SchoolScoresWaterfront UTC
University technical college · Secondary, ages 14 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of THE HOWARD ACADEMY TRUST
South Side Three Road, Chatham, ME4 4FQ
01634 505800 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 10 January 2023.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
75 pupils in this year group.
20% — 24 points below the Medway average, and 25 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 20% | 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. | 30 | 46.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.1 | 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.
54 pupils in this year group.
91% — about the same as 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. | 91% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 50% | 54% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 19% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 9% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 85% | 91% |
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
21 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | E+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 0% | 21% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 0% | 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. | 13.8 | 32.7 | 35 |
Average A level grade, over time
| 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Not published | Not published | E+ |
A level subjects, 2024/25
4 subjects, 26 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 9 | 0% | 0% | 31% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 8 | 0% | 0% | 24% |
| Mathematics | 6 | 0% | 0% | 40% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (3d 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.
23 students in this year group.
83% — 7 points above the Medway average, and 4 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. | 83% | 76% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 30% | 9% | 7% |
| Work | 35% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 85% | 83% |
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.
24 students in this year group.
29% — 22 points below the Medway average, and 31 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 29% | 51% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 0% | 11% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 50% | 29% |
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Higher than 71% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 37.0% | 27.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Higher than 9% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.1% | 1.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Higher than 99% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 31.2% | 12.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Higher than 40% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.1% | 13.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Lower than 10% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.7% | 7.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Lower than 11% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 33.6% | 21.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Lower than 38% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 20.2 | 23.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Lower than 34% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.8% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.28% | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Higher than 11% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.5 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Higher than 2% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4 | 12.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Chatham. Higher than 25% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.4% | 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
- Brompton Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Robert Napier School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 16% grade 5+ English and maths
- Chatham Grammar 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 76% grade 5+ English and maths
- Leigh Academy Hundred of Hoo 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed, may be improving 2024 · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- Maritime Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Fort Pitt Grammar School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 85% 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
- Rochester Independent College 2.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 26% A*/A at A level
- The Victory Academy 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 22% grade 5+ English and maths
- King's School, Rochester 2.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 25% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Waterfront UTC's Ofsted rating?
Waterfront UTC was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 10 January 2023.
How did Waterfront UTC do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 20% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 25 points below the England average of 45%.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 146648.
- 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.