HomeSchoolsRochesterBligh Primary School Infants
Rochester, Kent

Bligh Primary School Infants

Bligh Way, Rochester, ME2 2XJ

Ofsted inspection

Rated across 5 areas

Inspected 04/03/2025 · Ofsted no longer gives a single grade

See the Ofsted ratings

Pupils

309

Ages

2 to 7

Gender

Mixed

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At a glance

Age range

2 to 7

Gender

Mixed

Pupils

309

Headteacher

Mr Christian Markham

Type

Primary

Ofsted

Rated across 5 areas

Local authority

Medway

Academy

Yes

Overview

About Bligh Primary School Infants

Bligh Primary School Infants is a mixed primary school based in Strood, near Rochester for children aged 2 to 7. It has roughly 309 pupils on roll. It is an academy, so its governing trust sets its own admission arrangements within the national code, and Medway coordinates offers. The headteacher is Mr Christian Markham.

Inspection at a glance

Under Ofsted's report card framework, Bligh Primary School Infants was graded Good and Outstanding across the areas inspected, following the inspection on 4 March 2025. Each area is now graded separately, so there is no single headline judgement. 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 93.8% (absence 6.2%) (2024/25). Around 26.0% 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 Bligh Primary School Infants

You apply for a place at Bligh Primary School Infants on the primary common application form through Medway, with the national deadline of 15 January. 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

Bligh Primary School Infants 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.

Before and after school

Bligh Primary School Infants offers an on-site nursery. Session times, costs and availability are set by the school, so confirm them before you rely on a place.

Bligh Primary School Infants contact details and location

Bligh Primary School Infants is at Bligh Way, Strood, Rochester, Kent, ME2 2XJ. The school office can be reached on 01634 336220. 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

GoodGrade 3

Behaviour and Attitudes

How pupils behave and their attitude to learning

GoodGrade 3

Personal Development

Support for pupils' wider growth and wellbeing

OutstandingGrade 4

Leadership and Management

How well the school is run

GoodGrade 3

Early Years

Quality of nursery and Reception

OutstandingGrade 4
View the full Ofsted reportOpen the official report

Based on the Ofsted inspection of 04/03/2025.

Getting in

Bligh Primary School Infants admissions and catchment area

Academy - non-selective

No entrance test - you apply on the common application form

Bligh Primary School Infants 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. 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? 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 Bligh Primary School Infants 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

Bligh Primary School Infants results and attendance

N/A

KS2 results

N/A

N/A

A-Level results

N/A

94%

Attendance

26%

Free school meals

Additional needs

SEND support at Bligh Primary School Infants

SEND setting

Mainstream school

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

Before and after school

Wraparound care and nursery at Bligh Primary School Infants

Nursery

Yes

Breakfast club

Please check with the school

After-school club

Please check with the school

Academic year 2026/27

Bligh Primary School Infants 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

Bligh Primary School Infants: frequently asked questions

How do I apply for a place at Bligh Primary School Infants?

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

What is Bligh Primary School Infants's Ofsted rating?

Under Ofsted's report card framework Bligh Primary School Infants was graded Good and Outstanding across the areas inspected, following the inspection on 4 March 2025. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.

What SEND support does Bligh Primary School Infants offer?

Bligh Primary School Infants 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.

Does Bligh Primary School Infants have a nursery or wraparound care?

Bligh Primary School Infants offers a nursery. Times, costs and availability are set by the school, so check directly before booking.

What are Bligh Primary School Infants's term dates and INSET days?

Bligh Primary School Infants 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 Bligh Primary School Infants and how do I contact the school?

Bligh Primary School Infants is at Bligh Way, Strood, Rochester, Kent, ME2 2XJ. The office number is 01634 336220. A map and directions are on this page.

How big is Bligh Primary School Infants and what ages does it take?

Bligh Primary School Infants has around 309 pupils on roll and covers ages 2 to 7. 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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