St Mary's Island CE (VA) Primary School & Nursery
Island Way West, Chatham, ME4 3ST
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
638
Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Prest
Type
Primary
Ofsted
Good
Faith
Church of England
Local authority
Medway
About St Mary's Island CE (VA) Primary School & Nursery
About St Mary's Island CE (Voluntary Aided) Primary School & Nursery
St Mary's Island CE (Voluntary Aided) Primary School & Nursery is in St Mary's Island, near Chatham, for children aged 3 to 11 and is one of the larger primary schools in Chatham. It has a beautiful Church of England ethos, with values of compassion, forgiveness, trust, respect, hope and thankfulness at the heart of every decision. It is a maintained school within the Medway local authority area with strong links to the local community.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 15 November 2023, St Mary's Island CE Primary School & Nursery was judged Good. The full inspection report is linked from this page.
How the school is performing?
The latest published key stage 2 figures show 73% met expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2025/26). Overall attendance is 94.8% (2025/26). Around 13% of pupils are eligible for free school meals.
Getting a place at St Mary's Island CE Primary School & Nursery
You apply for a place at St Mary's Island CE Primary School on the primary common application form through Medway. 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 Mary's Island CE 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 available on our website.
Before and after school
For families that require wraparound care, the school offers a Breakfast Club from 7.30am and an After School Club until 6pm Mon-Thurs and 5.30pm Fri. Session times, costs and availability are set by the school, so confirm them before you rely on a place.
St Mary's Island CE Primary School contact details and location
You will find St Mary's Island CE Primary School at Island Way West, St Mary's Island, Chatham, Kent ME4 3ST. The school office can be reached on 01634 891050. 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 Mary's Island CE (VA) Primary School & Nursery admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
St Mary's Island CE (VA) Primary School & Nursery 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 Church of England 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 Mary's Island CE (VA) Primary School & Nursery 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 Mary's Island CE (VA) Primary School & Nursery results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at St Mary's Island CE (VA) Primary School & Nursery
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at St Mary's Island CE (VA) Primary School & Nursery
Nursery
Yes
Breakfast club
Yes
After-school club
Yes
St Mary's Island CE (VA) Primary School & Nursery 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
INSET days (school closed to pupils)
Staff training days confirmed by St Mary's Island CE (VA) Primary School & Nursery.
- 1 September 2026
- 2 November 2026
- 23 February 2027
- 7 June 2027
- 21 July 2027
St Mary's Island CE (VA) Primary School & Nursery: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at St Mary's Island CE Primary School?
Apply through Medway on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming St Mary's Island CE Primary School as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.
What is St Mary's Island CE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated St Mary's Island CofE Primary School Good at its inspection on 15 November 2023. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is St Mary's Island CE Primary School and what ages does it take?
St Mary's Island CE Primary School & Nursery is a 3-form entry primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11.
What SEND support does St Mary's Island CE Primary School offer?
St Mary's Island CofE 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.
Does St Mary's Island CE Primary School have a nursery or wraparound care?
St Mary's Island CofE Primary School offers a nursery. Times, costs and availability are set by the school, so check directly before booking. There is also a breakfast and after school club provision daily.
What are St Mary's Island CE Primary School's term dates and INSET days?
St Mary's Island CE 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 Mary's Island CE Primary School and how do I contact the school?
St Mary's Island CE Primary School is at Island Way West, St Mary's Island, Chatham, Kent ME4 3ST. The office number is 01634 891050. 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 and updated Autumn 2026.
Report an update →Schools near St Mary's Island CE (VA) Primary School & Nursery
The closest schools to ME4 3ST, measured from each school's own location.
Chatham · Primary · 0.0 miles
St Mary's Island CofE Primary School
Rochester · Primary · 0.9 miles
Chattenden Primary School
Gillingham · Primary · 1.1 miles
Burnt Oak Primary
Rochester · Primary · 1.2 miles
Wainscott Primary School
Rochester · Primary · 1.2 miles
Hoo St Werburgh Primary School
Gillingham · Primary · 1.4 miles
Oasis Academy Skinner Street
Help us keep this page accurate
Spotted something wrong?
Tell us what needs updating on St Mary's Island CE (VA) Primary School & Nursery and we'll review it before the page changes.Last updated Autumn 2026.