HomeSchoolsGillinghamHempstead Junior School
Gillingham, Kent

Hempstead Junior School

Birch Grove, Gillingham, ME7 3HJ

Ofsted rating

Good

Ungraded visit · Previous grade stands

Pupils

373

Ages

7 to 11

Gender

Mixed

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Hempstead Junior School logo
At a glance

Age range

7 to 11

Gender

Mixed

Pupils

373

Headteacher

Mr Paul Cross

Type

Primary

Ofsted

Good

Local authority

Medway

Overview

About Hempstead Junior School

Hempstead Junior School is a primary school in Gillingham for children aged 7 to 11, teaching boys and girls. Around 373 pupils are on roll. It is a maintained school within the Medway local authority area. Mr Paul Cross leads the school.

Inspection at a glance

At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 7 March 2024, Hempstead 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 72% met expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024/25). Overall absence stands at 5.5%, which is attendance of about 94.5% (2024/25). Around 11.1% 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 Hempstead Junior School

You apply for a place at Hempstead 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

Hempstead 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.

Hempstead Junior School contact details and location

You will find Hempstead Junior School at Birch Grove, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 3HJ. The school office can be reached on 01634 371823. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted inspected

Overall effectiveness

3
Grade
Good
Solid standard

Ofsted's most recent visit confirmed the overall rating. It did not re-grade the individual areas.

Getting in

Hempstead Junior School admissions and catchment area

Non-selective state school

No entrance test - you apply on the common application form

Hempstead Junior 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.

Dates and criteria change each year - always confirm with the school and Medway Council. Medway school admissions

How to apply

  1. 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. 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. 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. 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 Hempstead 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 offer
How the school is doing

Hempstead Junior School results and attendance

72%

KS2 results

N/A

A-Level results

N/A

95%

Attendance

11%

Free school meals

Additional needs

SEND support at Hempstead Junior School

SEND setting

Mainstream school

For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.

Before and after school

Wraparound care and nursery at Hempstead Junior School

Nursery

No

Breakfast club

Please check with the school

After-school club

Please check with the school

Academic year 2026/27

Hempstead 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

View Medway Council term dates
Answers for parents

Hempstead Junior School: frequently asked questions

How do I apply for a place at Hempstead Junior School?

Apply through Medway on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming Hempstead Junior School as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.

What is Hempstead Junior School's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated Hempstead Junior School Good at its inspection on 7 March 2024. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.

How big is Hempstead Junior School and what ages does it take?

Hempstead Junior School has around 373 pupils on roll and covers ages 7 to 11. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.

What SEND support does Hempstead Junior School offer?

Hempstead 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 Hempstead Junior School's term dates and INSET days?

Hempstead 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 Hempstead Junior School and how do I contact the school?

Hempstead Junior School is at Birch Grove, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 3HJ. The office number is 01634 371823. 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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