SchoolScoresRainham School for Girls
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Girls only · Sixth form
Part of THE KEMNAL ACADEMIES TRUST
Derwent Way, Rainham, Gillingham, ME8 0BX
01634 362746 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 19 May 2026 , published 12 July 2026.
In short: 5 strong, 2 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
271 pupils in this year group.
30% — 15 points below the Medway average, and 16 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 30% | 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. | 44.3 | 46.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 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.
265 pupils in this year group.
93% — 2 points above the Medway average, and about the same as 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. | 93% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 51% | 54% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | Not published | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 37% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 3% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 93% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
113 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 14% | 21% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 46% | 47% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 31.9 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
20 subjects, 234 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 45 | 0% | 4% | 19% |
| Sociology | 33 | 3% | 6% | 20% |
| Biology | 19 | 0% | 16% | 27% |
| English Literature | 14 | 0% | 14% | 23% |
| Law | 12 | 8% | 42% | 17% |
| Chemistry | 11 | 0% | 9% | 30% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 10 | 20% | 60% | 38% |
| Art and Design (Graphics) | 10 | 10% | 20% | 32% |
| Religious Studies | 10 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
| Art and Design (Textiles) | 9 | 22% | 44% | 36% |
| Geography | 9 | 0% | 22% | 23% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 9 | 0% | 0% | 14% |
| History | 8 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 7 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 6 | 0% | 17% | 26% |
| Government and Politics | 6 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
166 students in this year group.
89% — 13 points above the Medway average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 89% | 76% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 12% | 9% | 7% |
| Work | 33% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 89% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
153 students in this year group.
61% — 10 points above the Medway average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 61% | 51% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 4% | 11% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 62% | 61% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 263 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 265 |
| Of those, offered a place | 228 (86%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 574 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 39% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.7% | 27.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.7% | 1.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 58% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.8% | 12.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 37% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.1% | 13.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Lower than 44% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.7% | 7.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Lower than 38% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 25.9% | 21.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Lower than 52% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.9 | 23.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Lower than 79% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.4% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.12% | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 82% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.5 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 89% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.1 | 12.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 19% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4% | 15.3%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- The Howard School 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 exceptional, 4 strong, 2 expected · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- Rainham Mark Grammar School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 87% grade 5+ English and maths
- Leigh Academy Rainham 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- The Robert Napier School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 16% grade 5+ English and maths
- Chatham Grammar 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 76% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Victory Academy 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 22% grade 5+ English and maths
- Brompton Academy 2.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- Greenacre School 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2023, before conversion) · 17% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Rainham School for Girls's Ofsted rating?
Rainham School for Girls was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 19 May 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 5 strong, 2 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did Rainham School for Girls do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 30% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 16 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Rainham School for Girls oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 265 families put Rainham School for Girls as their first choice for 263 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 228 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 136456.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.