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Schools in Chatham.

31 schools in Chatham, Kent. 3 rated Outstanding by Ofsted. See them on the map, or open any school for admissions, results and contact details.

31 Total
20 Primary
5 Secondary
3 Grammar
1 Independent

About schools in Chatham

Chatham has 31 schools listed on Schools in Kent, across every stage of a child's education, from nursery and reception through to sixth form. Families here can choose between 20 primary schools, 5 secondary schools, 3 grammar schools, 1 independent school and 4 schools with dedicated SEND provision such as a specialist setting, SEN unit or resourced provision, giving parents genuine flexibility whether they are moving to the area or simply weighing up next steps. Many schools in Chatham publish SEND information. Support varies by school, so check each school's SEND section and speak to the SENCO about your child's needs. Ofsted currently rates 87% of inspected schools in Chatham as Good or Outstanding, including 3 judged Outstanding.

Local highlights include Lordswood Primary School, Fort Pitt Grammar School and Bradfields Academy. You will also find 9 schools with a sixth form and Kent Test grammar options within Chatham, which is useful if you are planning for the longer term. Use the interactive map to see catchment areas at a glance, filter by phase, or open any school for admissions, results, term dates, contact details and the latest Ofsted or ISI report. Every entry is independent and free to browse.

What parents should know about Chatham

Chatham is part of Medway, not Kent County Council, so its admissions are run by Medway Council with a different timetable and a different selective test from the Kent Test. The town's schools serve a densely populated area running into Gillingham, Rochester and Luton.

The historic dockyard area and the Medway university campuses give the town a broad sixth form and further education offer, and several secondaries here have well-developed vocational and technical routes alongside A levels.

Primary schools (20)

See all primary schools in Chatham →

Secondary schools (5)

See all secondary schools in Chatham →

Grammar schools (3)

See all grammar schools in Chatham →

Special schools and SEND provision (3)

Independent schools (1)

See all independent schools in Chatham →

Schools by village near Chatham

Villages and neighbourhoods in the Chatham area, with every school we list in each one.

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Parent FAQs

How many schools are there in Chatham?

There are 31 schools in Chatham covering 20 primary, 5 secondary, 3 grammar and 1 independent.

Which are the best-rated schools in Chatham?

Ofsted has judged 3 schools in Chatham as Outstanding: Lordswood Primary School, Fort Pitt Grammar School and Bradfields Academy. Around 87% of inspected schools are rated Good or Outstanding overall.

Are there grammar schools in Chatham?

Yes — Chatham has 3 selective grammar schools (Chatham Grammar School for Girls, Fort Pitt Grammar School and Holcombe Grammar School). Entry is via the Kent Test, usually taken in Year 6.

How do school catchment areas work in Chatham?

Kent County Council does not use strict catchment areas for most community schools. Distance from home to the school is one of several oversubscription criteria, alongside siblings, looked-after status and, for faith schools, religious criteria. Always check each school's individual admissions policy.

Can I compare schools in Chatham side by side?

Yes. Tap "Add to compare" on any school card to line up Ofsted ratings, results, pupil numbers, admissions and facilities on our compare page.

Is Chatham in Kent or Medway for school applications?

Medway. Medway Council became a unitary authority separate from Kent County Council, and it runs its own admissions process, its own selective test and its own appeals. Apply through Medway Council if Chatham is your home address.

What are the sixth form options in Chatham?

Medway has a mix of school sixth forms and larger post-16 providers, with both A level and vocational routes available. Use the sixth form filter on this site to see which Chatham schools carry their own sixth form, then check each school's published subject list.