School Chooser

Rainham Mark Grammar School

Secondary · ages 11-18MixedAcademy (grammar)1,568 pupilsSixth formGillinghamMedway
School Chooser Score
87
Well above
similar schools
Likely range 84 to 91
Out of 100. Better than 16% of the 50 schools most like it. Much the same over the last five years.
OfstedGoodLast Ofsted inspection, May 2022
Strong pass in English and maths87%England 46%
Attendance94.6%England 91.4%
Pupils from low-income families11%Far fewer than most schools
PlacesFull1,568 pupils, 1,242 places
Pupils per teacher19.8School workforce census

Rainham Mark Grammar School is a converter academy in Gillingham for boys and girls aged 11 to 18. It has 1,568 pupils, 326 more than it has places for. About 11 in every 100 pupils come from a low-income family, far fewer than at most schools in England. We give it 87 out of 100. That puts it well above schools like it, ahead of 16% of the 50 schools most like it. Ofsted's last grade was good, back in 2022.

Pump Lane, Rainham, Gillingham, ME8 7AJ01634 364151rainhammark.comMrs Agnes Hart headteacherAll details

What Ofsted found

Ofsted's last full inspection was on 24 May 2022, back when it gave schools one overall grade. Read the report on Ofsted's website.

Good overall.

TeachingOfsted calls this “quality of education”
Good
BehaviourOfsted calls this “behaviour and attitudes”
Good
WellbeingOfsted calls this “personal development”
Good
LeadershipOfsted calls this “leadership and management”
Good
Sixth formOfsted calls this “post-16”
Good
Safeguarding
Effective
Yes

This inspection is more than 4 years old. When Ofsted next visits, the school will get a report card instead of one grade.

Results

GCSE results, summer 2025

237 pupils sat their GCSEs. Here is how they did against every state secondary in England.

Average GCSE score62.7
England 46.8
Official name: Attainment 8
Strong pass in English and maths87%
England 46%
Official name: Grade 5+ in English and maths
Standard pass in English and maths96%
England 66%
Official name: Grade 4+ in English and maths
Progress from age 11+0.28In each subject, pupils here finished about half a grade ahead of children across England who started secondary school at the same level. (From 2023/24, the latest year there is. The government didn't work it out for the 2025 year group.)Official name: Progress 8
Trend
Average GCSE score
2018 to 2025
2018: 64.864.820182019: 65.765.720192022: 67.467.420222023: 62.662.620232024: 63.463.420242025: 62.762.72025
Since 2018: -2.1Steady overall
All GCSE measures, year by year
Measure202520242023202220192018MedwayEngland
Pupils at the end of Year 11237236241211209207
Average GCSE scoreAttainment 862.763.462.667.465.764.846.846.8
Progress from age 11Progress 8+0.28+0.28+0.42+0.27+0.36
Strong pass in English and mathsGrade 5+ in English and maths87%92%87%89%90%86%45%46%
Standard pass in English and mathsGrade 4+ in English and maths96%98%98%99%99%97%64%66%
Core subjects scoreEBacc average point score6.006.086.026.476.316.194.224.15
Taking the core subjectsEBacc entry94%97%95%87%83%84%52%41%
Average GCSE score: low-income pupilsAttainment 8, disadvantaged60.254.949.659.166.460.4
Average GCSE score: other pupilsAttainment 8, non-disadvantaged62.964.063.768.065.665.3
Average GCSE score: pupils who started aheadAttainment 8, high prior attainers67.166.672.166.466.3

Subjects

Results came out for 23 GCSE subjects in 2025. Each figure is the share of pupils who got a grade 5 or better, next to the average for state secondaries in England.

Strongest subjects

Food Preparation & Nutrition97%grades 9 to 5, England 52% · 32nd of 1,098 schools
Design & Technology89%grades 9 to 5, England 50% · 105th of 1,478 schools
Business89%grades 9 to 5, England 51% · 74th of 1,806 schools
Mathematics92%grades 9 to 5, England 53% · 139th of 3,211 schools
What is taught hereOffers triple science, 3 languages, computer science, music.

The small number is how many pupils sat each subject. Subjects with fewer than six pupils aren't published.

Every subject against England, 2025
Mathematics236 entries · 3rd of 18 in Medway
92%England 53%
English Language236 entries · 6th of 18 in Medway
84%England 54%
English Literature234 entries · 5th of 18 in Medway
89%England 58%
Biology153 entries · 2nd of 13 in Medway
99%England 82%
Chemistry152 entries · 6th of 13 in Medway
91%England 81%
Physics152 entries · 3rd of 13 in Medway
96%England 82%
Geography129 entries · 4th of 17 in Medway
85%England 51%
History108 entries · 6th of 17 in Medway
70%England 52%
Spanish88 entries · 4th of 13 in Medway
66%England 54%
Combined Science83 entries · 4th of 18 in Medway
72%England 36%
French81 entries · 3rd of 11 in Medway
68%England 60%
Religious Studies77 entries · 2nd of 5 in Medway
88%England 60%
German69 entries · 4th of 5 in Medway
55%England 63%
Business55 entries · 4th of 10 in Medway
89%England 51%
Physical Education54 entries · 2nd of 5 in Medway
70%England 56%
Economics49 entries · 2nd of 3 in Medway
80%England 70%
Computer Science48 entries · 3rd of 9 in Medway
83%England 56%
Food Preparation & Nutrition37 entries · 1st of 5 in Medway
97%England 52%
Art and Design36 entries · 5th of 17 in Medway
78%England 58%
Design & Technology26 entries · 2nd of 8 in Medway
89%England 50%
Drama17 entries
82%England 60%
Music17 entries
88%England 61%
SubjectEntriesGrades 9 to 7Grades 9 to 5Grades 9 to 4England 9 to 5Rank in England
Mathematics23652%92%98%53%139 of 3,211
English Language23634%84%98%54%175 of 3,210
English Literature23436%89%96%58%161 of 3,202
Biology15340%99%100%82%349 of 2,570
Chemistry15241%91%100%81%1,018 of 2,537
Physics15248%96%100%82%708 of 2,546
Geography12944%85%92%51%174 of 3,116
History10833%70%83%52%472 of 3,126
Spanish8831%66%84%54%591 of 1,941
Combined Science837%72%90%36%103 of 3,084
French8140%68%78%60%785 of 1,974
Religious Studies7752%88%95%60%155 of 1,825
German6925%55%77%63%373 of 571
Business5527%89%96%51%74 of 1,806
Physical Education5422%70%85%56%437 of 1,559
Economics4943%80%98%70%39 of 142
Computer Science4858%83%94%56%222 of 1,861
Food Preparation & Nutrition3773%97%100%52%32 of 1,098
Art and Design3617%78%94%58%553 of 2,818
Design & Technology2650%89%96%50%105 of 1,478
Drama1729%82%94%60%
Music1759%88%100%61%
Other Modern Languages875%75%75%49%

In combined science each pupil gets two grades and we count the lower one. Rankings only include state secondaries where 20 or more pupils sat the subject.

A level and sixth-form results, 2025

172 students finished sixth-form courses.

Average A level gradeB-36.6 points per entry
A level progress-0.15Against students elsewhere with the same GCSE grades. 0 is average.
AAB or better15%with two subjects universities favour
Stayed and finished99%of students who started
All sixth-form measures, year by year
Measure202520242023202220192018
Students172187200173302296
Average A level points per entryA level APS per entry36.6439.1338.5441.3037.8836.82
Average A level gradeB-BBBB-B-
Best three A levelsBest 3 A levels APS36.3338.9538.0041.0537.2037.87
AAB or better in subjects universities likeAAB+ in two facilitating subjects15%20%17%25%23%18%
A level progressA level value added-0.15+0.02+0.03-0.02
Stayed and finishedRetained and assessed99%96%95%98%95%98%

A level subjects

21 A level subjects had results in 2025. Each figure is the share of students who got an A* to B, next to the average for state sixth forms in England. When only a handful of students take a subject, its figures jump around from year to year.

Strongest A levels

Psychology65%A* to B, England 46% · 43 entries
Biology67%A* to B, England 49% · 39 entries
Film Studies68%A* to B, England 57% · 25 entries
A levels taught hereThe small number is how many students sat each one in 2025.
SubjectsMathematics69Business Studies44Psychology43Biology39Sociology38English Literature33Economics31Government and Politics30Chemistry29Religious Studies28Film Studies25Physics22History18Geography16Mathematics (Further)12Computer Science8Design and Technology (Product Design)6French6Fine Art6German6Drama and Theatre Studies5
Every A level subject against England, 2025
Mathematics69 entries · 33% A* or A · 97% passed
51%England 60%
Business Studies44 entries · 16% A* or A · 100% passed
55%England 47%
Psychology43 entries · 33% A* or A · 100% passed
65%England 46%
Biology39 entries · 26% A* or A · 100% passed
67%England 49%
Sociology38 entries · 24% A* or A · 100% passed
55%England 49%
English Literature33 entries · 27% A* or A · 100% passed
61%England 52%
Economics31 entries · 39% A* or A · 100% passed
65%England 57%
Government and Politics30 entries · 17% A* or A · 97% passed
37%England 55%
Chemistry29 entries · 31% A* or A · 100% passed
55%England 53%
Religious Studies28 entries · 11% A* or A · 100% passed
50%England 50%
Film Studies25 entries · 8% A* or A · 100% passed
68%England 57%
Physics22 entries · 18% A* or A · 96% passed
50%England 51%
History18 entries · 11% A* or A · 100% passed
44%England 55%
Geography16 entries · 19% A* or A · 100% passed
50%England 51%
Mathematics (Further)12 entries · 58% A* or A · 83% passed
83%England 76%
Computer Science8 entries · 13% A* or A · 100% passed
50%England 46%
Design and Technology (Product Design)6 entries · 33% A* or A · 100% passed
33%England 38%
French6 entries · 33% A* or A · 100% passed
50%England 60%
Fine Art6 entries · 0% A* or A · 100% passed
0%England 65%
German6 entries · 67% A* or A · 100% passed
67%England 59%
Drama and Theatre Studies5 entries · 0% A* or A · 0% passed
0%England 54%

A levels only. BTECs, T levels and other courses are in the table above. Subjects with fewer than five students aren't published.

Does every child do well here?

A good school does well by every child, not just on average. Each row compares two groups of pupils here. The grey marks show the same two groups across England. Every gap at this school is smaller than the gap across England. When a group has fewer than about ten pupils, its figures jump around a lot from year to year.

At GCSE, 2025

Average GCSE scoreLow-income pupils vs other pupils
60.262.9
Gap 2.7England 12.2
Strong pass in English and mathsLow-income pupils vs other pupils
82%88%
Gap 6 ptsEngland 22 pts
Average GCSE scoreBoys vs girls
63.362.0
Gap 1.3England 3.0
First groupSecond groupEngland, each group

Low-income means the child has had free school meals at some point in the last six years. A group's figure isn't published when it has fewer than six pupils.

Getting a place

Grammar school. This is a grammar school, so places depend on an entrance test.

Full1,553 pupils for 1,468 places, 2024/25
106% full

The school is full, with 85 more pupils than it has places for. More families apply than can get in, so things like how close you live and whether an older brother or sister is already here decide who gets a place. Pupil numbers have stayed about the same since 2021/22.

Each council publishes its own figures on how many families applied and how far away the last child to get a place lived. We are adding councils one at a time. If you have a link to Medway council's admissions booklet, send it to us.

Who goes here

Who a school teaches matters. That is why our score compares it with schools that take in a similar mix of children, not with every school in the country.

Pupils on roll1,568Census January 2026
Places1,242126% full
Pupils from low-income families9%11% have had free school meals at some point in the last six years
Pupils learning English10%First language is not English
Pupils getting extra support6%98 pupils with SEN support
Pupils with an EHC plan0%7 pupils with a plan
Average class size23.259 classes, January 2026; England 22.8
Classes with more than 30 pupils3%share of one-teacher classes; England 12%
Pupils with extra funding (pupil premium)11%£144,100 extra funding in 2026/27; England 30%
Boys and girls865 / 703
White British pupils63%

The most common needs among pupils getting extra support: Autistic spectrum disorder (46), emotional and mental health (20), SEN support but no specialist assessment of type of need (10), Specific learning difficulty (9), language and communications needs (6), Other difficulty or disability (4).

How the mix of pupils has changed
Census202620252024202320222021
Pupils on roll1,5681,5511,5351,5671,5451,487
Pupils from low-income familiesFree school meals9%9%8%7%7%6%
Pupils learning EnglishEnglish as an additional language10%10%10%11%8%8%
Pupils getting extra supportSEN support5%5%4%4%4%
Pupils with an EHC planEducation, health and care plans0%0%0%0%0%

Attendance and behaviour

In 2024/25 pupils were in school 94.6% of the time. Across similar schools in England it was 91.4%.

Attendance94.6%
England 91.4%
Official name: 100 minus overall absence
Pupils missing a lot of school9.7%
England 23.9%
Official name: Persistent absence
Suspensions per 100 pupils3.92024/25, no permanent exclusions
Missed without permission0.8%of school time, 2024/25
Attendance year by year
Measure2024/252023/242022/232021/222020/212018/19England
Sessions missedOverall absence5.4%6.7%7.1%7.3%5.4%3.6%8.6%
Missed with permissionAuthorised absence4.6%5.7%6.0%6.4%4.9%3.3%
Missed without permissionUnauthorised absence0.8%1.0%1.2%0.8%0.5%0.4%
Pupils missing a lot of schoolPersistent absence9.7%17.2%23.9%24.8%23.0%5.7%23.9%
SuspensionsSuspension rate3.93.53.13.31.5
Permanent exclusionsPermanent exclusions00000

What pupils do next

After GCSEs

Where the 241 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training98%and stayed there for at least six months

Among pupils from low-income families it was 83%, compared with 99% for everyone else.

Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training98%98%97%97%
Education93%92%93%95%
Apprenticeship2%3%2%
Work2%3%1%2%
Not in education, work or training2%2%2%1%

After sixth form

Where the 193 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training91%and stayed there for at least six months

Among pupils from low-income families it was 91%, compared with 91% for everyone else.

Where the ones heading for university went

Went on to degree-level study or training79%England 72%
Top-third universities30%England 22%. The universities that ask for the highest grades
Higher or degree apprenticeship11%England 6%
Higher technical course0%Level 4 or 5, such as an HNC or HND

Among students from low-income families, 91% went on to degree-level study or training and 36% to a top-third university.

Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training91%92%91%
Education63%61%68%
Apprenticeship11%11%3%5%
Work17%21%20%
Not in education, work or training5%6%5%

Staff and money

From the government's count of school staff in November 2025 and the school's published accounts.

Teachers79.3full-time equivalent, 87 people
Pupils per teacher19.8Pupils for every full-time teacher
Fully qualified teachers99%hold qualified teacher status
Teaching assistants7.1full-time equivalent
Average teacher pay£51,538
Teachers who left in the year4%2024/25, for any reason including retirement
Vacancies2
Sick days per teacher4.32024/25

Money

From the academy accounts return, year to August 2025. The per-pupil figures are compared with other secondary schools in England that report their accounts the same way.

Spend per pupil£8,012England £7,965. Total £12m
Income per pupil£6,859England £8,423. Total £11m
Spent on teachers per pupil£3,709England £4,444
Money in reserve18%A healthy amount put by: £1.9m, £1,203 per pupil. England 10%
Money in against money out-£1.8mit spent more than it took in this year
Where the money goes£8,012spent per pupil

Reserves are the money left over at the end of the year, kept back for emergencies and big projects. Being in the red year after year is a warning sign. Very large reserves can mean money sitting in the bank instead of being spent on today's pupils. Academy figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000 and include a share of any money the trust holds centrally.

The area around the school

Crimes within 500 m19312 months to June 2026, mostly anti-social behaviour
Local crime rate55 per 1,000 people39% lower than the England average
Typical house price£310,000Medway
Nearest bus stop110 mRainham Mark Grammar School, 12 stops within 500 m

Crime figures come from police.uk. The police record each crime at the nearest of a fixed set of map points rather than the exact spot, so “within 500 m” is only rough. House prices are from HM Land Registry sales nearby over the last two years.

Nearby schools

The closest secondary schools, nearest first. Hover over a row to see it on the map.

Well aboveAboveIn lineBelowWell belowNot scored
SchoolTypeDistancePupilsOfstedScore
The Howard SchoolAcademy840 m1,471Report card 202676Compare
Rainham School for GirlsAcademy980 m1,622Report card 202665Compare
Leigh Academy RainhamFree school1.4 miles964Good 202467Compare
The Robert Napier SchoolAcademy1.5 miles1,048No overall grade 20243Compare
Chatham GrammarAcademy (grammar)2.0 miles948Good 202387Compare
Hospital and Medical Tuition ServiceMiscellaneous2.3 milesNot inspectedCompare
Brompton AcademyAcademy2.5 miles1,399No overall grade 202423Compare
Waterfront UTCUniversity technical college2.7 miles381Good 202311Compare

Compared with schools like it

Our score compares Rainham Mark Grammar School with the 50 schools in England whose pupils are most like its own. We match on family income, how many children are learning English, special needs, the neighbourhood, the size of the school and how it admits pupils. Those 50 schools are dotted all over the country, so we don't list them. What matters is where this school sits among them.

Beats16%of schools with a similar mix of pupils
In the bottom quarter of its group. Its score of 87 is 8 points below the typical school in the group.
0Lowest of the group 84 · middle 95 · highest 99100

Nearby schools with a similar mix of pupils that score higher

Of those 50 schools, these are within 25 km and score at least five points more than Rainham Mark Grammar School, nearest first. A school with the same kind of pupils and a higher score is the fairest sign that it gets more out of them.

SchoolTypeDistancePupilsOfstedScore
Fort Pitt Grammar SchoolAcademy (grammar)3.6 miles1,009Outstanding 202295Compare
Maidstone Grammar School for GirlsFoundation (grammar)7.3 miles1,254Outstanding 202395Compare
Mayfield Grammar School, GravesendAcademy (grammar)11.2 miles1,398Outstanding 202493Compare

How the score was worked out

The score is out of 100. A 87 means that once everything below is added up, this school comes out ahead of 87% of secondary schools in England. Results bounce around from year to year, especially in small schools, so we also show a likely range: 84 to 91. Every part is judged against schools with a similar mix of pupils. For small schools we pull each part towards the group average, so one unusual year can't swing the score too far.

What we looked atHow much it countsAgainst schools like itEffect on the scoreBased on
Results over three years20%well above
+0.45
2025, 2024 and 2023 results; 237 pupils
Ofsted inspection17% (normally 20%, cut because the inspection is old)in line
+0.02
Ofsted grade, 4.3 years old
Progress pupils make20%above
+0.15
DfE progress measure; 237 pupils
Direction of travel over five years10%above
+0.05
results and attendance falling year on year
Attendance and behaviour10%well above
+0.14
2024/25; 1,178 pupils
Results, allowing for the mix of pupils10%below
-0.04
Attainment relative to schools with a similar intake; 237 pupils
What pupils do next5%well above
+0.07
241 pupils
What parents say0%no data

Worked out on 13 September 2026 (method v1). Read how the score works, including every weight and the checks we run. Think a number is wrong? Tell us.

Questions parents ask

Is Rainham Mark Grammar School a good school?

Yes, going by the figures. Rainham Mark Grammar School scores 87 out of 100. That is well above schools that take in a similar mix of pupils, and ahead of 16% of the 50 schools most like it in England. The score could fairly be anywhere from 84 to 91, so a few points either way between schools doesn't mean much.

What is Rainham Mark Grammar School's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated Rainham Mark Grammar School good at its last full inspection on 24 May 2022. That was more than four years ago. When Ofsted next visits, the school will get a report card instead of a single grade.

How good are Rainham Mark Grammar School's GCSE results?

In summer 2025, 87% of pupils got a grade 5 or better in both English and maths. Across England it was 46%. Its Attainment 8 score, which is the average grade across a pupil's best eight subjects times ten, was 62.7, against 46.8 for England. In each subject, pupils here finished about half a grade ahead of children across England who started secondary school at the same level.

How many pupils does Rainham Mark Grammar School have?

1,568 pupils aged 11 to 18 were on the roll in January 2026. It has 1,242 places, so it is 126% full.

Is Rainham Mark Grammar School oversubscribed?

Probably. The school was full in 2024/25, with 85 more pupils than places. How close you live, and the school's other admissions rules, decide who gets in.

Does Rainham Mark Grammar School have an entrance exam?

Yes. It is a grammar school, so places depend on an entrance test, usually sat in September of Year 6. Check the school's admissions page for the test dates and the pass mark.

What is attendance like at Rainham Mark Grammar School?

Pupils were in school 94.6% of the time in 2024/25. Similar schools in England managed 91.4%. 10% of pupils missed at least a tenth of the year.

How big are the classes at Rainham Mark Grammar School?

The average class had 23.2 pupils in January 2026. Across England it was 22.8. 3% of classes had more than 30 pupils.

Does Rainham Mark Grammar School have a sixth form?

Yes. The average A level grade in 2025 was B-. 21 A level subjects had results in 2025; the full list is in the results section.

These answers come straight from the figures on this page and update when new data comes out.

Contact and details

Address
Pump Lane, Rainham, Gillingham, ME8 7AJ
Telephone
01634 364151
Website
rainhammark.com
Headteacher
Mrs Agnes Hart
Type of school
Converter academy (Academy converter, academies)
Phase
Secondary school, ages 11-18, with sixth form
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
None
Multi-academy trust
Rmet (3 schools)
Local authority
Medway
Ward
Rainham North
Constituency
Gillingham and Rainham
Setting
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Opened
1 July 2011 (academy converter)
URN
136864 · LAESTAB 8875420 · UKPRN 10034121
Formerly
Rainham Mark Grammar School

Recent changes

  • New KS4 results for 2024/25

Where these figures come from