Schools in Gravesend

Gravesend and neighbouring Northfleet sit on the south bank of the Thames estuary in north-west Kent, and their 40 schools serve a densely settled urban corridor stretching from Cobham and Meopham in the rural south to the river frontage in the north. Kent County Council coordinates maintained school admissions and publishes catchment boundary maps annually.

Kent operates one of England's few remaining fully selective secondary systems: pupils sit the Kent Test at the start of Year 6, and a pass is required to apply to grammar schools such as Gravesend Grammar School for Boys or Mayfield Grammar School for girls. Non-selective secondary places at Northfleet Technology College and St John's Catholic Comprehensive resolve on distance after looked-after children and siblings.

Primary schools in Gravesend are served by a mix of community and Church of England schools. In-catchment places at community primaries resolve on distance, while CofE schools apply faith criteria first. Gravesend's housing growth means some schools operate close to or above published capacity, making early engagement with Kent admissions important.