SchoolScoresThe Thomas Aveling School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of BEYOND SCHOOLS TRUST
Arethusa Road, Arethusa Road, Rochester, ME1 2UW
01634 844809 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 14 June 2016.
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 |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 14 September 2022: 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
217 pupils in this year group.
26% — 18 points below the Medway average, and 20 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 26% | 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. | 41.3 | 46.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.6 | 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.
195 pupils in this year group.
89% — 2 points below the Medway average, and 3 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. | 89% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 53% | 54% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 28% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 89% |
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
90 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 | 4% | 21% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 25% | 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. | 25.7 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
20 subjects, 187 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 22 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Law | 18 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Sociology | 16 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| English Language and Literature | 14 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Government and Politics | 14 | 0% | 7% | 26% |
| Mathematics | 12 | 0% | 0% | 40% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 11 | 9% | 27% | 26% |
| Geography | 11 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| History | 11 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 11 | 0% | 0% | 14% |
| Biology | 10 | 0% | 10% | 27% |
| Chemistry | 10 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 6 | 17% | 33% | 38% |
| Art and Design (Textiles) | 6 | 17% | 17% | 36% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Computer Studies / Computing, Dance, Design and Technology (Product Design), Spanish, Art and Design (3d Studies), Music.
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.
75 students in this year group.
76% — about the same as the Medway average, and 3 points below 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. | 76% | 76% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 8% | 9% | 7% |
| Work | 29% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 76% |
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.
100 students in this year group.
47% — 4 points below the Medway average, and 13 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 47% | 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 |
|---|---|
| 59% | 47% |
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 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 204 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 233 |
| Of those, offered a place | 174 (75%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 683 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.4 · 2025: 1.3 · 2026: 1.1
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 20 places for hearing 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 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Rochester. Higher than 65% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 33.4% | 27.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Rochester. Higher than 64% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.5% | 1.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Rochester. Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.2% | 12.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Rochester. Higher than 51% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.6% | 13.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Rochester. Lower than 32% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.4% | 7.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Rochester. Lower than 35% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 26.5% | 21.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Rochester. Lower than 28% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 26.2 | 23.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Rochester. Lower than 21% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.5% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.08% | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Rochester. Higher than 26% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Rochester. Higher than 25% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7 | 12.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Rochester. Higher than 10% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 6.5% | 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
- Oasis Restore 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected
- Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 94% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Rochester Grammar School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 92% grade 5+ English and maths
- Holcombe Grammar School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 85% grade 5+ English and maths
- St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 32% grade 5+ English and maths
- Fort Pitt Grammar School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 85% grade 5+ English and maths
- Walderslade School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2023, before conversion) · 11% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Victory Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 22% grade 5+ English and maths
- Greenacre School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2023, before conversion) · 17% grade 5+ English and maths
- Rochester Independent College 1.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 26% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Thomas Aveling School's Ofsted rating?
The Thomas Aveling School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 June 2016. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 14 September 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did The Thomas Aveling School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 26% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 20 points below the England average of 45%.
Is The Thomas Aveling School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 233 families put The Thomas Aveling School as their first choice for 204 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 174 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 137376.
- 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.