Bower Grove School
Fant Lane, Maidstone, ME16 8NL
Pupils
239
Ages
4 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Age range
4 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
239
Headteacher
Mrs Maz Cleave
Type
Specialist
Ofsted
Outstanding
Local authority
Kent
About Bower Grove School
Bower Grove School is a mixed special school based in Maidstone for children aged 4 to 16. It has roughly 239 pupils on roll. On our figures that is above the typical size for a special school in Maidstone. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. The headteacher is Mrs Maz Cleave.
Inspection at a glance
Ofsted rated Bower Grove School Outstanding at its inspection on 20 November 2024. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
Attendance works out at roughly 84.4% (absence 15.6%) (2024/25). Around 67.1% 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 Bower Grove School
Bower Grove School is a special school, so places are arranged through the education, health and care plan process rather than the normal application round. Kent 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
Bower Grove School is a specialist SEND setting, so every pupil on roll has identified additional needs. Named areas of need it supports include Autism, Social, emotional and mental health. Recorded provision: Specialist school: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
Bower Grove School contact details and location
Bower Grove School is at Fant Lane, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8NL. The school office can be reached on 01622 726773. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Last inspection: 18/09/2019
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
Bower Grove School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
Bower Grove School 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.
Official links
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 (autumn term before Reception)
Complete the Primary Common Application Form on the Kent County 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? 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 Bower Grove 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 offerBower Grove School results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Bower Grove School
SEND setting
Specialist school
SEND provision
Specialist school: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Specialisms
- Autism
- Social
- emotional and mental health
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Bower Grove School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
Bower Grove School 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
Bower Grove School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Bower Grove School?
Places at Bower Grove School are arranged through the education, health and care plan (EHCP) process. Ask your SEN casework team at Kent to consult the school as part of your child's plan.
What is Bower Grove School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated Bower Grove School Outstanding at its inspection on 20 November 2024. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does Bower Grove School offer?
Bower Grove School is recorded as a specialist school. Named areas of need include Autism, Social, emotional and mental health. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are Bower Grove School's term dates and INSET days?
Bower Grove School 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 Bower Grove School and how do I contact the school?
Bower Grove School is at Fant Lane, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8NL. The office number is 01622 726773. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is Bower Grove School and what ages does it take?
Bower Grove School has around 239 pupils on roll and covers ages 4 to 16. 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 Bower Grove School
The closest schools to ME16 8NL, measured from each school's own location.
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Bradfields Academy
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