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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Expected standardURN 141466

The Howard School

Academy converter · Gillingham · ME8 0BX

Ages 11–18 · 1,471 pupils · Medway

School website

Ofsted

Expected standard

Attainment 8

42.5

Overall absence

7.0%

Admissions demand

0.91 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Expected standard

Inspection date

2026-02-24

  • AchievementExpected standard
  • Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExceptional
  • Leadership and governanceStrong standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.24
−20+2
Attainment 842.5
English & maths grade 5+34%
English & maths grade 4+60%
EBacc entry16%

EBacc APS: 3.5

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.0%
Persistent absence (10%+)21.3%
Unauthorised2.0%
Authorised absence
5.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.7%
Enrolments in measure
1,329

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.91 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

222

Places offered

250

1st-preference offers

217

Total preferences (any rank)
516
Preferred offers (top 3)
250
Applications from outside LA
35
Offers to outside-LA applicants
9
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill85%

1,471 pupils · 1,725 places

Pupils on roll
1,471
Boys / girls
1,426 / 45
School capacity
1,725
Capacity fill
1,471 / 1,725 (85%)
Free school meals
23.8%
FSM pupils
291
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Boys
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: THE HOWARD ACADEMY TRUST
Academy trust
THE HOWARD ACADEMY TRUST
Sponsor
The Howard Academy Trust
Headteacher
Mr Jasbinder Johal

Location

Address
Derwent Way, Rainham
Postcode
ME8 0BX
Town
Gillingham
County
Kent
Local authority
Medway
District
Medway
Constituency
Gillingham and Rainham
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.

Boys academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Gillingham, Medway, 1,471 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 23.8%.

Open schools in Gillingham
43
Secondary schools in Gillingham
7
Academies among open schools in Gillingham
70% (30)
Open schools in ME8
18
Secondary in ME8
4
Open schools in Medway LA
117
Secondary in Medway LA
19

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in GillinghamNear ME8

  • Rainham School for Girls

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Gillingham · ME8 0BX · Medway

    Ages 11–18

    • Att846.1
    • P80.3
    • EM5+40%
    • Absence9.2%

    0.1 miles away

  • Rainham Mark Grammar School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Gillingham · ME8 7AJ · Medway

    Ages 11–18

    • Att863.4
    • P80.3
    • EM5+92%
    • Absence6.7%

    0.5 miles away

  • Leigh Academy Rainham

    Ofsted: Good

    Free schools · Secondary

    Gillingham · ME8 8GS · Medway

    Ages 11–19

    • Absence6.5%
    • FSM22.3%
    • Demand1.07

    1.4 miles away

  • The Robert Napier School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Gillingham · ME7 2LX · Medway

    Ages 11–18

    • Att827.9
    • P8-1.0
    • EM5+8%
    • Absence13.0%

    1.7 miles away

  • Chatham Grammar

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Chatham · ME5 7EH · Medway

    Ages 11–18

    • Att860.1
    • P80.4
    • EM5+78%
    • Absence5.4%

    2.0 miles away

  • The Victory Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Chatham · ME4 5JB · Medway

    Ages 11–18

    • Att840.0
    • P8-0.4
    • EM5+32%
    • Absence10.0%

    2.6 miles away

  • Brompton Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Gillingham · ME7 5HT · Medway

    Ages 11–18

    • Att835.9
    • P8-0.4
    • EM5+21%
    • Absence8.7%

    2.6 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Jasbinder Johal
Telephone
01634388765
Website
https://www.thehoward-that.org.uk/

Official links