Classpot

Waterfront UTC

Medway, ME4 4FQSecondaryAges 14–19MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Jan 2023
Progress 8
-0.90
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
N/A
No data
Ranking
#2,981
of 3,141 nationally

About Waterfront UTC

Waterfront UTC is a 14-19 state secondary in Medway that currently has 362 pupils on roll, well above its official capacity of 250. That oversubscription is notable given the school’s intake profile: 34.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is significantly higher than the national secondary average of around 23%, suggesting the school serves a relatively disadvantaged catchment. The school is mixed and non-religious, with no nursery provision. Despite the high demand, the school’s admission information doesn’t indicate a selective entry process, so the oversubscription likely reflects local need for a technical-focused option for older teenagers. Headteacher Fiona McLean leads a school that has clearly grown in popularity since its previous inspection, when it was rated Inadequate in 2018. The turnaround since then has been substantial, and the current pupil numbers suggest families in Medway are giving it a chance.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range14 to 19 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressSouth Side Three Road, Chatham, Medway, ME4 4FQ
HeadteacherFiona McLean
Local AuthorityMedway
Number of Pupils362
Free School Meals (FSM)34.8%
School Capacity362 / 250 (145% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
See an example
One-off paymentNo subscriptionStripe checkout

Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

10 Jan 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 1 Mar 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

8
Swimming PoolTheatreTennis CourtsMusic RoomsLibraryICT SuiteChapelSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

16

Sports

FootballHockeySwimmingGymnasticsAthleticsCricket

Clubs & Activities

DramaChoirCodingDuke of EdinburghNewspaperDebateScience ClubEco ClubYoung EnterpriseChess

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultyMulti-SensoryOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

Was this page helpful?

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfront UTC

Waterfront UTC has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.