SchoolScoresINSPIRE Free Special School
Special free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed
Part of RIVERMEAD INCLUSIVE TRUST
Churchill Avenue, Silverbank, Chatham, ME5 0LB
01634 827372 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 5 June 2018.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 14 December 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
17 pupils in this year group.
0% — 44 points below the Medway average, and 45 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 0% | 44% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 2.9 | 46.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 0.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
11 pupils in this year group.
55% — 36 points below the Medway average, and 37 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 55% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 0% | 54% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 9% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 9% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 55% | 55% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Medway. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
Pupils, staff and SEND
This is a special school for children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Places are arranged through the council's SEND team, not the normal admissions round. It caters for: Social, emotional and mental health needs.
| Pupils | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years | 70.0% | 53.6%* | 51.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan | 100.0% | 99.7%* | 99.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support | 0.0% | 0.3%* | 0.5% |
| English as an additional language | 1.1% | 8.8%* | 14.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) | 38.9% | 12.4%* | 12.8% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) | 74.8% | 32.1%* | 35.3% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils | 75.6 | 13.5 | 12.3 |
| Pupils suspended at least once | 33.3% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 2.22% | 0.27% | 0.08% |
| Pupils per teacher | 5.6 | 6.8 | 6.6 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) | 3.7 | 2.6 | 2.3 |
| Teachers who left during the year | 11.9% | 8.0%* | 14.3%* |
Comparisons are with special schools. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby special schools
- Bradfields Academy 0.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2017), confirmed 2022
- Blue Skies School 1.5 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Alchemy School 2.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 5 expected
- Ripplevale School Rochester 2.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Danecourt School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2024 · 0% met expected standard (KS2)
- Medway Green School 2.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is INSPIRE Free Special School's Ofsted rating?
INSPIRE Free Special School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 5 June 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 14 December 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did INSPIRE Free Special School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 0% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 45 points below the England average of 45%.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 141005.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.