The Robert Napier School
Third Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 2LX
Ofsted inspection
Rated across 5 areas
Inspected 24/09/2024 · Ofsted no longer gives a single grade
See the Ofsted ratingsPupils
1011
Ages
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
1011
Headteacher
Mrs Jenny Tomkins
Type
Secondary
Ofsted
Rated across 5 areas
Local authority
Medway
Academy
Yes
Sixth form
Yes
About The Robert Napier School
The Robert Napier School is a secondary school in Gillingham for children aged 11 to 18, teaching boys and girls. Around 1011 pupils are on roll. That puts it among the smaller secondary schools in Gillingham on our figures. It is an academy, so its governing trust sets its own admission arrangements within the national code, and Medway coordinates offers. The school has its own sixth form for post-16 study. The headteacher is Mrs Jenny Tomkins.
Inspection at a glance
Ofsted rated The Robert Napier School Requires Improvement at its inspection on 24 September 2024. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
At A level the published average grade is D (2024/25). Attendance works out at roughly 89.0% (absence 11.0%) (2024/25). Around 51.7% 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 The Robert Napier School
You apply for a place at The Robert Napier School on the secondary common application form through Medway, with the national deadline of 31 October. If the school is oversubscribed, places are allocated on its published admissions criteria, which usually give priority to looked-after children, siblings and distance from home to school. 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
The Robert Napier School is described in the published data as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need it supports include Visual impairment. Recorded provision: Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 15; VI - Visual Impairment. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
The Robert Napier School contact details and location
The Robert Napier School is at Third Avenue, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 2LX. The school office can be reached on 01634 851157. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted did not give a single overall grade at this inspection (its policy from September 2024).
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
Sixth Form
Quality of post-16 education
Based on the Ofsted inspection of 24/09/2024.
The Robert Napier School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
The Robert Napier 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 (September-31 October)
Complete the Secondary Common Application Form on the Medway Council website. Kent residents can list up to 4 schools in preference order.
2. National Offer Day (1 March)
You'll be told your allocated school by email.
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 - the school's admissions authority handles this.
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 The Robert Napier 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 offerThe Robert Napier School results and attendance
KS2 results
N/A
A-Level results
Average grade · 2024/25
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at The Robert Napier School
SEND setting
Mainstream school with resourced provision
SEND provision
Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 15; VI - Visual Impairment
Specialisms
- Visual impairment
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at The Robert Napier School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
The Robert Napier 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
The Robert Napier School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at The Robert Napier School?
Apply through Medway on the secondary common application form by 31 October, naming The Robert Napier School as one of your preferences. Offers are made on National Offer Day on 1 March.
What is The Robert Napier School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated The Robert Napier School Requires Improvement at its inspection on 24 September 2024. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does The Robert Napier School offer?
The Robert Napier School is recorded as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need include Visual impairment. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are The Robert Napier School's term dates and INSET days?
The Robert Napier 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 The Robert Napier School and how do I contact the school?
The Robert Napier School is at Third Avenue, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 2LX. The office number is 01634 851157. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is The Robert Napier School and what ages does it take?
The Robert Napier School has around 1011 pupils on roll and covers ages 11 to 18. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
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 The Robert Napier School
The closest schools to ME7 2LX, measured from each school's own location.
Sittingbourne · Independent · 0.5 miles
Alchemy School
Chatham · Grammar · 0.6 miles
Chatham Grammar School for Girls
Gillingham · Secondary · 1.0 miles
Brompton Academy
Chatham · Secondary · 1.4 miles
The Victory Academy
Chatham · Secondary · 1.5 miles
Waterfront UTC
Gillingham · Grammar · 1.5 miles
Rainham Mark Grammar School
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