St John's Catholic Comprehensive
Rochester Road, Gravesend, DA12 2JW
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
1322
Headteacher
Mr Matthew Barron
Type
Secondary
Ofsted
Good
Faith
Roman Catholic
Local authority
Kent
Sixth form
Yes
About St John's Catholic Comprehensive
St John's Catholic Comprehensive is a mixed secondary school based in Gravesend for children aged 11 to 18. It has roughly 1322 pupils on roll. The school has a Roman Catholic character. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. The school has its own sixth form for post-16 study. The headteacher is Mr Matthew Barron.
Inspection at a glance
Ofsted rated St John's Catholic Comprehensive Good at its inspection on 8 January 2025. 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 C (2024/25). Attendance works out at roughly 93.4% (absence 6.6%) (2024/25). Around 27.6% 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 St John's Catholic Comprehensive
You apply for a place at St John's Catholic Comprehensive on the secondary common application form through Kent, 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
St John's Catholic Comprehensive 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.
St John's Catholic Comprehensive contact details and location
St John's Catholic Comprehensive is at Rochester Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2JW. The school office can be reached on 01474 534718. 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 John's Catholic Comprehensive admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
St John's Catholic Comprehensive does not run its own entrance test. Places are allocated by Kent County 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 Roman Catholic 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 Kent County Council. KCC school admissions →
How to apply
1. Apply on the common application form (September-31 October)
Complete the Secondary Common Application Form on the Kent County 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? Apply directly through Kent County Council's in-year admissions team, or in some cases direct to the school.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If St John's Catholic Comprehensive 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 John's Catholic Comprehensive results and attendance
KS2 results
N/A
A-Level results
Average grade · 2024/25
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at St John's Catholic Comprehensive
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at St John's Catholic Comprehensive
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
St John's Catholic Comprehensive term dates: Kent standard term dates for 2026/27
These are Kent County 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
St John's Catholic Comprehensive: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at St John's Catholic Comprehensive?
Apply through Kent on the secondary common application form by 31 October, naming St John's Catholic Comprehensive as one of your preferences. Offers are made on National Offer Day on 1 March.
What is St John's Catholic Comprehensive's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated St John's Catholic Comprehensive Good at its inspection on 8 January 2025. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does St John's Catholic Comprehensive offer?
St John's Catholic Comprehensive 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 St John's Catholic Comprehensive's term dates and INSET days?
St John's Catholic Comprehensive follows the standard Kent 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 John's Catholic Comprehensive and how do I contact the school?
St John's Catholic Comprehensive is at Rochester Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2JW. The office number is 01474 534718. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is St John's Catholic Comprehensive and what ages does it take?
St John's Catholic Comprehensive has around 1322 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 St John's Catholic Comprehensive
The closest schools to DA12 2JW, measured from each school's own location.
Gravesend · Grammar · 0.2 miles
Gravesend Grammar School
Gravesend · Secondary · 1.0 miles
Thamesview School
Gravesend · Secondary · 1.1 miles
St George's CofE School
Gravesend · Grammar · 1.1 miles
Mayfield Grammar School Gravesend
Gravesend · Secondary · 1.8 miles
Northfleet Technology College
Gravesend · Secondary · 1.9 miles
Northfleet School for Girls
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