Danecourt School
Hotel Road, Gillingham, ME8 6AA
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
257
Headteacher
Mrs Cathryn Falconer
Type
Specialist
Ofsted
Good
Local authority
Medway
Academy
Yes
About Danecourt School
Danecourt School is a special school in Gillingham for children aged 4 to 11, teaching boys and girls. Around 257 pupils are on roll. It is an academy rather than a council-run school, though Medway still coordinates the application process. Mrs Cathryn Falconer leads the school.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 13 November 2024, Danecourt 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
Overall absence stands at 8.1%, which is attendance of about 91.9% (2024/25). Around 54.0% 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 Danecourt School
Danecourt School 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
Danecourt School is a specialist SEND setting, so every pupil on roll has identified additional needs. Named areas of need it supports include Autism, Speech, language and communication, Social, emotional and mental health, Moderate learning difficulties, Severe learning difficulties, Profound and multiple learning difficulties. Recorded provision: Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 290; SLCN - Speech, language and Communication; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health; MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment; MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty; SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty; PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
Danecourt School contact details and location
You will find Danecourt School at Hotel Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 6AA. The school office can be reached on 01634 232589. 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.
Danecourt School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
Danecourt School does not run its own entrance test. As an academy, its governing trust is the admissions authority and sets the arrangements within the national Admissions Code, while Medway Council coordinates applications and offers. 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? In-year applications for an academy are usually made direct to the school - check its website for the in-year form, or contact Medway Council if you need help finding a place.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If Danecourt 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 offerDanecourt School results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Danecourt School
SEND setting
Specialist school
SEND provision
Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 290; SLCN - Speech, language and Communication; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health; MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment; MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty; SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty; PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Specialisms
- Autism
- Speech
- language and communication
- Social
- emotional and mental health
- Moderate learning difficulties
- Severe learning difficulties
- Profound and multiple learning difficulties
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Danecourt School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
Danecourt 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
Danecourt School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Danecourt School?
Places at Danecourt School 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 Danecourt School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated Danecourt School Good at its inspection on 13 November 2024. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is Danecourt School and what ages does it take?
Danecourt School has around 257 pupils on roll and covers ages 4 to 11. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
What SEND support does Danecourt School offer?
Danecourt School is recorded as a specialist school. Named areas of need include Autism, Speech, language and communication, Social, emotional and mental health, Moderate learning difficulties, Severe learning difficulties, Profound and multiple learning difficulties. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are Danecourt School's term dates and INSET days?
Danecourt 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 Danecourt School and how do I contact the school?
Danecourt School is at Hotel Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 6AA. The office number is 01634 232589. 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 Danecourt School
The closest schools to ME8 6AA, measured from each school's own location.
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