Featherby Junior School
Chilham Road, Gillingham, ME8 6BT
Pupils
358
Ages
7 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Age range
7 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
358
Headteacher
Mrs Emma Pape
Type
Primary
Ofsted
Good
Local authority
Medway
Academy
Yes
About Featherby Junior School
Featherby Junior School is a mixed primary school based in Gillingham for children aged 7 to 11. It has roughly 358 pupils on roll. It is an academy rather than a council-run school, though Medway still coordinates the application process. Mrs Emma Pape leads the school.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 28 June 2022, Featherby Junior 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
The latest published key stage 2 figures show 64% met expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024/25). Overall absence stands at 4.4%, which is attendance of about 95.6% (2024/25). Around 39.4% 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 Featherby Junior School
You apply for a place at Featherby Junior 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
Featherby Junior 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.
Featherby Junior School contact details and location
You will find Featherby Junior School at Chilham Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 6BT. The school office can be reached on 01634 231984. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Last inspection: 28/06/2022
Quality of Education
How well pupils are taught and what they learn
Behaviour and Attitudes
How pupils behave and their attitude to learning
Personal Development
Support for pupils' wider growth and wellbeing
Leadership and Management
How well the school is run
Featherby Junior School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
Featherby Junior 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 Featherby Junior 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 offerFeatherby Junior School results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Featherby Junior School
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Featherby Junior School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
Featherby Junior 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
Featherby Junior School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Featherby Junior School?
Apply through Medway on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming Featherby Junior School as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.
What is Featherby Junior School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated Featherby Junior School Good at its inspection on 28 June 2022. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is Featherby Junior School and what ages does it take?
Featherby Junior School has around 358 pupils on roll and covers ages 7 to 11. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
What SEND support does Featherby Junior School offer?
Featherby Junior 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 Featherby Junior School's term dates and INSET days?
Featherby Junior 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 Featherby Junior School and how do I contact the school?
Featherby Junior School is at Chilham Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 6BT. The office number is 01634 231984. 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 Featherby Junior School
The closest schools to ME8 6BT, measured from each school's own location.
Gillingham · Primary · 0.1 miles
Featherby Infant and Nursery School
Gillingham · Primary · 0.4 miles
Twydall Primary School
Gillingham · Primary · 0.5 miles
St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School

Gillingham · Primary · 0.5 miles
Woodlands Primary School
Gillingham · Primary · 0.9 miles
Barnsole Primary School

Gillingham · Primary · 1.1 miles
Thames View Primary School
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