The Academy of Woodlands
Gillingham, ME7 2DU · Medway · primary school
Check the area around this school
19th of 56 primary schools in Medway we can score, 76 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 7.1/10 against 1,749 of them, against 5.8/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 69.0 · 63 | 62% | 3.86 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 38% | 1.95 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Academy of Woodlands overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 69.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0% of pupils, matching the national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in swimming and Forest School, with both a breakfast club and an after-school club available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 758 pupils against a stated capacity of 630. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What specific support is provided for pupils who do not reach the expected standard? How are the breakfast and after-school clubs structured to support daily routines?
What Ofsted said about The Academy of Woodlands
Overview
The Academy of Woodlands is described as a "happy and safe community" where pupils are "positive about their school" and "proud of their work." Following a period of turbulence, new leadership has established "firm foundations," resulting in a "rapidly improving school" that provides a "good quality of education" for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate a "renewed sense of purpose about learning" and are making "much better progress through the curriculum than in the recent past."
- The school offers a "wide range of extra-curricular activities" that help develop "character and resilience," with pupils being "equally as proud of their achievements on and off the pitch and the stage."
- Pastoral care is a strength, providing a "stable and caring environment" where staff work tirelessly to ensure pupils from all backgrounds can "flourish."
- Early reading provision is "secure," with checks on progress and additional help for struggling readers being "increasingly successful."
- Attendance rates are "rising," supported by well-established outreach work with families and outside agencies.
Areas to improve
- Not all staff implement the phonics programme with "complete fidelity," impacting the progress of some pupils on their journey to become fluent readers.
- Rates of absence remain "too high," with some pupils falling behind because they do not attend school often enough; the school needs to "redouble its efforts" to reduce this.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 49% |
| 2023/24 | 49% |
| 2024/25 | 69% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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