Cambridge
Percentages of the whole cohort (not just HE-goers). Russell Group = 24 elite research universities. Top-third HE = top by mean UCAS tariff.
- University (HE)60%
- Employment20%
- Apprenticeship11%
- Not sustained6%
- Further education1%
Sources: DfE 16-18 destination measures (broad bucket); DfE KS5 student destinations file (Russell Group / top-third HE / Oxbridge). Level 3 cohort. “Sustained” means the pupil was in education, apprenticeship or employment for 6 months in the year following completion.
Sixth form A-level subjects
2022/23- Biology69
- Mathematics66
- Psychology50
- Business Studies:Single47
- Chemistry47
- Sociology43
- Economics29
- English Literature26
- Government and Politics22
- Physics22
- Film Studies19
- Computer Studies / Computing16
Subjects with at least 3 entries in 2022/23. Number shown next to each subject is the number of pupils who sat that A-level exam — a rough indicator of subject popularity at this school. Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed232
1,041
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
305 families put this school as their 1st choice (29% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Lower than the national median (10%) — mostly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British63.8%
- Asian11.5%
- Mixed9.9%
- White (other)3.4%
- Black0.7%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Better than half of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
10
Total schools
8
Oversubscribed
7
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rainham Mark Grammar School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Pump Lane, Gillingham
Medway, ME8 7AJ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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