Inspire Academy
Churchill Avenue, Chatham, ME5 0LB
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
90
Headteacher
Mr Daniel Peck (Interim Head of School)
Type
Specialist
Ofsted
Good
Local authority
Medway
About Inspire Academy
Inspire Academy is a mixed special school based in Chatham for children aged 11 to 18. It has roughly 90 pupils on roll. It is a maintained school within the Medway local authority area. The headteacher is Mr Daniel Peck (Interim Head of School).
Inspection at a glance
Ofsted rated Inspire Academy Good at its inspection on 14 December 2023. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
Attendance works out at roughly 61.1% (absence 38.9%) (2024/25). Around 65.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Figures come from the Department for Education's published school performance data and are shown in full further down this page.
Getting a place at Inspire Academy
Inspire Academy is a special school, so places are arranged through the education, health and care plan process rather than the normal application round. Medway names the school in a child's EHCP after consulting it. Always check the current admissions policy on the school's own website before you apply, because criteria can change year to year.
SEND at a glance
Inspire Academy is a specialist SEND setting, so every pupil on roll has identified additional needs. Named areas of need it supports include Social, emotional and mental health. Recorded provision: Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 100; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
Inspire Academy contact details and location
Inspire Academy is at Churchill Avenue, Chatham, Kent, ME5 0LB. The school office can be reached on 01634 827372. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Ofsted's most recent visit confirmed the overall rating. It did not re-grade the individual areas.
Inspire Academy admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
Inspire Academy does not run its own entrance test. Places are allocated by Medway Council using published oversubscription criteria. Oversubscription criteria usually cover looked-after children, siblings, distance from the school, and (for faith schools) faith criteria.
Dates and criteria change each year - always confirm with the school and Medway Council. Medway school admissions →
How to apply
1. Apply on the common application form (autumn term before Reception)
Complete the Primary Common Application Form on the Medway Council website by mid-January - for September 2026 entry the window ran from Friday 7 November 2025 to Thursday 15 January 2026, and offers were emailed on Thursday 16 April 2026.
2. National Offer Day (mid-April)
You'll be told your allocated school by email - for 2026 entry KCC emailed offers on Thursday 16 April 2026 after 4pm, with offers visible online from 5pm.
3. Accept and, if needed, appeal
Accept your place by the given date. If you didn't get your preferred school, you have the right to appeal.
4. In-year admissions
Moving mid-year? Apply directly through Medway Council's in-year admissions team, or in some cases direct to the school.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If Inspire Academy is not offered on National Offer Day, you can appeal the decision. The appeal is heard by an independent panel and is free to submit.
How to appeal a school offerInspire Academy results and attendance
KS2 results
N/A
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Inspire Academy
SEND setting
Specialist school
SEND provision
Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 100; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Specialisms
- Social
- emotional and mental health
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Inspire Academy
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
Inspire Academy term dates: Medway standard term dates for 2026/27
These are Medway Council's standard term dates. Your school may use different dates and INSET days, so check the school's website before making plans.
Autumn 1 · 2026
1 Sep-23 Oct
Autumn 2 · 2026
2 Nov-18 Dec
Spring 1 · 2027
4 Jan-12 Feb
Spring 2 · 2027
22 Feb-25 Mar
Summer 1 · 2027
12 Apr-28 May
Summer 2 · 2027
7 Jun-21 Jul
Inspire Academy: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Inspire Academy?
Places at Inspire Academy are arranged through the education, health and care plan (EHCP) process. Ask your SEN casework team at Medway to consult the school as part of your child's plan.
What is Inspire Academy's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated Inspire Academy Good at its inspection on 14 December 2023. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does Inspire Academy offer?
Inspire Academy is recorded as a specialist school. Named areas of need include Social, emotional and mental health. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are Inspire Academy's term dates and INSET days?
Inspire Academy follows the standard Medway pattern for 2026/27, set out term by term on this page. INSET days are set by the school itself, so confirm them on the school's own calendar.
Where is Inspire Academy and how do I contact the school?
Inspire Academy is at Churchill Avenue, Chatham, Kent, ME5 0LB. The office number is 01634 827372. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is Inspire Academy and what ages does it take?
Inspire Academy has around 90 pupils on roll and covers ages 11 to 18. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
About this information. Compiled from published sources including the Department for Education, Ofsted and the school's own website. Last reviewed Summer 2026.
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Get my profile builtSchools near Inspire Academy
The closest schools to ME5 0LB, measured from each school's own location.
Chatham · Specialist · 0.0 miles
Bradfields Academy
Chatham · Independent · 1.5 miles
Blue Skies School
Rochester · Independent · 2.2 miles
Trinity School and College
Gillingham · Specialist · 2.3 miles
Danecourt School
Rochester · Independent · 2.8 miles
Medway Green School
Gillingham · Specialist · 3.1 miles
Rivermead School
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