Schools, early years and childcare

There are 109 schools maintained by Medway Council as the Local Authority (LA).

For more information about individual schools, including the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) inspection reports, please search the list of schools using the link above or visit the Ofsted website at www.ofsted.gov.uk.

Nursery units

Around half of all Medway schools admit children from the age of three years into the Foundation Stage and provide nursery education for three and four year-olds.  In addition, a further 120 independent nurseries and pre-schools are registered providers of free part-time nursery education for three and four year-olds.

Primary schools

There are 85 primary schools, consisting of:

• infant schools (ages four to seven years);
• junior schools (ages seven to 11 years);
• primary schools (ages four to 11 years).

Secondary schools

Within the Hoo Peninsula, a two-tier comprehensive admission system operates and at the age of 11, children transfer to the Hundred of Hoo Comprehensive School without assessment.

Within the rest of Medway, a selective admission system operates, consisting mainly of grammar and high schools. Admission to the grammar schools is based on an assessment of children during their final year at primary school.

Special schools and units

Medway has three special schools:

• Abbey Court, for four to 18 year-olds with severe learning difficulties;
• Danecourt, for four to 11 year-olds with moderate or complex learning difficulties;
• Bradfields, for 11 to 18 year-olds with moderate or complex learning difficulties.

12 primary schools and four secondary schools have special units which cater for a variety of special educational needs. Medway also has three pupil referral units and a unit for hospital education.

^ (back to top)