September 2017 entry For children born between 1 September 2005 and 31 August 2006

Admissionto secondary A guide for parents and carers Important dates:

Medway Test registration: Wed, 1 Jun to Fri, 1 Jul, 2016

Secondary school applications: Mon, 12 Sept to Mon, 31 Oct, 2016 offer day: Wed, 1 Mar, 2017

www..gov.uk/onlineadmissions apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions

Online admissions The quickest, easiest and safest way to apply for your secondary school place. Last year over 90 per cent of secondary school applications were made online.

If you give us your email address when applying you will: Admissions application I receive confirmation your application has been received; I receive details of the school offered on offer day, without having to wait for your offer letter.

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Welcome 4 G Medway Council Student Services ...... Admissions Team Key dates for the secondary transfer 2017 5 The Admissions Team, based at Gun Wharf in Chatham, ...... co-ordinates all Year 6 transfers to secondary school and Section one 6 organises the Medway Test (11+). Introduction and general information ...... Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Section two 8 ME4 4TR The Medway Test and other testing arrangements ...... Phone: 01634 331110 Section three 13 Email: [email protected] The school application process ...... Section four 16 G Medway Council Student Services The online admissions process ...... Operations Team Section five 18 This Operations Team deals with meals, transport The school offer process and next steps ...... to school (except for those attending special ) and Section six 20 casual admissions. Free school meals and home to school transport ...... Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Section seven Kent ME4 4TR Common oversubscription criteria 01634 331155 22 Phone: and other useful information ...... Email: [email protected] [email protected] Section eight 24 The schools ...... G Medway Council Initial Contact 2 Location and access areas of schools ...... 5 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. 26 Calls to Initial Contact may be recorded or monitored for How to use the school pages ...... security and staff development purposes. 01634 333333 Medway DF E numbers 48 Phone: ...... Text relay: 18001 01634 333333 Nearest qualifying school confirmation request 49 G Kent County Council ......

Kent County Council Admissions and Transport Room 2.20, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1XQ Phone: 03000 412121 Email: [email protected] Disclaimer The information given in this booklet relates to the academic year, September 2017 to August 2018. Details are correct at the time of going to print.

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 3 Welcome

Dear parent/carer,

The transfer from primary to is an exciting time for young people and their families. There is a wide range of opportunities available to your child as we have a diverse mix of schools open to all children. These include grammar schools, , single sex schools and faith schools. All of these schools have a single aim, which is to ensure that all young people have a happy and successful time at their secondary school.

All of our schools are committed to providing high quality teaching and learning for all students, to make the best use of technology available and provide young people with a full education experience. Whilst we all want young people to achieve the best exam results that they can, we equally want young people to build on their talents, skills and interest to ensure that they leave education as capable and confident young adults.

I would actively encourage you to go along to all the secondary schools you are interested in during their organised open sessions to ensure that you have as much knowledge of the schools when you are deciding which to name as preferences on your application.

I would also encourage you to attend one of the presentations being offered by the Student Services Admissions Team to hear about the admissions process first hand and to ask any questions you may have. This information booklet and the Medway Council website will give you all of the information you need for the admissions process.

The Student Services Admissions Team is also here to support yo u through the whole process.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your child all the best for their secondary school career.

Barbara Peacock Director of Children’s and Adult Services

4 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions Key dates for the secondary transfer 2017 Registration for the Medway Test opens. Online registrations open at 9am Wednesday, 1 June 2016 Student Services admission presentations for Year 5 parents/carers Tuesday, 7, Wednesday, 8 and Thursday, 9 June 2016 Closing date and time for Medway Test registration 4pm - Friday, 1 July 2016 Deadline for special arrangements requests from schools 9am - Friday, 8 July 2016 Secondary applications open. Online application open at 9am Monday, 12 September 2016 Medway Test date Tuesday, 13 / Wednesday, 14 September, 2016 The Medway Test is for admission to Medway grammar schools only. (in school for children in Medway primary/junior schools)

For grammar schools in another local authority, children must Saturday, 17 September 2016 sit that local authority’s test. (in school for Medway schools that opt for Saturday testing and in test centres for children not in Medway primary/junior schools) Assessment Decision Letters posted to parents/carers Friday, 30 September 2016 (emails sent after 4pm to those who registered online)

Deadline for Medway Test Review Requests Friday, 7 October 2016 Deadline for primary and junior schools to submit review work to the council 10am - Tuesday, 11 October 2016 Medway Test Reviews Between Wednesday, 12 and Friday, 14 October 2016 Review decisions posted to parents/carers By Friday, 21 October 2016 Closing date and time for applications (online and SCAFs) - National closing date 4pm - Monday, 31 October 2016 Offer emails and letters sent to parents/carers - National offer day Wednesday, 1 March 2017 (emails sent after 4pm to those who applied online) Places must be accepted/refused and requests to go on a waiting list and By Wednesday, 29 March 2017 appeals must be submitted The council re-allocates any places that have become available to those who From Monday, 10 April until Sunday, 31 December 2017 have asked to go on the waiting lists for each school

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 5 Section one Introduction and general information

Making the right decision about which secondary Medway Council works within the requirements of Can I visit the secondary schools I’m school is right for your child can be an anxious time the School Admissions Code published by the interested in? for families. Medway Council’s Student Services Team Department for Education. Details of the School QIn addition to the presentations being offered by is here to help you understand and guide you Admissions Code can be found at Student Services, each school will hold their own through the process. www.education.gov.uk open sessions. These are an opportunity for you to tour the school, speak to staff and students, listen It is very important that you read carefully, and to presentations about the school and ask any understand, the information in this booklet Where can I hear about the admissions questions you may have. regarding how the admissions process works, and process? Student Services offers all parents of children in how school places are allocated, before you submit Q Year 5 the opportunity to attend a presentation These are a valuable opportunity for parents and your school application. session, which will go through the admissions children. We encourage you to visit as many process from start to finish and give you the chance schools as you can to help you make the most Throughout this booklet we have provided useful to ask any questions you may have. informed decisions when applying for schools. information to help you make the most informed decisions possible. We encourage you to use this The table below details the dates, times and venues information, do your own research on schools and For details of these open sessions please refer for these presentations. They are drop in sessions so visit all of the schools you are interested in during to the individual school’s pages in section 8 and there is no need to reserve a place. hereT will be their open sessions. Most importantly, please discuss contact the schools directly. two sessions at each venue on the relevant date. your decisions with your child to ensure that they are fully involved and happy about the transition If you are unable to attend one of these sessions from primary to secondary education. and have any questions, please contact Student Services or speak to your child’s primary school. If you have any questions, please contact Student Services or speak to your child’s primary school. Summary of Student Services admissions presentations Date Venue Time Student Services Admissions Team Tuesday, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, The Hundred of Hoo , Main Road, Hoo, Rochester ME3 9HH 4.30pm 7 June 2016 Chatham ME4 4TR. and 6.30pm Phone: 01634 331110 Email: Wednesday, , Magpie Hall Road, Chatham ME4 5JB 4.30pm [email protected] 8 June 2016 and 6.30pm Thursday, 4.30pm Rainham Mark , Pump Lane, Gillingham ME8 7AJ 9 June 2016 and 6.30pm

6 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions What happens if my child has a What does it mean? School status Statement of Special Educational A guide to the terms used in the summary over the All schools have a particular status which describes QNeeds (SSEN) or Education, Health and page and in the admission process. the type of school it is. The status of each school Care Plan (EHCP)? will be shown on its individual page. If your child has one of these, they will not go School type through this admission process. You will discuss Selective schools Irrespective of their status they are all secondary schools but offer different opportunities for learning your school preferences with the Special These are grammar schools. To meet the entry and deliver these in different ways. Educational Needs Team to determine which requirements of the school, a child must be secondary school is right for your child. assessed as selective (grammar) under the Medway Please speak to the school to find out more about Test procedures. what they can offer your child. If you wish yo ur child to be considered for Non-selective schools selective (grammar) schools, you will need to Published Admission Number (PAN) Children are not required to be assessed for entry ensure that they have gone through the Medway to these schools. This is the number of places available to be allocated Test process (see section 2). in 2017. Please be aware that , For more information, please contact the Special Academy and operate Educational Needs Team on a Fair Banding test - this is not a pass or fail test, 01634 337170 or . it is to ensure that children across the ability range 337175 are admitted.

Summary of Schools Type Status PAN 1 Brompton Academy Academy Academy 210 2 Chatham Grammar School for Girls Grammar Academy 142 3 Grammar Academy 120 4 Academy Academy 200 5 (formally known as Chatham Grammar School for Boys) Grammar Academy 120 6 The Howard School Bi-lateral Foundation 250 7 The Hundred of Hoo Academy Academy Academy 270 8 Rainham Mark Grammar School Grammar Academy 205 9 Academy Academy 270 10 The Robert Napier School Academy Academy 180 11 The Grammar Academy 175 12 Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School Grammar Academy 180 13 St John Fisher Comprehensive Voluntary Aided 180 14 Academy Academy 240 15 The Thomas Aveling School Academy Academy 190 16 The Victory Academy Academy Academy 240 17 Girls School Academy Academy 160 Details for all Medway Secondary Schools can be found in section 8.

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 7 Section two The Medway Test and other testing arrangements

The first thing you need to think about is Which schools does the Medway Test The Medway Test is for Medway grammar whether you want your child to be considered apply to? schools only. The Kent Test is for Kent grammar for admission to a Medway selective (grammar) QIn Medway, we have six selective (grammar) schools only. school. If you do, then they will need to sit the secondary schools. These are: Medway Test (also referred to as the 11 plus). Holcombe Grammar School (formally known What does the Medway Test as Chatham Grammar School for Boys) consist of? Your child’s primary school teacher and headteacher Three separate papers: will be able to help you decide if a selective school is Chatham Grammar School for Girls Q right for yo ur child, and advise you on whether they Fort Pitt Grammar School • An extended writing exercise feel your child is best suited to sit the Medway Test. Rainham Mark Grammar School • A mathematics paper However, it is ultimately your decision whether you Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School • A verbal reasoning (VR) paper register your child to sit the test or not. The Rochester Grammar School These tests are specifically written for Medway and We do not advise that children sit the test who are In addition to these, The Howard School will also are designed to select 23 per cent of children in not working consistently at the levels required or provide places for children assessed as suitable for the year group as assessed suitable for grammar who will not be considering applications to Medway admission to a Medway grammar school. These school education. Up to a further two per cent can grammar schools. We also advise against children children will be placed into the grammar stream be selected through the review process. sitting the test as an ‘experience’ or to help measure after places have been allocated. them against their peers. When and where is the Medway Test Medway operates a testing before preference Further details can be found on page 33. being held? system. This means that your child will sit the QThis depends which school your child currently Medway Test and receive their result before the Can I use my child’s Medway Test result attends. The table on page 12 lists the dates and closing date for secondary school applications. for a grammar school in another area? venues for each Medway primary/junior and This is to help you make the most informed decision QThe Medway Test result can only be used for . Each Medway school decides you can when selecting which schools to name on entrance to one of the Medway grammar schools, where and when to undertake the testing for your application. as listed above. their children. If you have any questions regarding your school’s decision, please speak with the You must ensure that your child is registered to sit If you are considering grammar schools in another school directly. the Medway Test. More details on how and when to area (for example, Kent), then you will need to do this are listed on page 9. contact them directly to find out what their testing Children, who live and/or attend primary/junior and arrangements are. If your child sits a selective test independent schools outside of Medway (for for another area, you cannot use that result for example, Kent schools) will be invited to sit the test Medway grammar schools (unless it is stated in the in a test centre on Saturday, 17 September 2016. schools’ oversubscription criteria).

8 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions Test invitation letters will be sent to all children who Firstly, you will need to register your child to sit Can my child sit selective tests in more have registered to sit the Medway Test to confirm the the Medway Test in the normal way.You will then than one area? venue and other details by the end of August 2016. QYou can register your child for as many tests as you need to discuss with your child’s headteacher wish if you are considering schools in more than one whether they feel you child’s needs fall under the special arrangements process. You may ask your How do I register my child to sit the area. We advise that you contact the local authorities Medway Test? concerned to register your child for their tests. child’s headteacher to submit a special QRegistration is open from 9am on Wednesday, 1 As all selection tests are specifically written for that arrangements request. June 2016 until 4pm on Friday, 1 July 2016. local authority, we do not advise that children sit multiple tests as practice tests. A panel of specialist advisors will consider all You can register your child online at requests received and will determine what the appropriate arrangements should be for your child. www.medway.gov. uk/onlineadmissions My child has a Statement of Special Please be advised that special arrangements are not Educational Needs or EHCP. Can they granted if the panel does not feel it would be Alternatively, if you wish to register using a paper Qsit the Medway Test? form, these are only available direct from Medway The Medway Test is open to all children currently in appropriate. There is no opportunity to appeal Council. All completed paper forms must be Year 5 who wish to be considered for a Medway against the panel’s decisions as this is not a returned to the Student Admissions Team by the grammar school place. statutory process. closing date. If your child is statemented or has an EHCP you All special arrangements requests with evidence must Please note: will have already started discussions with the be submitted by schools no later than 9am on Friday, • Paper forms will not be acknowledged over the Special Educational Needs Team regarding which 8 July 2016. The panel will consider them, and we will phone or in writing. schools you wish your child to be considere d for. If write to parents and schools by the beginning of the • If you return a paper form by post, Medway these include Medway grammar schools, then you autumn term. Council cannot take responsibility if it is not will need to ensure that you register your child to delive red and received by Student Services. sit the test in the same way as other applicants. Any requests made after 8 July 2016 may not Your child will not go through the main admissions be processed. I live outside Medway. How do I process, but their assessment decision will be taken register? If you live in another area but wish your child to sit into account when being considered for schools I need to advise you of special access Qthe Medway Test, then you can register your child in through the special educational needs process. arrangements for the day. What do I do? either of the ways previously mentioned. QIf you or your child has a disability that may affect access to the test centre please contact the student I feel my child needs special services programme officer by email arrangements for testing. as soon as possible I live in Medway, but want my child to QIs this possible? [email protected] sit a selective test in another area. If a child has a disability, health condition or learning after registration. QWhat do I do? need that may affect how they perform under You must contact the local authority concerned to testing conditions, we have a process that allows find out how and when to register for their test. for this to be considered.

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 9 Verbal reasoning = standardised score x 1 How is the Medway Test marked? What is the review? Each paper is marked based on the number of Once you have submitted your review request, Qcorrect answers (for maths and verbal reasoning) and The minimum total weighted score that can be Qyour child’s school will be asked to provide work in against specific criteria (for extended writing). These achieved is 350 and the maximum is 700. three areas (English, maths and science). The review is marks provide the raw scores. of academic work only and any comments made by parents or schools are only for context. When will I know my child’s test results? The raw scores are then standardised. This means For children who registered on time to sit the that the scores are weighted to reflect the child’s QMedway Test, assessment decisions will be The panel will review this academic work to age at the time of taking the test. It enables a child’s published on 30 September 2016. decide if it demonstrates that your child is of scores to be compared with those achieved by selective ability. other children taking the Medway Test and • If you register online - details of your child’s result allowance made for age, so that the youngest will be emailed to you after 4pm on the above date. Each year a number of children are found to be children are not at a disadvantage. selective as a result of the review process. The minimum standardised (weighted) score for • If you register on paper - details of your child’s Depending on the size of the year group and the each paper is 70 and the maximum is 140. result will be sent via a letter posted on the number of children taking the test, up to two above date. per cent of children in each year can be Each year, a minimum weighted score is set to successful at review. determine those assessed as selective. This score is The correspondence you receive will include set to select 23 per cent of the children in the year details of what to do next. When do I need to request a review by? group and differs from year to year dependent on the Review requests will need to be submitted to the Student Services Admissions Team by Friday, 7 size of the year group and the number of children We cannot give results out over the phone. Q taking the test. Medway Council will not know what October 2016. this score will be for 2017 admissions until after all If I’m not satisfied with my child’s test papers have been marked and standardised. result, what can I do? The reviews will take place between Wednesday, 12 QIf your child has not been assessed as selective and Friday, 14 October 2016. For 2016 admissions, the minimum weighted score following the Medway Test, and you feel that your was 521. child is of selective ability, you can request a review When will I know the review decision? of your child’s academic work by a panel. Parents will be advised of the result of the review For 2015 admissions, the minimum weighted score Qby Friday, 21 October 2016. This is before the closing was 525. We strongly advise you to discuss your decision on date for school applications, which is Monday, 31 whether to submit a review request with your child’s October 2016. For 2014 admissions, the minimum weighted score school. However, it is ultimately a parental decision. required was 528. Do I have to request a review? Children assessed as selective cannot be taken to an This is a parental decision. Even if you do not To calculate the total weighted score, the following academic review. Qre quest a review, you will still be able to appeal for a calculation is used: Medway grammar school place, as long as you have named Medway grammar schools on your application Extended writing exercise = standardised score x 2 for schools. Maths = standardised score x 2

10 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions If your child has not been through the review If I am not happy with the review Are there any other testing process, the independent appeal panel will consider decision or I did not request a review, arrangements for Medway Qwhat else can I do? all the factors you put forward in your appeal case. Qsecondary schools? If your child is not assessed as selective as a result Brompton Academy, Strood Academy and The of the Medway Test or the review process, or you What happens if I miss the closing date Robert Napier School require all applicants to sit a did not request a review, you will need to wait until for Medway Test registration? Fair Banding test. after the allocation of school places on 1 March QLate registrations to sit the Medway Test will only 2017 before you can lodge an admissions appeal. be allowed in exceptional circumstances or for This test is to assess a child’s level of ability and You can only appeal for a school if you have been good reason (for example, serious illness, is used to help the school ensure that they admit refused admission, so you will need to ensure that bereavement, late move to the area, etc).A letter an all ability intake of pupils. It is not a pass or fail your have named Medway grammar schools on explaining the reasons for the late registration must test and is used to ensure that students from your application in order to allow you to appeal for accompany any late registration request. across the ability range are admitted. a place after 1 March 2017. Late registrations cannot be made online. You will If you are considering naming Brompton The appeal will be heard by an independent appeal need to obtain a paper form from our offices at Academy, The Robert Napier School or Strood panel.You can appeal for more than one school, but Gun Wharf, Chatham. Academy as one of your preferences on your they must have been named on your application. school application, you will need to register Full details of how to appeal will be made available Late registrations for good reason and for families your child to enable them to sit the Fair with your child’s school offer. who have just moved into the area will be accepted Banding test. up until Friday, 15 July 2016. Will the appeal panel know if my child You will need to contact the schools directly has had a review or not? The decision on whether a reason for late for more information. Medway Council is not QThe panel will be made aware if you have had a registration is acceptable will be at the involved in these Fair Banding tests. review or not. This is because it will affect the way discretion of the Student Services Management they consider the appeal. Team. Any late registrations received after the above dates may not be able to be tested until If your child has gone through the review process after the allocation of places on 1 March 2017. then the independent appeal panel will consider if the review was carried out in a fair, consistent and objective manner for all children and for your child Fair Banding testing across Medway 2016 in particular. Only if they feel there is evidence to prove that the review was not carried out in a fair, Brompton Academy Saturday, 24 September or Saturday, 15 October 2016 consistent and objective manner can they then consider all the factors you put forward in your The Robert Napier School Saturday, 10 or Saturday, 24 September 2016 appeal case that may have affected your child’s performance and why you wish them to attend the Strood Academy Saturday, 24 September or Saturday, 8 October 2016 school you are appealing for. Medway Test Tuesday, 13 and Wednesday, 14 or Saturday, 17 September 2016

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 11 Medway Test dates September 2016 Test invitations will be sent out at the end of August 2016, this will confirm your child’s test location and date. Testing is in schools unless otherwise stated. The test centres for out of area children will be advised nearer the time.

School name Test date School name Test date All Faiths’ Children’s Academy Tue 13 / Wed 14 Mierscourt Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 All Saints CE Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Napier Community Primary and Nursery Academy Tue 13 / Wed 14 Allhallows Primary Academy Tue 13 / Wed 14 New Road Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Balfour Tue 13 / Wed 14 Oaklands School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Barnsole Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Oasis Academy Skinner Street Tue 13 / Wed 14 The Bligh Federation - Juniors Tue 13 / Wed 14 Park Wood Schools Federation - Juniors Tue 13 / Wed 14 Brompton-Westbrook Primary School Sat 17 Phoenix Junior Academy Sat 17 Bryony School Tue 13 / Wed 14 The Pilgrim School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Burnt Oak Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Riverside Primary School and Children’s Centre Tue 13 / Wed 14 Byron Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Saxon Way Primary School Sat 17 Cedar Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 St Andrew’s School Sat 17 Chattenden Primary School (Peninsula Gateway Academy Trust) Sat 17 St Augustine of Catholic Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Cliffe Woods Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 St Benedict's Catholic School Sat 17 Cuxton Community Junior School Tue 13 / Wed 14 St Helen’s CEP School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Deanwood Primary School and Children’s Centre Tue 13 / Wed 14 St James’ CE Primary Academy Tue 13 / Wed 14 Delce Academy Tue 13 / Wed 14 St Margaret’s at Troy Town CE Primary School and Children’s Centre Tue 13 / Wed 14 Elaine Primary Academy Tue 13 / Wed 14 St Margaret’s CE Junior School Tue 13 / Wed 14 English Martyrs’ RC Primary School Sat 17 St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Sat 17 Fairview Community Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 St Mary’s Island CEA Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Featherby Junior School Sat 17 St Michael’s RC Primary School Sat 17 Gordon Children’s Academy - Junior Sat 17 St Thomas More Catholic Primary School Sat 17 Halling Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Hempstead Junior School Tue 13 / Wed 14 St William of Perth Catholic Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 High Halstow Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Stoke Community School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Hilltop Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Swingate Primary School Sat 17 Hoo St Werburgh Primary School and Marlborough Centre Tue 13 / Wed 14 Temple Mill Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Horsted School - Junior Sat 17 Thames View Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Kingfisher Primary School and Children’s Centre Sat 17 Twydall Primary School - part of the RME Trust Tue 13 / Wed 14 Kings School Rochester (test centre) Sat 17 Wainscott Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Lordswood School Sat 17 Walderslade Primary School Sat 17 Luton Junior School Tue 13 / Wed 14 Warren Wood Primary Academy Tue 13 / Wed 14 Maundene School Sat 17 Wayfield Primary School Sat 17 Meredale Independent Primary School Tue 13 / Wed 14 The Academy of Woodlands Tue 13 / Wed 14

These dates are correct at the time of going to print, but may be subject to change

12 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions Section three The school application process

When can I apply for school places? Please note: I live in Medway, but want to apply for Medway Council’s secondary school applications • Paper forms will not be acknowledged over the schools outside Medway. What do I do? Qare open from 9am on Monday, 12 September 2016 phone or in writing. QYou must submit your school application to until 4pm on Monday, 31 October 2016. • If you return a paper form by post, Medway Medway Council. You can name schools outside Council cannot take responsibility if it is not Medway and we will liaise with the relevant local delivered and received by Student Services. Who do I apply to? authority to see if a place can be offered. You must submit your school application to your home local authority. This is the local authority I live in Medway. What schools can I Q I live outside Medway. How do I apply? where the child lives and is the local authority to apply for? If you live in another area you must submit your Details of the Medway secondary schools are which applications must be made for school places. Q school application through the relevant authority. You provided in section 8. Qcan still name schools in Medway, but the application If your child lives in Medway, and you pay your must go through your home local authority. If you Medway residents can also apply for schools council tax to Medway Council, then you submit require information on their schools, please contact outside Medway, but these must be named on your your school application to Medway Council. the relevant local authority to ask for a copy of the Medway application. secondary admissions booklet or visit their website. If your child lives in Kent, and you pay your council You can name any school you wish your child to be tax to one of the 12 district councils of Kent, then considered for. Medway invites parents to name up you must submit your school application to Kent My child has a Statement of Special to six schools on the Medway application. Educational Needs or EHCP. Can I apply? County Council. If your child lives in any other local If your child has one of these you will have authority area and you pay council tax to them, then QNo. You do not have to name six, but it is important to already had discussions with the Special Educational you submit your application to that local authority. understand that naming only one school does not Needs Team regarding which schools you wish your give you a stronger claim to a place. child to be considered for. Your child will not go How do I apply for secondary schools? You can apply online at through the main admissions process. Please only name each school once. If you name a Qwww.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions school more than once it will only be considered as If you have any questions regarding the special one preference. educational needs admissions process, please Alternatively, if you wish to register using a paper contact the Special Educational Needs Team on form, these are only available direct from Medway If your child has been assessed as non-selective, but 01634 337170 or 337175. Council. All completed paper forms must be you wish to pursue a place at a Medway grammar returned to the Student Admissions Team by the school at appeal, then you must name the Medway closing date. grammar school on your application. If you do not name the school, you will not have the right of appeal after the school offers are made on 1 March 2017.

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 13 spends with each parent, please use this definition. My child has a medical or health I need to apply for more than one For example, if your child sleeps Sunday, Monday, condition or disability. What should I do? child, or children of multiple birth for QAt the time of application, you need to provide Qexample twins, what do I need to do? Tuesday at your address and Wednesday, Thursday Medway Council with details of the diagnosis and You will need to complete a separate application at their other parent’s address, the admission a supporting letter from the GP or consultant for each child. process would determine that your address is which demonstrates a specific link between your where your child spends the majority of the school child’s needs and how the named school can meet If you are apply ing online, please ensure that you nights. This is because they will be going to school these needs. start a fresh application for each child and do not from your address on three school days and from overwrite one child’s application with the other their other parent’s address on two school days. Please note, that not all schools use health medical child’s details. If you do this, the first application will needs or disability in their oversubscription criteria. become invalid. If you are unsure of the address to be used in your circumstances, please contact the Student Services Admissions Team who will be happy to help you. Why is the order that I name schools Why is my address important? The address you give on your secondary school important? Medway operates an equal preference scheme, this application is very important and will be used to My child comes from a separated Qmeans that the prioritisation of school place offers is Qcalculate the home to school distance for the schools family. What happens if you receive an not based on which preference you name a school. you have named . This will have an effect on your Qapplication from me and one from my Your application will be considered and ranked against child’s application when it is considered against the child’s other parent? the schools oversubscription criteria. When allocating school’s oversubscription criteria. If Medway Council receive two applications for your places, Students Services will look to offer your child a child (one from each parent), we will contact both place at the highest named school (preference) where a It is important that the address you provide is your parties to seek written agreement on the following: place can be offered. It is important to list the schools child’s main place of residence. This means that they in your preferred order. The schools that you name will must live at this address permanently, or, in the case 1 The child’s main address to be used for the not be told by Student Services which preference you of separated families, it must be the address where application. name them at the time of application. The order of your your child spends the majority of the school nights. 2 The schools to be considered on the application. preferences is between you and Student Services only 3 The preference order of the schools to be for the purposes of allocating places. Please be aware that only one address can be considered. used on the application. We can send duplicate What are the oversubscription criteria? Whilst awaiting written agreement from both This is a set of criteria that details the order correspondence to another address as long as all parties are in agreement. parties, the applications will be removed from the priority in which places will be offered. Each school process and held pending. Qhas its own criteria, details of these can be found in section 8. How do you define the majority of school nights? Once written agreement is received from both QFor the purposes of the admissions process, school parties, your child’s application will be included in nights are defined as Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, the process with the agreed details. Wednesday and Thursday. This is because children will be going to school on the following morning. If written agreement from both parties is not To determine how many school nights your child received your child’s application will continue to

14 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions be held pending until the matter is resolved. In If you believe that someone has provided false What happens if I miss the closing date these situations parents may wish to seek their information on their school application, we ask that for applications? own independent legal advice on how to resolve you contact the Student Services Manager at QThe closing date for applications is Monday, 31 the situation. Medway Council. All such contacts will be treated October 2016. Late applications cannot be made in confidence and we will not disclose any of your online. All late applicants must complete a secondary It is important to understand that, if both parties personal information. common application form (SCAF) and return it cannot reach agreement and the situation remains direct to the Student Services Admissions Team. unresolved, your child may not be offered a school If any part of an application is thought to be false place on 1 March 2017 or until the matter is G we will investigate, and the emphasis will be on By Monday, 14 November 2016 settled. This means that your child could be parents to provide satisfactory evidence proving As far as reasonably practicable, late applications will disadvantaged because agreement on the the point being queried. be accepted to be processed on time, provided they application has not been reached. are received by Medway Council by the above date. What do Medway Council accept as Such applications must be accompanied by a written I am moving shortly. What address do proof of address, if required, for the explanation of the reasons for late submission. Only I use? Qadmissions process? QYou must use the address you are living at on the If Medway Council request you to provide proof of exceptional circumstances can be considered by the closing date for school applications the address where your child is living for the Student Services Management Team. (31 October 2016). admission process, a copy of one of the following Exceptional circumstances may include serious will be acceptable: illness, bereavement, late move to the area, etc. If you are moving after you have submitted your application, you will need to provide the Student • A Child Benefit letter Late applications received from families that have Services Admissions Team with proof of yo ur move. • A Child Tax Credits award letter just moved into the area must be accompanied by This proof can be in the form of a copy of your • A copy of your child’s medical card showing the sufficient proof of move. This can be a copy of a exchange of contracts, completion documents or address they are registered at with their GP and signed tenancy agreement, exchange of contracts signed tenancy agreement. the date that registration started from. or completion documents. • A copy of your most recent council tax bill. Any request for a change of address can be accepted up until 4pm on Monday, 14 November Copies of any letters or bills provided must be The decision on whether a reason for late 2016 if accompanied by sufficient evidence. dated during the application period. Bank application is acceptable will be at the After this date, changes of address are for statements, driving licenses, utility bills etc are not discretion of the Student Services correspondence only. acceptable evidence. Any evidence provided dated Management Team. If it is decided that outside the application period may not be accepted the reason for late submission is not as you wil be requested to prove your child’s exceptional, the application will be held What happens if I give false address at the time of application (12 September to until after allocation on 1 March 2017 and information? If you provide false information on your school 31 October 2016). will be considered at re-allocation. Qapplication, such as an address, and a place is granted on the basis of this information that would not have otherwise been offered, we can and will withdraw the offer of a school place.

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 15 G The child’s name will automatically be placed on please submit your request in writing to the After Monday, 14 November 2016 All applications received after this date (for the waiting list for any schools/academies they Student Services Management Team for whatever reason) will not be considered for places named that are unable to offer a place. consideration. However, no changes can be made to on 1 March 2017. your application after 14 November 2016. Can I change my preferences after the They will be held pending and included in the closing date? ongoing reallocation of vacant places after QChanges to preference are not allowed after the 10 April 2017 and after consultation with the closing date for applications (31 October 2016) relevant admission authority for the named other than in exceptional circumstances. If you feel schools/academies. that your circumstances fall into this category,

Section four The online admissions process

To submit your child’s secondary school application Medway Council encourage all parents/carers of What are the benefits of applying online? children resident in Medway to submit their – from 9am on Monday, 12 September 2016 until Yo u can submit your application at a time that suits you, anytime, day or night, during the periods Medway Test registration and secondary school 4pm on Monday, 31 October 2016. Qshown above. application online. Applying online offers you a quick, easy and secure option for submitting We cannot accept any online applications made The online system provides a secure, fast and easy your application. outside these periods. method of sending us your application and provides You can apply online at you with email confirmation that it has been received. Are there any benefits to registering www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions online for the Medway Test? You can register at any time during the dates We strongly advise you to wait for your Medway Test Q result before submitting your school preferences. When can I register or apply online? shown above. When registering online, you will You can access the online admissions system receive an email confirmation that your registration After 4pm on the offer day, 1 March 2017, Medway during the following periods: has been received. Council will send details by email, of which school Q has been offered to parents who successfully To register your child to take the Medway Test – Parents who register their child online to sit the submitted an online application and provided an from 9am on Wednesday, 1 June 2016 until 4pm on Medway Test, and provide us with an email address, will email address. Friday, 1 July 2016. be sent an email after 4pm with their child’s results.

16 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions I don’t live in Medway, can I submit an It is vitally important that you remember to online request for my child to sit the re-submit your application after you have made QMedway Test? your changes as we can only process the last Online test registration is open to everybody, submitted application as at the closing date. whether you live in Medway or not. If you make changes and do not re-submit the What do I need to do to register application for processing your chan ges will not and/or apply online? be included when the application is processed. QFirstly, you will need to register with the website. You will be asked to create a username and Can I register/apply online and submit password for yourself. We suggest that you make a paper application? these easy to remember and keep a note of them QNo. We can only process one application for each (space is provided on the inside front cover of this pupil. If you have applied online, do not complete a booklet), as you will need these in the future to paper application as well and vice versa. access your application. Do I need to complete supplementary You will then need to enter your details and your information forms (SIF) for any child’s details if you are registering for the Medway QMedway secondary schools? Test – you will need to submit at this stage. Yes. Please read the school information carefully and Medway residents will need to also ensure they if a supplementary information is required the form complete an online school application during the must be completed in addition to an application. period shown above. Forms can be obtained from the relevant school and must be returned to the school by the closing date If you provide an email address in your information, for applications (31 October 2016). you will receive email confirmation. This will be a copy of the information you have provided. How do I register for the Kent Test or apply for schools because I live in Kent? Can I change my application or my QYou will need to apply directly to Kent County information after I have submitted it? Council. Details for Kent County Council can be QYes. You can make changes to your application up found at the front of this booklet. until the closing date for the relevant submission (1 July for Medway Test registration and 31 October for secondary school applications). You will need your username and password to re-enter your application and make any changes.

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 17 Section five The school offer (allocation) process and next steps

government. There are many procedures that need The schools that you name will not be told which When will I find out my child’s to be undertaken to process applications, including preferen ce you named them. The order of your school offer? QSecondary school places across are offered exchanging data with other councils and schools preference is between you and Medway Council on 1 March 2017. This is a national date. and working with schools to prioritise applicants. only for the purposes of allocation places.

• If you apply online - details of your child’s school How does Medway Council work out What happens if more than one of offer will be emailed to you after 4pm on the what priority my child has for a place at the schools I name can offer my child above date. Qthe schools I have named? Qa place? All school places are allocated in accordance You will only receive the offer of one school place • If you apply on paper - details of your child’s with the individual school’s published on 1 March 2017 and Medway Council will look to school offer will be sent via a letter posted on the oversubscription criteria. Full details of each offer your child a place at the highest named school above date school’s criteria can be found on the individual where a place can be offered. school information pages in section 8. The correspondence you receive will include What about children with a Statement details of what to do next. Student Services Admissions work in partnership of Special Educational Needs or EHCP? with each school to ensure that all applicants are QChildren with a Statement of Special Educational prioritised (ranked) correctly against the published We cannot give offer details out over the phone. Needs or EHCP do not go through this admissions oversubscription criteria. process and any places being offered to a statemented child at a school will be allocated Who will I receive my offer from? You will receive your school offer from your home How does Medway Council work out before all other places. Qlocal authority. This means, if you live in Medway and pay which school is to be offered to my child? your council tax to Medway Council you will receive QMedway operates an equal preference scheme, this The school’s published admission number your offer from Medway Council. means that the prioritisation of school place offers (PAN) will be adjusted to take account of any is not based on which preference you name a statemented children offered, and Student Services If you live in Kent and pay your council tax to one of school. Your application will be considered and Admissions Team will offer up to the remaining the 12 district councils of Kent then you will receive ranked against the school’s oversubscription number of places available at the school. your offer from Kent County Council. criteria. When allocating places, Medway Council’s Student Services look to offer your child a place at Am I guaranteed to get one of the the highest named school (preference) where a Why does it take so long from applying schools named on my application? for schools to receiving the school offer? place can be offered. It is important to list the QUnfortunately, we cannot guarantee that we can QThe closing date for school applications (31 schools in your preferred order. offer a place at one of your named schools. It will October 2016) and the offer date for school places depend on how oversubscribed the named schools (1 March 2017) are national dates set by central

18 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions are and where your child is prioritised against the oversubscription criteria. If I am not happy with the school place Places are not held on a school’s over subscription criteria. offered, what can I do? first come, first served basis. QFull details of the next steps you can take following We strongly advise you to name more than one the school offer made on 1 March 2017 will be It is important to understand that a child’s place on school on your application to give you the best included with your offer. You have a number of the waiting list may change (up or down) opportunity to receive the offer of a place at a options, including requesting to be placed on a dependent on the eligibility of other children who school you are satisfied with. Medway residents can waiting list to be considered at re-allocation and have requested to be on the waiting list. list up to six preferences. lodging a school admission appeal. Brief details of some of these options are listed on the next page: Waiting list requests must be submitted by For 2016 admissions, 97.4 per cent of children 29 March 2017. received the offer of a place at a school named on their application form on 1 March 2016. 84.31 per Waiting lists / Re-allocation: Vacant places will be re-allocated after 10 April 2017. Details of how to request for your child to be cent of children received the offer of a place at placed on a waiting list will be made available with their first preference school. Please note: If you are offered a school place at one your child’s offer on 1 March 2017. of the schools you have named on your waiting list request, any other school offer will be What happens if you can’t offer my You can request to go on the waiting lists of any to be re-allocated to child a place at a school named on automatically withdrawn school you originally named on your application another child. You will not have a claim on the Qmy application? and/or any other Medway secondary school*. Medway Council has a duty to ensure that a school original place offered if you change your mind and place is offered on 1 March 2017 to every child will need to be added to that school’s waiting list Your child will only be added to a waiting list if you who has applied for a school place. for consideration at future re-allocation. have submitted a formal request. If we are not able to offer a place at one of your The only exception to this is where an appeal has Appeals: prefere nces, we will look to allocate a place at the You have the right of appeal to any of the schools been lodged. Children who have appealed will also nearest appropriate school to your home address you have named on your application that has not be added to the relevant school’s* waiting list. that has a place available. been able to offer your child a place. This can include grammar schools, even if your child has not Appropriate school means a Medway grammar *Please note that you can only request to go on been assessed as selective, as long as you named school for children assessed as selective and a the waiting list for a Medway grammar school them on your application. Your child, however, Medway non-selective school for children assessed if your child has been assessed as selective would be expected to have taken the Medway Test. as non-selective. under the Medway test procedures. Student Services Admissions will then collate all You cannot lodge an appeal for a school you If my child is assessed as selective, will I waiting list requests and look to re-allocate (offer) have not named on your application. definitely be offered a grammar school? any vacant school places that may become available Although the vast majority of selective assessed Full details of how to appeal will be made available Q to children who have requested to be placed on with your school offer on 1 March 2017. children are offered places at a grammar school, the waiting list. sometimes we offer them a place at a non-selective You can submit more than one appeal at the school because it is named as a higher preference A child’s position on a school’s waiting list will be same time. on the application. decided in accordance with the school’s published

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 19 Who you submit your appeal request to will Can I go on the waiting list and lodge If I refuse the place offered, do I have depend on the school being appealed for, and an appeal for the same school? a better chance of being offered a details of where you need to send your form will Yes. You can submit a waiting list request and lodge place from the waiting list or being be included with your offe r on 1 March 2017. Q Q an appeal for the same school. The two processes successful at appeal? are independent of each other, and being on the No. Vacant places are only offered from waiting An independent appeal panel will hear admission waiting list will not affect your appeal and vice versa. lists in accordance with the school’s appeals. They are independent of the school and oversubscription criteria. They are not dependent Medway Council and their decision is binding on on whether or not you are holding the offer of a How do I accept or refuse the school the school and Medway Council. school place or not. In a similar way, appeal place offered? You will receive details of how to accept/refuse the decisions are based on the cases heard by the Appeal requests must be lodged by 29 March 2017. Q place offered on 1 March 2017. You must accept or independent appeal panel and not on whether you refuse the offer by 29 March 2017. are holding a school place or not. We recommend that you accept your offer of a place in the first instance to ensure you have a place secured.

Section six Free school meals and home to school transport

G Free school meals Support under part VI of the Immigration The following information on free school and Asylum Act 1999; meals and home to school transport is G Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also Will my child be entitled to free school correct at the time of going to print. entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an meals? Your child may qualify to receive free school meals annual gross income of no more than £16,190). Please check the Medway Council website - Q G Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for four weeks if you receive certain qualifying benefits. www.medway.gov.uk for the most up-to-date after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit. information nearer the time of your child starting G Universal Credit. secondary school. At the time of printing this booklet, these are: G Income Support; G Jobseeker’s Allowance (income based); How do I apply for free school meals? You can apply online at G Employment and Support Allowance www.medway.gov.uk and search free school meals. (Income related); Q G The Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit;

20 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions Home to school transport A nearest qualifying school form is available at If my child does not qualify for free the back of this booklet for you to request home to school transport, are there How do I know if my child is eligible for details of the schools deemed the nearest Qany other schemes available in Medway? free home to school transport? qualifying from your home address. Please Medway You th Pass - this entitles all young people QFollowing the offer of a school place on 1 March note, these forms cannot be responded to prior who live in Medway to pay half the adult fare at all 2017, the Student Services Operations Team will to the beginning of September 2016. times when travelling on any local bus service. Full automatically assess all Year 6 pupils to see if they details of the terms and conditions and how to are eligible for free home to school transport to Can I still apply for home to school apply can be found on the Medway Council website the school they have been offered. transport if my child attends a private by searching ‘Medway Youth pass’ and following the Qindependant school? appropriate link. Parents will be notified at the beginning of July No. Medway Council do not provide home to school transport for children attending private or 2017, confirming if free home to school transport Yellow Bus Scheme has been granted. independant schools. Medway Council provides the Yellow Bus Scheme, which supplies school buses for pupils living in certain parts of Medway to travel to specific How do I find out what bus routes and What if I don’t agree with the decision? schools. If you are interested in this service, please If you feel that the decision that your child is not companies cover the journey to my contact Medway Council on . eligible for free home to school transport is incorrect, Qchild’s chosen school? 01634 333455 Qor that your child’s circumstances warrant an Arriva Bus Company operates the majority of bus exception to be made, you can submit an application routes in Medway. You can contact them for advice form enclosing a letter explaining the reason why you on 01634 283600 or visit their website wish your child’s case to be looked at further. The www.arrivabus.co.uk to find out the service Student Services Management Team will look at this. numbers, times and boarding points.

What is the current transport policy? Tenders for bus services are often renewed, so at The basic qualifying criteria to be eligible for free the time of printing this booklet, the following bus home to school transport is that you must live more companies also operate in certain parts of Medway. Qthan three miles from the secondary school your child will be attending and it must be deemed as the To find out if they operate near you, please contact nearest qualifying school to your home address. them on the numbers below: Full details of the current policy can be found on the Medway Council website by searching ‘getting to G Nu Venture Bus Company 01622 882288 school’ and following the appropriate link. G Farleigh Coaches 01634 201065 G Red Route 01474 353896 G ASD Coaches If you express a preference for a school that is not 01634 726412 G Chalkwell Coaches the nearest qualifying school and you are offered a 01795 423982 place, you will not qualify for free transport, even if the school is more than three miles from your home address.

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 21

Section seven Common oversubscription criteria and other useful information

G G Individual school’s published oversubscription Choosing to educate at home criteria/admission arrangements You may choose to educate your child at home. The oversubscription criteria detailed in section 8 of If you elect to do this, the council has a duty to this booklet are the published determined admission ensure that your child is receiving suitable and arrangements for each school/academy. effective full time education.

If any party feels that the published admission If you wish to consider educating your child at arrangements are unlawful or are not compliant with home, please contact the Inclusion Team on the provisions of the School Admission Code, they 01634 332572 for more information. may make a referral to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator www.schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk Any You will be asked to provide full details on the such referral must be made by 15 May 2016. arr angements you are making.

G Please be aware that if any referrals have been made, School term dates and dependent on the outcome of such referrals, a Full details of term dates for the academic year school’s arrangements may be subject to change. September 2017 to July 2018 can be found at Medway Council will publish details of any changes www.medway.gov.uk on the website www.medway.gov.uk Please be aware that some schools and academies G Independent and impartial advice may operate different term dates to the Medway Medway Council’s Student Services Admissions Team Council defined ones and you will need to speak to is able to offer you impartial advice on the individual schools about their arrangements. admissions process, Medway schools and academies. You can contact the team on or G 01634 331110 Sustainable School Travel Strategy email [email protected] Medway Council is keen to ensure that their own plans support school travel plans (STP), so that the If you want specific detail on what an individual schools can develop a long-term commitment to school/academy can offer your child, please contact implementation, monitoring and development. them directly. Contact details can be found for every Working with schools, Medway Council has Medway school and academy in section 8. developed a number of initiatives.

Further information can be found at www.medway.gov.uk/gettingtoschool

22 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions This table provides some of the most common oversubscription criteria used by schools. The definitions quoted are those of Medway Council and may be different for an individual school. Please ensure you read each individual school’s information page to ascertain exactly what their over subscription criteria are and what these mean for your child.

Children in public care/looked after children and previously looked Nearness of child’s home/distance* after children All distances and routes calculated are for the purposes of prioritising the Looked after children are children who are (i) in the care of a local authority, application for admissions only and there is no expectation that a child should use or (ii) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of this to walk to school. their social services functions (as defined in Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989) at the time of making the application for a school. Distances and routes calculated will represent the shortest route to school from Previously looked after children are children who were looked after, but ceased the child’s home address using roads and paths that are known to the graphical to be so because they were adopted (under the terms of the Adoption and information software (GIS) utilised by Student Services Admissions Team. Children Act 2002, Section 46) or became subject to a residence order or special The start point: guardianship order (under the terms of the Children Act 1989, Section 8 and • The centre point of the nearest road or footpath known to the GIS system to Section 14A). the seed point of the child’s home (as defined by ordnance Survey). Please note that Medway Council will ask for evidence of looked after or previously • This may not always be the postal address road, in circumstances where an looked after status and a copy of the adoption/residence/special guardianship order to alternative road or footpath is actually nearer to the seed point of the property. validate this criterion. The end point: • This will be either a pre-defined point within the school site or the centre point of the road adjacent the school site. Current family association/sibling • The same end point is used for all distance calculations to the school concerned. Sibling means children who live as brother/sister in the same house and includes natural siblings, adopted siblings, foster siblings and step siblings. Extended family, Routes/footpaths: • The distance calculated is the shortest available route known to the Medway for example cousins, living in the same house do not qualify as siblings. The sibling GIS (using the centre point of the streets and other available routes. must be attending the named school at the time of application and at the time the • Not all footpaths, cut-throughs, shortcuts and new roads are know to the GIS younger child would start (September 2017). system. Where a route is not known to the GIS system an alternative route will be used. Child’s health reasons • Where a child’s home is situated on a new road the distance calculation will Medical evidence from a GP or consultant must be provided to Student Services begin from the nearest available known road plotted in the GIS. New property Admissions Team. This evidence must demonstrate a specific link between the developments may be subject to this. child’s medical conditions and needs, and how the named school can meet these needs. Please note not every school/academy has this as a criterion. Score Some grammar schools elect to prioritise applicants based on their test scores. Residence in an access area This means that all applications will be prioritised from highest score to lowest If a school operates an access area, children living within the area receive a higher score. It is important to understand that these schools are not permitted to give priority for a place than other applicants from a lower listed criterion and those any priority to siblings. living furthest from the school within the access area receive higher priority than those that live closest.

*Please note that, at the time of going to print, Student Services Admissions are researching the use of new distancing software. Please check the website and look at ‘Co-ordinated www.medway.gov.uk Admission Scheme for Secondary Admissions – September 2017’ for the most up to date information on how distances are calculated.

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 23 Section eight The schools

Location and access areas of schools

What is an access area? Medway secondary schools Six Medway schools include an access area within their Page Qadmissions criteria. Applications received for pupils who reside within the school’s access area will receive a higher 1 Brompton Academy 27 priority for a place at that school than applicants that do not reside in the access area. Those applicants that live furthest 2 Chatham Grammar School for Girls 29 from the school within the access area receive higher 3 Fort Pitt Grammar School 30 priority than those that live closest within the access area. Please note that applicants residing in an access area with 4 Greenacre Academy 31 valid sibling links or higher criterion will be prioritised under 5 Holcombe Grammar School (formally known the higher criteria. as Chatham Grammar School for Boys) 32 If you are unsure if you live in an access area for one of 6 The Howard School 33 these schools, please contact Student Services Admissions 7 The Hundred of Hoo Academy 34 who will be able to help you. You can either phone on 8 Rainham Mark Grammar School 35 01634 331110 or email [email protected] 9 Rainham School for Girls 36 G Access areas 10 The Robert Napier School 37 The following schools have access areas, shown on the map opposite: 11 The Rochester Grammar School 39 A- The Hundred of Hoo Academy 12 Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School 40 13 St John Fisher Catholic School 41 - The Thomas Aveling School B 14 Strood Academy 43 C - Walderslade Girls’ School 15 The Thomas Aveling School 45 and Greenacre Academy 16 The Victory Academy 46 D - Rainham School for Girls 17 Walderslade Girls’ School 47 E - The Howard School

24 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions Cliffe Allhallows River Thames B2000 Grain

River Medway B2000 7

A228

A226

Jct 1 Hoo Medway Medway Tunnel

A2 14 A2 M2 Medway ParkA289A28 London Strood 9 1 Jct 2 3 10 B2004

Rochester Gillingham A289 13 A2 2 Motorway 11 8 Bridge 12 5 16 Splashes A2 6 Leisure 15 Tesco 9 Centre Chatham SuperstoreRainham

M2 A2 17 4 Sittingbourne

Jct 3 Asda Jct 4 Superstore M2

Canterbury/Dover

Maidstone How to use the school pages School type (grammar, Area of Medway Department for Education Published admission number high, academy etc) unique school number for 2017 School status (academy, foundation, community, Map reference number, voluntary aided) see page 25

School contact details

Open sessions, times and dates

Introduction to school by headteacher/principal

Criteria for admission and oversubscription

Total number of preferences expressed for Expected school roll the school for September 2017 Furthest distance or lowest score offered as applicable. Access area Number of places Preferences breakdown If the school was see page 25 for 2016 offered on the offer day undersubscribed (not full) of relevant year on offer day this section will show N/A

26 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 1 Brompton Academy DFE number: 887 6906 PAN: 210 Type: Academy Area: Gillingham Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Mixed Status: Academy

Brompton Academy is an all ability, dynamic 11-18 school, with specialisms in science and arts, and a grammar stream, Admission and oversubscription criteria Principal: Judy Rider BA (Hons) , MA under the leadership of the of Kent. Marlborough Road, Gillingham ME7 5HT The academy delivers high quality education leading to Admission: All applicants for a place at the academy, including those with a 01634 852341 university entrance and equivalent progression routes. SEN statement or EHCP, will be required to take the Fair Banding Email: [email protected] Entry to the academy is via a Fair Banding test. The test. See page 28 for details. academy offers a vibrant learning environment, where all www.bromptonacademy.org.uk students have the opportunity to study a core academic Fair Banding test dates: English Baccalaure ate curriculum, consisting of English, Saturday, 24 September maths, sciences (physics, chemistry and biology), languages, Saturday, 15 October Open sessions history, geography plus a range of other subject Thursday, 29 September, 5.30 - 8pm qualifications leading to GCSE and A level. Many learning See page 28 for further details of oversubscription criteria and Open evening: Principal’s presentation at 5.45pm programmes are enhanced by curricular inputs from the fair banding test. University of Kent. Saturday, 1 October Open morning: Students in Year 7 undertake a foundation programme to 10am - 12noon support their academic and personal development in Principal’s presentation at 10.15am becoming skilled, confident, happy, robust and successful young people with a passion for learning. Tuesday, 4, Wednesday, 5 and Thursday, 6 Morning tours: The academy boasts high standards of behaviour. October *Please phone to book an appointment If you are looking for a highly effective all ability academy that will offer the best educational opportunities for a For admission enquiries please contact the Admissions young person together with wrap around care, support and Manager on 01634 583512 guidance, then the future has to be Brompton Academy. The academy resides in a state-of-the-art new building with brand new Apple learning technologies, including a student one to one iPad Mini scheme, to support student motivation and learning. Further information is available on our website.

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 758 761 338 222 111 47 19 21 250 240 Allocation criteria - Fair Banding plus criteria no 1200

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 27 Oversubscription: Fair Banding test opportunities to take the Fair Banding tests – either Saturday, Places are first offered to students with a Statement of Brompton Academy is an all ability school, and in order to 24 September or Saturday, 15 October 2016. Special Educational Needs or EHCP, where Brompton secure an all ability intake that is representative of the Academy is named on the statement and after agreement national ability range, all applicants for admission must take a Students who have not taken the banding test (apart from with the academy. Fair Banding test which is prescribed by National Foundation children in care and statemented students where the If the number of applications for admission to the Academy for Educational Research (NFER). This is not a pass or fail test academy is named in the statement who must always be received via the Medway Council Co-ordinated Scheme is this is just to ensure that young people across the ability given priority) will be considered after children who have sat greater than the published admission number, applications will range are admitted. the banding test. be considered against the criteria set out below. All applicants who have taken the NFER Fair Banding tests will be split into All applicants for places in the academy will be banded All applicants who register for the test will be offered fair one of five ability bands based on their scores achieved within according to the principles of fair banding, using the access to the test and reminded of the dates and times of the national profile range. national profile. the test. Within each band the criteria will be applied in the order in which they are set out below: Medway operate an equal preference system which means a) Children in public care or previously looked after, but that parents/carers who intend to put Brompton Academy ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became down on the preference form either first, second, third, subject to a resi dence order or special guardianship order). fourth, fifth or sixth choice will need to take the Academy b) Current family association (i.e. elder brother or sister in Fair Banding test, which will determine what banding group the Academy at time of application who will still be their child should be placed in should they gain a place at attending when the applicant child is admitted). In this the academy. context, brother or sister means: a. A natural brother or sister (including adopted siblings) b. Step brother or The test will be administered during September/October sisterc. Foster brother or sisterd. Those who live as – a year ahead of entry. Parents and Carers can access the brother or sister in the same house. test for their child by filling in and returning a test registration c) Children of staff (where the member of staff has been form which will be available via the academy website at employed for two years or more at the time at which the www.bromptonacademy.org.uk and from the Academy application for admission to the Academy is made and/or reception from Monday, 6 June until Wednesday, 20 July 2016. where the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post The test registration form should be returned within the for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage). prescribed deadlines as indicated on the registration form d) Nearness of children’s homes together with the preferred test date. e) Random selection within bands A second registration period will be available from Monday, 5 September until Friday, 7 October 2016. All applicants for an Academy place, including those with a SEN statement, will be required to take the Fair Banding test. Following the test, applicants will be split into f ive bands based on their NFER scores within the national profile, including those with SEN statements or EHCP and Looked After Children and children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or because they were subject to a residence order or special guardianship order). There are two

28 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions Chatham Grammar School for Girls

DFE number: 887 5429 PAN: 142 Type: Grammar Area: Chatham Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Girls Status: Academy

At CGSG we provide a friendly and supportive environment 2where able students can achieve their academic potential Admission and oversubscription criteria Headteacher: Awaiting confirmation and develop a range of skills that will equip them effectively Entry is with testing (either the Medway Test Rainham Road, Chatham ME5 7EH for the future. Our record of high academic achievement Admission: or Kent Test) 01634 851262 and our success in guiding students to are due to the expertise of our well qualified and experienced Email: postbox@chathamgirlsgrammar. teaching staff and the care, guidance and support provided Oversubscription: medway.sch.uk After the admission of pupils with statements of Special by our dedicated pastoral team. www.chathamgirlsgrammar.medway.sch.uk Educational Needs or EHCP where Chatham Grammar School for Girls is specifically named, the following over-subscription Our broad and balanced curriculum provides numerous criteria will be applied in the order in which they are set opportunities for students to develop the knowledge, skills Open sessions out below: and understanding that will enable them to access a wide a) Children in public care or children who have previously been in Tuesday, 11 October, 6 - 8.30pm range of opportunities in the future. It ranges from the Open evening: public care. traditional to the modern, such as latin and three foreign b) Current family association (i.e. elder brother or sister in Saturday, 15 October, 10am - 1pm languages to GCSE Computer Science. Open morning: Chatham Grammar School for Girls at the time of application or who will be still attending when the applicant is admitted. In Monday, 17 to Friday, 21 October The curriculum is designed to develop responsible citizens Daytime tours: this context, brother or sister means tours start at 9.15am of the future who will contribute actively to the - A natural brother or sister (including adopted siblings); communities in which they live and work. - Step brother or sister; For admission enquiries please contact - Foster brother or sister; Mrs D Simmonds, PA to Headteacher While we encourage our students to aim for high - Those who live as brother and sister in the same house. academic achievement, it is equally important to us that c) Distance from the pupil’s home as determined using Medway they enjoy their experience at CGSG. To this end, our Council’s GIS. curriculum is complemented by a wide range of extra- curricular opportunities designed to provide rich experiences and to inspire a life-long passion for learning.

Headteacher

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 442 469 83 138 136 61 17 7 87 66 n/a n/a no 720

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 29 Fort Pitt Grammar School

DFE number: 887 4069 PAN: 120 Type: Grammar Area: Chatham Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Girls Status: Academy

Fort Pitt is an Ofsted ‘outstanding’ grammar school with academy3 status. Admission and oversubscription criteria Headteacher: Nick Watkiss Entry is with testing via the Medway Test Admission: Fort Pitt Hill, Chatham ME4 6TJ We are an innovative school and have a very clear vision of Oversubscription: what we want to achieve; this we do through our four 1. Looked After Children / Children in Local Authorit y Care - as 01634 842359 “excellences”: academic excellence, excellent community, defined in the Medway Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme Email: [email protected] excellent appearance and excellent environment. 2. Students having an agreed Statement of Special Education Needs www.fortpitt.medway.sch.uk that names Fort Pitt Grammar School as the appropriate school There is no doubt that our main focus is academic 3. Siblings - The sibling of a girl who will still be attending the school excellence but we also encourage our students to develop at the time the student would be admitted. In this context sibling Open sessions Thursday, 6 October, 6 - 9pm their full potential in their employability skills and in other means children who live as siblings in the same house, including Open evening: Headteacher talks at 6.45 and 7.45pm areas such as art, music, drama and sport. We are proud natural siblings, adopted siblings, step siblings and foster siblings. Monday, 17 to Thursday, 20 October, of the accomplishments of all of our students and we 4. Students who attend a school or who have a sibling in a school Open mornings: 9 - 11am acknowledge and reward excellence in all fields. within the Fort Pitt Academy Trust. In this context “sibling” Last tour 10.15am means children who live as siblings in the same house, including For admission enquiries please contact Mrs A Jeffreys, Our belief that students flourish and succeed when they natural siblings, adopted siblings, stepsiblings and foster siblings. Admissions Officer feel happy and secure means that we place great emphasis 5. Children of staff (where the member of staff has been on community and support. Relationships throughout the employed for three yea rs or more at the time at which the school are based on mutual respect and focus firmly on the application for admission is made and/or where the member of Please note that the prospective student’s address must be where learning process. staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a they are living at the time of the application and this will be checked. demonstrable skill shortage). In September 2015, the Trust merged with Thomas Aveling If the address is not the student’s normal place of residence and an 6. Girls residing within two miles of the school measured by Academy to form FPTA Academies (Fort Pitt Thomas offer of a place has already been made, it will be withdrawn. Medway Council’s GIS. Aveling Academies). 8. All other eligible girls seeking a school place and these will be 7. Girls residing in one of the named parishes below. Should it be allocated according to nearness of home to school, using the We are a forward thinking and fast moving community but necessary these places will be allocated according to nearness shortest, safe walking distance, measured by Medway have a real commitment to traditional values and beliefs. of hom e to school, using the shortest, safe walking distance, Council’s GIS. We look forward to welcoming you to Fort Pitt on our measured by Medway Council’s GIS: Allhallows, Cliffe and Cliffe Tiebreaker - In the unlikely event that two or more children in all Open Evening or during one of our Open Mornings. Woods, Cooling, Cuxton, Frindsbury Extra, Halling, High other ways have equal eligibility for the last available place at the Halstow, Hoo St Werburgh, St James, Isle of Grain, St Mary Hoo school, the names will be issued a number and drawn randomly Nick Watkiss and Stoke to decide which child should be given the place. Headteacher

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 499 480 167 189 83 40 12 8 120 112 4.38km n/a no 840

30 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions Greenacre Academy A High Performing Specialist Academy with Sports and Raising Achievement Skills for Life

DFE number: 887 4174 PAN: 200 Type: Academy Area: Walderslade Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Boys Status: Academy mixed Greenacre is an oversubscribed, well equipped academy set 4in extensive grounds. Amongst recent improvements to the Admission and oversubscription criteria Head of School: Mrs K Edge Entry is without testing buildings include an all weather sports pitch and a food Admission: After the admission of pupils with 157 Wald erslade Road, Chatham ME5 0LP technology hall. Oversubscription: statements of Special Educational Needs or EHCP where 01634 861593 Greenacre Academy is specifically named, the following over- In February 2014 Ofsted inspectors concluded that the Email: [email protected] subscription criteria will be applied in the order in which they are academy was GOOD in all areas. The report states www.greenacreacademytrust.co.uk/greenacre set out below: Where applications for admission exceed the “Students in the academy make good number of places available, the following criteria will be applied in progress at all key stages, from lower than average starting the order set out below: points, and achieve well. Students behave well, say they 1. Children in public care - (as defined in the Medway Council Open sessions enjoy being at the academy and feel safe”. Co-ordinated Scheme) Tuesday, 11 October, 5.45pm 2. Sibling - (a brother attending Greenacre Academy or a sister Open evening: The maximum number of boys in a teaching group is 30 Headteachers talk at 7.30pm attending Walderslade Girls School at the time of application with many operating at 15 or less. In academic subjects, and who will still be attending in September 2016. Sibling boys are placed in sets of similar ability in English and Monday, 3 to Friday, 7 October 2015, 9.15am means children who live as brother/sister in the same house Daytime tours: mathematics throughout the academy and learning and includes natural siblings, adopted siblings, foster siblings and mentors work with small groups or individuals as required. For admission enquiries please contact Miss Michelle Farrell step siblings. Extended family, for example cousins, living in the Strategies such as these are ensuring that GCSE results same house do not qualify as siblings). continue to improve year on year. 3. Historical Sibling – To give priority to boys with an older sibling 6. Nearness of children’s home – (as defined in Medway who attended Greenacre Academy but who has now left. This In partnership with Walderslade Girls’ School, the view of Council’s Co-ordinated Scheme using Medway Council’s GIS. situation to remain until the older sibling has been left for 5 Ofsted is ‘The sixth form is good, as the academy’s Tiebreaker – in the unlikely event that two or more children in years. Sibling means children who live as brother/sister in the students progress well from their starting points and their all other ways have equal eligibility for the last place at the same house and includes natural siblings, adopted siblings, achievement is good’. school, the names will be issued a number and drawn randomly foster siblings and step siblings. Extended family, for example to decide which child should be given the place. cousins, living in the same house do not qualify as siblings). Mrs K Edge Head of School 4. Child’s he alth reasons – Medical evidence must be provided to Medway Council. This evidence must demonstrate a specific link between the child’s medical condition and needs and how the named school can meet these needs. 5. Residence in the Greenacre Academy access area.

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 271 268 122 72 36 18 14 9 150 160 n/a 3.55km yes 900

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 31 Holcombe Grammar School (formally known as Chatham Grammar School for Boys)

DFE number: 887 4068 PAN: 120 Type: Grammar Area: Chatham Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Mixed Status: Academy

At Holcombe Grammar School our aim is that students 5develop into successful, well rounded, confident young Admission and oversubscription criteria Executive Principal: Mr Stuart Gardner Entry is with testing (either the Medway Test or Kent people who are equipped with the academic and life skills Admission: Test or after 2 March, other nationally recognised entrance test). Head of School: Mrs Juliet Diaz necessary to thrive in the modern world. Where the Academy is named on a Oversubscription: Holcombe, Maidstone Road, Chatham ME4 6JB Students at Holcombe are given the academic and student’s Statement of Special Educational Needs or Statutory intellectual tools to help them structure their thinking and Education, Health and Care Plan, and the student has fulfilled the 01634 830083 learning effective ly thus enabling them to successfully entry requirements, the student will be admitted to the Academy. Email: [email protected] If the number of applications for admission is greater than the engage in their academic studies. The school is committed www.cgsb.co.uk to becoming a Thinking School, accredited by Exeter published admission number, applications will be allocated in the University, and passionately believes in providing students priority order set out below: with the appropriate learning tools to be successful. 1 Looked After Children and all children who have previously Open sessions been looked after, but following being looked after subsequently Tuesday, 4 October, 5.30 - 9pm Every individual at Holcombe is encouraged to achieve became subject to an adoption order, child arrangement order Open evening: their personal best and there is an emphasis on celebrating or special guardianship order. Monday, 10 to Friday, 15 October by Open mornings: student progress as well as outright attainment. Whilst 2 Children who, at the time of admission, have a sibling who attends appointment 01634 830083 many students go on to achieve places at Oxford, the Academy or any other TSAT secondary academy in Medway. For admission enquiries please contact Mr Richard Gardner Cambridge and other Russell Group we also For this purpose “sibling” means a whole, half or step-brother or support able students with Additional Educational Needs sister, or an adopted child resident at the same address. The to successfully engage with an academic curriculum and Academy will also include in this criterion children whose parents 6 Children who live closest to the school. Distance will be find a successful independent path beyond school. are married or cohabiting and live together within the same based on the shortest distance from home to school, using household. In the case of multiple births or siblings in the same the LA Geographical Information System. Should there be We offer a very successful and diverse range of sports with year group, where there is only one place available in the Academy, two or more identical distances requiring prioritisation, football teams regularly reaching Kent cup finals and the the other child/children will be offered a place above PAN. places will be offered to both students over PAN. 1st XI winning their league title. In addition we regularly 3 Children who attend any Trust primary school. There will be a right of appeal to an Independent Appeals win local athletics meetings and successfully participate in 4 Children of staff employed by the Trust: following the criteria above, Panel for any pupils refused admission. Any decision made by rugby, hockey and cricket fixtures and tournaments. priority will be given to the child of a person who is employed by an Independent Appeals Panel will be binding on the academy Holcombe has an outstanding sense of community with any Academy in the Trust at the time the application is made. and over-rides the admissions number of 120 in Year 7. each student taking an active part within the House system. 5 Child’s health reasons. Written medical evidence from a From the 1 March (National Offer Day), any available spaces The House system is central to the school’s pastoral General Practitioner or hospital consultant must be provided remaining will be allocated on the basis of results of nationally system which provides continuity of care and support for which demonstrates a specific health reason which requires the recognised selection tests taken, including the Medway or students throughout their time here at Holcombe. child to attend Holcombe Grammar School. Kent Test.

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 506 482 105 233 89 48 15 16 92 81 n/a n/a no 900

32 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions The Howard School

DFE number: 887 5457 PAN: 250 Type: Bi-lateral* Area: Rainham Age range: 11 – 19 Single sex/mixed: Boys Status: Academy

The Howard School is unique to Medway and one of just 6five 11-19 bilateral schools in the UK. We are able to admit Admission and over subscription criteria Head of School: Mr T Millar BSc (Hons), MA : Entry is without testing. both grammar and high school students. Students have Admission After the admission of pupils with Derwent Way, Rainham ME8 0BX genuine opportunities to achieve success and we are able Oversubscription: statements of Special Educational Needs or EHCP where to offer the flexibility for promotion for high school 01634 388765 The Howard School is specifically named, the following students into our grammar school. Email: [email protected] oversubscription criteria will be applied in the order in which they are set out below. www.thehowardschool.co.uk We are a top performing, extremely popular and successful If the number of preferences for The Howard School received via school. This was clearly recognised in a tremendous Ofsted the Medway coordinated scheme is more than the number of report in November 2013. Attainment and achievement places available, places are allocated in the following priority order: levels are impressive at all key stages. Open sessions i) Looked After Children as defined in the Medway coordinated admission scheme. Tuesday, 4 October, 5.30 - 8pm We have an open and mixed sixth form which includes a Open evening: ii) Where a child has a natural bro ther (including adopted significant number of girls. The majority of our students siblings), stepbrother, foster brother and those who live as a Thursday, 13 and Friday, 14 October progress to university and places of higher education. Open mornings: brother in the same house currently attending the school and 8.35 - 10.30am Success extends beyond the classroom; we regularly will still be on roll at the time of entry. dominate Medway, county and national sporting iii) Child’s health reasons. Medical evidence must be provided For admission enquiries please contact The School Office competitions in an incomparable range of sports including which demonstrates a specific health reason which requires a soccer, rugby, table tennis, basketball, badminton, athletics child to attend the preferred school. and cricket. Achievement in drama and music are second iv) Where the child resides within the access area. Priority given to none in the area. Our pastoral care is excellent and we to those nearest the school. have effective partnerships with the community. v) Proximity of child’s home. Distance will be measured by the shortest available safe walking route between home and We offer an incredible range of extra-curricular activities, school as measured by Medway Council’s GIS. a most able programme, and an elite athletes group. Tiebreaker - In the unlikely event that two or more children in all The school was a training base for the 2012 Olympics. other ways have equal eligibility for the last available place at the ICT provision is impressive and our learning support school, the names will be issued a number and drawn randomly department is excellent. The atmosphere is friendly and to decide which child should be given the place. links with parents/carers are strong. We work together to encourage students to succeed socially and academically.

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 501 480 241 121 70 47 13 9 256 255 5.06km 4.99km yes 1550

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 33 The Hundred of Hoo Academy

DFE number: 887 4000 PAN: 270 Type: Academy Area: Hoo Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Mixed Status: Academy

The Hundred of Hoo is a proud member of the Williamson 7Trust. We believe in the huge potential of our pupils and Admission and oversubscription criteria Executive Principal: Dr G Holden Entry is without testing. focus relentlessly on high aspirations and high achievement. Admission: Headteacher: Mr G Vyse Oversubscription: 1. Children in public care, Looked After Children and all children Main Road, Hoo, Rochester ME3 9HH Our aim is that every pupil will go on to a good university who have been prev iously looked after, but following being or a career of their choice. We combine the traditional 01634 251443 looked after became subject to an adoption order, child values of strong discipline, smart uniform and good Email: [email protected] arrangement order or special guardianship order. manners with the best of modern teaching backed up with www.hundredofhooacademy.co.uk 2. Children who, at the time of the admission, have a sibling who regular and robust assessment. We make sure we know attends the Academy (or for Secondary admissions only) or any every pupil well, so that we understand their needs and other Williamson Trust secondary school in Medway, i.e. The Sir provide realistic and stretching goals. We are a disciplined Open sessions Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School. +For this purpose, Academy, where pupils thrive in a culture defined by sibling means a whole, half or step-sister or brother, or an Saturday, 8 October, 10am - 1pm mutual respect and good behaviour. We have an Open morning: adopted child resident at the same address. The Academy will uncompromising culture of no excuses, and we insist on also include in this criterion children whose parents are married Monday, 26 to Friday, 30 September high standards for staff and pupils. We mean this, we follow Daytime tours: or cohabiting and live together within the same household. Please contact the Academy to make an it and we refer to it every day because we believe in it. Note: In the case of multiple births or siblings in the same year appointment for a tour Every pupil matters, every pupil can achieve, and every group, where there is only one place available in the Academy, lesson counts. the other child/children will be considered together as one For admission enquiries please contact the Main Academy Office application and offered a place(s) above PAN. We unashamedly focus on academic excellence as we 3. Child’s health reasons. Written medical evidence (from a believe passionately that education transforms lives. 6. Children of staff employed by the Trust: following the General Practitioner or hospital consultant) must be provided We focus on every child achieving highly in subjects that criteria above, priority will be given to the child of a which demonstrates a specific health reason which requires the will serve them well beyond school so that when they person who is employed by any School in the Trust at the child to attend The Hundred of Hoo Academy. leave us, we and you can be justly proud of them. time the application is made. 4. Children that reside within the access area. (See LA admissions 7. Children who live closest to the academy. Distance will be booklet for details of these priority access arrangements for based on the shortest distance and safest route from Mr G Vyse children on the Hoo peninsula) Local Leader of Education home to the academy, using the Medway Council’s GIS. 5. Children who attend any Trust primary school, i.e. Stoke Headteacher of the Hundred of Hoo Academy Those living closer to the academy will receive the higher Community School, Elaine Primary Academy, High Halstow Primary priority. Medway Council’s GIS measures the start point, School, Allhallows Primary Academy, St James Church of England end point and distance of each route. Primary School and the Hundred of Hoo Academy Primary phase.

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 435 425 213 108 52 27 19 15 257 271 n/a n/a yes 1385

34 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions Rainham Mark Grammar School

DFE number: 887 5420 PAN: 205 Type: Grammar Area: Rainham Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Mixed Status: Academy

At Rainham Mark Grammar School (RMGS) we provide a 8co-educational selective education of the highest quality. Admission and oversubscription criteria Headteacher: Mr S Decker MSc, MSc(Ed) Entry is with testing via the Medway Test Pump Lane, Gillingham ME8 7AJ Ofsted report in June 2014 graded RMGS as “outstanding Admission: 01634 364151 in all areas”. “Students make excellent progress from their After the admission of pupils with Oversubscription: Email: [email protected] starting points because teachers have very high statements of Special Educational Needs or EHCP where expectations of them. Teachers use their exceptionally Rainham Mark Grammar School is specifically named, the www.rainhammark.com good subject knowledge to stimulate students’ interest and following oversubscription criteria will be applied in the order in to inspire them to learn.” which they are set out below: (i) If the number of RMG S preferences received, via the Medway Open sessions Council Co-ordinated Scheme, from parents of children Excellent facilities include: Thursday, 6 October, 5 - 7.30pm • A modern sports hall, comprising a dance studio, fitness achieving selective standard exceeds the number of places Open evening: Headteacher talks at 6.45pm suite and main hall with three full-length cricket nets. available, places will be allocated in the following priority order. Children in Public Care, as defined in the Medway Coordinated • Specialist teaching suites for all subject areas. Saturday, 8 October, 10am - 12noon Admissions Scheme to include children who are adopted and Open morning: • A purpose-built music block with a recital hall, recording Headteacher talks at 11.30am studio and Sixth Form study suite. were previously looked after. (ii) Children who are designated as receiving ‘Free School Meals’. Tours of the school during a working day can be taken from Applicants under this criterion must complete a 9am to 3pm from Monday, 10 to Friday, 14 October. We are Our strengths: Supplementary Information Form so that checks can be made • Outstanding pastoral care and careers guidance. unable to offer additional tours after 14 October. Please to determine eligibility. • Excellent relationships between staff and pupils with contact the school to make an appointment. discipline firmly based on a tradition of mutual care (iii) In rank order of score as determined by Medway’s Selection Procedures. and respect. For admission enquiries please contact the school office • Boys and girls make exceptional progress in a caring, (iv) In the event of two or more pupils having equal ranking for the last place the deciding factor will be the shortest available co-educational and academically rigorous environment. safe walking distance between the home address and RMGS as • Broad curriculum choice and sensible acceleration for the measured by the Medway Council GIS and determined by most gifted students. Medway Local Authority. • A strong tradition of extra-curricular activities and trips • 25 “Good Schools Guide” Awards.

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Lowest score offered Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 640 650 239 153 131 79 18 20 205 205 528 530 no 1250

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 35 Rainham School for Girls An academy as part of The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT)

DFE number: 887 4199 PAN: 270 Type: Academy Area: Rainham Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Girls Status: Academy

Do you want your daughter to be happy, develop her 9interests, talents and achieve academic success? Then look Admission and oversubscription criteria Executive Headteacher: Ms K Roberts no further than Rainham School for Girls. Entry is without testing Associate Headteacher: Mrs L Ovenden Admission: We pride ourselves on offering an education that balances Derwent Way, Rainham, Gillingham ME8 0BX academic challenge, support for each individual and an Oversubscription: 01634 362746 After the admission of pupils with statements of Special innovative and exciting curriculum. Our students develop Educational Needs or EHCP where Rainham School for Girls is Email: [email protected] their talents in creative and academic areas and we cater specifically named, the following over-subscription criteria will be for students of all abilities, from those who lack confidence www.rsg.org.uk applied in the order in which they are set out below: If the to the highest achievers who remain in our sixth form and number of preferences for the school, in any year, is more than progress to university. t he number of places available, places will be allocated in the Open sessions following priority order: In Year 7, classes are organised to support students’ Wednesday, 5 October, 6 - 8pm • Children in public care, and those who have been in care and Open evening: abilities, including fast track “Stellar” groups aimed at the Headteacher talks at 6 and 7.40pm have been subsequently adopted or have been made subject of a most able and following an accelerated curriculum. residence order or special guardianship. Saturday, 10 September, 10am - 12noon Our transition arrangements are second to none. Open morning: • Children who at the time of application have a sibling (including Before transferring we liaise closely with primary schools Headteacher talks at 10am children living as siblings in the same family unit) on the roll of to ensure students are placed appropriately for their the school and who will be on roll at the time of the siblings Monday, 3 to Friday, 14 October, individual development. Our well qualified, experienced Daytime tours: admission, or were on roll in the preceding five years. 9 and 11.20am by appointment staff and excellent facilities support your daughters in • Child’s health reasons. Medical evidence must be provided developing their potential. Tuesday, 13 and Thursday, 15 September, which demonstrates a specific health reason which requires the Taster sessions: 4 - 6pm, by appointment child to attend the preferred school. Pastoral care is equally important to us. Relationships • Children of a member of staff working at this school for two or within school are very good with high expectations of For admission enquiries please contact Mrs Lee, Executive more years at time of application for admission, or appointed to behaviour firmly based in a tradition of mutual respect. Administration Support. a skill sh ortage subject. We are committed to ensuring success for all and very • Residence in an access area. much value partnership with parents. • Nearness of student’s home. The distance calculated is the Tiebreaker – in the unlikely event that two or more children in shortest available safe walking route between the child’s home all other ways have equal eligibility for the last available place at and the school using roads and footpaths known to the mapping the school, the names will be issued a number and drawn layer used by the Medway Council GIS. randomly to decide which child should be given the place.

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 522 513 259 108 89 35 21 10 270 270 5.36km 4.94km yes 1600

36 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions The Robert Napier School

DFE number: 887 4001 PAN: 180 Type: Academy Area: Gillingham Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Mixed Status: Academy

The Robert Napier School is a co-educational academy 10committed to raising aspirations for all students. Admission and oversubscription criteria Headteacher: Mr Andrew Minchin BA (Hons) Entry is without testing. Third Avenue, Gillingham ME7 2LX Our aims are to: Admission: 01634 851157 • Embrace students of all abilities, enabling each one to achieve and aspire to excellence in all they do Fair Banding test dates: Emai l: [email protected] Saturday, 10 September • Provide inspirational teaching and learning for all young www.robertnapier.org.uk Saturday, 24 September people at our school • Reward all achievements See page 38 for further details on oversubscription criteria and • Develop qualities of self-discipline, integrity, respect, fair banding test. Open sessions honesty, trust and compassion Wednesday, 5 October, 6 - 8.30pm • Develop an effective partnership with all parents Open evening: • Encourage links with, and an understanding of industry Tuesday, 11 to Thursday, 13 October, and commerce Daytime tours: • Prepare students for the responsibilities, opportunities 9am - 12noon and experiences of adult life. For admission enquiries please contact Mrs K Johns In order to achieve these aims, the school has developed a highly successful pastoral system, ensuring all members of staff are responsible for the progress and well-being of every student

Our curriculum encourages students to value themselves and others, and to develop their intellectual, practical, spiritual and creative talents. We believe that we can offer your child a safe and stimulating environment in which to reach their full potential.

Andrew Minchin, Headteacher

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 371 376 85 182 61 18 15 10 144 177 n/a n/a no 1020

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 37 Tiebreaker – in the event of a tie within any criterion a-d The test will be administered during September – a year Oversubscription: If the number of applications for admission to the school (i.e. if two or more children have the same priority in any ahead of entry. Parents and Carers can access the test for received via the Medway coordinated scheme is greater criterion), places will be allocated firstly to those living their child by filling in and returning a test registration form than the published admission number, applications will be closest to the school, and then if there is a tie for this, which will be available via the school website considered against the criteria set out below. random allocation supervised by an independent authority. www.robertnapier.org.uk and from the school reception from a. Children in public care, or previously looked after Students who have not taken the banding test (apart from Wednesday, 8 June to Friday, 15 July 2016. This test b. Current family association (i.e. elder brother or sister in children in care and statemented students who must always registration form should be returned by the deadlines the school at time of application who will still be be given priority) will be considered after children who have indicated on the registration form together with the attending when the applicant child is admitted. sat the banding test. They will be prioritised on the basis of preferred test date. All applicants will be offered fair access to This means: criteria a to e above. the test, and reminders of when and where the tests are  A natural brother or sister (including adopted siblings) The Trustees will establish an Independent Statutory Appeal being held.  Step brother or sister Panel to hear appeals against non-admission. The applicants will be split into five equally sized bands based  Foster brother or sister on their NFER results. Within each band places will be offered in the following order:  Those who live as brother or sister in the same house Waiting lists c. Siblings from children attending any other school A waiting list will be maintained for one term in year 7. The a. Children in public care or previously looked after, but no belonging to the Trust. Trustees will be advised by the Admissions Team of the LA in longer so because they have been adopted (or become d. Children of staff (where the member of staff has been the first instance, who will c o-ordinate the waiting list for a subject to a residence order or special guardianship order). employed for three years or more within the Fort Pitt fixed period of time, and in accordance with the published b. Statemented children. Grammar Academy Trust at the time at which the over-subscription criteria of the school. This will then be Then the order will be as described in the application for admission to the school is made and/or maintained by the school for the remainder of the time. Each oversubscription criteria. where the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant additional name added to the waiting list will cause the list post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage). to be re-ranked. e. Nearness of children’s home/distance* to The Robert Napier School. Applicants are prioritised in order of Fair Banding test nearness to the school. The distance calculated is the Robert Napier accepts students of all abilities, and in order to shortest available safe walking route known to the secure an all ability intake, all applicants for admission should geographical information software (GIS) used by the take a Fair Banding test which is prescribed by NFER. Student Services Admissions Team. This geographical (National Foundation for Educational Research). This is not a information software may not know all footpaths that are pass or fail test. It determines which band each child will be in existence, and certain new roads may not be known. placed in, should they be successful in gaining a place at Where a footpath or new road is not known to the Robert Napier. All applicants for places in the school will be software, an alternative route will be used. Where a banded according to the principles of Fair Banding, using the child’s home is situated on a new road, the distance national profile. Children in public care (Looked After calculated will begin from the nearest available known Children) including those with a SEN statement, will be road plotted in the software. New developments may be required to take the Fair Banding test. subject to this. In certain cases, it may not be possible to Medway operate an equal preference system which means calculate a distance where the entire route is deemed as that parents/carers who intend to put Robert Napier down a walking route. In these circumstances, the distance on the preference form as either first, second, third, fourth, calculated is used purely to prioritise an application for fifth or sixth choice will need to take the school Fair admission. There is no expectation that the walk should Banding test. be taken.

38 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions The Rochester Grammar School A designated National Teaching School, Lead School in the Thinking Schools Academy Trust and National Support School

DFE number: 887 5445 PAN: 175 Type: Grammar Area: Rochester Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Girls Status: Academy

Ofsted Outstanding: “A key feature of this school and its 11success is the ethos for learning” – Ofsted. Our students Admission and oversubscription criteria CEO: Ms D Shepherd, MA, NPQH, NLE are happy and feel supported; they love to learn and want Entry is with testing via the Medway Test Principal: Mr G Bassan, BA(Hons), NPQH to think and discover for themselves. Admission: Maidstone Road, Rochester ME1 3BY After the admission of pupils with The Rochester Grammar School (RGS) is committed to Oversubscription: 01634 843049 statements of Special Educational Needs or EHCP where the highest standards in education. Our academic results The Rochester Grammar School is specifically named, the Email: [email protected] are outstanding and we consistently appear in The Times following over-subscription criteria will be applied in the order in top 30 State Schools. We provide a world-class education www.rochestergrammar.medway.sch.uk which they are set out below: including a world qualification – International If the number of RGS preference selective girls received via Baccalaureate. The RGS is the lead school in a growing and Medway Council’s Co-ordinated Scheme exceeds the number of successful family of Thinking Schools that share a places available at the school, places will be allocated in the Open sessions commitment to the development of cognitive education. following priority order: Saturday, 15 October, 9am - 1pm (a) Children in public care – as defined in the Medway Council Open morning: We celebrate the achievements of all our students Co-ordinated Scheme. in a wide range of enrichment activities, with numerous Monday, 17 to Friday, 21 October, (b) Where a pupil can demonstrate a specific musical aptitude, as Daytime tours: clubs and educational visits both nationally and at 9, 11.15am and 2.15pm assessed by graded examinations. Parents/carers should write internationally. Our students regularly undertake global Please contact the school to book to the Chair of Governors using the Expression of Interest expeditions and exchanges and we are one of the largest form with details. Two places annually will be awarded, given Duke of Edinburgh Award centres. For admission enquiries please contact Mrs J Ryan, eligible candidates. Principal’s PA (c) In rank order based on the scores achieved in the tests. We have high expectations of all of our students and we In the event that two pupils have equal ranking for the last believe that each girl has a particular talent to offer. Our place, priority will be given to the pupil whose permanent mission statement is centred around ‘Child First, Aspire, address is the nearest to The Rochester Grammar School, Challenge, Achieve’ which is a testament to our ambition as measured by using Medway Council’s GIS. and dedication to transform the life chances of every one of our children and young people.

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Lowest score offered Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 544 515 225 154 85 55 18 7 180 205 539 535 no 1240

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 39 Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School A member of The Williamson Trust

DFE number: 887 4530 PAN: 180 Type: Grammar Area: Rochester Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Boys Status: Academy Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School (or the Math 12as it is known locally) is a boys’ grammar school with Admission and oversubscription criteria Executive Principal: Dr G Holden around 1200 students on roll that admits girls in the sixth Entry is with testing via the Medway Test Headteacher: Mr E Hodges form. The school is very popular and is regularly Admission: oversubscribed. The school became an Academy in Maidstone Road, Rochester ME1 3EL I f the number of preferences for the April 2011. Oversubscription: 01634 844008 school exceeds the number of places available at the school, the LA will allocate places in the following priority order: Email: [email protected] We are a National Support School and the Chief Executive • Looked after children (children in public care) and previously is a National Leader of Education. The Headteacher is a [email protected] looked after children Local Leader of Education. The school also became one of • Children who at the time of application have a brother or sister the first 100 schools in the country to have been designated (including children living as siblings in the same family unit) on a National Teaching School and as such is the lead school in Open sessions the roll of the school at the time of the sibling’s admission the Medway Teaching School’s Alliance (MTSA). Thursday, 20 October, 6 - 9pm • Child’s health reasons, supported by medical evidence, which Open evening: requires the child to attend this school Headteacher talks at 6 and 7pm Ofsted judge the school to be ‘Outstanding’, a grading • Children who at the time of application attend a primary school the school has held since 2005. In our last report the within The Williamson Trust. Monday, 10 to Friday, 14 October, lead inspector noted that ‘a buzz of excitement pervades Open days: • Children who at the time of application have a parent who is a tour times 9.15am and 2.15pm by appointment the school.’ member of staff at the school (where the member of staff has only please, phone the school to book been employed for three years or more at the time at which Recent years have seen the school consistently improve on the application for admission is made and/or where the member For admission enquiries please contact already outstanding examination results and for the last of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a Mrs Jacqueline Harrison, PA to Headteacher two years the school has featured in the list of the top 100 demonstrable skill shortage). schools in the country based on GCSE outcomes. • Nearness of children’s homes In the event of two or more pupils having equal ranking for However, the school offers more than outstanding Distance will be measured by the shortest available safe walking the last place the deciding factor will be the shortest available academic outcomes, it also provides exceptional route between home and school as measured by Medway safe walking distance between the home address and the opportunities for individual develop in sport, the arts, Council’s GIS. Those living closer to the school will receive the school as measured by the Medway Council’s GIS. Where this music and many other areas. higher priority. Medway Council’s GIS measures the start point, cannot be determined, the available place(s) will be allocated end point and distance of each route. by drawing lots.

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 477 475 246 111 65 35 11 9 186 169 7.5km 8.31km no 1235

40 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions St John Fisher Catholic School

DFE number: 887 5436 PAN: 180 Type: Comprehensive Area: Chatham Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Mixed Status: Voluntary Aided

St John Fisher has a strong Christian ethos and seeks to 13develop the whole child as well as enabling them to reach Admission and oversubscription criteria Headteacher: Catherine Burnett their full academic potential. The school mission statement Entry is without testing. Lower site: 79 Maidstone Road, Chatham amplifies this further as we seek to encourage students to Admission: develop individually and collectively a way of life modelled ME4 6DP Please note that applicants should complete a Supplementary on Christ. In July 2014 the school received an outstanding 01634 335787 Information Form (SIF) as well as the application. This is available judgement in all categories for section 48. from and must be returned to the school by the closing date for Upper site: Ordnance Street, Chatham applications. The SIF is also available on the Medway Council ME4 6SG Students of all faiths are welcomed into our school. website at www.medway.gov.uk/admissions 01634 335757 All children in our school are safe, happy and successful. See page 42 for further details on oversubscription criteria. Email: [email protected] We have a dedicated Lower School for years 7 and 8 only. This creates a caring and nurturing small school which www.st-johnfisher.medway.sch.uk makes transition from primary to secondary much easier for children. Open sessions

St John Fisher Catholic School is within a selective area, Saturday, 8 October, 9am - 12noon Open morning: which caters for all abilities including the more able within Headteachers address at 10am and 11.15am a Christian ethos. Wednesday, 12 to Friday, 21 October, 10am Daytime tours: All prospective parents need to complete both the Please phone 01634 335787 to book Medway form and the St John Fisher supplementary admission form. For admission enquiries please contact Mrs A Bovis

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 352 336 83 99 87 41 32 10 158 184 n/a n/a no 1050

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 41 Oversubscription: 8. Any other children. After the admission of pupils with statements of Special The following order of priorities will be applied when Educational Needs or EHCP where St John Fisher Catholic applications within any of the above categories exceed the places School is specifically named, the following over-subscription available and it is necessary to decide between applications. criteria will be applied in the order in which they are set I. A brother or sister on the school roll at the time of out below: admission. Evidence of the relationship may be required. Where the number of applications exceeds (n) the See note b. Governors will offer places using the following criteria in the II. Social, pastoral and medical needs which make the school order stated: particularly suitable for the child in question. Strong and 1. Looked after Catholic children or looked after children in relevant evidence must be provided by an appropriate the care of Catholic families and previously looked after professional authority (eg qualified medical practitioner, Catholic children who have been adopted or who have education welfare officer, social worker or priest). become the subject of a residence or guardianship order. III. Proximity to the School from the child’s home address. 2. Catholic children, a baptismal certificate or evidence of See note c. reception into the Catholic Church must accompany the Notes supplementary information form. See note a. a. Catholics include members of the Ordinariate and the Latin 3. Children enrolled in the catechumenate. Evidence of and Oriental Rite Churches that are in union with the enrolment in the catechumenate will be required. Bishop of Rome. Reference to other Christian 4. Other looked after children and other previously looked denominations refers to denominations that are full after children who have been adopted or who have become members of Churches Together in England. the subject of a residence or guardianship order. b. A “brother or sister” means children who live as brother 5. Non Catholic children who have attended a Catholic and sister including natural brothers or sisters, adopted primary partner school, that is: siblings, stepbrothers or sisters and foster brothers or • English Martyrs’, Strood sisters. It would not include other relatives eg cousins. • St Augustine of Canterbury, Rainham c. Home refers to the permanent home address at which the • St Benedict’s, Lordswo od child lives for the majority of his/her time and with the • St Edward’s, Sheppey parent who is in receipt of child benefit. The distance • St Mary’s, Gillingham calculated is the shortest available safe walking route • St Michael’s, Chatham known to Medway Council’s GIS. • St Peter’s, Sittingbourne d. Looked after children are those in the care of a public • St Thomas More, Walderslade authority and are in public care. Applications made under • St Thomas of Canterbury, Rainham this criterion must be accompanied by details of • St William of Perth, Rochester. circumstance and professionally supported evidence 6. Children of families who are members of other Christian (eg from an appropriate social worker). denominations that are part of Churches Together in England. Evidence of Baptism (or dedication) provided by a priest or minister of a designated place of worship will be required. 7. Children who are members of other faiths. Evidence of membership of the faith provided by a priest, minister or religious leader of a designated place of worship will be required.

42 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions Strood Academy

DFE number: 887 6905 PAN: 240 Type: Academy Area: Strood Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Mixed Status: Academy

Strood was the first of Medway’s new academies 14with new buildings that opened September 2012, providing Admission and oversubscription criteria Principal: Mrs Kim Gunn BA (Hons), MBA exceptional accommodation for teaching and learning. All applicants for a place at the academy including Carnation Road, Strood, Rochester ME2 2SX Admission: Our lead sponsor is the University for the Creative Arts those with an SEN statement or EHCP will be required to take 01634 717121 and our specialist subjects are mathematics and business the Fair Banding test. and enterprise. These compliment our existing strengths in Email: [email protected] English, science, sports and the arts, providing outstanding www.stroodacademy. org Fair Banding test dates: opportunities for young people. Saturday, 24 September 2016 Saturday, 8 October 2016 Our academy is for children of all abilities, providing a safe Open sessions and well managed learning environment. Since opening, After the admission of students with Wednesday, 28 September, 6 - 8pm Oversubscription: Open evening: academic performance has been on an upward trend at Statements of Special Educational Needs where Strood Academy GCSE and A Level. Our sixth form continues to grow year is named on the statement, the oversubscription criteria shall be Open mornings: Tuesday, 4 to Thursday, 6 October, 10.45am on year with students progressing to university, college or applied in the order in which they are set out below. Within each employment. All children are monitored closely with band the criteria w ill be applied in the following order: For admission enquiries please contact Reception or the PA to regular reports to parents and an open door policy to a) Children looked after (in the care of, or accommodated by, the the Principal meet with our staff. local authority) or previously looked after who immediately after being looked after were adopted or subject to a We set high standards for academic performance and residence or special guardianship order(as further defined in have equally high expectations for positive attitudes and paragraph 1.7 of the School Admissions Code). c) Nearness of children’s homes to the school. behaviour. Prospective parents are very welcome to visit b) Current family association (i.e. elder brother or sister in the d) Random allocation will be used as a tie-break in category c the academy during our open evening and any of our Academy at time of application who will still be attending above to decide who has highest priority for admission if open mornings. when the applicant child is admitted. In this context, brother or the distance between two children’s homes and the school sister means: is the same. This process will be independently verified. 1. Natural brother or sister (including adopted siblings). 2. Step brother or sister. 3. Foster brother or sister. 4. Those who live as brother or sister living together as a family unit at the same address.

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 Allocation criteria - Fair Banding and criteria 434 500 228 106 47 26 15 12 240 240 no 1400

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 43 Fair Banding: ceased to be so because they were adopted (or because Strood Academy is an all ability school, and in order to they were subject to a resident order of special secure an all ability intake that is representative of the guardianship order). national ability range, all applicants for admission must take a Fair Banding test which is prescribed by National Students who have not taken the Fair Banding test Foundation for Educational Research (NFER). This is (apart from children in care and those with EHC Plan not a pass or fail test this is just to ensure that young (statemented) students where the Academy is named in people across the ability range are admitted. the statement who must always be given priority) will be considered after children who have sat the Fair All applicants for places in the Academy will be banded Banding test. according to the principles of fair banding, using the national profile. All applicants who register for the test will be offered fair access to the test and reminded of the dates and Medway operate an equal preference system which times of the test. means that parents/carers who intend to put Strood Academy down on the preference form either first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth choice will need to take the Fair Banding test, which will determine what banding group their child should be placed in should they gain a place at the Academy.

The test will be administered during September/October – a year ahead of entry. Parents and Carers can access the test for their child by filling in and returning a test registration form which will be available via the Academy website at www.stroodacademy.org and from the Academy reception from term 6 of year 5. This test registration form should be returned within the prescribed deadlines as indicated on the registration form together with the preferred test date. All applicants for an academy place, including those with a SEN statement, will be required to take the Fair Banding test. Following the test, applicants will be split into five bands based on their NFER scores within the national profile, including those with SEN statements and Looked After Children and children who were looked after, but

44 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions The Thomas Aveling School An academy for success

DFE number: 887 5451 PAN: 190 Type: Academy Area: Rochester Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Mixed Status: Academy

Thomas Aveling is a popular and consistently over- 15subscribed school with outstanding facilities and resources, Admission and oversubscription criteria Headteacher: Mr P Jackson Entry is without testing. offering an excellent education for all, including the most Admission: After the admission of pupils with Arethusa Road, Rochester ME1 2UW able. We provide exciting and challenging learning Oversubscription: statements of Special Educational Needs or EHCP where The opportunities in a creative and happy environment, with 01634 844809 Thomas Aveling School is specifically named, the following over- the highest expectations for children in every aspect of Email: [email protected] subscription criteria will be applied in the order in which they are school life. Our broad curriculum provides a smooth set out below: www.thomasaveling.co.uk transition from primary school, with most students Where applications for admission received via Medway Council’s following a three-year , leading to the widest Co-ordinated Scheme exceed the number of places available, the possible choice at age 16 and beyond. Our results have following criteria will be applied, in the order set out below, to risen steeply over the past nine years and our last Ofsted Open sessions decide which children to admit: inspection recognised us as a good school with a happy a) Children in public care. As defined in the Medway Council Thursday, 14 July, 6 - 8pm and lively atmosphere and a sense of shared purpose. We Open evening: Co-ordinated Scheme. Headteacher will speak: 6.15 and 7pm offer a wide and exciting range of out-of-hours activities, b) Current Family Association, ie. an older sibling who is on the fully utilising our purpose built sports hall, performing arts roll of the school when the application is made, living in the Tuesday, 4, Wednesday, 5 and Thursday, 6 centre, sixth form suite, science laboratories and Open mornings: same household, and who must still be attending at the point October, 9.15 - 10.45am community library. of entry. Sibling means an older brother or sister, step-brother Headteacher will speak: 9.15am The Thomas Aveling school is now part of The FPTA or sister, foster brother or sister, or those who live as bro ther Academies Trust and works closely with the other schools or sister in the same house. In all cases, children must reside in For admission enquiries please contact the Headteacher’s PA in the Trust (Fort Pitt Grammar, Robert Napier and the same household. Phoenix Juniors) to ensure student opportunities and c) Residence within an access area. As defined in the Medway progress are maximised. Council Admission to Secondary School booklet and as We believe that partnership with parents is pivotal for the published on the school website. in the Medway Local Authority Admission to Secondary success of our students, and regular opportunities are d) Nearness of children’s homes. The Governors of The Thomas School booklet. provided for parental participation. Staff and students are Aveling School have adopted Medway Council’s criteria for Tiebreaker – in the unlikely event that two or more children in justifiably proud of their school and prospective parents measuring the nearness of children’s homes to the school all other ways have equal eligibility for the last place at the and children are very welcome to visit during any of our when allocating places. Distance will be measured by the school, the names will be issued a number and drawn randomly open sessions. shortest available safe walking route between home and to decide which child should be given the place. school, as measured by Medway Council’s GIS and as defined Paul Jackson Headteacher

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 564 627 206 122 125 63 34 14 190 190 2.3km 1.9km yes 1110

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 45 The Victory Academy

DFE number: 887 6907 PAN: 240 Type: Academy Area: Chatham Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Mixed Status: Academy

The Victory Academy is sponsored by The Thinking Schools 16Academy Trust and is part of a family of local schools including Admission and oversubscription criteria Principal: Ms Mandy Gage The Rochester Grammar School, Holcombe Grammar Entry is without testing Magpie Hall Road, Chatham ME4 5JB School and New Horizons Children’s Academy. Admission: At The Victory Academy we are committed to 01634 303005 transforming the life chances of our students, ensuring that Oversubscription: Email: [email protected] 1. Looked After Children and all children who have been all students are supported and encouraged to achieve their previously looked after (as defined in the Medway co-ordinated www.thevictoryacademy.org.uk personal best. aspire We for students to develop their admission scheme) academic and life skills, so they are equipped and ready to 2. Children who, at the time of the admission, have a sibling who be successful when they leave. attends the Academy or any other TSAT secondary academy in Open sessions We pride ourselves on our caring and compassionate Medway, i.e. The Rochester Grammar School and Holcombe Thursday, 6 October, 5 - 8pm ethos, enabling our students to grow in a supportive Grammar School. For this purpose, sibling means a whole, half Open evening: atmosphere conducive to their development. We look to or step-sister or brother, or an adopted child resident at the Tuesday, 11, Wednesday 12, Thursday 13 support those with additional needs through our well- same address. The Academy will also include in this criterion Open mornings: Tuesday, 18, Wednesday 19 and Thursday, resourced pastoral system, and in partnership with local children whose parents are married or cohabiting and live 20 October, from 9am by appointment. schools. his creates T a bespoke programme for any pupil together within the same household. In the case of multiple with specific aptitudes and interests. births or siblings in the same year group, where there is only We believe that students need the right tools to be one place available in the Academy, the other child/children will For admission enquiries please contact successful. We are a Thinking School, accredited by Exeter be offered place above PAN. [email protected] University. Students learn how to use a variety of thinking 3. Children who attend any Trust primary school, i.e. New structures to support their learning. Children who think Horizons Children’s Academy, All Faiths Children’s Academy and for themselves can be successful in life irrespective of their The Gordon Children’s Academy - Junior. 6. Children who live closest to the school. Distance will starting points. 4. Children of staff employed by the Trust: following the criteria be based on the shortest distance from home to The Academy has a thriving extra-curricular programme above, priority will be given to the child of a person who is school, using the Medway Council’s GIS. Should there with many opportunities for students to grow their talents. employed by any Academy in the Trust at the time the be two or more identical distances requiring prioritisation, places will be allocated to both students In the sporting arena the school has a wide range of very application is made. 5. Child’s health reasons. Written medical evidence from a over PAN. successful teams ranging from Football to Basketball to General Practitioner or hospital consultant must be provided If the school is over-subscribed from within any of the Weight Lifting. We are working towards becoming a which demonstrates a specific health reason which requires the above categories then a system of random selection will specialist Arts School and regularly have outstanding child to attend The Victory Academy. be used to prioritise applications. student productions, dance shows and exhibitions. We warmly welcome visits from potential plicants. ap

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 248 267 101 63 36 21 17 10 130 169 n/a n/a no 756

46 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions Walderslade Girls’ School

DFE number: 887 4167 PAN: 160 Type: Academy Area: Walderslade Age range: 11 – 18 Single sex/mixed: Girls Status: Academy Walderslade Girls’ School (WGS) is a traditional and 17successful, small high school, providing a vibrant, purposeful Admission and oversubscription criteria Headteacher: Mrs L McGowan and secure environment where the highest standards of Entry is without testing BMUS (Hons) MA NPQH FRSA Admission: achievement and behaviour are expected. Our committed Bradfields Avenue, Walderslade, Chatham ME5 0LE and long serving staff share their passion and excitement After the admission of pupils with Oversubscription: 01634 861596 for learning and our girls are encouraged to take statements of Special Educational Needs or EHCP where responsibility for their learning and their conduct. We place Walderslade Girls’ School is specifically named, the following Email: [email protected] emphasis on developing well educated young women of over-subscription criteria will be applied in the order in which www.waldersladegirls.org.uk the future through a wide curriculum with ample they are set out below: Where applications for admission exceed opportunities for students to develop their creativity the number of places available, the following criteria will be through our arts specialism as well as achieve success applied in the order set out below: Open sessions across academic subjects. 1. Children in public care - (as defined in Medway Council’s Tuesday, 11 October, 6 - 8.30pm Open evening: Co-ordinated Scheme). Headteacher’s presentation at 6.15 and 7pm Ofsted judged our school to be Good and named four 2. Sibling - (a sister attending Walderslade Girls School or brother outstanding and exemplary features when they visited in attending Greenacre Academy at the time of application and Wednesday, 12 to Friday, 14 October, Open mornings: March 2014: “All groups of students achieve well. High who will still be attending in September 2016. Sibling means 9am - 12noon expectations are the norm. Students’ conduct and children who live as brother/sister in the same house and behaviour, both within class and around the school, is includes natural siblings, adopted siblings, foster siblings and For admission enquiries please contact Mrs Maher, impressive. Students are proud of their school. step siblings. (Extended family, for example cousins, living in the Admissions Officer Relationships are supportive, harmonious and respectful.” same house, do not qualify as siblings). 3. Historical Sibling – girls with an older sibling who attended As an 11-18 school, we offer a strong and varied Walderslade Girls School but who has now left. This applies to link between the child’s medical condition and needs and curriculum valuing both academic and creative subjects girls whose older sibling left up to five years prior to how the named school can meet these needs. equally. Many girls stay with us through to study in the September 2016. Sibling means children who live as 5. Residence in the Walderslade Girls’ School access area. sixth form before moving to university, , brother/sister in the same house and includes natural siblings, 6. Nearness of children’s home – as defined in the Medway training or employment. adopted siblings, foster siblings and step siblings. (Extended Council Co-ordinated Scheme using Medway Council’s GIS. family, for example cousins, living in the same house, do not Tiebreaker – in the unlikely event that two or more children qualify as siblings). in all other ways have equal eligibility for the last place at the 4. Child’s health reasons – Medical evidence must be provided to school, the names will be issued a number and drawn Medway Council. This evidence must demonstrate a specific randomly to decide which child should be given the place.

Total number of prefs 2016 Preference breakdown Places allocated (on offer day) Furthest distance offered (on offer day) Access area Expected roll 2016 2015 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 2016 2015 2016 2015 266 313 134 56 35 20 9 12 172 160 n/a 3.05km yes 900

apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions 47 Medway Primary School DFE numbers

School name Number School name Number School name Number All Faiths Children’s Academy 887 2600 High Halstow Primary School 887 2421 St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School 887 3752 All Saints Church of England Primary School 887 3093 Hilltop Primary School 887 2499 St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School 887 3753 Allhallows Primary Academy 887 2005 Hoo St Werburgh Primary School St Helen’s Church of England Primary School 887 3096 Balfour Junior School 887 2214 and Marlborough Centre 887 2213 St James Church of England Primary Academy 887 2002 Barnsole Primary School 887 2396 Horsted School - Junior 887 2506 St Margaret’s CE Junior School 887 3195 The Bligh Federation - Juniors 887 2492 The Hundred of Hoo Primary Phase 887 9968 St Margaret’s at Troy Town CE Primary school 887 3293 Brompton-Westbrook Primary School 887 2646 Kingfisher Primary School and Children’s Centre 887 2003 St Mary’s Catholic Primary School 887 3755 Bryony School 887 6001 King’s School Rochester 887 6000 St Mary’s Island CEA Primary School 887 3756 Burnt Oak Primary School 887 3760 Lordswood School 887 2007 St Michael’s RC Primary School 887 3712 Byron Primary School 887 2016 Luton Junior School 887 2199 St Thomas More Catholic Primary School 887 3736 Cedar Primary School 887 2469 Maundene School 887 2580 St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School 887 3732 Chattenden Primary School 887 2209 Meredale Independent Primary School 887 6007 St William of Perth Catholic Primary School 887 3746 Cliffe Woods Primary School 887 2588 Miers Court Primary School 887 2623 Stoke Community School 887 2194 Cuxton Community Junior School 887 2013 Napier Community Primary and Nursery Academy 887 2012 Swingate Primary School 887 2549 Deanwood Primary School and Children’s Centre 887 2684 New Road Primary School 887 2202 Temple Mill Primary School 887 2015 Delce Academy 887 2413 Oaklands School 887 2433 Thames View Primary School 887 2592 Elaine Primary Academy 887 2000 Oasis Academy Skinner Street 887 2006 Twydall Primary School Nursery 887 2014 English Martyrs’ Catholic Primary School 887 3729 Park Wood Schools Federation - Juniors 887 2493 Wainscott Primary School 887 2210 Fairview Community Primary School 887 3759 Phoenix Junior Academy 887 2001 Walderslade Primary School 887 2203 Featherby Junior School 887 2400 The Pilgrim School 887 3758 Warren Wood Academy 887 2011 Gordon Children’s Academy - Juniors 887 2009 Riverside Primary School & Children’s Centre 887 3757 Wayfield Primary School 887 2668 Halling Primary School 887 2211 Saxon Way Primary School 887 2004 The Academy of Woodlands 887 2412 Hempstead Junior School 887 2403 St Andrew’s School 887 6002

48 apply online www.medway.gov.uk/onlineadmissions Nearest qualifying school Transfer to secondary school - September 2017 confirmation request for home Nearest qualifying school confirmation request to school transport purposes Medway residents only Please also read the information in section six of (Only complete this form if you pay your council tax to Medway Council) this booklet. This is not an application for a school place If you would like your nearest qualifying school(s) for the purposes of home to school transport, please complete If you would like your nearest qualifying school confirmed for the purpose of free home to school the request form opposite and submit to Student transport, please complete your child’s details below in BLOCK CAPITALS and send the whole Services Operations Team, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, form to Chatham ME4 4TR. Student Services Operations Team, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR before 7 October 2016. Forms received after this date may not be processed before the closing date for preferences. Forms must be submitted by 7 October 2016 to ensure a response before the closing date for school applications (31 October 2016). Child’s name: Please note that responses cannot be provided prior to September 2016, even if you have submitted your request Child’s date of birth: Male: Female: before then. Home address: Student Services Operations Team will respond to your request and provide you with the details of the three nearest non-selective and selective schools to the address you provide. Postcode:

The minimum statutory walking distance will still apply Parent/carer’s name: and, therefore, does not mean that yo u are guaranteed free home to school transport if your child attends any of the Phone number home: Work: schools listed.

The distances provided in the response will only be Mobile: an indication of the home to school distance and may not be the final distance used for home to school Email address: transport purposes. Please provide if you would like a response by email Also, there are no guarantees that a place will be able to be offered at any of the schools named in the response. Please note: There is no guarantee that a place at a school named in the response can be offered. School places are only offered against the published oversubscription criteria for the individual school(s). Join your local library, it’s free. knowledgeableg e free to use discoverscofriendlyo staff staf f computers booksboo trusted study low-cost printing fornd homework

and pleasure resources

To find out more visit www.medway.gov.uk/libraries or 01634 337799 Find out about Medway Council services in your language

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To find out more information on Medway Council services phone 01634 333333 or visit www.medway.gov.uk

G9894 Designed by Medway Council’s Communications Team. www.medway.gov.uk/communications