St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School
Lambourn Way, Chatham, ME5 8PU
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
209
Headteacher
Mrs Sarah McAlpine
Type
Primary
Ofsted
Good
Faith
Roman Catholic
Local authority
Medway
About St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School
Based in Lordswood, near Chatham, St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School is a primary school for children aged 4 to 11 and takes boys and girls. The school currently has about 209 pupils. On our figures that is below the typical size for a primary school in Chatham. It has a Roman Catholic religious character. It is a maintained school within the Medway local authority area. Mrs Sarah McAlpine leads the school.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 1 May 2019, St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School was judged Good. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
Around 8.5% 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 St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School
You apply for a place at St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School on the primary common application form through Medway, with the national deadline of 15 January. Where there are more applications than places, the school's published oversubscription criteria decide who is offered a place, typically starting with looked-after children and siblings. There is no separate entrance assessment. 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
St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School is a mainstream school, supporting pupils with SEND alongside their classmates through the graduated approach of assess, plan, do, review. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School contact details and location
You will find St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School at Lambourn Way, Lordswood, Chatham, Kent, ME5 8PU. The school office can be reached on 01634 669700. 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.
St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School 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. As a Roman Catholic school, faith-based criteria may apply in oversubscription - a supplementary information form is usually required.
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 St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School 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 offerSt Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School results and attendance
KS2 results
Not published
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Not published
Free school meals
SEND support at St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School 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
St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School?
Apply through Medway on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.
What is St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School Good at its inspection on 1 May 2019. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School and what ages does it take?
St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School has around 209 pupils on roll and covers ages 4 to 11. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
What SEND support does St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School offer?
St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School is recorded as a mainstream school. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School's term dates and INSET days?
St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School 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 St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School and how do I contact the school?
St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School is at Lambourn Way, Lordswood, Chatham, Kent, ME5 8PU. The office number is 01634 669700. A map and directions are on this page.
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 St Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School
The closest schools to ME5 8PU, measured from each school's own location.
Chatham · Primary · 0.3 miles
Swingate Primary School
Chatham · Primary · 0.4 miles
Lordswood Primary School
Chatham · Primary · 0.8 miles
Walderslade Primary School
Chatham · Primary · 1.0 miles
Tunbury Primary School
Chatham · Primary · 1.1 miles
St Thomas More Catholic Primary School
Chatham · Primary · 1.1 miles
Maundene School
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