INSPIRE Free Special School
Ofsted: School remains GoodFree schools special
Chatham · ME5 0LB · Medway
Ages 11–18
- Att82.7
- P8-2.0
- EM5+0%
- Absence28.7%
0.0 miles away
OpenOfsted: School remains OutstandingURN 140701
Bradfields Academy
Academy special converter · Chatham · ME5 0LB
Ages 4–19 · 452 pupils · Medway
Ofsted
School remains Outstanding
Attainment 8
0.3
Overall absence
8.1%
Ofsted
Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.
Headline
School remains Outstanding
Inspection date
2023-01-24
Performance
Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.
Key stage 4 (2023/24)
Progress 8-1.66
−20+2
Attainment 80.3
English & maths grade 5+0%
English & maths grade 4+0%
EBacc entry0%
EBacc APS: 0.0
Key stage 2 (2023/24)
Absence
Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.
Overall absence8.1%
Persistent absence (10%+)24.1%
Unauthorised1.9%
- Authorised absence
- 6.2%
- Severe absence (50%+)
- 2.6%
- Enrolments in measure
- 307
Absence trend
2021/22
2022/23
2023/24
- Overall
- Persistent (10%+)
Size & intake
From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).
Capacity fill102%
452 pupils · 444 places
- Pupils on roll
- 452
- Boys / girls
- 288 / 164
- School capacity
- 444
- Capacity fill
- 452 / 444 (102%)
- Free school meals
- 49.7%
- FSM pupils
- 166
- Gender
- Mixed
- School type
- Academy special converter
Age range
Ages 4–19
05111619
Provision
Official GIAS characteristics
3 / 6
- Nursery
- Sixth formHas a sixth form
- Boarding
- Special school
- Independent
- Academy
School characteristics
- Special classes
- Has Special Classes
- Governance
- Academy trust: FORTIS TRUST
- Academy trust
- FORTIS TRUST
- Headteacher
- Mr David Waters
Location
- Address
- Churchill Avenue
- Postcode
- ME5 0LB
- Town
- Chatham
- County
- Kent
- Local authority
- Medway
- District
- Medway
- Constituency
- Chatham and Aylesford
- Urban/rural
- Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Local context
How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.
Mixed academy special converter, Ages 4–19, in Chatham, Medway, 452 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, special school. Free school meals: 49.7%.
Nearby schools
Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.
Walderslade School
Ofsted: InadequateAcademy converter · Secondary
Chatham · ME5 0LE · Medway
Ages 11–18
- Absence12.8%
- FSM40.2%
0.2 miles away
Greenacre School
Ofsted: InadequateAcademy converter · Secondary
Chatham · ME5 0LP · Medway
Ages 11–18
- Absence12.4%
- FSM30.3%
0.2 miles away
The Rowans
Ofsted: Strong standardAcademy alternative provision converter
Chatham · ME5 0LB · Medway
Ages 5–16
- FSM77.8%
0.2 miles away
Maundene School
Ofsted: GoodAcademy sponsor led · Primary
Chatham · ME5 7QB · Medway
Ages 4–11
- KS268%
- Absence4.4%
- FSM27.0%
- Demand0.98
0.3 miles away
St Thomas More Roman Catholic Primary School
Ofsted: Not judgedAcademy converter · Primary
Chatham · ME5 0NF · Medway
Ages 4–11
- FSM16.4%
0.3 miles away
Oaklands School
Ofsted: School remains GoodAcademy converter · Primary
Chatham · ME5 0QS · Medway
Ages 3–11
- KS248%
- Absence6.2%
- FSM40.7%
- Demand0.96
0.5 miles away
Wayfield Primary School
Ofsted: Urgent improvementAcademy converter · Primary
Chatham · ME5 0HH · Medway
Ages 2–11
- KS240%
- Absence8.1%
- FSM35.6%
- Demand0.96
0.5 miles away
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Contact
- Headteacher
- Mr David Waters
- Telephone
- 01634683990