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catchment.school

Rainham School for Girls Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Rainham School for Girls is an academy converter secondary school in Gillingham, Medway , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1625 pupils, and a capacity of 1558 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-18

Age range

1,625

Pupils

1,558

Capacity

104%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2016

Rainham School for Girls Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Rainham School for Girls?

The catchment area for Rainham School for Girls is the geographic zone Medway uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Medway publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Rainham School for Girls sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Medway. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Currently oversubscribed: 1625 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1558 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when Medway publishes the 2027 Rainham School for Girls numbers →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Medway before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Medway catchment area documents →

Rainham School for Girls: at or above its 1558 place limit

Rainham School for Girls has a published admission number of 1558 places. 1625 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 104%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1558 places. Medway allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. The last-distance figure is likely to remain tight if demand holds at this level.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 19.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Gillingham.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Medway publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Medway school admissions →

Rainham School for Girls: School Information

Full address
Derwent Way, Rainham, Gillingham, ME8 0BX
Local authority
Medway
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Gender
Girls
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
19.1% of pupils
DfE URN
136456

Other Secondary Schools in Gillingham

If Rainham School for Girls is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Gillingham are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Rainham School for Girls by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Rainham School for Girls

What is the catchment area for Rainham School for Girls?

The catchment area for Rainham School for Girls is the geographic zone Medway uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Medway publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Rainham School for Girls oversubscribed?

Yes, Rainham School for Girls currently has 1625 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1558 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Rainham School for Girls?

Admission to Rainham School for Girls is managed by Medway. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Rainham School for Girls cover?

Rainham School for Girls is a secondary school in Gillingham, Medway, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Rainham School for Girls?

Rainham School for Girls was rated Good by Ofsted in 2016. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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