SchoolScoresThe Robert Napier School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of BEYOND SCHOOLS TRUST
Third Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 2LX
01634 851157 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 24 September 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Sixth form | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
148 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Gillingham (Medway) comparisons use the 3 of its 6 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 3 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Gillingham (Medway) | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 20% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 74% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 13% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 75% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 20% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 61% | 69% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 79 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 27% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 41% | 46% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 125 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 32% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 64% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 57 parents of children with SEND Joint 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Medway. Higher than 28% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 51% | – | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 15% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57%said yes | 68% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 15%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Gillingham (Medway) figures pool parents at the Gillingham (Medway) schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
185 pupils in this year group.
16% — 28 points below the Medway average, and 29 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 16% | 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. | 32.5 | 46.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.8 | 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.
185 pupils in this year group.
86% — 5 points below the Medway average, and 6 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. | 86% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 32% | 54% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 49% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 86% |
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
32 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 0% | 21% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 14% | 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. | 20.2 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
8 subjects, 56 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 14 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Religious Studies | 11 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
| Sociology | 11 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| Biology | 7 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Language and Literature, History, Art and Design (Photography), Film Studies.
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.
65 students in this year group.
80% — 4 points above the Medway average, and about the same as 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. | 80% | 76% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 9% | 7% |
| Work | 38% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 71% | 80% |
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.
44 students in this year group.
52% — about the same as the Medway average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 52% | 51% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 2% | 11% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 58% | 52% |
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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 202 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 86 |
| Of those, offered a place | 86 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 375 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.5 · 2025: 0.6 · 2026: 0.4
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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 15 places for visual impairment. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 89% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 50.4% | 27.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 33% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.3% | 1.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 94% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 23.1% | 12.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 64% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.3% | 13.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Lower than 14% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.0% | 7.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Lower than 7% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 36.2% | 21.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Lower than 3% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 93.1 | 23.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Lower than 3% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 20.6% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded21 pupils | 2.08% | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 65% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.5 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 22% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.5 | 12.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Gillingham (Medway). Higher than 87% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 22.7% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Chatham Grammar 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 76% grade 5+ English and maths
- Brompton Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Victory Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 22% grade 5+ English and maths
- Waterfront UTC 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 20% grade 5+ English and maths
- Rainham Mark Grammar School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 87% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Howard School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 exceptional, 4 strong, 2 expected · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- Rainham School for Girls 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 strong, 2 expected · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 32% grade 5+ English and maths
- Holcombe Grammar School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 85% grade 5+ English and maths
- Fort Pitt Grammar School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 85% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Robert Napier School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 24 September 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did The Robert Napier School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 16% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 29 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Robert Napier School?
57% of the 148 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend The Robert Napier School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Robert Napier School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 86 families put The Robert Napier School as their first choice for 202 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 86 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 138511.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- 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.