Ofsted: Outstanding schoolGrammar School trending_up High Demand emoji_events #1 in Medway public Top 2% UK

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Eliot Hodges

corporate_fareLEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST

location_onRochester, ME1 3EL

language Visit Website phone 1634844008

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,479

trending_up

Attainment 8

69.5

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#1 in Medway

#111 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School is a Academy converter secondary school in Rochester, serving ages 11-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Highly competitive: 1.6× more applications than places — plan well ahead.

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School Summary

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School is an academy converter in Rochester, Medway, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST. The school has approximately 1,528 pupils on roll, of whom 11% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 69.5, placing the school #1 in Medway and #111 of 3,216 nationally. 93.50% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 53.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 20 A-level subjects. 74.7% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 45.8% at A*–A. A-level value added: +0.2 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Outstanding, behaviour and attitudes Outstanding, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Outstanding.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.6× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 22.3:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 0.4 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

69.5

Grade 5+ E&M

93.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)53.8%

Entering EBacc98.60%

EBacc APS6.82

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.9

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

70.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc97.10%

EBacc APS6.9

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.85

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

70.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc99%

EBacc APS6.89

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.91

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

70.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc99%

EBacc APS6.95

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc94%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.53

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

66.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc80%

EBacc APS6.4

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.49

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

65.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc71%

EBacc APS6.27

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)97%

Apprenticeships0%

EmploymentSP%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)96%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)96%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)97%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)98%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.2

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B+

Students

221

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*17.7%

Achieving A*–A45.8%

Achieving A*–B74.7%

VA Banding Above average

Retention rate98.2%

A-level subjects offered20

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.34

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils do significantly better than expected at A-level.

Avg Grade

B+

Students

220

Retention rate97.30%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

210

Retention rate95.70%

2022

Avg Grade

A-

Students

200

Retention rate99.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

21 March 2023

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2023-03-21

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2008-11-26

Section 5 RTI Historic EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2005-11-30

None EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

0.3%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.3%(5 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,528 pupils. During this period, there were 5 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.3%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,528	5	0.3%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,530	8	0.5%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,503	9	0.6%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,507	6	0.4%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,506	7	0.5%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,475	2	0.1%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,479	3	0.2%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,477	0	0.0%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,460	3	0.2%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,464	3	0.2%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,468	4	0.3%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,429	8	0.6%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,430	4	0.3%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,434	9	0.6%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,369	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,369	2	0.1%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,369	5	0.4%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,356	2	0.1%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,359	4	0.3%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,357	2	0.1%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,296	2	0.2%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,294	3	0.2%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,294	5	0.4%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,252	1	0.1%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,256	6	0.5%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,266	3	0.2%	3.1%	2

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 63 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 31 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 7 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 2 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

Physical Disability 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

94.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

97.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

17.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree73%

agree24%

disagree1%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree42%

agree47%

disagree9%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree37%

agree23%

disagree4%

strongly disagree4%

don't know3%

not applicable28%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes12%

no88%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree76%

agree12%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

dont know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree78%

agree21%

disagree1%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree66%

agree29%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree59%

agree34%

disagree4%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree64%

agree33%

disagree2%

don't know1%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree68%

agree30%

disagree2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree52%

agree34%

disagree7%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes94%

no6%

Top Secondary Schools in Medway

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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The Rochester Grammar School

Good

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Outstanding

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Rainham Mark Grammar School

Good

location_on Gillingham, ME8 7AJ

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Holcombe Grammar School

Good

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Chatham Grammar

Good

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The Howard School

Good

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emoji_events #7 in LA

View all schools in Medway arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Selective Admission (Grammar)

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Medway

The Rochester Grammar School

Fort Pitt Grammar School

Rainham Mark Grammar School

Holcombe Grammar School

Chatham Grammar

The Howard School